By Chief Petty Officer Susan Hammond, USN

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., Sept. 29, 2006 – U.S. Northern Command, which works to deal with threats to the U.S. homeland, celebrates its fourth birthday Oct. 2. NORTHCOM became operational Oct. 1, 2002, although the Defense Department began reviewing the need for a homeland defense combatant command within weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. At that time, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the heads of the military services signed a common letter stating that it was time to define what was needed for homeland defense and homeland security. In January 2002, the secretary of defense announced that a new command would be established; nine months later, NORTHCOM began operations at Peterson Air Force Base.

"(The command) had about 150 personnel at the stand-up," said Dr. Thomas Fuller, historian for NORTHCOM and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The two commands share headquarters facilities and many command components.

"Today we have over 1,200 personnel," Fuller said. "The two-element mission remains the same."

NORTHCOM's mission is to conduct operations to deter, prevent and defeat threats and aggression aimed at the United States and, when necessary, to provide defense support of civil authorities.

"This is the first time the U.S. military has had a homeland defense commander since President George Washington," said Michael B. Perini, director of public affairs for NORAD and NORTHCOM.

"In these four years, we've become a very recognizable group of dedicated men and women whose expertise is sought after," Perini said. "Our exercise and training program is a benchmark for others. We have a new state-of-the art command center that allows us to communicate with 150 other centers and is a template for other organizations to emulate.

"We are getting a reputation for being a leader in c2 -- communication and coordination -- which is critically important for an organization like ours."

Civil service employees and uniformed members representing all service branches work at NORTHCOM's headquarters. "Everybody has a role in the homeland defense mission by staying informed, being watchful and not being apathetic," Perini said. "Terrorists continue to plan, and so U.S. NORTHCOM needs to continue to work in safeguarding our nation around the clock. We are entrusted with protecting Americans where they live and work."

When the command began operations, it reached full operational capability inside a year and has continued to improve, Fuller said.

"Over the years we've built relationships with the multitude of interagency organizations that we have to interact with, most notably the Department of Homeland Security and all its sub-components like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Transportation Security Administration," Fuller said.

Both elements of the NORTHCOM mission have been tested in the four short years of its existence. NORTHCOM supports interagency efforts to deter and defeat possible threats during "national security special events," such as the G8 Summit, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, United Nations meetings, the funeral of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, presidential inaugurations and state of the union addresses, as well as the Super Bowl.

This summer, NORTHCOM immediately detected missiles launched by North Korea and determined they posed no threat to the United States or its territories. When arrests were made in the United Kingdom of suspects in an alleged plot to blow up airliners bound for the United States, the command coordinated with Homeland Security, TSA and other federal agencies to ensure safe travel on aircraft.

In its role of defense support of civil authorities, NORTHCOM supported firefighting efforts in Washington this summer and in California in 2003, as well as FEMA's efforts to provide relief in Florida to those impacted by Hurricane Charley in 2004.

The command became the most visible to the public, however, in September 2005, when NORTHCOM supported the Homeland Security Department, FEMA and other federal agencies in disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. More than 21,400 active-duty servicemembers supported effort along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

"I believe we have some of our nation's best experts working homeland defense 24-7-365," Perini said, "all services, active duty, Guard and reserve, civilian and contractors, who treat their responsibilities to keep the nation secure as a sacred honor."

(Navy Chief Petty Officer Susan Hammond is assigned to U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs.)

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2006 – The United Service Organizations celebrated its 65th anniversary last night and honored troops from each branch of the military for heroism. "We are thankful that we are defended by men and women of character and courage, and we are grateful to all the USO volunteers to work to entertain them," President Bush said in a video message to the 65th annual USO gala here. "They lift their spirits and express the gratitude and support of the American people."

The five troops who received USO Servicemember of the Year awards at the gala represent the highest ideals of courage and patriotism, and have demonstrated extraordinary loyalty, bravery and heroism, Bush said.

Honored were:
Army Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, of the Kentucky National Guard. Hester served as a team leader with the 617th Military Police Company at Camp Liberty, Iraq. On March 20, 2005, Hester was in one of three escort vehicles providing security for a convoy when the convoy was ambushed by insurgents. Despite being outnumbered five to one and coming under heavy fire, Hester led her soldiers on a counterattack, maneuvering her team into a flanking position and clearing trenches occupied by the insurgents. Hester is the first woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star for combat action.

Marine Cpl. Robert L. Snyder, of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Snyder was a fire team leader in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During a sweep of a compound in western Anbar province, Snyder's platoon encountered heavy machine gun fire. Learning that his squad leader was wounded, Snyder took charge, pulled one Marine to safety and ordered the squad to remove the remaining injured Marines. Snyder then used his own suppressive fire to rescue a Marine trapped inside the compound. Snyder was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Device for his actions.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel R. Leoncio, of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif. As a hospital corpsman deployed to Iraq, Leoncio was in a patrol stuck by an improvised explosive device. The IED caused his Humvee to overturn, traumatically amputating his lower right leg and causing other serious fractures and internal injuries. Despite his injuries, Leoncio began giving instructions on how to care for himself and the other injured Marines and personally rendered life-saving medical care to other Marines, including his platoon commander. Leoncio was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device for his valor.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Upton, of the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Upton was a member of a team that identified and disabled IEDs in Iraq, helping to secure areas for coalition and Iraqi army forces. During an operation to secure a main supply route, an IED detonated, rupturing Upton's eardrums and giving him a concussion. Despite his injuries, Upton rushed to the aid of his teammate, who had suffered a traumatic limb amputation. Upton improvised a tourniquet and began treating the other injuries. On the deployment, Upton led more than 50 missions to identify and disable IEDs, and led the destruction of more than 4,000 pieces of ordnance.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Mitchell A. Latta. Latta was an aviation survival technician involved in day and night rescue operations during Hurricane Katrina. While in a helicopter battling 40-knot winds, Latta dropped to a rooftop where 10 survivors were gathered inches above rising flood waters. One was an amputee suffering from diabetic shock. Latta rescued a stroke victim trapped in her attic and submerged himself in toxic flood waters to save a woman whose legs were tangled in a garden hose. Over the five days of rescue operations, Latta saved the lives of 181 people.
Leoncio, the Navy corpsman who is now a single-leg amputee, said he is honored to receive this award, but he knows many other corpsmen and Marines who have done just as much as he did, or more. He said he doesn't remember many of the events of the day he was injured and has to rely on other people to tell him what happened, but he's glad he was able to do his job and save the lives of the Marines that he said are like a family to him.

"We'd do anything for each other; I'd do anything for any of my Marines, and they'd do the same for me," he said. "I love my Marines; they saved my life."

Leoncio lost friends in the war on terror, but he said he tries to maintain a good attitude and go on with life -- including running in the upcoming Army 10-miler -- to honor their lives and to show gratitude for the chances he's been given.

"You live life for those that didn't make it, and that's it," he said. "You can't be sad because, one, I'm not that bad off; there are a lot of other people worse off than me. And, I've had some friends who didn't make it home. Don't get me wrong, I have my sad days and there are certain times when certain things will remind me of my friends and I get sad and I get depressed, but then you snap out of it. You just have to."

Hester echoed Leoncio's sentiments of humility about receiving the USO award. Her fellow soldiers are her brothers and sisters, she said, and they serve honorably every day. "I served close to a year over there with them, and they deserve to be standing up here with me," she said. "They fought just as hard as I did so, in my eyes, they should be here too."

Hester said that her actions that day in Iraq were largely instinctive, drawing on her training as a soldier. "You really don't have time to think about what you should and shouldn't do," she said. "To make no decision is the wrong decision, and that's the only wrong decision you can make. I just reacted; it was pretty instinctive."

Snyder, the Marine, said that he was just doing his job while clearing the compound in Iraq. He never expected to be nominated for an award, he said, and he is just glad he was able to be there for his fellow Marines when they needed him.Snyder comes from a family of Marines and said that when he joined, he knew he had found his niche in life -- a niche he is eager to get back to.

"They're out there doing their job in the field right now, training hard. I've just got to get out of here quick enough to go back with them," he said.

At the gala, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the stories of the five servicemember honorees and other troops like them bring tears to his eyes and make his job a privilege. Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of Pace's assumption of the chairman position, and he said he is proud of the past year and ready for the future.

"I have no idea what this next year has in store, but I do know this: there are 2.4 million young men and women -- active, Guard and Reserve -- just like the five young men and women who are standing before you tonight, who have pledged their lives if necessary to defend this country," he said. "And therefore, it is not a burden for me to go do my job. It's an honor; I'm fired up, and I'm proud to serve alongside them."

Pace also thanked the volunteers and celebrities who work with the USO, bringing a piece of home to U.S. troops serving overseas. "You have no idea how you touch our hearts and how just hearing your voice or seeing your smile or knowing that you too are in 120 degree heat -- what a huge difference that makes to everybody serving overseas," he said.

By Steven Donald Smith

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2006 – The killing of al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in June severely disrupted the terrorist organization's capability, but foreign fighters entering Iraq continue to cause problems, a senior Multinational Force Iraq spokesman told reporters in Baghdad yesterday. "What the al Qaeda in Iraq could do in May and what they can do today has been seriously degraded," Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said. "They are not as effective or as organized today as they were back in May. But they're still an organization out there."

The general said about 50 to 70 foreign fighters enter Iraq every month. "We know that most of them come from Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt and Syria," he said.

Iraqi and coalition forces are capturing or killing between 30 and 50 of these foreign fighters per month, he said. "Today in Iraq there are currently 381 foreign fighters in detention," he said.

Most of the suicide bombers in Iraq are foreigners, he said. "And therefore, the importance of securing the borders of this country becomes more paramount when you see that kind of infiltration occurring," he said.

Caldwell said about 27,000 trained and equipped Iraqi border forces are operating on the country's borders. "That is having a positive impact, but these are brand new forces that have just been trained," he said. "They're just starting to operate out there, and it's going to take some time before we see the real benefit of their presence."

The border forces are not just there to stop the infiltration of terrorists, but also to prevent any kind of smuggling or illegal transportation of anything across the borders, he said. Coalition forces continue to support the Iraqi border forces by providing aerial and ground assets. "There is a very close relationship between the coalition forces and the border security forces that are out there operating predominantly along the Syrian border and the Iranian border, since those seem to be the two places where we see the foreign fighters come from," Caldwell said.

Coalition forces and the Iraqi government are striving to achieve three main goals. "Unity, security and prosperity are the ultimate three goals," he said. Achieving these goals, however, will depend largely on Iraqi people and their elected government, the general added.

"Our ultimate goal for the coalition forces here in Iraq is to see an Iraq that is at peace with its neighbors, that has a country here that has a representative government that respects the rights of all Iraqi citizens, with security forces that are sufficient to maintain the security for the Iraqi citizens, and then to deny this country as safe haven for terrorists," Caldwell said.

The general acknowledged that major challenges lay ahead for the Iraqi government. "They have to reestablish basic services for the citizens of Iraq. And when we say basic services, we're talking about electricity, water and sewage," he said.

Caldwell also mentioned a letter from the president of the Islamic community of Kosovo that was recently published in an Iraqi paper. The letter explained the difficulties Kosovo had to overcome when transitioning from war-torn region to stability.

The letter talks about security, democracy, constitutional and privatization issues, Caldwell said. "The biggest challenge of all (in Kosovo), though, was reconciliation," he said.

"He tells you to keep hope, to keep your faith, to not lose the fact that it's going to be hard and challenging, but in the end you will prevail and you will find the peace that they have found in Kosovo and what they have discovered there for their people," Caldwell said describing the letter's content.

"It's a very moving letter in that it's a very recent example," the general said.

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2006 – In addition to filling its traditional maritime security role, the U.S. Navy has been performing different missions on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, shouldering a larger part of the burden in the war on terror. Currently, more than 11,000 sailors are deployed at sea in the Middle East, and 12,000 sailors are deployed in U.S. Central Command countries, said Navy Lt. Trey Brown, a Navy spokesman. About 4,300 sailors are on the ground in Iraq, he said.

Sailors are performing many different missions in the war on terror, Brown said. Some are traditional Navy duties, such as those being carried out by Seabees conducting construction missions and Navy corpsmen deployed with Marine Corps units, Brown said. But Navy units also are doing very nontraditional Navy missions: customs inspections, medical operations, civil affairs and detention operations, among them, he said.

In carrying out these diverse missions, the Navy has lost 56 sailors in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 29 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

"This war to defeat terrorism is not something that is put directly onto the Army or Marine Corps; it's put onto the military as a whole," Brown said. "It's up to the military as a whole to win. With that in mind, our sailors have a lot of skills that are very useful and are very sought after by the commanders that are in Central Command and in Iraq."

This week, a group of 520 sailors is redeploying after running a detention facility in northern Iraq, Brown said. This unit is being replaced by another Navy unit, which will do everything from commanding the facility to overseeing its laundry operations, he said.

In Afghanistan, about 180 sailors are working on six provincial reconstruction teams working directly with the provinces, teaching the leaders how to work with the national government and local governments, he said.

Many sailors who deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan go as "individual augmentees," which means they are pulled from their home units to support the war on terror, Brown said. The 520 sailors coming back from Iraq this week, for example, are from more than 100 different Navy commands.

Every sailor sent to the Middle East goes through specialized training to prepare for the mission, Brown said. The level of training depends on the mission they will perform, he said. Those who will be in a staff position do two weeks of weapons and cultural training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and the sailors who work with detainees go through three months of training, he said.

"We're using the Army facilities and we're using a lot of Army personnel to help train them, but this is a Navy training set-up," he said. Only sailors go through the training.

The numbers of sailors on the ground has increased continually since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and has steadily grown to its current strength, Brown said. Future levels will depend on the requirements of the commanders on the ground, he said, but he added that he expects the Navy to continue to be a valuable contributor to the war on terror.

"Certainly we anticipate that our sailors are going to continue to be in high demand; the skills that we have will continue to be wanted over there," he said.

During a news conference Sept. 25, Navy Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer, commander of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, outlined his unit's contributions to the war on terror. The Enterprise strike group has been deployed for almost five months, conducting maritime security operations to ensure security for commercial shipping and Iraq's two oil terminals in the northern Arabian Gulf, and setting the conditions for security and stability in the region, Spicer said.

Aircraft from the USS Enterprise have performed hundreds of missions over Iraq and Afghanistan, Spicer said. Over Iraq, the missions have centered on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and in Afghanistan, the aircraft have more actively supported troops on the ground, he said.

Sailors and Marines from the Enterprise strike group have been working long hours and have made critical contributions to the war on terror, Spicer said. Throughout their deployment, the troops have stayed motivated because they see the role they play in the war and the support they provide to the troops on the ground, he said.

"They're committed; they're motivated; they're proud to be contributing to maritime security operations and the war on terror," he said. "I think the American people would be proud too if they knew just how hard these sailors and Marines have been working and just how tremendously effective they've been at what they've been doing."

By Dr. Peter D. Skirbunt

FORT LEE, Va., Sept. 29, 2006 – The Defense Commissary Agency preserves a military benefit officially established 140 years ago, with a heritage extending back to the American Revolution. In 1775, Congress created the Office of the Commissary General of Stores and Purchases to provide the Army's daily rations. Fifty years later, the "Commissariat," as it was then known, began selling items from its warehouses "at cost" to Army officers for their personal use. By 1841, officers could also purchase items for their families.

The dietary needs of enlisted men, whose official rations were not particularly healthy, were largely dependent upon civilian merchants for additional food. Merchants selling to the Army were "sutlers;" those who sold to the Navy in harbors around the world were known as "bumboaters." These merchants sold hard goods and all sorts of edibles, including canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables. They provided a valuable service, but many of them overcharged or sold inferior goods.

During the Civil War, while men on both sides complained about prices and quality, some unscrupulous sutlers grew rich. After the war, Congress began to phase the sutlers out of business. In 1866, it authorized the Army to sell goods at cost from its subsistence warehouses to officers and enlisted men alike. These sales, which began on July 1, 1867, were the start of the modern commissary system. In 1868, customers could choose from an official 82-item stock list.

Congress established sales stores "wherever needed," with no restrictions on their geographical locations. The notion that commissaries were originally established for remote frontier posts is untrue; in fact, "remote" or "frontier" posts were actually the last places to have commissary sales stores. They were the very places where fully stocked commissaries could not be maintained due to distance, bad roads, hostile tribes and bad winter weather. Such forts were supplied by a combination of "issue" commissaries, "sales" commissaries and "post traders," who were under Army contract and could not sell anything available at the commissaries. By 1895, when railroads were bringing supplies to most forts, sutlers were no longer needed.

Overseas commissaries followed the acquisition of territory during the Spanish-American War. The first store overseas opened in Manila in 1899, and soon there were more than 30 other stores throughout the Philippines. Suppression of the Boxer Rebellion in China prompted the establishment of a commissary in Peking in 1900, and construction of the Panama Canal prompted a series of military and civilian stores to open in Panama after 1904.

Following the around-the-world voyage of the Navy's "Great White Fleet" in 1907-09, the Navy realized bumboats were inadequate for supplying the needs of a modern fleet. Consequently, in 1909 Congress provided for ships' stores afloat and ashore for the Navy and Marine Corps; the "stores ashore" would later become known as commissaries. The first of these opened in 1910 at the Washington, D.C., Navy Yard, just down the street from Congress -- a clear example of Congress' intent to establish the commissaries wherever necessary and not only at remote posts. By 1930, the Navy disallowed doing business with bumboats.

Commissaries' customer base gradually expanded. Initially established for the benefit of active-duty personnel, commissaries began selling to retirees in 1879, and reaffirmed the practice in 1916. In the decade before World War II, store privileges were extended to members of the Lighthouse Service, as well as spouses and widows of uniformed personnel.

Other changes came quickly following the war. Perishable goods were officially placed on the commissary stock list in 1945. The first Air Force commissaries opened in 1947, the year the Air Force was established. In 1949, the Armed Services Commissary Store Regulation standardized the stock list, terminology and other criteria for all the armed services, and specified the qualifications for commissary patrons.

To help cover the stores' expenses, in 1952 the Department of Defense ordered an across-the-board 2-percent surcharge; this was gradually increased until it reached the current level, 5 percent, in 1983. Funds generated by the surcharge pay for construction, renovation and maintenance of commissary structures, as well as for some supplies and equipment.

More recently, members of the Guard and Reserve received full-time shopping privileges in 2003. Stock lists, limited to 82 items in 1867, today offer more than 14,000 items.

Each service continued to maintain its own commissary procedures, and several large organizations gradually emerged: the Navy Resale System in 1967, followed by the Navy Resale Support Office, which directed operations of Navy commissaries. The Army Troop Support Agency was activated in 1972, and the Air Force Commissary Service began operations in 1976.

In 1990, Congress and the Defense Department decided to consolidate the individual service systems. Army Maj. Gen. John P. Dreska was named the agency's first director, and Fort Lee, Va., became home to its headquarters. The agency officially took control of 410 military commissaries and multiple-related operations (such as Air Force troop support operations, and sales to U.S. Embassy personnel) on Oct. 1, 1991. After Dreska, the agency was led by Army Maj. Gen. Richard E. Beale Jr. and Air Force Maj. Gens. Robert J. Courter and Michael P. Wiedemer. Its current director is Senior Executive Service civilian Patrick B. Nixon.

After a decade of base closures and realignments, DeCA now has 264 stores. Of these, more than 140 are new or have undergone extensive renovation. Today's commissaries are much like their civilian supermarket counterparts, using scanning and other technologies to provide customers with a modern shopping experience, and establishing various cost-saving initiatives that have earned the agency several governmental awards. The agency is constantly reviewing, adjusting and improving its procedures, bringing the benefit into the 21st century.

By Gerry J. Gilmore

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2006 – The Army will soon power up a faster, computerized readiness-assessment system that commanders will use to monitor and gauge their units' fitness for deployment to perform combat and other missions, a senior Army official said here today. The Defense Readiness Reporting System-Army will be implemented Army wide Oct. 15, Col. Barry Tyree, chief of the Army Staff's readiness division, told reporters at a Pentagon news briefing.

The transformational automated system will be fielded in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Tyree said. The system is easier for commanders to use, while providing a more current picture of unit-readiness levels, he said. The new system will eventually be used by all of the armed services.

The new system enables commanders to focus on the content of their readiness-assessment reports, Tyree said, "and not necessarily on the time it takes to create" the reports.

"In our testing we found that we reduced the workload on commanders in the field by about 50 to 75 percent for how they create this report," Tyree said. "And, that's good for us, because at the department level -- and certainly as it goes to the Joint Staff and OSD -- you want more accurate information."

The old, slower system was created during the Cold War and relied on "stubbly pencil" inputting of data, Tyree said. The new, Web-based system automatically links to other sites commanders will use in updating their readiness reports, he said.

Commanders enter readiness data, such as numbers of personnel, training status, equipment on hand and equipment serviceability, into the computerized system, Tyree explained. The system features specialized data input templates that are customized for different types of military units, such as armor, artillery, infantry, and so forth.

The secured, automated program also incorporates a new capabilities-measuring system instituted by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Tyree said. Military units are assigned "yes," "qualified yes," or "no" readiness ratings.

"Yes" means identified units can be immediately deployed, according to Army documents. "Yes" assessments should also, whenever possible, reflect a unit's demonstrated performance in training or during actual operations.

"Qualified yes" means a military organization is expected to accomplish a given task well enough, but the unit's performance hasn't been observed or demonstrated during training or operations, according to Army documents.

A "no" assessment indicates the organization is unable to accomplish the task to standard at that particular time.

For the time being, the Army also would continue to employ the current five-part system in concert with the new system as part of the unit readiness-assessment process, Tyree said.

"We're keeping the current ... assessments so we can ensure that we understand how commanders are making their assessments," he said.

The new system also will assist Army and DoD efforts in providing "all the right resources" for units returning from deployment, while also monitoring those units' progress as they "re-set" for future deployments, Tyree said.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2006 – Iraqi national police detained eight suspected terrorists and seized a weapons cache in western Baghdad Sept. 26, U.S. military officials reported. Police officers from 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, were attacked by terrorists using small-arms fire from the Al Kur Mosque and requested assistance from Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from 5th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and 8th Squadron, 10th Calvary Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The soldiers set up a cordon while the Iraqi police entered the mosque.

Inside the mosque, the police discovered two hostages and detained eight suspected terrorists. They also found assault rifles, a hand grenade and ammunition.

The suspects were detained for questioning, and the munitions were destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team. Iraqi citizen was killed and four police vehicles were destroyed in the attack, officials said.

In other news from Iraq, soldiers from 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, found nine bodies inside a vehicle loaded with explosives in Baghdad's Mansour district on Sept. 26. Cause of death was not reported.

The Iraqi soldiers removed the bodies, and an explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the vehicle.

In a separate incident, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, detained two suspected terrorists trying to place a makeshift bomb on the side of a road in Najaf on Sept. 26. The suspects were handed over to Iraqi police for further questioning.

In addition, elements of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, attached to Multinational Division Baghdad, discovered a large cache of mortar rounds while performing combat operations in northwestern Baghdad this week. The munitions were destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

By Donna Miles

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2006 – There's no doubt of victory in the terror war -- not just because the United States is committed to seeing it through, but also because of the quality of the troops carrying it out, President Bush told the Reserve Officers Association here today. "We can have confidence in the outcome of the war on terror, because our nation is determined," the president said. "We've done this kind of hard work before, and we have succeeded."

Bush offered special recognition to servicemembers on the front lines of that effort. "We can be confident because we've got incredible men and women who wear our nation's uniform," he said. "I am constantly amazed at the incredible courage that our fellow citizens who wear the uniform show on a regular basis."

The president held up two prime examples of that courage, demonstrated by two Navy SEALs killed in Afghanistan in June 2005. Petty Officers 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson and Danny P. Dietz were part of a SEAL team operating deep in the mountains of Afghanistan on a mission to kill or capture a Taliban leader. Shortly after they were discovered, they found themselves surrounded in a mountain ravine by 30 to 40 Taliban fighters.

"During the firefight that ensued, Axelson urged an injured teammate to escape, and he provided cover before suffering a mortal wound," Bush told the group. "Fighting nearby, his partner Deetz was also mortally wounded, but he too stood his ground and kept firing until ... he finally died."

The president praised the two as heroes. "Because of the courage of Petty Officers Axelson and Deetz, their wounded teammate made it out alive," he said.

During a ceremony earlier this month in which the two sailors posthumously received the Navy Cross, Deetz's wife spoke of her husband and his comrades in arms, Bush told the group. "She said, 'Danny and his brothers went toward evil and ran forward and gave their last breath,'" Bush said.

Axelson and Deetz demonstrated the mettle of the U.S. armed forces, the president said. "We live in freedom because of the courage of men like Matthew and Danny," he said. "And we will honor their sacrifice by completing this mission."

The United States and its allies and partners around the world are engaged in a struggle against violent extremists that "will help determine the destiny of the civilized world," Bush said.

"We've borne these responsibilities before, and we have seen our faith in freedom vindicated by history," he said. "In this young century, a new generation of Americans is being called to defend liberty. And once again, the cause of liberty and peace will prevail."

During today's remarks, Bush paid tribute to those in the audience who serve in the military, including patients from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, and the National Naval Medical Center, in Bethesda, Md. "I thank you for your sacrifice," he told them.

Bush also expressed thanks to the medical professionals from the two hospitals for helping troops wounded in combat recover from their wounds. "It gives me great comfort to be able to tell the loved ones of those who wear our uniform that, 'If you get hurt, you will receive first class, compassionate care from the United States military,'" he said. "And so, to the healers who are here, thank you for doing your duty and providing these brave folks the help they need to recover."

By Jim Garamone

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2006 – The battle for Ramadi has "tipped" in favor of the government of Iraq and the coalition, the commander of 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, said today. Army Col. Sean MacFarland told the Pentagon press corps in a video teleconference call that attacks are down 25 percent over the past couple of months, and coalition forces, together with the Iraqi security forces, have steadily increased their presence inside of the city.

Ramadi, the capital and largest city in Anbar province, has been an al Qaeda in Iraq and Sunni insurgent hotbed. But now the tide seems to have turned, MacFarland said. "The Iraqi police recruiting has soared tenfold, and the Iraqi army readiness has improved to the point where Iraqi army battalions are now assuming the lead in portions of the city and its suburbs," he said.

Coalition-sponsored public works projects are bringing improvements in Iraqi quality of life. "Water and power projects are moving forward," he said. "And by February, we will have more than doubled both basic services."

MacFarland said he is encouraged by the attitude of the people of the city. The people who were fence-sitters in the battle between the Iraqi government and al Qaeda in Iraq are stepping forward and cooperating with Iraqi security forces against al Qaeda, he said.

"I think al Qaeda has been pushed up against the ropes by this, and now they're finding themselves trapped between the coalition and (Iraqi security forces) on the one side and the people on the other," the colonel said. "Now it's the al Qaeda forces that need to be worried about living in those neighborhoods. They stick out like a sore thumb. Everybody knows who the terrorists are."

Local sheikhs are cooperating with the Iraqi government. Tribal leaders are steering new recruits to the police, and they are becoming more effective. MacFarland said that Iraqi police in Ramadi today intercepted insurgents driving a car loaded with rocket-propelled grenades. "The insurgents tried to run away," he said. "(The police) chased them, and they killed or captured the entire group."

In another instance, the police intercepted a suicide car bomber before he could detonate the car at an Iraqi police position.

"There's still a lot of work to be done, but I'm very encouraged by the direction of events here," he said.

The colonel said the insurgency is "beatable" in Ramadi, but it will not be coalition forces that do the beating. "The instrument of their destruction will be the Iraqi security forces," he said. "And that's why we've been working so hard to develop the Iraqi police and the Iraqi army in and around Ramadi, and to that end the acceleration of their readiness has been very heartening."

The aim of U.S. forces in the city is to drive the level of violence in Ramadi down to a level that the Iraqi security forces will be able to manage after the coalition's departure. "So I am responsible for setting the conditions for success for the (Iraqi forces), and I think we're making good headway on that," he said.

But MacFarland again stressed the importance of getting the population on the Iraqi government's side. "It's got legs; it's moving forward, and it's because success begets success," he said. "The people are beginning to recognize that the coalition and the Iraqi security forces mean business, that they're here to stay -- especially on the Iraqi security force side -- and that they have the ability to stay.

"At the same time, they've come to recognize that al Qaeda offers them nothing, nothing but death and destruction, and that they are turning away from the al Qaeda fighters and turning toward their own sons who are in the Iraqi security forces."

By John D. Banusiewicz

PORTOROZ, Slovenia, Sept. 29, 2006 – The challenges the world faces in the 21st century can't be overcome by military means alone, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here today. In a meeting with reporters capping this week's informal meeting of NATO defense ministers, Rumsfeld said that while NATO has expanded in size, scope and capabilities, the alliance and other free nations face a world far different from that of the 20th century.

NATO is fully engaged in Afghanistan, the first time the alliance has taken on major military operations outside its geographic boundaries, and has the same kinds of issues that the United States and the coalition face there, the secretary said.

"Twenty-first century challenges are not challenges that can be overcome with brute military strength," he said. "They just don't lend themselves to military victories."

Rumsfeld said progress is necessary not only in the security part of the equation, but also in the governance, political and economic arenas.

"All of those things have to come along together," he said, "and one of the elements of the discussion (among NATO defense ministers) today was that reality, which ... is something that we discuss inside of our government continuously. How do you get all of those things moving in reasonable synchronization?"

Rumsfeld said the current tension between Russia and the former Soviet republic of Georgia was among the topics discussed when he met this morning with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Ivanov. The subject also was discussed in the NATO-Russia Council meeting today. "It's a subject of great interest to the United States and also to the NATO alliance," Rumsfeld said. "The thread of those discussions clearly was for there to be calm and for those tensions to be eased down in a peaceful way."

NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary
Thursday, September 28, 2006

"Technology Can Keep Cases Hot"
New York Newsday (09/24/06); Armario, Christine; Epstein, Reid J.

DNA and advancements in detective training are enabling the nation's police departments to solve more murder cases. Det. Lt. Dennis Farrell, head of Nassau's Homicide Squad, notes that these improvements have increased opportunities to make arrests in difficult cases, which police typically were pessimistic about solving when an arrest was not made within 72 hours. The amount of DNA required to investigate crimes has decreased substantially since the beginning of last decade. Joseph Pollini, a professor at New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice, adds that the state has a database of DNA samples taken from prisoners. Nevertheless, some cases still prove difficult, as illustrated by the shooting death of 17-year-old Ebony Ponce. Ponce, who had recently switched schools, was shot at a traffic light at the beginning of this month. Police have uncovered no motive for the killing, but are hopeful that someone with information about the crime will contact them.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lidna244905089sep24,0,335864.story

"Control Box at Texas Jail Tampered With"
Associated Press (09/23/06); Brezosky, Lynn

A control box at the private-sector East Hidalgo Detention Center near Mexico was tampered with, likely causing an fence-based alarm system to malfunction as six prisoners escaped without the alarm sounding, says LCS Corrections Services co-owner Richard Harbison. The jail is installing a prevention system to alert officials if a fence alarm is turned off. The jail also is installing surveillance cameras near four outdoor control boxes. Five gang members escaped as well as former police officer Francisco Meza-Rojas, who faces federal drug charges. http://www.heraldnewsdaily.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=9068&source=2

"Device Helps Police Spot Stolen Cars"
Arizona Republic (09/21/06); Muench, Sarah

Police in Tempe, Ariz., will have two new devices that track stolen vehicles by Nov. 1. The Tempe Police Department purchased the mobile license-plate-recognition systems for $26,000 apiece with a grant from the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority and with the money from the department. In addition to tracking stolen cars, the device can help with Amber Alerts. It contains two cameras that sit on top of a police car and can scan up to 10,000 license plates during one shift. License plates are scanned and compared to a database of stolen vehicles. Tempe police Sgt. Joe Brosius says the device is a timesaver. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0921evgadge0920.html

"High-Tech Plan Pitched to Fight Illegal Crossings"
USA Today (09/21/06) P. 5A; Hall, Mimi

The Department of Homeland Security is getting ready to have hundreds of new camera towers erected at the country's land borders as part of a campaign to beef up security and significantly reduce illegal immigration across the United States' southern border. Secretary Michael Chertoff intends to announce Thursday that the government will pay private contractors, among them Boeing, millions of dollars to install state-of-the-art towers to contain cameras and sensors that will assist Border Patrol agents in nabbing individuals coming into this country illegally. In addition, the contract will include unmanned aerial vehicles and radar systems that are ground-based. The towers are one part of a Secure Border Initiative that Chertoff proclaimed last year; Homeland Security is also working toward increasing the number of its border agents, and is now forcing immigrants who are here illegally to be sent home or contained in detention centers until they have court hearings concerning their status. http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20060921/a_border21.art.htm

"Law Enforcement Seeks New, High-Tech Crime Fighting Tools"
Associated Press (09/23/06); Smith, Vicki

The Sheriffs' departments in the Northern Panhandle area of West Virginia are beginning to use electronic files and digital photographs, in addition to fingerprint-photo technology, to assist their investigative efforts. The new identification approaches make paper arrest cards obsolete. Lt. Drage Flick of the Ohio County Sheriff's Office notes that police departments in the county plan to start using EyeCheck technology in December that can determine whether suspects have drugs in their system. EyeCheck also has applications to check whether truck drivers or other drivers have not slept a sufficient amount of time to safely operate a vehicle.
http://www.ap.org

"Cameras for Jail's Security"
Newsday (09/20/06); Lam, Chau; Madore, James T.

The county of Suffolk, N.Y., is mulling the installation of surveillance cameras within and outside the Riverhead jail, a move originally proposed almost six years ago. At the urging of Suffolk Sheriff Vincent DeMarco, county leaders unveiled a bill on September 19 that would allocate $1 million towards the purchase and installation of 100 video cameras. DeMarco said the primary goal was to save taxpayers' money by having fewer staff members. The surveillance cameras would be placed inside hallways, holding areas, common areas, and the yard; the cameras would be able to record only video images. They would not be installed inside inmate cells, and no monitoring of sleeping areas would take place, according to DeMarco. Vito Dagnello, president of the county's Correction Officers Association, said he does not support "replacing correction officers with cameras." The jail currently has roughly 160 to 170 correction officers who guard some 950 prisoners during the day shift of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to DeMarco, video cameras are already in use in the visitors' area to avert the influx of smuggled items. Suffolk County's chief deputy executive Paul Sabatino said the surveillance cameras might help reduce lawsuits filed by inmates. "It's common sense," he explained. "Getting to the truth protects both taxpayers and the innocents." http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lilegi204898759sep20,0,7126258.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines

"TSA May Shift Funds to Improve Airports' X-Ray Technology"
Washington Post (09/22/06) P. A7; Wilber, Del Quentin

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is considering using $20 million that had been earmarked for purchasing so-called "puffer" explosive-detection machines and instead using the money to upgrade its X-ray machine technology used at security checkpoints. The X-ray machines that are currently being used are somewhat limited in that they can only take images of carry-on bags from one angle, making it possible for banned items inside bags to remain hidden from view in some cases. By upgrading the X-ray technology, the TSA would be able to take multiple images of bags, eliminating blind spots inside the bags. In particular, this would help security screeners spot the shapes of items that may contain liquid explosives, the TSA said. The proposal to shift the $20 million represents the "biggest bang for the buck," says TSA chief Kip Hawley. TSA officials explained that the expensive puffer machines are susceptible to dust that causes them to frequently stop working and that they are incapable of detecting liquid explosives. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/21/AR2006092101776.html

"Police Pursue System"
The Tribune (Seymour, Ind.) (09/20/06); Woods, Aubrey

Jackson County, Ind., police officer Tom Wright is campaigning for new video technology that would enable local police to digitally enhance camera photos and video surveillance films often found in retail stores as security tools. Wright wants to pursue a $49,950 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for purchasing this video detective system He has asked the Jackson County, Ind., city council to approve his bid for the grant. Wright also plans to attend an upcoming three-day program in Virginia to study photo documentation technology and methods. http://www.tribtown.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=20786&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=186&S=1

"Inmate Tracking Systems Breed Errors"
Washington Post (09/19/06) P. A1; Vargas, Theresa

Many areas in the Washington, D.C., region still use isolated and incompatible criminal databases that are unable to communicate with each other. As a result, something as minor as deleting a hyphen in a name or spelling a name slightly differently can cause an inmate's records to fail to match court records. The problem is especially acute in the case of immigrant names because a variety of spellings are used and the use of two last names is common. Officials say it is crucial that court and prison information be compatible within a particular jurisdiction. At present, jurisdiction differ in such things as fingerprinting inmates, the use of aliases, and using numbers or names to identify inmates. Officials in larger cities such as Los Angeles and Miami usually rely on fingerprints and identification numbers instead of names to monitor inmates, and such data goes into a centralized database that can be accessed by courts and jails. "If a woman was arrested as Delafuente the first time and Flores the second time, it still would always come back to Delafuente," explained Lt. Tim Murphy, the watch commander of the inmate reception center in Los Angeles. He added that any mistakes that occur are nearly always due to clerical error. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-yn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091801367.html

"CHP to Use Laser Technology to Nab Hwy. 17 Speeders"
San Jose Mercury News (CA) (09/20/06); Richards, Gary

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is getting a speed-tracking tool called a Lidar that uses a pointed, red laser beam to instantly gauge the speed of a car. The Lidar will enable police to quickly pick out a speeding car even among a pack of cars, see the model and make, and apprehend the driver. The CHP will use it on a stretch of Highway 17 near Santa Cruz that is curvy and mountainous. This particular stretch of road in 1998 saw a peak of 896 automobile accidents. Since then, the CHP has used a number of preventative and penalizing methods to reduce annual average automotive injuries from 250 per year then to 166 per year now; and accidents have fallen by 17 percent from 2005 to 2006. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/15566929.htm

"Fingerprint System Gets Update"
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL) (09/20/06) P. 1; Forgoston, Jeff

Police in Hollywood, Fla., will soon begin using a new automated fingerprint system that can provide faster prints with greater clarity. In addition, the $88,046 biometric system will be able to use palm prints. Hollywood police began using its older automated fingerprint system roughly 10 years ago after using traditional fingerprinting methods. The new system allows police officers to obtain prints by rolling a suspect's finger across a glass window. The city used law enforcement forfeiture funds to purchase the technology. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cprint20sep24,0,6164149.story

"High-Tech Tool Can Pinpoint Gunfire Source"
Inside Bay Area (CA) (09/20/06); Harris, Harry; MacDonald, Heather

Oakland police are scheduled to be aided by microphone technology placed in some of the city's most crime-ridden areas. The microphones are able to determine the location of shooters that fire guns from as far 1.5 miles of the device. The technology requires a leasing fee of $288,500 for 12 months and becomes part of other advanced technology used by the Oakland Police Department. Police department officials report that the microphones are able to identify gun shots from fireworks and other sounds that can be mistaken for gunfire. The department is also hopeful that its program to equip high-risk offenders with bracelets that are tracked via the global positioning system will pay dividends. Parolees convicted of violent crimes or drug offenses are required to wear the bracelets, which will eventually also detect the presence of alcohol or drugs in the wearer's body. http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_4366408

"Emergency Alert Bill Could Stall Wireless Warnings"
RCR Wireless News (09/20/06); Silva, Jeffrey

Wireless warning deployment may be delayed as a result of the recently approved Warnings, Alerts, and Response Network Act, sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). The act calls for $106 million to be used for wireless and emergency warning technical protocol development methods. Congress wants to further develop emergency distribution channels before an emergency broadcast system is fully deployed. The Senate voted in favor of the bill to update the country's current emergency warning system. Paul Klein at CellCast Technologies says the bill is unnecessary and that Congress should consider using existing and proven technologies such as cell broadcast technology. "The nation's technological infrastructure for cell broadcast is already in place," says Klein. "No new development is necessary for immediate activation." The mobile phone industry is advocating the use of short message service. There are currently 219 million U.S. mobile phone subscribers. http://www.rcrnews.com/news.cms?newsId=27340

"States Rap DHS Info-Sharing"
Government Computer News (09/06); Dizard III, Wilson P.

Several federal information-sharing systems do not work with state and local information systems, said state fusion center officials to Congress during a House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment hearing. Some 42 fusion centers have been created by states, cities, and regions to share information from several different agencies. Col. Kenneth Bouche at the Illinois State Police said the issue of consolidated information sharing needs to be a priority. Users are being forced to sign on to multiple systems to gain access to information. Bouche cited several systems that do not connect such as Law Enforcement Online, the Homeland Security Information Network, and the Regional Information Sharing Systems. "It truly dismays me to think that five years after the September 11 attacks, we are still not where we should be regarding the exchange of information needed to prevent and respond to attacks and possible threats against our communities," said Bouche. State officials are also critical of the government withholding information they have deemed classified. Bouche said security clearances are not recognized between different agencies and the process to obtain a clearance is too long. The Department of Homeland Security is currently working with state and local fusion centers so they link to the Homeland Security Data Network. http://www.gcn.com/online/vol1_no1/41924-1.html

"San Diego Police Foundation Receives $1 Million Donation"
PR Newswire (09/13/06)

Qualcomm has donated $1 million to the San Diego Police Foundation to assist it in purchasing handheld communication devices and global positioning system (GPS) tools. The donation stipulates that around 60 percent of the funds will be allocated to purchasing CDMA2000 wireless tools that will boost police service response times, and also provide police dispatchers with new options, such as GPS positioning information and broadband data services. The rest of the funds will be used for wireless devices for police communication. "Our police officers are dedicated and intelligent, but they don't have all the tools they need to maximize efficient service," said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. Today "One of the greatest challenges faced by police officers in the field is that of convenient communications capabilities and the department has substantial technology needs that total more than $5 million," noted San Diego Police Foundation CEO Wenda Alvarez. http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=101007-------

"Are Fake Videos Next?"
CNet (09/11/06); Kanellos, Michael

After already having developed software that can determine whether a digital photograph has been doctored, Dartmouth professor Hany Farid is now looking to create a similar application for video. "I thought, 'This is going to be so much easier,' but it turns out to be much harder," he said. "In a minute (of) video, you are talking about thousands of images. Just the sheer mass of data that you have to contend with is challenging. You have memory and run-time issues that you don't have with (still) images." Farid and his colleagues at the Dartmouth Image Science Group are also releasing a host of new tools that could allow law enforcement officials and others to detect when a photo has been altered more easily. Fake and retouched digital images have become a major problem, thanks to faster processors, improved editing software, and a global audience. While the audio is relatively easy to tamper with, Farid says, video is considerably more difficult. Farid and his graduate student, Weihong Want, have only just published a paper on video forensics, and the software capable of conducting a forensic analysis on video could still be two years' in the offing. The software would likely work in a similar fashion as the kind used to detect photography fraud, scanning for anomalies in the digital feed. By analyzing the continuity of the horizontal lines that pass between frames in video, the software promises to determine whether the video has been doctored. Thus far, however, it has been difficult for the researchers to quantify what determines a significant enough break in continuity that the video can be assumed to have been altered. JPEG quantitization tables enable analysts to determine by brand the rate at which cameras will drop data while compressing an image. "I can't tell you the serial number of the camera, but I can tell you this did not come from a Canon PowerShot. It came from a Nikon," said Farid. "You can also tell if it came through Photoshop. It won't tell you what happened to the image, but it tells you it did not directly come out of the camera."
http://news.com.com/Are+fake+videos+next/2100-1008_3-6113449.html

"Pinch My Ride"
Wired (08/06) Vol. 14, No. 8,; Stone, Brad

Most of the newer cars on the road today are equipped with transponder theft deterrents, which feature an ignition key in which a small computer chip is embedded. This chip releases a unique radio signal to the car's onboard computer that enables the car to start. Many insurance companies and car manufacturers believe that thwarting a transponder system is so difficult that most criminals lack the money or ingenuity to do so. However, transponders actually start to lose effectiveness after a few years when criminals decipher how to bypass the system. Car thieves typically overcome a car's transponder deterrent system in four ways--by removing a particular fuse from an engine's power relay center, stealing the extra valet key hidden inside a car's manual, replacing the electronic control module (ECM) within a car's computer with their own ECM, and applying a series of pushes and pulls to a car's emergency brake lever that correspond to a car's VIN (vehicle identification number). In one case involving a Mercedes S430, mechanics found that an electronic ignition system and customized fuses had been wired to the dashboard and the fuse box. Investigators believe the thief used a PDA to upload pilfered software into the car's computer and replace the car's GPS tracking number with another. Ivan Blackman with the National Insurance Crime Bureau's Vehicle Information and Identification Program, says more and more organizations are realizing that transponder-equipped cars can be stolen. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/carkey.html

"Information & Intelligence Sharing After 9/11"
Law Enforcement Technology (09/06) Vol. 33, No. 9, P. 46; Kanable, Rebecca

Law enforcement officials and experts say communication problems experienced during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks centered along two fundamental axes: Horizontal communications across the federal agencies, and vertical communication up and down local to state to federal agencies. Though many disagree how much has been improved, most agree that much needs to be done. The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Justice are promoting the concept of a state-level fusion center that can bring together representatives of various state agencies and departments, and also be a communication hub for sharing information with those needed in emergencies outside the governmental structure, such as the medical community. Many states either have a fusion center today or are creating one. In addition, states are pushing forward with their own emergency response plans while simultaneously continuing to strengthen ties to agencies on the federal level, for the national process simply takes more time, says Homeland Security's William Moore, who runs the Lessons Learned Information Sharing program. Lessons Learned has a Web site at LLIS.gov, and Moore himself recommends that law enforcement and emergency agencies focus on building trust across state and local departments and also on the regional level, where many natural regional bonds already exist. Data-sharing among various local and federal law enforcement databases also has increased since 2001, a boost partially due to the increased use of XML and Global JXDM computer language. http://www.officer.com/magazines/let/

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2006 – Air Force officials have convened a Safety Investigation Board to determine the cause of a ground collision between a Kyrgyz TU-154 passenger plane and a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker at Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan around 8 p.m. Sept. 26. "Our primary concern was for the safety of the passengers and crew of both aircraft," Air Force Col. Joel "Scott" Reese, commander of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, said. "I'm thankful there were no injuries."

The three-member crew of the KC-135 had just returned from an aerial refueling mission and was taxiing from the runway when the TU-154's wing collided with the KC-135's wing. The wing of the KC-135 caught fire as a result of the collision. The TU-154 continued its take off and made an immediate emergency landing. The passengers of the TU-154 were evacuated without injury.

"Fire and emergency crews from Manas International Airport along with our firefighters extinguished the fire on the KC-135," Reese said. "We're grateful for the relationship we have with our partners here at the airport. Our joint training paid off immensely in the successful response to this emergency."

This is the first accident between U.S. and Kyrgyz aircraft. Air Force officials are cooperating with local airport and aviation authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident, officials said.

The KC-135 aircraft and crew are deployed to Manas from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The 376th AEW at Manas has been supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan since the base opened in December 2001. The wing's mission is air mobility, with both KC-135s and C-17 Globemaster IIIs moving people, cargo and fuel into and out of Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2006 – Stryker Brigade soldiers killed a terrorist and wounded another after spotting them attempting to place an anti-tank mine near Muqdadiya, in Iraq's Diyala province, yesterday, U.S. military officials said. The patrol from Comanche Troop, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, investigated the scene and found the mine set to detonate on a passing vehicle. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the mine on site. Iraqi and coalition forces continue to work throughout Diyala province to stop insurgent activity and increase security in the multi-ethnic region, officials said.

In addition, four suspected insurgents were detained and a large weapons cache was found during an Iraqi army-led operation with coalition forces in Mosul yesterday. Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, and coalition soldiers cleared the area around one building and detained two suspects, while another group moved to a second building, detaining two additional suspects without incident.

Two coalition soldiers in the first building found a crawl space on the roof, which revealed a hidden weapons cache. The cache contained rocket-propelled grenades and launchers, rifles, mortar tubes, military maps and propaganda.

A coalition forces interpreter overheard the detainees discussing a second cache in the building and notified the soldiers. The second cache was hidden behind a 16 inch-thick concrete wall in the basement of the building. Using sledgehammers, Iraqi soldiers unearthed a larger weapons cache containing grenades, ammunition, machine guns and mortar rounds. There were no injuries during the course of the operation.

Elsewhere, Iraqi security forces captured two people suspected of kidnapping and murdering Iraqi civilians during an early-morning raid near Tarmiya on Sept. 26.

Iraqi forces, along with coalition advisors, conducted an air assault near their objective and quickly entered a residence holding the suspects. Iraqi forces detained the suspects without incident. Those detained are believed to belong to a terror cell that commits acts of violence against innocent Iraqis and have ties to al Qaeda in Iraq, and have allegedly targeted U.S. forces in a bomb attack, officials said.

The two detainees are in Iraqi custody. There were no casualties during the operation. The raid was conducted as part of Operation Together Forward to capture those responsible for the murder of innocent Iraqi civilians. The operation, a helicopter-borne assault, highlights the capability of Iraqi forces to go where criminals are, deny them sanctuary, and provide for a safe and secure Iraq, officials said.

Also on Sept. 26, specially trained Iraqi security forces captured six terrorists suspected of targeting coalition forces with makeshift bombs during a raid near Haswah. The suspects, who all had outstanding Ministry of Interior arrest warrants, are believed to be responsible for a bomb attack that resulted in the death of a U.S. soldier.

Components for building makeshift bombs also were captured, and multiple suspects and a vehicle at the site tested positive for exposure to military-grade explosives. The detainees left the scene in Iraqi custody. There were no casualties in the operation.

By Jim Garamone

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2006 – The Iranian government is behind shipping components used to make improvised explosive devices to Iraqi insurgents, a senior intelligence official in Iraq said yesterday. Labels on weapons stocks seized inside and outside Iraq point to Iranian government complicity in arming Shiite militias in Iraq, Army Major General Richard Zahner, the deputy chief of staff for intelligence with Multinational Force Iraq, said at a news roundtable.

U.S. officials have said in the past that Iran is fomenting instability in Iraq. In August, Army Brig. Gen. Michael Barbero said that the Iranian government is training many members of the Shiite insurgency in Iraq. Barbero is the deputy operations chief on the Joint Staff.

"Iran is definitely a destabilizing force in Iraq," Barbero said during an Aug. 23 Pentagon news conference. "I think it's irrefutable that Iran is responsible for training, funding and equipping some of these Shiia extremist groups and also providing advanced (improvised explosive device) technology to them, and there's clear evidence of that."

Zahner said Iran is funneling millions of dollars for military goods into Iraq. He noted that labels on C-4 explosive found in Baghdad make it clear where the munitions came from. "You'll find a red label on the C-4 printed in English and will tell you the lot number and name of the manufacturer," he said.

In 2002, the Israelis seized a small ship bringing military supplies to Hezbollah. "Compare the labels on the military C-4 in that and tell me if they're not identical," Zahner said.

He said British, Iraqi and American officials in Basra also have found blocks of C-4. "You will see the same red label for each and every one of those," he said.

Zahner also said it's clear that the Iranian government is behind the munitions shipments. "I will tell you that the control of military-grade explosives in Iran is controlled through the state apparatus and is not committed through rogue elements right there," he said. "It is a deliberate decision on the part of elements associated with the Iranian government to affect this type of activities."