Operation: Love from Home

Below is a request from one of our Soldiers' Angels. Come on, folks. Step up to the plate and do your duty. After all, they are doing theirs...

During this holiday season, let's show our troops we love and support them! From September 30 to November 30, I will be collecting holiday cards for troops stationed in high-combat areas in Iraq and Afghanistan. Being away from home and living in harsh conditions during the holiday season is especially difficult ~ they need to know we have not forgotten them. Mail from home helps to keep our troops' morale strong, making a very real difference in their lives.

Send your signed, unsealed holiday cards to:

Mrs. Kathy Orr
OPERATION: LOVE FROM HOME
P.O. Box 1660
Loganville, Georgia, 30052

The cards can be handmade or store-bought... for that matter, they don't even have to be cards; a hand-written or typed letter is just as wonderful! This is a great opportunity to get your Scout troop, school, church and other civic organizations involved in doing something to show support for our troops.

If you wish to send an email greeting (which will be printed off and mailed along with the holiday cards), please send an email to: LoveFromHome@Gmail.com

**IMPORTANT GUIDELINES: This is not a "dating service" of any type. Please do not send suggestive or otherwise inappropriate cards or materials. Please also refrain from making political statements of any nature. I will be reading and screening every card received to ensure that the above guidelines are adhered to. Remember: This is strictly to let the troops know that we love them, we are proud of them and that we HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN them! If you have any questions, please contact me at LoveFromHome@Gmail.com

Please do what you can to send some holiday cheer to our men & women serving in harm's way this holiday season! :) If you have a blog or website, please consider posting this informtion on your blog or website; if you do not have a blog or website, please forward this on to as many people as you can. My goal this year is to EXCEED last year's total of 2,500 holiday cards. Thank you all in advance for your participation and support for our heroes!!! God bless, Kat. PS - I also have a flyer available in Word format, if anyone would like something "pretty and printable" to distribute.

Category: (Military) Family.

Kirkuk Hospital, Clinics Receive Medical Supplies

Medical Supplies in short supply were delivered for distribution throughout the Kirkuk area.

Nov. 21, 2006
By U.S. Army Sgt. Tony White.

TIKRIT, Iraq — Coalition Forces delivered medical supplies and equipment to the Kirkuk General Hospital Nov. 12.

The supplies will be distributed among the hospital and clinics in the Kirkuk area.

A local Iraqi unpacks medical supplies at the Kirkuk General Hospital. The medical aid, supplied by Coalition Forces, will be distributed amongst the hospital and the local clinics. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony White.

Medical supplies in shortage, such as intravenous (IV) bags and burn blankets, were supplied by civil affairs soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division.

“God willing, these supplies will be helpful,” said Ahmed Karman, an Iraqi pharmacist working in the medical warehouse at the Kirkuk General Hospital . “In the past we were forced to rely on the black market for medical supplies.”

Under normal situations the hospital and the clinics receive medical supplies from the Ministry of Health and the Red Cross, the pharmacist said.

“Most of our supplies come from Baghdad or Mosul ,” he said. “But everything depends on our ability to get to and from the cities. When there are transportation problems, there are shortages.”

The soldiers brought the warehouse burn blankets, bandages, needle disposal containers, IVs and accessories.

“Previously we have worked with individual clinics,” said Maj. Paul Beekman, C Company, 402nd Civil Affairs team leader. “But this was the first time we have dropped off medical supplies to the hospital’s warehouse. We are planning another drop off, because we have more to give to them.”

After taking a look inside, Beekman said the warehouse looked relatively barren.

“I think this drop off will have a huge impact on the hospital and the clinics,” he said. “They have basic supplies like gauze and needles, but things like those are only intended to be used one time. Still (the Iraqi hospital and clinics) are very thankful for any supplies we can get them.”

Military family members reunite in Djibouti

November 15, 2006
By Army Spc. Eric P. Jungels Jr.
Central Command Public Affairs.

DOHA, Qatar – The senior enlisted leader for U.S. Central Command’s reserve forces recently returned here from Djibouti after a visit in which she assisted fellow troops, including one special service member.

Sgt. Maj. Judith M. Harford, acting command sergeant major for USCENTCOM Forward Headquarters met up with her brother, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Samuel R. Husner, a hospital corpsman with the 5th Provisional Security Company deployed to Djibouti, Africa.

Army Sgt. Maj. Judith M. Harford, acting command sergeant major for U.S. Central Command Forward Headquarters, poses for a photo next to her brother, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Samuel R. Husner, a hospital corpsman with the 5th Provisional Security Company, in Djibouti, Africa. The two were able to catch up while Harford was visiting troops from the 5th PSC and other reserve servicemembers in the region. USN Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eric A. Clement.

The two were able to catch up while Harford was visiting troops from the 5th PSC and other reserve troops serving in the Horn of Africa alongside of Command Chief Master Sgt. Curtis L. Brownhill, CENTCOM’s highest ranking enlisted leader.

“My job is to help Soldiers focus on their tasks by helping take care of other issues,” said Harford, whose goal for the trip was to get to know the reserve Soldiers and work out any administrative or personal issues they had. Seeing her brother, she said, was quite a bonus.

“We haven’t seen each other a lot in the last few years,” said Harford, who has worked in an active guard reserve capacity with CENTCOM for the last three years.

Between deployments and overseas assignments, Harford said, she and her brother have been very busy, actively serving and supporting the recent Global War on Terror.

The two, who according to Husner, have not seen each other in at least two years, were able to meet up, have a couple drinks, and even see a movie.

“Seems like the only time I see her is overseas some place!” said Husner, who joined the Marines as a reservist during Operation Desert Storm.

As Harford puts it, they are two siblings from a “true joint family.” Harford and Husner’s father is a former Marine and they have a brother who also served in the Air Force.

Husner, who is a social worker when he’s not deployed, has been in Djibouti since September. The Marines he works with provide base security, conduct patrols, and work with villagers to keep the area safe and free of terrorist activity.

“I’m proud of him,” said Harford, of her brother. “He’s 52 years old—working with the Marines and going on patrols with them.”

“I got to watch him work,” said Harford. “He’s well trained in medical care and even field surgery—if I had any medical concerns, I would go to him.”

Violence in Iraq Drops in Weeks After Ramadan

Nov. 20, 2006
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service.

WASHINGTON – As expected, violence in Iraq has dropped following the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a coalition spokesman said in Baghdad today.
Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said civilian and Iraqi security force casualties were at the lowest levels since the government was formed in May.

So far this month, the civilian casualty count is well below the casualty count in October and below the six-month average. The security force casualties reduced 21 percent over the past four weeks, and are at the lowest level in 25 weeks, he said.

“In Baghdad, there was a 22 percentage drop in casualties related to sectarian violence and executions,” Caldwell said during a televised news conference. “Coalition forces will continue to work closely with the Iraqi government and Iraqi security forces to control the sectarian violence and terrorist attacks.”

But attacks do continue. The more the Iraqi government led by Nouri al-Maliki asserts its authority, the greater the threat from foreign and extremist elements seeking to undermine both stability and reconciliation in Iraq, Caldwell said. “Last week we did see a spike in coalition and civilian casualties,” he said. “Murders remain the gravest threat to civilians.”

A line of Humvees parade around the unit's motor pool during a Nov. 1 transfer of authority ceremony in Kirkush. The unit is made up of heavy and light-wheeled vehicles along with ambulances and tow trucks. 210th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

A new wrinkle is mortar attacks on markets and mosques, and coalition and Iraqi security forces are watching the situation and taking steps to prevent those, the general said.

He said Operation Together Forward – planned to provide security for the neighborhoods in Baghdad – will continue. Patrolling continues in some neighborhoods, he said, with roughly 95,000 buildings searched, 282 persons detained and 1,900 weapons seized.

In other neighborhoods, the Iraqis have moved into a protect-and-build strategy. “Stability means more than just freedom from fear; it means being able to count on essential services,” Caldwell said. “Consequently, more than $7.5 million have been committed to these projects and essential services.”

Iraqi public servants brave attacks to continue working on power generation, water treatment, trash collection to sewage disposal. He said over the past 11 months local civic leaders and soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division, which just transferred back to Fort Hood, Texas, worked hard in Baghdad to make progress in local improvement projects. “During that time, 146 water and sewage projects came on line, (along with) 140 educational projects, 57 medical and public health projects and 37 agricultural projects,” Caldwell said.

The water and sewage projects undertaken through this partnership include the completion of 19 water treatment plants, six compact water delivery systems, 13 sewage pumping stations and the replacement of more than 25 kilometers of pipe. The 140 education projects included upgrading 111 school facilities that serve more than 310,000 elementary students. The 57 Baghdad medical projects include the renovation of 21 hospitals and clinics and building and opening six new clinics for the citizens of Baghdad.

“There is a committed effort to hire local Iraqi firms and workers,” the general said. “These projects alone have provided over 23,000 jobs at the peak employment period.”

Caldwell said there will be more transfers of authority to the Iraqis as the security forces become more capable. He used an operation in Diyala province as an example of the progress the Iraqi army is making. On Nov. 13, the Iraqis launched a joint operation to seize five major weapons caches. The Iraqi forces faced improvised explosive devices and numerous small-arms exchanges with enemy forces. The soldiers killed somewhere between 25 and 40 enemy fighters and detained another 23.

The raid resulted in taking hundreds of explosive rounds capable of being used in car and roadside bombs, and 300,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition. “This is potentially hundreds of car bombs that will never be built or detonated in Iraqi markets,” Caldwell said. “This is 12,000 sniper rounds that will not be aimed at security forces.”

Caldwell said it is impossible to estimate the number of attacks these raids prevented, “but it was significant.”

“Iraq must have a security force that is competent, but also enjoys the confidence of its people,” he said. The forces will continue to enforce the rule of law and free the country from the threat of militias. He said Iraqi confidence in the police is slowly rising, but will require continued reform.

The forces continue to combat sectarian violence, most of which, occurs within a 30-mile radius around Baghdad. Forces launched 58 missions against death squads that netted 184 cell members and eight cell leaders.

The coalition and Iraqis continue to attack al Qaeda in Iraq. The forces launched 92 focused operations that killed 48 terrorists and detained 286, Caldwell said.

The general also told reporters that U.S. forces remain committed to finding Army Spc. Ahmed Kusay Altaie, a soldier kidnapped Oct. 23. More than 3,000 coalition and Iraqi security forces are looking for him. “We will never stop looking for our servicemembers,” Caldwell said. “Everyone must know that we will continue our intensive efforts to locate Specialist Altaie.”

Caldwell said that all people want to see a unified, secure and prosperous Iraq, “but it will take time.”

“The people in Iraq are showing tremendous perseverance in fighting these foreign influences that seek to destroy their goal of a unified Iraq,” he said.

Afghan Def. Min. Thanks US, Praises Troops, Rumsfeld

Nov. 21, 2006
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service.

WASHINGTON – Afghanistan’s defense minister thanked the United States today for its steadfast support for his country, specifically recognizing the U.S. troops who have served and sacrificed there and outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak told Pentagon reporters Afghanistan is indebted to the United States for the progress it’s made during the past five years. “These achievements would not have been possible without the advice, guidance and generous support we have received from the United States,” he said.

Wardak gave special thanks to Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, who joined him at the podium, as well as Rumsfeld, whom he met with before today’s news conference.

“Secretary Rumsfeld has been a great support of the Afghan cause as a whole,” he said. “He played a fundamental role in delivering Afghanistan from years of destruction, occupation and civil war.”

Afghanistan as a nation “has all the love, respect and admiration for him,” Wardak said of Rumsfeld. “He founded a security relationship that will endure, and we have every intention to build on those relations.”

Wardak expressed “the profound and everlasting gratitude of the Afghan government and people for everything the United States government and people are doing to help deliver Afghanistan from years of terror and destruction.”

The Afghan defense minister also recognized the U.S. forces who have served in Afghanistan, noting the commitment they have shown and the sacrifices they have made.

“They are representing your great nation proudly and demonstrating the high standards of service and professionalism,” he said. “I pray that their sacrifices will one day no longer be necessary, and that my own nation will be able to repay its debt through our enduring partnership with the United States.”

Wardak and Eikenberry are visiting Washington for consultations with U.S. government and military leaders, Eikensberry told reporters.

The two paid an earlier visit to Fort Bragg, N.C., to observe United Endeavor, a week-long exercise that’s preparing 82nd Airborne Division leaders and their Afghan, International Security Assistance Force, interagency and non-governmental organization partners for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

The mission rehearsal exercise brought together about 1,300 servicemembers who will deploy in January as Combined Joint Task Force 76. The task force, which also will include other supporting Army and Air Force elements, will serve in Regional Command East under the NATO-led ISAF.

The exercise built on a troop-level training exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. About 50 Afghan soldiers trained with their 82nd Airborne Division counterparts in late October.

Eikenberry called the Afghan troops’ first deployment to the United States for field training a significant step that “underscores the continuing development of the Afghan national security forces.”

Proof of a Positive Impact in Gode, Ethiopa

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NGAUS Legislative Update: 11/24/2006

What’s Happening In Congress?
Congress will be in recess for two weeks during the Thanksgiving holiday. The Senate will return on December 4 and the House on December 5. The Senate Armed Services Committee will conduct a confirmation hearing Defense Secretary nominee Robert Gates – Dec. 5. The short term stop-gap fiscal 2007 spending measure will expire on Dec. 8.

New Leaders in the House:
Last week LEGIT reported the results of the Senate leadership elections for both the Democrats and the Republicans. The House caucused late last week with most Democrat races uncontested. Here are the official results from the House of Representatives:

Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Democrats:
Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer, Md.
Majority Whip: James E. Clyburn, S.C.
Caucus Chairman: Rahm Emanuel, Ill.
Caucus Vice Chairman: John B. Larson, Conn.

Republicans:
Minority Leader: John A. Boehner, Ohio
Minority Whip: Roy Blunt, Mo.
Conference Chairman: Adam H. Putnam, Fla.
Conference Vice Chairman: Kay Granger, Texas
Conference Secretary: John Carter, Texas
Policy Committee Chairman: Thaddeus McCotter, Mich.
Chairman, National Republican Congressional Committee: Tom Cole, Okla.
Chief Deputy Minority Whip: Eric Cantor, Va.

The Duties of a House Party Leader:
The U.S. Constitution establishes the Speaker of the House as the most senior official of the House of Representatives and the third most senior in the federal government. House rules invest broad-ranging powers to the Speaker, including: presiding over debate in the House, recognizing members for the purpose of speaking or making motions, setting the agenda by determining what and when legislation comes before the House, and deciding points of order. The Speaker of the House also serves as the primary spokesperson for the House of Representatives, and often times the party. The Speaker normally takes the leading role in negotiating with the Senate and the President.

The Majority Leader is the second most senior official in the House. The majority leader’s role has been defined through history and tradition as the day-to-day manager of House business and is responsible for scheduling legislation for floor consideration. The Majority Leader helps plan daily, weekly, and annual legislative goals and works to advance the agenda of the majority party.

The Minority Leader serves as the most senior official in the minority party and the floor leader of the “loyal opposition.” The Minority leader works with the party caucus to set agenda and strategy.

Both the majority and minority party elect whips. The title “whip” comes from a fox hunting expression – “whipper-in” – which refers to the individual responsible for keeping the dogs from straying during a chase. The Party Whips are responsible for counting votes and persuading members to vote along party lines.

For the last 12 years the Republicans have held all of the majority positions and the Democrats all of the minority positions. Beginning in January the positions will be reversed with the Democrats in control. The remaining leadership positions are unique to their respective party.

What’s Happening At NGAUS?

A Weekend at NGAUS.
This past weekend the Board of Directors met in Washington for their annual Winter Meeting. The Board received an extensive legislative update from legislative director, Brig. Gen. (ret) Richard Green, and was asked by the NGAUS Chairman, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, to assist in identifying qualified individuals to serve on committees and task forces for NGAUS. The next Board of Directors meeting will be in March 2007.

Upcoming Events at NGAUS:
Dec 5: Combat Support Task Force Meeting
Dec 5: Industry Day Mini-Workshop
Dec 6: Industry Day
Dec 6: OIF/OEF Exhibit Opening
Dec 7: Fire Support Task Force Meeting
Jan 16-17: Kentucky State Visit
Jan 21-25: NGEDA Conference
Feb 7-8: Arkansas State Visit
Feb 25 –Mar 1: AGAUS Conference
Mar 5-6: CACO Conference
Mar 9-11: Board of Directors Spring Meeting

NGAUS Notes: 11/24/2006

Board Approves '07 Budget, '09 Conference Location.
Association business dominated NGAUS board of directors meeting at The National Guard Memorial in Washington, D.C., last weekend.

Meeting for first time under Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, new chairman, the board approved an $11.9 million consolidated 2007 budget for the association, the NGAUS-Insurance Trust and the National Guard Educational Foundation.

The association's portion of the budget includes operation of the memorial building, which has 175,000 square feet of fully leased office space in addition to the NGAUS headquarters, a library and a museum.

Projected revenues for 2007 fully cover expenditures in the spending plan. Building rent, membership dues and the proceeds from insurance, conference exhibit magazine advertising sales are the leading sources of income.

Board members also filled two board vacancies, electing Brig. Gen. Hugh Broomall of Delaware and Col. Deborah Ashenhurst of Ohio to serve as Air and Army representatives, respectively, for Area II.

General Broomall will fill the unexpired term of Col. Allyson R. Soloman of Maryland, who resigned, while Col. Ashenhurst replaces Brig. Gen. Norman E. Arflack of Kentucky, who was elected vice chair (Army) at the conference in September.

In addition, board members also approved a bid from Tennessee to host the 131st NGAUS General Conference and Exhibition in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 11 to 13, 2009.

They also reaffirmed March 31 as the Early Bird membership rebate cutoff date and approved holding a new train-the-trainer membership workshop in Washington early next year.

The board continues to work on a NGAUS strategic plan and further develop the conference's officer professional development program.

Guard, Reserve Troop Rotations Unchanged.
The National Guard and Reserves are still operating under the same rules for mobilization length, and no troops have been mobilized for longer than the allowed 24 cumulative months, the top Defense Department official for reserve affairs said Nov. 17.

The current law allows President Bush to mobilize up to a million Guardsmen and Reservists for 24 consecutive months, but Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld made the decision to make the rule 24 cumulative months, to relieve stress on the force, said Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, in an interview.

Mr. Hall explained that the 24-consecutive-months rule, in the strictest sense, could actually see a Guardsman mobilized up until one day short of the two-year mark, and then remobilized after a one-day break.

Using the cumulative rule allows the Reservist or Guardsman to maintain balance among military service, family and employer, Mr. Hall said.

"We need to maintain that balance so that our employers will continue to support us, [and] our families will continue to support us," he said. "As you would well understand, if you donÕt get that support as a Guardsman or Reservist, it's very hard for you to serve."

Currently no Guardsmen or Reservists have been involuntarily mobilized longer than 24 cumulative months, and DoD thinks this could be a sustainable arrangement, he said.

However, Pentagon officials are always looking at force requirements, and could switch to the consecutive rule, he said.

Recent media reports suggest that the likelihood of such a change will increase in the months ahead.

NBC: Youth ChalleNGe Story Now Set for Friday.
The NBC Nightly News story on the California National Guard's Youth ChalleNGe program set to air Monday will now be part of the Friday newscast, according to NBC. The telecast airs at 6:30 or 7p.m Eastern Time depending on the market.

NORAD Ready for Santa Tracking on Christmas Eve.
In advance of the holiday season and its 51st season of tracking Santa Claus on his annual journey around the world, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) last Friday activated its "NORAD Tracks Santa" Web site (NORAD Santa) for 2006.

The program began in 1955 when an errant phone call was made to NORAD's predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. A child had dialed a misprinted telephone number in a local newspaper and reached NORAD instead.

The commander who answered the phone gave the youngster Santa's whereabouts, and the Santa tracking tradition began.

The program has grown since its first appearance on the Internet in 1998. Last year, the Web site received 912 million hits from 204 countries. On Christmas Eve, aided by 550 volunteers, the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations answered nearly 55,000 phone calls and nearly 98,000 e-mails from children around the world.

The Web site features the history of the program, information on how NORAD tracks Santa and games. On Dec. 24, beginning at 2 a.m. Mountain Time, the Web site will post a minute-by-minute update on Santa's travels. All of this information is available English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.

Island Web Studios, America Online, Akami, Analytical Graphics, Globelink Language and Cultural Services, Qwest Communications, Verizon, and Microsoft Virtual Earth help to make the program possible, NORAD officials said.

Communications Dept. Seeks Seasoned Staff Writer.
The National Guard Association has an immediate opening for an experienced staff writer. Selected candidate will contribute to National Guard, the association's monthly magazine, NGAUS Notes and the NGAUS Web site.

Duties include writing short news stories and covering a variety of hearings on Capitol Hill and elsewhere.

For the magazine, the successful candidate will contribute at least one substantial feature story each month and assist in editing and producing the final product. Some travel is required.

Candidates must have five years of reporting experience. Familiarity with the military and the National Guard is preferred.

Interest in writing about military/legislative topics a must. Car required. Salary: low- to mid-40s. Excellent benefits include health and dental coverage and a 401k plan. Convenient Capitol Hill location.

Please send cover letter, resume and three writing samples to:

Communications Department
National Guard Association of the United States
One Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

Fax: 202-682-9358
E-mail: Chris Prawdzik.

Please enter "Application" in the subject line if sending e-mail.

This Week in Guard History.
Nov. 22, 1970: Hensley Field, Texas - Second Lt. Constance Kries is welcomed back to the Texas Air National Guard's 136th Air Refueling Wing, after completing her officer training school (OTS) course leading to her commission.

She becomes the first Air Guard woman to complete the course, opened to female Guard personnel in early 1970. She not only finishes the course but is the Class 70-04 Distinguished Graduate, ending the course as class leader.

Women were authorized to join the Guard starting in 1956 but the only positions available to them were for existing nurses or other college-educated specialties, such as law or administration. Military schools were not available to them until Congress changed regulations in 1969 to allow female candidates.

NGAUS History.
NGAUS influenced Guard transformation between World War I and II, when the National Defense Act of 1920 gave Guard leaders a listening post within the War Department. This was the Militia Bureau, which was charged with issuance of supplies, uniforms and equipment to the states for their Guard units.

The association's objectives included a consolidation of footholds within the bureau and an increase in its freedom from the general staff's uniformed bungling of routine Guard affairs.

The end result of the act had been a settlement of major issues and the plotting of the Guard's future, but NGAUS was still unsatisfied with a few minor items.

Among them was the motorization of National Guard artillery regiments over Army opposition because of a professional belief in horses for the rugged southwest along the Mexican frontier.

CJTF-HOA delivers humanitarian aid to Ethiopian flood victims

Nov. 10, 2006
By U.S. Air Force Capt. Jonathan Friedman
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs

GODE, Ethiopia - A C-130 Hercules aircraft from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa flew nearly 48 tons of relief supplies from Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, today to ease the suffering of nearly 217,000 people displaced after the recent flooding in the Ogaden region.

The U.S. Air Force aircrew loaded 20 pallets with relief supplies from Ethiopia’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency, in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development, and flew them to Gode, Ethiopia, for distribution to people in the affected area.

U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules
aircraft assigned to Combined
Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa
delivered humanitarian aid to flood
victims in the Ogaden region
of Ethiopia Nov. 10, 2006.
Official U.S. Navy photo by MCC

“We’re delivering these supplies at the request of the Ethiopian government,” said Marine Maj. Phillip Frietze, mission commander for the operation. “In doing so, we’re helping to provide humanitarian relief to hundreds of thousands of people who were tragically affected by the flooding in this region.”

The pallets contained non-perishable food items and basic living supplies to assist those in the region. The relief supplies included water containers, high-energy biscuits, bed sheets and water-purification tablets.

“Our combined efforts are about helping people who are in need of assistance right away,” said Rear Adm. Tim Moon, CJTF-HOA deputy commander. “By helping the people of our partner nations, we’re continuing to build upon our already strong relationship and ensuring that we create an environment together where extremist have nothing to offer.”

The admiral noted that the complex coordination efforts between the host nations of Eastern Africa, the US embassy, CJTF-HOA, and agencies such as USAID, illustrate the effectiveness that can be achieved to alleviate human suffering when all agencies seek a common goal.

“It’s an honor to partake in a mission such as this,” said the admiral. “To help supply thousands of people with basic necessities of survival -- this is the definition of mission accomplishment.”

Hat tip: CENTCOM.

NGAUS Leg: What’s Happening In Congress? 11/17/06

What’s Happening In Congress?
This week both the Senate Democrats and the Senate GOP held elections to determine who would lead their party’s members through the 110th Congress. The Democrats chose their new leadership on Tuesday while the GOP’s election was one day later on Wednesday. The House Democrats and the House GOP also met to elect their leaders this week on Thursday and Friday. NGAUS will report those results in next weeks LEGIT.

New Senate Democratic Leadership:
Majority Leader: Harry Reid, Nev.
Majority Whip: Richard J. Durbin, Ill.
Caucus Vice Chairman and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Chairman: Charles E. Schumer, N.Y.
Democratic Policy Committee Chairman: Byron L. Dorgan, N.D.
Conference Secretary: Patty Murray, Wash.

New Senate GOP Leadership:
Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell, Ky.
Minority Whip: Trent Lott, Miss.
Conference Chairman: John Kyl, Ariz.
Conference Vice Chairman: John Cornyn, Texas
Policy Committee Chairwoman: Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Texas
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman: John Ensign, Nev.

What’s Happening At NGAUS?
Wyoming Visits Washington

On Wednesday, November 15, 2006 a group of Wyoming National Guard members and state civic leaders visited the National Guard Association of the United States Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Attending this Civic Leader tour were: Major General Ed Wright, Adjutant General of Wyoming, numerous state National Guard senior officers and senior enlisted members, State Senators, Chamber of Commerce directors, bank presidents, and the director of the Wyoming Contractor’s Association. The group received a legislative update from both NGAUS and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS), visited with their representatives in Congress, received briefings at National Guard Bureau, toured the Pentagon, and even visited the Tunisian Embassy.

The NGAUS staff enjoyed meeting with all of the Wyoming National Guard members and state civic leaders and look forward to the many more states that will be taking a trip to Washington in the near future.

What Can You Do?
Grassroots in the Guard

Politics can easily be explained as the process of determining who gets what, when, and how. Politicians work to determine the distribution of scarce yet highly demanded resources. One of the most important resources that a Congressional member has to offer is their time. It is increasingly difficult for a congressional office to balance between the schedule demands on their boss and the actual time in a day. Time in many offices is determined by the number of constituents interested in a particular issue and how many constituents a decision or action will affect.

Therefore one of the most important things you can do is to communicate on a regular basis with your Representatives, Senators and their staffs. We must do this not only to ensure they are informed of National Guard issues that affect their district, but also to educate them about the National Guard. They need to have a better understanding of the Guard and it's unique place in the framework of our national defense. This is something that only we can show them, and by doing so we will ensure that Congress takes the time to pay attention to and address the needs of the National Guard.

Published by the NGAUS Legislative Staff:
Brig Gen (ret) Richard M. Green, Director
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Bernie Phelps, Senior Legislative Analyst
Emily Breitbach, Legislative Analyst

For more information on NGAUS, check out our website: NGAUS.

NGAUS Notes: 11/17/2006

Board of Directors Gathers in Washington This Weekend.
Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, NGAUS' new chairman of the board, will convene the first board meeting of his two-year term this weekend at The National Guard Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Delegates to the 128th General Conference in September elected the Indiana adjutant general to head the association's 29-member governing body, which meets three times annually.

Topping this weekend's agenda is the approval of 2007 operating budgets for the association, NGAUS-Insurance Trust (NGAUS-IT) and the National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF).

In addition, board members will discuss the upcoming legislative session, receive an operational update from senior National Guard Bureau officers and fill two board vacancies from the association's geographical area II.

Reports from the NGAUS Corporate Advisory Panel, National Guard Executive Directors Association, Adjutants General Association and Enlisted Association of the National Guard are also on the board meeting agenda.

Events get underway today with meetings of the company grade, general conference, membership, officer professional development and strategic planning committees. The NGAUS-IT and NGEF boards will also meet today.

Joining General Umbarger as new NGAUS officers are Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia adjutant general, as vice chair (Air) and Brig. Gen. Norman E. Arflack of Kentucky as vice chair (Army).

The three new officers served on the previous board.

New faces on the board include Maj. Gen. Randal E. Thomas of Illinois, area V adjutant general representative, Brig. Gen. Daniel B. O'Hollaren of Oregon, area VI Air representative, and Capt. Rollin L. Roberts of Mississippi, new Army company grade representative.

NGAUS Staff Makes Semi-Annual Walter Reed Visit.
A five-person NGAUS staff contingent visited Guardsmen yesterday at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to thank them for their service and show that the 45,000 NGAUS members support their sacrifice in the war on terror.

For the past three years, the association has made two yearly trips to the facility to bring soldiers "goodie bags," which include pre-paid phone cards, copies of National Guard magazine and souvenir pens.

Yesterday, the staff visited Guardsmen from Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The Michigan Guardsman was recovering from a leg and hand injury caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Iraq.

The Pennsylvania Guardsman lost a leg after an IED detonated near his vehicle during a convoy. The Indiana Guards-man awaits a medical procedure after a pancreatitis diagnosis while in Iraq.

All three soldiers were in good spirits, and the Michigan Guardsman was delighted to receive a FedEx delivery from the Detroit Lions during the NGAUS visit. The package included a letter from head coach Rod Marinelli and autographed items from several players.

These few soldiers represent the thousands who have willingly paid a heavy price for their service, and the more support they get the more they will know their contribution to the country's security is recognized and appreciated by friends and family back home.

To arrange a visit to the medical center, contact Tamara Miller at 202-782-6231. Visiting hours are 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Groups may be no larger than five people.

NBC: Youth ChalleNGe Program is 'What Works'.
The NBC Nightly News plans to feature the California National Guard's Youth ChalleNGe program Monday in the first of a series of daily reports on "what works." The telecast airs at 6:30 or 7 p.m. Eastern Time, depending on the market.

Operation Homefront Launches Holiday Care Package Service.
Operation Homefront, part of www.CinCHouse.com, has launched eCarePackage, an online service that allows caring citizens to send care packages to deployed troops and their families.

Service members and families can register on E-Care-Package. Visitors can adopt them based on common interests.

Then visitors select individual items to create a customized care package for their chosen service member or family.

Operation Homefront's team of volunteers takes the order, boxes the items and ships them to the service member or family - always protecting the participant's identity and physical location.

"There's nothing like a care package to cheer a deployed soldier or a lonely military family, especially during the holidays," said Amy Palmer, executive vice president of operations for Operation Homefront.

Items available in the eCarePackage store range from toiletries and necessities to games, books and candy. Most items were donated from sponsors, particularly The Dollar Tree, which runs its Operation Appreciation program in most stores nationwide.

Donated items are not marked up, so eCarePackage visitors often pay only the cost of shipping - making eCarePackage less expensive than doing it yourself. Moreover, Operation Homefront has partnered with DHL to ensure direct and timely delivery of all care packages to deployed troops.

The eCarePackage program is part of Operation Homefront's mission to provide support and morale to our troops.

Communications Dept. Seeks Seasoned Staff Writer.
The National Guard Association has an immediate opening for an experienced staff writer. Selected candidate will contribute to National Guard, the association's monthly magazine, NGAUS Notes and the NGAUS Web site.

Duties include writing short news stories and covering a variety of hearings on Capitol Hill and elsewhere.

For the magazine, the successful candidate will contribute at least one substantial feature story each month and assist in editing and producing the final product.

Some travel is required.

Candidates must have five years of reporting experience. Familiarity with the military and the National Guard is preferred.

Interest in writing about military/legislative topics a must. Car required. Salary: low- to mid-40s. Excellent benefits include health and dental coverage and a 401k plan. Convenient Capitol Hill location.

Please send cover letter, resume and three writing samples to:

Communications Department, National Guard Association
One Massachusetts Ave., NW,
Washington, D.C., 20001.
Fax: 202-682-9358.
E-mail: Chris Prawdzik AT ngaus.com.

Please enter "Application" in the subject line if sending e-mail.

This Week in Guard History.
Nov. 18, 1916: Ten JN-4 "Jennies" bi-wing aircraft, from the New York National Guard's 1st Aero Squadron, lift off from Mineola, N.Y., in the first multi-plane military flight totaling about 200 miles. They land in Princeton, N.J., and then return to Mineola the next morning.

Starting just six years after the Wright Brothers made their first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., in 1903, several Guardsmen in different states brought their personal airplanes to drill to teach their comrades how to fly.

The 1st Aero Squadron becomes the first federally recognized Guard flying unit July 16, 1916. In 1917, the unit enters active duty for World War I, but never sees combat. Its pilots instead go to France as individuals.

Capt. Raynal Bolling, the 1st's commander, dies in the war, killed not in a dogfight against a German airplane but in a pistol fight with an enemy officer after Captain Bolling's car is ambushed near the front.

NGAUS History.
The annual NGAUS General Conference hasn't always been a "can't-miss" event. In 1926, for example, at least 10 states and territories neglected sending any representation.

Several states sent one officer. Texas sent four officers: two brigadier generals and two colonels, one of the latter from the state staff - most likely representing the adjutant general.

Although set in Louisville, Ky., that state's delegation totaled only five, headed by a colonel. New York, with 26 attendees, and Pennsylvania, with 21, provided nearly a fourth of all delegates.

But on most issues, states completed balloting with an assigned voting strength of accredited delegates. Thus, except for bragging rights, there was little premium for a state to have a full delegation.

NGAUS Legislative Update: 11/9/2006

What’s Happening In Congress?

Now Safe to Turn on Your TV.
Yes, that’s right you can now go home after work, sit on your couch, and watch your favorite television programs without being bombarded with campaign commercials. Yesterday, Americans across the country went to the polls and decided that they were ready for a change in the control of Congress. After 12 years of Republican control of both chambers of Congress, the Democrats won control of the House and are awaiting word on the outcome of one more Senate race. The Virginia Senate race is still to close to call. Depending on the outcome of this race, Congress could be split or the Democrats could gain complete control of both chambers of Congress. The Democrats also had significant success in gubernatorial races in a number of states. The Republicans lost 6 seats to the Democratic gubernatorial candidates.

For complete election results please visit our Legislative section of our web site.

Pentagon Update: Rumsfeld Steps Down.
President Bush accepted Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s resignation on Nov. 8, the day after midterm elections that cost the Republicans the House. President Bush has nominated former CIA Chief Robert Gates as his successor. Gates joined the CIA in 1966 and served in the intelligence community for more than twenty-five years, under 6 different presidents. Gates served as the CIA Chief for Bush Sr. from 1991 to 1993. He is the president of Texas A&M University and a close friend of the Bush family. The Senate must confirm the nomination prior to Mr. Gates being named the new Secretary of Defense.

What’s Happening At NGAUS?

Welcome new Members of Congress and new State Governors.
The NGAUS legislative team would like to congratulate all of the electoral winners and welcome all of the new faces to the political arena. We look forward to working with all of these new “players” on National Guard issues and are extremely interested in pushing forward to accomplish many more legislative goals for NGAUS.

Take this great opportunity to send a note to your area’s newly elected officials. It’s an excellent way to begin a dialog without actually asking for something.

Upcoming Events at NGAUS:
Nov 15: Wyoming State Visit
Nov 17-19: NGAUS Board of Directors Meeting in D.C.
Dec 5: Combat Support Task Force Meeting
Dec 6: Industry Day
Dec 7: Fire Support Task Force Meeting
Jan 16-17: Kentucky State Visit
Jan 21-25: NGEDA Conference
Feb 7-8: Arkansas State Visit
Feb 25 –Mar 1: AGAUS Conference
Mar 5-6: CACO Conference

What Can You Do?

Veterans Show Your Pride: Wear Your Medals on Veterans Day.
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs has called on all veterans to proudly display their medals on Veterans Day this year. This is a way to express your patriotism and remind your neighbors of the service and sacrifice of those who have and currently are protecting freedom and democracy around the world. Please join veterans across the country in this symbolic display of pride in unity and patriotism.

For more information visit the Veterans/Retirees section of the NGAUS website at: NGAUS.

Published by the NGAUS Legislative Staff:

Brig Gen (ret) Richard M. Green, Director
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Bernie Phelps, Senior Legislative Analyst
Emily Breitbach, Legislative Analyst

For more information on NGAUS, check out our web site: NGAUS.org.

NGAUS Notes: 11/9/2006

White House Shuffles Defense After Election Day Rout.
With leadership changes coming in the House and most likely in the Senate, the White House yesterday made a leadership switch of its own, announcing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's resignation and the intended nomination of Robert Gates, CIA veteran and president of Texas A&M University, to the post.

"The election has changed many things in Washington, but it has not changed my fundamental responsibility, and that is to protect the American people from attack," President Bush said at a press conference yesterday. "Now, after a series of thoughtful conversations, Secretary Rumsfeld and I agreed that the timing is right for new leadership at the Pentagon."

Mr. Rumsfeld's resignation comes just one week after the president said both Mr. Rumsfeld and Vice President Cheney would serve the remainder of the president's term.

"[M]y answer [last week] was, they're going to stay on," Mr. Bush said. "And the reason why is I didn't want to inject a major decision about this war in the final days of a campaign."

He also said he had not had a final discussion with Mr. Rumsfeld at the time, and he did not meet with Mr. Gates until last weekend at his Crawford, Texas ranch.

Although currently a university president, Mr. Gates is no stranger to Washington.

He served as CIA director from 1991 until 1993 and deputy director from 1986 until 1989. He also served at the National Security Council and was assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser to President George H.W. Bush.

Newsweek reported last year that the president asked Mr. Gates to become the new director of national intelligence, but Mr. Gates declined, choosing to stay at Texas A&M. Instead, John D. Negroponte became director in April 2005.

A big question mark now is how this will affect Pentagon and the country's approach to the war on terror.

Under almost constant criticism for his "stay the course" attitude, the president's intended nominee reportedly could bring a different perspective to the Pentagon.

One indication of this is his participation as a member of the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group.

Co-chairs include James A. Baker III, former secretary of state under President George H.W. Bush, and Lee H. Hamilton, former Democratic congressman and 9/11 Commission vice chairman.

Retired Lt. Gen. Roger C. Schultz, former Army Guard director, serves as a senior military adviser for the group.

In October, Mr. Baker said on This Week With George Stephanopoulos his group is working hard to come up with a consensus recommendation on Iraq.

"We're taking a look at other alternatives because I happen to think it's fair to say that our commission believes that there are alternatives between the stated alternatives - the ones that are out there in the political debate of 'stay the course' and 'cut and run,'" he said. "We're going to come up, hopefully, with some recommendations that the congress and the president and the country can look at [and] make it public the day we present it to the president."

Nov. 11 Offers Time to Honor Troops from Today and Yesterday.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary R. James Nicholson reminded the country yesterday that Veterans Day (Saturday) is especially important as troops put their lives on the line for freedom at home.

"We are a nation at war against an enemy that has openly vowed its desire to destroy us," he said. "They mean it; we know that because they have taken steps to do that, attacking us in different ways. So we have fellow citizens out there on the front lines trying to protect our freedom and procure freedom for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan."

Demands on the force give special importance to this year's Veterans Day observances and a renewed national commitment to honor and support its more than 24 million veterans, he said.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of hostilities in World War I one year earlier. During the early 1950s, the name was changed to Veterans Day, and the observance was expanded to honor veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day upholds a longstanding American tradition that began when Gen. George Washington acknowledged the "debt of gratitude" the country owed its troops who served in the Continental Army, Mr. Nicholson said.

"And that has taken the form of our citizens compensating our veterans for any diminution they have suffered as a result of their service, whether physical or mental, and [that] it will provide them with continuous health care throughout their life for having served their country," he said.

Deadlines Loom to Mail Overseas Holiday Packages.
Nov. 13 is the deadline for sending holiday packages to troops stationed overseas using Parcel Post to all Air/Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) zip codes. Deadlines for Space Available Mail and Parcel Airlift Mail are Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, respectively.

The U.S. Postal Service is encouraging early deadlines to make sure that packages reach their destination in time for the holidays.

The U.S. Postal Service introduced a free Military Care Kit, or "Mili-kit" in 2004 to make it easier for military families and friends to send care packages overseas. Each kit contains four Priority Mail boxes, six Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, 10 Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and 10 customs forms with envelopes.

This kit may be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734. The U.S. Postal Service has shipped more than 150,000 kits over the last two years.

The Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes included in the kit can be shipped to any APO/FPO in the world, regardless of weight, for $8.10.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, as required by U.S. Defense Department regulations. A complete APO/FPO holiday mailing deadline matrix and additional information are available at www.usps.com.

This Week in Guard History.
Nov. 8, 1942: Algeria - As part of Operation Torch, the Iowa's 34th Division, which included personnel from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, assaults the coast of this French colony but meets little resistance.

Controlled by the Vichy French government, a regime under Hitler, some officers try to resist the American landing, but most of their troops join the Allies.

By January 1943, the 34th moves across North Africa but encounters fierce opposition from the vaunted German Afrika Corps in Tunisia. Once the Germans are defeated, the division prepares itself for its next mission, the invasion of Italy.

After making an assault landing at Salerno, the 34th spends the rest of the war slogging its way up the Italian "boot" ending the war northwest of Milan. Nine members of the 34th receive the Medal of Honor and the division suffers 14,895 total causalities.

NGAUS History.
After Brig. Gen. George W. Wingate became NGAUS president at age 38, he learned that no matter what legislative proposal the association might publicly make, persons both in and out of Congress would have their suspicions of ulterior motives.

At the 1881 conference in Philadelphia, General Wingate declared that NGAUS efforts to bring cohesiveness and uniformity to the Guard resulted in "the fear that the reform we propose contemplates an attack on the liberties of the country, by organizing and arming some bloodthirsty and mysterious organizations for the purpose of enabling the states to defy the authority of the national government."

On one of his trips to Washington, D.C., at his own expense to lobby Congress, General Wingate had trouble convincing some people that he was not hiding a big arms deal, or munitions contract.

Produced weekly by NGAUS.

'Confederate Yankee' interviews MP's in Iraq

Bob of Confederate Yankee has had the opportunity to interview U.S. soldiers currently serving in Baghdad, Iraq, specifically, MPs (military police) from the 615th Military Police Company MSC: 89th MP Bde, also known as the "Bloodhounds." Below is a copy of the interview (in case he moves), but I highly recommend you visit his site. There are more posts, which are not included here, which are located at the end of this article. Have a great day!

I was able to interview SSG Jason Oliver and SPC Kimberly McGuiness.

Josh Manchester also interviewed SSG Oliver and SPC McGuiness in a podcast at The Adventures of Chester.

SSG Jason Oliver from Cypress, Illinois, has been in the Army 7 years, and is currently the Team Chief for a Police Transition Team in Baghdad.

Q: A recent cluster study by Johns Hopkins University researchers published in the British medical journal The Lancet states that more than 600,000 Iraqis have died since the 2003 invasion by violent means. While you cannot expect to answer for the rest of the country, does this seem to be a reasonable figure based upon your experience in Baghdad?

SSG Oliver: It’s a tough question to answer. I only see a small portion of the big picture. As a Team Chief for the Police Transition Team it is something that I see and that I report, but I don’t keep count on everything, just report what I see. I do find it is hard to fathom that there have been that many Iraqis killed since 2003.

Q: Most media reports coming out of Baghdad paint a picture of a city under siege, with roving Shiite and Sunni death squads operating virtually at will, kidnapping people of the street, summarily executing them, and dumping their bodies in the street. Is this an accurate presentation of life in Baghdad?

SSG Oliver: First off, I think that siege is not the appropriate word to use. Yes it has a duel meaning, but when I think of a siege, I think back to Medieval Europe with royal courts placing rival castles under siege and cutting off all outside support, lasting from months to years. So is the city under siege, I don’t think it is. Beyond what the media portrays, there is more to this city that the so called “death squads”. You still see a continuous flow of commerce in and out of the city. I know that the locals live in fear and that many have duel identities, but this to the Iraqi people has become a sign of the times. They have learned to adapt to the ever changing political climate and try to live as normal a life as they can. I cannot count the times when my patrol has traveled through the city with the streets full of life, little street side venders selling the newest gadget in the area, bistros busy with hungry locals standing in line to grab the fresh “Falafel or Kebab” and the females musing about in search of the best cut of meat and freshest fruits and vegetables to serve the family. I read an article the other day about an increasing number of tattoo shops in the Baghdad area. In the article it stated that tattoos are forbidden in the Islamic culture, but some people feel that it is one way that, if they should be killed, they will be identified so the proper notification can be made and the family does not have to grieve more that they have to. The people adapt, they know when most bad things are going to happen, and they take precautionary steps to prevent them from being caught up in whatever may happen. As strange as it may sound, I have a lot of respect for a majority of the Iraqi people. While we are here to help control the chaos, they live in it.

Q: As a follow-up to that question, do you see any signs that the sectarian violence in Iraq may abate any time soon?

SSG Oliver: I would love to say yes, but it is up to the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people to come together and end the bloodshed.

Q: What has been your experience working with the Iraq police units you have been training? Do you find them to be reliable, motivated and properly equipped for their roles?

SSG Oliver: Good and Bad. All in all, the Iraqi Police try to perform their duties daily, but they do lack things that would make them more effective. Most of the police have minimal training and that is where our job comes into play. The Police Transition Team helps fill the gap by providing training and mentorship to the IP’s to better educate them on the basic police fundamentals. They do, however, need new and better equipment. They use unarmored vehicles to conduct their patrol which puts them at an even higher risk of injury and death. The now this and can sometimes use it to their advantage, but this is not always the case. Overall, the IP’s are as effective as their equipment allows them to be and if they should get the needed equipment, then the IP’s could assume a better role in their respective communities and perform in a more efficient manner.

Q: Are there any anti-Iraqi forces that seem to be behind the bulk of the attacks that are occurring in your area of operations, and are U.S. and Iraqi forces "on the same page" when it comes to going after those carrying out these attacks?

SSG Oliver: It has been my experience operating in the city that allows me to say that for the most part, both U.S and Iraqi forces are on the same sheet of music. They do work together well, but the Iraqi Security Forces do have advantages that Coalition Forces do not have. We are bound by our rules and regulations were as the Iraqis have more lenient laws which allow them some better opportunities.

Q: We have a national election coming up in one week, where it seems that the Democratic Party has a very good chance of capturing the House of Representatives from Republican control. I wrote a post a week ago explaining that if Democrats win control of the House, they might cut off funding for the war. Based upon your own experience in Baghdad, what effect do you think it would have if you and other U.S. forces were summarily pulled out of Iraq?

SSG Oliver: If your child takes their first steps while holding on to your hands are you just going to let go and hope they continue on their own? No. Most people would continue to support and encourage them until they can continue on their own without support. I feel the same applies here. The Iraqi government is very young and still needs assistance from outside sources so they can develop and grow. The US government has pledged to help build Iraq into a model for the region, and if we were to pull out to early, the Iraqi Government will stumble from its already young state and possibly fall, which would put US forces back into a situation that could possible be worse. We need to stay, maintain and support the Iraqi Government until it can handle all aspects without US assistance.

Q: This is completely up to you. Please use this opportunity to tell us anything and everything you would like readers to know about your experiences in Iraq. Unlike newspaper journalists, I have virtually unlimited space, so please take as much time to tell us what you think the American people should know.

SSG Oliver: First, I want to thank everyone that supports our troops. This is by far the most important thing. Second, I wish that people back home could see everything that happens here, not just the gruesome stories of a war torn country. There is so much more to everything that the Coalition is doing in this country that goes unnoticed. Things such as seeing Soldiers interacting with the local children, giving them school supplies, toys and even sharing their candy and whatever other things the Soldiers have. I cannot remember when the press ran a story about U.S Soldiers establishing an aid station out in a community that allowed many Iraqis to receive medical attention that they would have otherwise not received. The media needs to rethink the coverage and produce a balance of both the good and bad, and maybe then the world will not think that this is a completely war ravaged country.

SPC Kimberly MCGuiness from Fletcher, North Carolina, is a .50-caliber turrent gunner on a Humvee conducting Police Transition Team duties in Baghdad.

Q: A recent cluster study by Johns Hopkins University researchers published in the British medical journal The Lancet states that more than 600,000 Iraqis have died since the 2003 invasion by violent means. While you cannot expect to answer for the rest of the country, does this seem to be a reasonable figure based upon your experience in Baghdad?

SPC McGuiness: I don't know the answer to that question due to the fact that it is outside of my job to keep track of how many violent deaths there have been. I would say that their have been many but I don't know the exact number.

Q: Most media reports coming out of Baghdad paint a picture of a city under siege, with roving Shiite and Sunni death squads operating virtually at will, kidnapping people of the street, summarily executing them, and dumping their bodies in the street. Is this an accurate presentation of life in Baghdad?

SPC McGuiness: There are always two sides to every media report. People hear about the bad things because its news worthy. In my experience, it is true that locals are fearful of being kidnapped and executed but I can't tell you for a fact that it is Shiite vs Sunni. There are violent things that happen but you can't really pin point the source of the problem.

Q: As a follow-up to that question, do you see any signs that the sectarian violence in Iraq may abate any time soon?

SPC McGuiness: I can't tell you for sure if it will let up. You have people in this country that want all Shiite governments and those that want the Sunni's in power and you have that divide between the two. If an understanding can be reached then yes but until that divide closes, it could be sometime before the healing and rebuilding can happen.

Q: What has been your experience working with the Iraq police units you have been training? Do you find them to be reliable, motivated and properly equipped for their roles?

SPC McGuiness: I feel as if they had better vehicles, better equipment and more armor on their vehicles that they could perform more efficiently. Also they don't get paid that much and for the amount of danger there is out in Baghdad, the pay doesn't seem to quite add up. They are afraid to die just like everyone else and if they were better equipped it might make them more comfortable in their job.

Q: Are there any anti-Iraqi forces that seem to be behind the bulk of the attacks that are occurring in your area of operations, and are U.S. and Iraqi forces "on the same page" when it comes to going after those carrying out these attacks?

SPC McGuiness: In my experience, the Iraqi forces and the US forces quite often are on the same page but other times there are things that hinder movement. There are things that the Iraqi forces can do that US forces cannot do and we have to handle situations differently. With the Iraqi forces, Iraq is "their turf" whereas with the U.S we still have soon guidelines and rules that must be followed. There are always going to be some anti-Iraqi forces that think what we are trying to establish is wrong and that take matters into their own hands.

Q: We have a national election coming up in one week, where it seems that the Democratic Party has a very good chance of capturing the House of Representatives from Republican control. I wrote a post a week ago explaining that if Democrats win control of the House, they might cut off funding for the war. Based upon your own experience in Baghdad, what effect do you think it would have if you and other U.S. forces were summarily pulled out of Iraq?

SPC McGuiness: In my experience, what we are doing here is working. Rome wasn't built in a day and it is going to take time. If we were to be pulled out of Iraq too soon, we will find ourselves back here down the road trying to undo what we could have fixed if we would have stayed. We are working on training the IP's how to perform their job's better and better ways to do things so they can support themselves and not be afraid to police one another.

Q: This is completely up to you. Please use this opportunity to tell us anything and everything you would like readers to know about your experiences in Iraq. Unlike newspaper journalists, I have virtually unlimited space, so please take as much time to tell us what you think the American people should know.

SPC McGuiness: People only see the bad things that happen here. You hardly ever hear about soldiers interacting with the locals and building relationships with the children. Soldiers handing out book bags and school supplies or just a small gesture of giving them candy to show them that we do care and humanize ourselves to them. The future of Iraq is in the people. Yes there are some people that resent the US being here and that will not stop until we leave but there are those that thank us for being here and that they feel safer because we patrol their streets and the crime has been lessened do to our patrols. We are making a difference.

Posted by Confederate Yankee at November 6, 2006 09:15 AM TrackBack

A Completely Unscientific Election Prediction, Soldiers Say Democrat War Plans "An Extreme Betrayal", Talking with the BloodHounds, Cheney Hunting For Office., On Day of Saddam's Sentencing, Liberals Attack Republicans, Mission Accomplished: Saddam Sentenced to Death by Hanging, Blogger Book Pimpin', SRT, Kerry's "Apology" Was All-Too Insincere and NY Times Justifies 2003 Invasion of Iraq.

These are the fabulous articles I was referring to earlier.

al Korea Market before and after USAID helps

Continued.

USAID: Improving Iraqi quality of life

BAGHDAD — The United States Agency for International Development, better known around the world as USAID, is making drastic improvements to the Iraqi infrastructure and improving the quality of life for millions.

The agency maintains a myriad of projects at any given time, and spends millions of dollars to see them through from start to finish. Whether it’s improving Iraqi canals, ensuring local populations have clean drinking water or restoring city markets, the USAID footprint is prominent and welcome here.

One such undertaking was a massive project resulting in 1.75 million Basrah citizens gaining access to fresh drinking water. The aim: upgrade the Sweet Water canal to modern times.

The Sweet Water Canal , constructed in 1996 to supply water to Iraqis, pumps water to twenty-three plants around Basrah City which treat and distribute water into the city. Saddam Hussein’s old regime neglected the operation, and hadn’t conducted maintenance since 1999. This resulted in the facility operating at less than half its capacity, leaving more than 80 percent of the treated water unfit to drink.

At a cost of almost $38 million, the entire system is being rehabilitated by USAID to return essential services to Iraq . The 240-kilometer canal, its two pump stations, two reservoirs, and fourteen water treatment stations are all being repaired and rehabilitated.

Work has included dredging and cleaning the canal and reservoirs, refurbishing pump stations, providing backup power sources, repairing canal embankments, and replacing worn and broken parts.

Some of the canal's water treatment stations date to 1932 and upkeep was minimal. The canal and its reservoirs were filled in places with up to two meters of sediment, and vegetation was growing on the surface. A lack of dredging reduced the effectiveness of the reservoirs, and the high solids content of the water increased wear on the pumps.

By mid-spring 2004, residents of Al Basrah saw substantial improvements in their water supply, and by summer the quality and volume of fully treated water will surpass pre-war conditions. Continued.

NGAUS Legislative Update: 11/3/2006

What’s Happening In Congress?
Congressional Calendar

Nov 7 - Election Day
Nov 9 - Reconvenes for introduction of bills only
Nov 13 - Congress returns to work
Nov 15 - House elects GOP leaders
Nov 16 - House elects Democratic leaders
Nov 17 - Thanksgiving recess target
Dec 4 - Congress returns this week if necessary to complete work

Countdown to Election Day.
Only four more days until Election Day! Next Tuesday, November 7, 2006 millions of Americans will head to the polls to have a say in who will represent them in various levels of the government for the next few years. The candidates chosen by these elections will have an incredibly important role in the decision making throughout our country. Before these chosen representatives take on this responsibility, each one of us has an imperative role in helping to choose who these individuals will be. Be sure to educate yourself on the issues and the candidates in your area…and get out to vote on November 7th.

What’s Happening At NGAUS?
The NGAUS staff has fought long and hard for the benefits that our Guardsmen and their dependents are receiving today. Not only do we continue to fight for new benefits but we continue to keep up to date on any new rules or policy changes made to the current benefits that our Guardsmen and their families are receiving today. Recently the TRICARE Management Activity has issued a news release concerning the reactivation of National Guardsmen and Reservists who are enrolled in TRICARE Prime under the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP).

As a result of new rules, the families of these Guardsmen are able to keep their TRICARE Prime coverage when they re-enroll up to 30 days after their sponsor’s activation. Prior to this new rule, regardless of whether a service member reenrolled their dependants right away, TRICARE Prime coverage did not start right away. This new system eliminates the possibility of a break in coverage and creates a seamless transition from TRICARE Prime coverage under TAMP to the same coverage as a dependent of an active duty service member. Please view the TAMP fact sheet on the TRICARE website for more information on this new policy: TRICARE Fact Sheets.

Make sure to also checkout the TRICARE Reserve Select Handbook and the TRICARE Reserve Select Summary of Beneficiary Costs Flyer at: TRICARE Reserve Select Handbook.

And be sure to follow the TRICARE website as the specific instructions for the TRICARE for all Guard and Reserve becomes available. This hard-won program becomes effective 1 October 2007.

FY07 Defense Appropriations and Defense Authorization Summary.
The legislative team at NGAUS will be posting the final version of their summary of both of these bills in the coming week. You will be able to see both the Appropriations and Authorization information throughout the summary. Make sure to watch the NGAUS website for its posting.

What Can You Do?
Airfare For Active Troops

HR 2115, Flight 100 of the Century Aviation Act, was signed by President Bush 3 years ago on December 17, 2003. This bill included language urging Airlines to "establish for all members of the Armed Forces on active duty reduced airfares that are comparable to the lowest airfare for ticketed flights; and offer flexible terms that allow members of the armed forces on active duty to purchase, modify, or cancel tickets without time restrictions, fees and penalties."

However, many airlines still do not provide discounted fares for the military. The men and women who are actively serving our country are paying much higher costs to fly home during leave than most of the public pays to fly anywhere. The reason for the higher costs for airfare is that military leave is not always granted a month or even a week in advance. These costs are causing many of our military men and women to not be able to go home to see there loved ones when they have leave time. Please visit the "Blue Star Moms" website at Blue Star Moms: Petition Online to ask the government and 11 major airlines to provide discounted airfare to our activated troops so they can spend time with their loved ones every chance they get.

NGAUS Notes: 11/3/2006

Veterans Honored Thursday in Washington; Memorial Announced.
Lois B. Pope, a noted Florida-based philanthropist, announced yesterday plans to build a memorial near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to honor America’s veterans.

Ms. Pope, co-founder and chairman of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Foundation, said the foundation has raised half the $65 million needed to build the marble and glass memorial. It will be located on two acres of land within view of the U.S. Capitol.

Ms. Pope said groundbreaking is set for 2008.

"It’s a salute to them, to honor their valor, their courage and their sacrifice," she said. "And it’s a way of educating the American people, that war isn’t just about bombs and bullets and death and destruction. It’s about human beings, like these young men and women here today, who stand up for the highest values inherent in all of us."

Steve D. Tough, president of Health Net Federal Services, LLC, said his company is a co-sponsor of project.

At another event yesterday, Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said veterans’ "patriotism, sense of duty, commitment and sacrifice make our freedom and way of life possible."

Ms. Chao also said all Americans owe veterans a profound debt of gratitude and that her organization is proud to play a role "in helping these courageous men and women access the resources and services to succeed in the 21st century work force."

She also spoke about the agency’s role in regulating and enforcing the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, which protects Guardsmen and Reservists’ rights when they return to work after active duty.

Deadlines Loom to Mail Holiday Packages Overseas.
Postal Service officials are reminding military families and friends sending holiday packages and letters to service men and women overseas, including Iraq and Afghanistan, that the deadline for the most economical shipping option is less than two weeks away.

Nov. 13 is the deadline for sending holiday packages to troops stationed overseas using Parcel Post to all Air/Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) zip codes.

Deadlines for Space Available Mail and Parcel Airlift Mail are Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, respectively.

The U.S. Postal Service is encouraging early deadlines to make sure that packages reach their destination in time for the holidays.

The U.S. Postal Service introduced a free Military Care Kit, or "Mili-kit" in 2004 to make it easier for military families and friends to send care packages overseas.

Each kit contains four Priority Mail boxes, six Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, 10 Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and 10 customs forms with envelopes.

This kit may be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734.

The U.S. Postal Service has shipped more than 150,000 kits over the last two years.

The Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes included in the kit can be shipped to any APO/FPO in the world, regardless of weight, for $8.10.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, as required by U.S. Defense Department regulations.

A complete APO/FPO holiday mailing deadline matrix and additional information are available at USPS.

Hand-to Hand Combat Program Growing Among National Guardsmen
The Modern Army Combatives Program, based on a mixture of martial arts, is beginning to take root in the National Guard due to its popularity among soldiers and a strong belief that it teaches valuable lessons needed in combat.

The program progresses through four levels and teaches wrestling, judo, boxing, kickboxing and stick fighting, starting out with Brazilian Jui-Jitsu.

The program began in 2002 to increase hand-to-hand combat ability among soldiers.

"Combatives builds the soldiers warrior ethos but it also gives them the ability to defend themselves when they can’t use lethal force," said Sgt. 1st Class Alan Ezelle with Oregon’s 2/162 Infantry Battalion.

Sergeant Ezelle points out that the training is now mandatory for all soldiers going into theater and feels that it’s critical in helping soldiers survive in combat.

"It teaches them body mechanics and gives them the ability to detain someone physically," he said. "In combat a soldier will deal with locals at arms length, not knowing what possible situations can arise. On many occasions they may have to detain someone physically and combatives gives them that skill."

Sergeant Ezelle was a platoon Sergeant in Iraq when the unit deployed from March 2004 to April 2005. He said the battalion saw heavy fighting throughout the month of August and suffered 15 percent casualties during their deployment. He feels the program builds critical skills.

Now part of Army doctrine, the program can enhance combat skills to make Guardsmen better soldiers. For more information, please visit Modern Combatives.

Communications Dept. Seeks Seasoned Staff Writer.
The National Guard Association has an immediate opening for an experienced staff writer. Selected candidate will contribute to NATIONAL GUARD, the association’s monthly magazine, NGAUS NOTES and the NGAUS Web site.

Duties include writing short news stories and covering a variety of hearings on Capitol Hill and elsewhere. For the magazine, the successful candidate will contribute at least one substantial feature story each month and assist in editing and producing the final product. Some travel is required.

Candidates must have five years of reporting experience. Familiarity with the military and the National Guard is preferred.

Interest in writing about military/legislative topics a must. Car required. Salary: low- to mid-40s. Excellent benefits include health and dental coverage and a 401k plan. Convenient Capitol Hill location.

Please send cover letter, resume and three writing samples to:

Communications Department, National Guard Association
One Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001.
Fax: 202-682-9358.
E-mail: Chris Prawdzik.

Please enter "Application" in the subject line if sending e-mail.

This Week in Guard History.
Nov. 5, 1961: In the wake of the Soviet Union’s continued construction of the Berlin Wall, and a fear of possible conflict in Germany, President John F. Kennedy mobilized selected reserve-components units.

To protect Germany along with the other allies, he authorized the deployment of 11 Air Guard fighter squadrons to bases in West Germany, France and Spain. The first of these squadrons arrived in late October. By this date, several, including Missouri’s 110th and New Jersey’s 141st tactical fighter squadrons, had their ground service personnel join them and they became fully operational. They began flying patrols along the border dividing East from West Germany.

Fortunately, no war erupted and by the summer of 1962 all the Guard units were released from active duty.

NGAUS History.
Maj. Gen. Charles M. Kiefer, NGAUS president, laid the first granite cornerstone for the new National Guard Memorial during a ceremony Feb. 7, 1990. General Kiefer, speaking to a crowd of senators, congressmen, National Guard Bureau officers and NGAUS members, said the ceremony marked the end of one era and the beginning of another.

"It was not until 1959 on this very site that the association built its first building," he said. "The legacy left gave us an opportunity to nurture it, to build upon it and to leave a bigger legacy for those who follow us."

General Kiefer noted that the building was ahead of schedule and on budget.

Keynote speakers included Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., and Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery, D-Miss. Other attendees included Sens. Kit Bond, D-Mo., and Mark Hatfield, R-Ore., and Reps. Robert Dornan, R-Calif., and Ike Skelton, D-Mo. The building would be dedicated Sept. 22, 1991.