Military News: 01 July 2007 - 07 July 2007

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01 July 2007  --  Army Brig. Gen. Terry Wolff, commander of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, said during a teleconference from Iraq today that he's confident the Iraqi army, navy, air force and police services will succeed.  He stated, "What we do see from the Iraqis is a commitment to continuing to improve and a desire and a passion to be more responsible for all things military...They very much want to be able to do this themselves.”  The Coalition Military Assistance Training Team was developed as a means of assisting the Iraqi government "train, mentor and equip Iraq's security forces."  Wolff notes that increased confidence in decision-making and greater skill in logistical planning are among the Iraqi forces' list of accomplishments.  He also acknowledges the continuing challenges ahead of them, such as establishing leadership, addressing ongoing logistical issues and transferring maintenance of the Iraqi military vehicles to local repair facilities.

 02 July 2007  --  The move is on to get even more Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to the theater.  The Defense Department's Joint Requirements Oversight Council approved the aquisition and immediate transport of as many MRAPs as the industry can provide for the upcoming fiscal year.  This recent decision was made based on the Marine Corps' success in using MRAPs as a means of reducing casualties associated with roadside bombs and other explosives currently presenting difficulties in may regions where deployed troops operate.  The companies responsible for producing MRAPs for the government are being pressed to increase production numbers and decrease the time it takes to produce the MRAPs.  As a result, many of these companies are hiring more employees to achieve the desired results.

 03 July 2007  --  Tomorrow, July 4th, will be more than just a celebration of America's independence.  Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, announced during an interview today on Bill Bennett’s nationally syndicated radio program that the annual Independence Day ceremony for re-enlistments will be held at Camp Victory, Iraq.  He estimates that as many as "600 enlisted soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines...[will] raise their right hand...and sign up for another tour in the armed forces."  Along with the re-enlistment ceremony will be a citizenship ceremony.  At this ceremony, many non-citizen servicemembers in Iraq will officially be granted U.S. citizenship.

 04 July 2007  --  In observance of Independence Day, no news will be posted today.  We recognize, and are thankful for, the bravery of our troops, as well as their families and loved ones, and we are proud of their achievements.  Were it not for the passion, sacrifice and courage of our armed forces from the founding of this nation to today,  we in the United States would not be able to enjoy the freedoms we have and hope to have in the future.  There are no words to express the depth of our respect for the men and women who serve today in order to bring the same liberty we enjoy to oppressed peoples around the globe.  Would you, too, like to express your gratitude and words of encouragement to our U.S. armed forces?  Check out the MyMilitaryYears Forum page and post your comments.  (click here to be taken to the Forum page)

 05 July 2007  --  In a follow up to the article submitted on 03 July, the results are in for the number of re-enlisted troops and naturalized citizens from the Multi-National Force-Iraq Reenlistment, Naturalization and Independence Day Ceremony at Camp Victory.  588 troops re-enlisted and 161 were naturalized as citizens of the United States.   The troops were gathered at Baghdad's Al Faw Palace.  Army Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general, MNF-I, presided over the ceremony and administered the Oath of Enlistment; Jonathan Scharfen, the deputy director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the Oath of Citizenship to the new U.S. citizens.  To the re-enlisting soldiers, Petraeus had this to say, "No bonus, no matter the size, can adequately compensate you for the contribution each of you has made and continues to make as a custodian of our nation’s defenses...Nor can any amount of money compensate you adequately for the sacrifices you make serving here in Iraq or the burdens your loved ones face at home in your absence. And we certainly cannot put a price on the freedoms you defend or those we are trying to help the Iraqis establish and safeguard here in the land of the two rivers.”  To the newly-naturalized soldiers, he said: "When you enlisted into the Armed Forces you swore to support and defend a Constitution that did not yet fully apply to you...You chose to endure the same sacrifices as your fellow comrades in arms to preserve the freedom of a land that was not yet fully yours. You accepted that you might have to pay the ultimate price on behalf of a nation to which you did not fully belong. Now, you will officially become citizens of the United States, a country to which each of you has already borne true faith and allegiance in your hearts and your deeds.”  Also present was Arizona Senator John McCain, representing the U. S. Senate.

06 July 2007  --  The American Forces Press Service reported today on an interview with Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander of Multinational Division Center and the 3rd Infantry Division.  Lynch applauded the efforts of the combined "surge" forces recently provided by the U. S. and Iraqi security forces.  The overall offensive now being conducted against insurgents, Operation Phantom Thunder, has made significant progress since it officially began on June 15.  The surge troops, ordered for deployment earlier this year, played a major role in bolstering anti-insurgent forces and operations already established across Iraq.  However, Lynch cautioned against any early withdrawal of these troops, prior to the completion of the current mission.  "We can conduct detailed kinetic strikes, we can do cordon and searches, and we can deny the enemy sanctuaries,” Lynch said. “If those surge forces go away that capability goes away, and the Iraqi security forces aren’t ready yet to do that (mission).”  He maintained that a drawdown of U. S. forces would only embolden the insurgents: “You’d find the enemy regaining ground, reestablishing sanctuaries, building more IEDs (and) carrying those IEDs to Baghdad, and the violence would escalate."   The general expressed confidence in the troops stationed overseas and feels they are committed to fighting terrorists overseas so they will not have to fight them "at home."   The environment in Iraq is still highly variable, he feels, so any committment to dates or timelines for troop-withdrawal can not be certain at this time.

07 July 2007  --  America Supports You reported on another great event.  Today's Pepsi 400 NASCAR race featured a pre-race ceremony, in which soldiers of the Army Reserve’s 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) from Orlando, Fla., were among the 82 soldiers who took part in presenting the U.S. flag (which weighed a whopping 1,400 pounds).  As reported by Staff Sgt. Christine L. Andreu-Wilson, USA, "The crowd and soldiers cheered as four U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle fighters from Tyndall Air Force Base flew low over the track with their afterburners aglow in the night sky, while on the ground fireworks lit up the infield of the track. Pepsi 400 fans shook the stands with a standing ovation for the troops as the soldiers passed by carrying the U.S. flag."  Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Quinn, 741st Postal Detachment, 143rd Sustainment Command, said, “It’s rewarding for us soldiers. Racecar driving is a big American event; it really brings out people’s patriotism,” Quinn said. “It got me pumped up to hear people shout, ‘USA, USA, USA.’ The esprit de corps that’s here, that’s what it’s all about -- just knowing that these Americans support us.”  This was the 49th annual NASCAR race in Daytona Beach, FL.