Military News: 29 July 2007 - 04 August 2007

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29 July 2007  --  The Associated Press today released news that the Bush administration has developed a new, multibillion-dollar military sales package to Arab states.  The proposed military technologies package, projected to be worth approximately $20 billion, will target countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.  The purpose of the package, according to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, will be to "help bolster forces of moderation and support a broader strategy to counter the negative influences of al-Qaida, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran."  Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns also observed that it is in the U.S.' interest to maintain "a very strong American presence and influence in the region," and made note of the continued threat posed by Iran's alleged mission to obtain nuclear weapons and continued funding of terrorist organizations.  Any sales of this nature would have to be approved by Congress, among whose lawmakers are many who have already expressed "concerns" about the impact of such a deal.  Wish to comment on this issue?  Check out the MyMilitaryYears Forum page and post your comments.  (click here to be taken to the Forum page)

30 July 2007  --  The war in Iraq is often a subject of debate between political parties here in the U.S.  But in a recent interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC's "Good Morning America," the U.S.' top commander in Iraq emphasized the importance of remaining "apolitical" in considerations of the war's progress and status.  When asked about the upcoming September report on the war's status, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, expressed high expectations and his commitment to making his assessment the "ground truth."  When asked about withdrawal of U.S. troops, he reiterated that "Sustainable security in Iraq is the goal of the military effort," and said it will take until summer 2009 to see the kind of conditions most conducive to that goal.  When addressing considerations of whether or not to send troops home, Petraeus says that reductions will be made when it is possible to downsize forces without giving up the gains that have been made.  The criteria for reduction of the number of troops will be set so that the military can forego the need for yet more replacements and to allow for the time needed to transition the U.S. from a leader's role in the rebuilding of Iraq to a partner's role.

31 July 2007  --  Department of Defense officials made known today that about 20,000 additional personnel will be deployed to bolster Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The announcement made clear that these deployed units are not part of the recent "surge," but rather "part of a normal rotation of forces to replace formations currently on the ground."  Units to be involved include the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters and Regimental Combat Teams 1 and 5, from Camp Pendleton, Calif., and 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.  The deployment window is expected to commence at the end of 2007 and extend into 2008.

01 August 2007  --  The Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline (1-800-984-8523, or for overseas customers, via DSN 312-328-0002) continues to fulfill its mission.  Established on 19 March 2007 by Army officials, "The intent of the Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline is to ensure that soldiers and their families have access to every resource the Army has to offer,” Army Col. Edward Mason, the hotline’s director, told online journalists and “bloggers.”  When wounded soldiers and their families face medical issues that cannot be resolved through local channels, the hotline makes possible a more immediate method for them to get information from subject-matter experts.  Based in Alexandria, VA, the hotline is staffed by soldiers and contractors (who are themselves former soldiers or military family members) under the management of U.S. Army Human Resources Command.  Both active duty and veterans, as well as their family members, can call the hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and receive help with their medical-related questions and concerns.  Hotline staff follow up with each caller to ascertain if they have been assisted.  Of the hotline staff, Mason said "They believe in the mission and have a passion for helping soldiers and families."

02 August 2007  --  An Associated Press article published in the International Herald Tribune today discusses recent allegations by U.S. officials and ground forces that there is a strong Iranian influence over insurgent activities in Iran.  Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, leader of the 3rd Infantry Division, "said his troops had found mounting evidence of Iranian involvement, and he planned to step up efforts to fight Shiite extremists in his area, which covers the southern rim of Baghdad and mostly Shiite areas to the south."  Lynch specifically mentioned several recent occurences in which Iranian munitions were discovered in the possession of militias responsible for staging attacks on U.S. forces.   Of specific concern are EFPs, or explosively formed projectiles, sophisticated armor-piercing roadside bombs that have already been responsible for hundreds of deaths among U.S. troops.  At this time, however, it is unclear whether Iran is supplying these weapons directly or if they are being purchased on the black market.  Officials in Tehran have denied all allegations that Iran is directly involved in the arming or training of anti-U.S. forces.

03 August 2007  --  Once again, U.S. politics crosses paths with military efforts.  Pakistani officials today denounced recent comments made by presidential hopefuls, Barack Obama and Tom Tancredo.  Last Wednesday, Obama stated that, were he president, "he would order military action against terrorists in Pakistan’s tribal region bordering Afghanistan if intelligence warranted it."  "There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans," Obama said, and "They are plotting to strike again.  If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf will not act, we will."  In a town hall meeting in Iowa last week, Tancredo commented that "the best way to deter a nuclear terrorist attack on the United States would be to threaten to retaliate by bombing the holiest Islamic sites of Mecca and Medina."    The State Department contradicted Tancredo's statements, and many U.S. diplomats expressed concern that efforts to forge ties with Muslim nations and combat Islamic extremism will be damaged by such comments from high-profile political pundits.  Pakistan maintains that it is fully capable of dealing with any terrorist cells within its own country and does not need foreign assistance.

04 August 2007  --  Volunteer activities out of Camp Eggers, Afghanistan, were given attention today in an article submitted to the AFPS by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlien.  In a program organized by the Camp's chaplains, U.S. military and coalition troops volunteer their own time to sort, load, transport and distribute donated items to Afghan families in need, usually living in refugee camps.  The donated items, such as medical and school supplies, blankets, food, clothing and personal hygiene items, typically come from the U.S., via churches, schools and friends and family of the soldiers who volunteer.  A new location is visited every two weeks; each visit is coordinated by a joint effort between Camp Eggers chaplains and local religious leaders, government and relief agencies.  Navy Capt. James Fischer, chaplain for Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, stated “We do want to help those who are in need.  In a large sense, this represents the heart of America to the people here. When you see this country brutalized by war and the Taliban, who are thugs and thieves who kill people, you don’t see much spirituality. You don’t see much compassion. These soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors are just good-hearted military people. They want to make a difference.”