Soldiers Take Out Snipers in Salah Ad Din

Rakkasan platoon kills one sniper and detains another while on patrol.
By Pfc. Cassandra Groce
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
SAMARRA, Iraq, Jan. 18, 2006 — One sniper was killed and another detained near a canal along the Tigris River in Samarra, Iraq by a Rakkasan platoon while on patrol Jan. 9.

"Snipers have been harassing us in this area and been a problem."
1st. Lt. Richard Hawkins, 1st Platoon Leader
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
The soldiers of Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th



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Americans Must Understand U.S. Is at War, General Says:

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2006 –
The American people must remind themselves every day that the United States is at war, a top Army general said today.

Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, speaking at the American Enterprise Institute here, said that 21st century warfare is more about "will and perception, than taking territory or enemies killed."

The will of the American people and people around the world to confront the terrorists and defeat them is the center of gravity in what Pentagon officials are calling "the long war," Odierno, assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said.

The enemy realizes this, he said. "Ultimately, they believe they will be more patient than Western states and they will, over time, win out," he said.

Information is just as critical as firepower in the long war, Odierno said, and this, too, the enemy understands. read more

Blackwater USA

Blackwater was founded in 1997 from a clear vision developed from an understanding of the need for innovative, flexible training and operational solutions to support security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.


Our founder is a former U. S. Navy SEAL. He created Blackwater on the belief that both the military and law enforcement establishments would require additional capacity to train fully our brave men and women in and out of uniform to the standards required to keep our country secure.


Blackwater USA consists of five separate business units: Blackwater Training Center (the largest private firearms and tactical training center in the U. S.), Blackwater Target Systems, Blackwater Security Consulting, Blackwater Canine, and Raven Development Group. We also have relationships with our strategic partners, Aviation Worldwide Services and Greystone Ltd.


We are not simply a "private security company." We are a professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations firm who provides turnkey solutions. We assist with the development of national and global security policies and military transformation plans. We can train, equip and deploy public safety and military professionals, build live-fire indoor/outdoor ranges, MOUT facilities and shoot houses, create ground and aviation operations and logistics support packages, develop and execute canine solutions for patrol and explosive detection, and can design and build facilities both domestically and in austere environments abroad.


Blackwater lives its core values of excellence, efficiency, execution, and teamwork. In doing this, we have become the most responsive, cost-effective means of affecting the strategic balance in support of security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.

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WHO: Flu pandemic threat growing

The World Health Organisation says that the threat of a bird flu pandemic is growing every day, as Turkish officials step up efforts to halt outbreaks and Iran sets up a buffer zone between the two countries.


Shigeru Omi, the WHO's regional director for the Western Pacific, said on Thursday that Asia was still the epicentre of the threat to global health. read more

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:

The Department of Veterans Affairs has selected a 214-acre property near Dolington in southern Bucks County as the site for a new national cemetery in southeastern Pennsylvania. (more »)

2nd Battalion 6th Marines - Deployed Update:

HELLO EVERYONE, MY NAME IS LIEUTENANT COLONEL SCOTT AIKEN AND I AM THE BATTALION COMMANDER OF SECOND BATTALION, SIXTH MARINES. THIS MESSAGE WAS UPDATED ON december 31, 2005


the iraqi people anxiously await the announcement of the results of their election; democracy is progressing well.


we have seen an increase in insurgent activity; all indications point towards al-qaida.

christmas day consisted of a reduced schedule, religious services for those interested, and a holiday feast as good as conditions would allow. all thoughts were of home. read more

Fighting to Stay Active

Marines' Hearts, Warrior Spirits Help Overcome Loss of Limbs
Sometimes the hardest battles of the Global War on Terrorism aren't fought on the front lines of the battlefields. Marines at hospitals at home and abroad face the struggles to surmount life-altering injuries and fight to stay in the Corps they love.

During past wars, Marine Corps amputees were discharged, but modern technology and the Naval Service's Disability Evaluation System offer some of them the chance to continue their active duty service. read more

United States Secret Service:

Insider Threat Study

In collaboration with CERT/CC of Carnegie Mellon University, the Secret Service is developing the Critical Systems Protection Initiative (CSPI) to assist private industry in evaluating and managing potential problems before they happen.
Read More...

Five U.S. Marines Killed in Recent Iraq Action

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2006 – Five American Marines serving in Iraq died during operations against the enemy over the past two days, officials said today.


Three U.S. Marines with Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), were killed by small-arms fire in separate attacks while conducting combat operations against the enemy in Fallujah today.


Another Marine assigned to the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), was killed in action when a roadside bomb attacked his vehicle during combat operations near Karmah yesterday.


And a Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), was killed when his vehicle encountered a roadside during combat operations near Ferris yesterday.


The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense.


Related Site:

Multinational Force Iraq

BlackHawk Products Group :

THE BLACKHAWK MISSION STATEMENT

To design, manufacture and globally distribute the World’s Finest Gear to our Military and Law Enforcement Professionals. To enhance operator efficiency, confidence, and mission completion.

To rule our industry with unparalleled DEDICATION to EXCELLENCE through TEAMWORK, PERFORMANCE and SERVICE.

Energy Policy Act (EPAct): Federal Fleet Requirements:

Federal Fleet Requirements


The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) set forth the statutory requirements for the acquisition of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) by Federal agencies. In fiscal year (FY) 2000 and beyond, 75% of light-duty vehicle (LDV) acquisitions in covered fleets must be AFVs. Vehicles that weigh less than 8,500 lb gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) are considered LDVs. Signed in April 2000, Executive Order (E.O.) 13149 directs Federal agencies to reduce petroleum consumption by 20% in their fleet AFVs. In addition E.O. 13149 requires the use of alternative fuels in AFVs. The executive order reinforces EPAct.

High Risk Communities Eligible for $765 Million in Security Grants

January 3, 2006--The Department of Homeland Security announced $765 million in direct funding for high threat urban areas as part of the fiscal year 2006 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). UASI provides resources for the unique equipment, training, planning, and exercise needs of select high threat urban areas.

FEMA: Safe Rooms - Mitigation - Safe Room:

Tornado Safe Rooms Take Center Stage


Lite-Form workers lift the lightweight pre-assembled wall section into place over the cement slab foundation. The cement-filled, foam-formed walls are reinforced with steel rebar and may be built into new housing or added inside or outside to existing structures at a relatively low cost. Its construction is simple enough that it can be built by do-it-yourselfers. For more information and images, see Tornado Safe Rooms Take Center Stage. read more »

Food For Thought

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool….




To weep is to risk appearing sentimental….




To reach out for another is to risk involvement….




To expose feelings is to risk rejection….




To place your dreams before a crowd is to risk ridicule….




To love is to risk not being loved in return….




To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure….












But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.




The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.




He may avoid suffering and sorrows, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow, or love.




Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave - he has forfeited his freedom.










Only a person who takes risks is FREE!

Iraq attacks kill scores

Aljazeera.net - 3 hours ago
Up to 50 people have been killed and dozens wounded in a series of attacks in Iraq, including a car bomb that ripped apart a crowded market in a town near the Syrian border. In the deadliest attack in Iraq ... read more »

Two things Navy SEALS are always taught:

Keep your priorities in order

Know when to act without hesitation

A college professor, an avowed atheist and active in the ACLU, was
teaching his class. He shocked several of his students when he flatly
stated that once and for all he was going to prove there was no God.
Addressing the ceiling he shouted:

"GOD, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform.
I'll give you exactly 15 minutes!!!!!"

The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes
went by.

" I'm waiting God, if you're real knock me off this platform!!!!"

Again after 4 minutes, the professor taunted God saying,
"Here I am, God!!! I'm still waiting!!!"

His count down got down to the last couple of minutes when a SEAL, just
released from the Navy after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and newly
registered in the class, walked up to the Professor.

The SEAL hit him full force in the face, and sent the Professor tumbling
from his lofty platform. The Professor was out cold!! The students were
stunned and shocked. They
began to babble in confusion. The SEAL nonchalantly took his seat in the
front row and sat silent. The class looked at him and fell
silent.....waiting. Eventually, the professor came to and was noticeably
shaken. He looked at the SEAL in the front row. When the professor
regained his senses and could speak he asked:

"What the hell is the matter with you?! Why did you do that!?"

"God was really busy protecting America's soldiers, who are protecting
your right to say stupid shit and act like an ass!!! So he sent me!!"
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE

Jesus wants A Few Good Men! Living A Life You Always Wanted!:

Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup) (marine cornel) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH ….Son, we live a world that has walls and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have more responsibility here than you could possibly fathom. You curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have that luxury of not knowing what I know. And that my existence as grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. I know down deep in places you don't want to talk about, you don't want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like HONOR, CODE, and LOYALTY. We use these words as the very backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide. I prefer you to just say thank you and go on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand to post. Either way, I don't give a crap what you think you are entitled to!" (end of scene) more »

fallout shelter

A fallout shelter is a civil defense measure intended to reduce casualties in a nuclear war. Nuclear fallout is radioactive dust created when a nuclear weapon explodes. The explosion vaporizes any material within the fireball, including the ground if it is nearby. Much of this material is exposed to neutrons from the explosion, absorbs them, and becomes radioactive. When this material condenses in the cloud, it forms dust and light sandy material that resembles ground pumice. The fallout emits gamma rays as if each particle were a tiny x-ray machine. Much of this highly radioactive material then falls to earth, subjecting anything within the line of sight to gamma radiation, a significant hazard. A fallout shelter is designed to allow its occupants to avoid exposure to harmful fallout until radioactivity has lowered to a safer level. read more »

Wanted: A Few Good Men

In life we shall find many men that are great, and some that are good,
but very few men that are both great and good.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Google goes to Washington

Posted by Andrew McLaughlin, Senior Policy Counsel


It seems that policymaking and regulatory activity in Washington, D.C. affect Google and our users more every day. It’s important to be involved - to participate in the policy process and contribute to the debates that inform it. So we’ve opened up a shop there. The first member of our Washington team is Alan Davidson, a veteran thinker and advocate for issues we care about.


Our mission in Washington boils down to this: Defend the Internet as a free and open platform for information, communication and innovation. OK, that sounds a little high and mighty, so let me break it down into something a bit wonkier with a sampling of the U.S. policy issues we’re working on:


Net neutrality. As voice, video, and data rapidly converge, Congress is rewriting U.S. telecommunications laws and deregulating broadband connectivity, which is largely a good thing. But in a country where most citizens have only one or two viable broadband options, there are real dangers for the Internet: Should network operators be able to block their customers from reaching competing websites and services (such as Internet voice calls and video-on-demand)? Should they be able to speed up their own sites and services, while degrading those offered by competitors? Should an innovator with a new online service or application be forced to get permission from each broadband cable and DSL provider before rolling it out? Or, if that’s not blunt enough for you, what’s better: [a] Centralized control by network operators, or [b] free user choice on the decentralized, open, and astoundingly successful end-to-end Internet? (Hint: It’s not [a].)


Copyrights and fair use. Google believes in protecting copyrights while maintaining strong, viable fair use rights in this new digital age. We support efforts by the U.S. Copyright Office to facilitate the use of orphan works (works whose rights-holders can’t be found), while fully respecting the interests of creators. We applauded the Supreme Court’s carefully calibrated decision in the Grokster case, but worked to defeat legislation that would have created new forms of liability for neutral technologies and services like Google.
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