http://www.wikio.co.uk/blog/search/Iraqi forces Wikio Blogs - search: Iraqi forces wikio wikio http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68514012 An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft prepares to taxi out of a hangar, Aug. 8, 2008. A Reaper employed a 500-pound GBU-12 laser-guided bomb against anti-Iraqi forces, Aug. 16, 2008, marking the Reaper's first weapons engagement since it began flying combat sorties over Iraq, July 18, 2008. (Photographer: Tech Sgt. Erik Gudmundson, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.) D ispatches from the Front: JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq , Aug. 21, 2008 -- An MQ-9 Reaper dropped a 500-pound bomb against an anti-Iraqi target, Aug. 16, 2008, marking the Reaper's first weapons engagement in Iraq since it began flying combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, July 18, 2008. The successful airstrike, which destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, demonstrates the persistent strike capability that the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing provides commanders on the ground, said Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd AEW commander. "We are here to integrate air power into joint operations in Iraq, and ensuring we make the most of our unmanned-aerial-system capabilities is just one of many ways we do that," Gen. Bishop said. "With our ability to provide persistent stare and persistent strike, we provide a clear battlefield assessment and quick responses to commanders when they need it." During an overwatch mission over southeast Iraq, Reaper operators with Balad’s 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron discovered a suspicious vehicle. The Airmen immediately relayed the information to personnel in a local ground unit, said Lt. Col. Micah Morgan, the 46th ERAS commander. After the suspicious vehicle was confirmed to be a VBIED -- a variant of the number-one killer of Americans on the battlefield -- a joint terminal attack controller cleared the Reaper to employ a GBU-12 laser-guided weapon against the vehicle. "This was a great example of the Reaper's unique capabilities," Col. Morgan said. "We searched for, found, fixed, targeted and destroyed a target with just one aircraft." Unmanned aerial system aircrews' fusion of the warfighting domains of air, space and cyberspace enables them uniquely to share critical information with JTACs and other command and control elements, ensuring that they hit the right target, Col. Morgan said. "We go to great lengths to avoid unnecessary damage, and the Reaper’s unique capabilities allow it to play a key role our highly disciplined targeting process," he said. The 46th ERAS flies both Reaper and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial systems. Its aircrews directly control all Reaper operations in Iraq and provide launch and recovery for Predator operations. During UAS missions, they can communicate with critical partners worldwide using a mix of radio, telephone and secure Internet systems. (Story by Staff Sgt. Don Branum, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.) Tags: DOD , War , Military , GWOT , terrorism , al Qaeda , al Qaida , Middle East , Operation Iraqi Freedom , United States , U.S. , coalition , Iraq , Dispatches from the Front , Multinational Force Global Tags: Washington DC , News and Politics , News , Politics , Current Events , Current Affairs , Life , Culture , Buzz , Tension Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:12:00 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68514012 Steven Moyer 2008-08-21T15:12:00Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68406798 Except YOU, taxpaying Amurkn!!!! "US pushing to get Iraqi Air Force off the ground" by Ernesto Londono, Washington Post | August 20, 2008 KIRKUK, Iraq - The US military all but paralyzed the Iraqi Air Force after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, turning veteran pilots such as Colonel Abdul Karim Aziz, a fighter pilot who survived the war between Iraq and Iran during the 1980s, into grounded bureaucrats . Excuse me for asking, I know it has been five years+ now, but HOW DID Saddam "THREATEN the WORLD" when he DIDN'T EVEN HAVE an AIR FORCE? Oh, the LIES, LIES, LIES, LIES, we were told by MSM and Bush!!!! The little that remained of the country's once-mighty airpower was obliterated during the early weeks of the Iraq war. And Iraq's skies became the domain of the US military, controlled from an operations center in Qatar. Now in an about-face, the US Air Force is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to get Aziz and others to fly again , train a fresh generation of pilots, and build up the Iraqi Air Force's fleet and infrastructure from scratch. Americans, we have REAL PROBLEMS here at home, and yet ARTICLE after ARTICLE shows our government SHOVELING OUR MONEY out the DOOR!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU, America? Building an air force takes years, if not decades . Translation: We are NEVER LEAVING IRAQ, folks. This is the WORLD DOMINATION PLAN in action! Though small, modest, and - for now - devoid of firepower, the Iraqi Air Force has given Iraqis something to be proud of , US officials say. Oh my God, this is SICK!!!! The Iraqis have PLENTY to be proud of -- their HISTORY, their CULTURE, their RELIGION!!! Look at this CONDESCENDING SHIT SPEW from the fucking arrogant US! They HAD an AIR FORCE until YOU DESTROYED IT, and I'm sure they were proud of it, too!!!! The Iraqi Air Force was among the best equipped and trained in the region when the country went to war with Iran in 1980. That's cause Saddam was OUR GUY then!!! The eight-year conflict took a considerable toll on the force, but when the Persian Gulf War started in 1991, Iraq still had hundreds of combat aircraft and skilled pilots operating out of dozens of bases. The Iraqi Air force, however, was no match for the US-led coalition, which quickly crippled it. So HOW in the WORLD could he nave been SUCH a THREAT in 2003, huh? No WMD and NO AIR FORCE which EVERYBODY KNEW!!!! WTF, MSM? Why you LIE SO MUCH!!! The Iraqi Air Force's fleet currently has 76 aircraft, most of which were donated by the United States and other nations. Although the force has no fighter planes , US military officials say Iraqi pilots will soon be allowed to carry out air attack missions . On WHO and WITH WHAT? (Blog author shaking his head at scale of daily war and MSM lies; sickening) . -- more -- " Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:40:00 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68406798 Rocker 2008-08-20T16:40:00Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68298849 IRAQI FORCES stormed the governor's offices in Baquba yesterday, capital of the turbulent Diyala province, killed his secretary and exchanged fire with police. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68298849 The Irish Times - World 2008-08-20T00:00:00Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68442836 Just like old times... **sigh** the glorious days of the Berlin Airlifts... Iraqi schools being painted... **aaahhhh...** via Defense Link By Air Force Capt. Erin Dorrance Special to American Forces Press Service TBILISI, Georgia, Aug. 14, 2008 – A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport jet departed Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and landed at Tbilisi International Airport here yesterday, delivering $1 million in humanitarian aid to reduce the suffering of the people of the former Soviet republic of Georgia. The joint military effort supported coordination by the U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development with Georgian officials. The Defense Department was directed to support the effort with a joint U.S. military operation that launched with the delivery of 16 pallets of medicine, clothing, sleeping bags, cots and other essential items. "Our sole goal is to safely and rapidly deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia to alleviate human suffering and save lives," said Col. Benjamin Everson, chief of U.S. Army Europe's International Operations Division. "We will continue to support this humanitarian mission until the host nation and the U.S. State Department determine that it is no longer needed." The C-17, based out of McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., was operated by a 3rd Airlift Squadron crew from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and landed amid cheers and smiles from local nationals on the airfield. One pallet after another was quickly offloaded from the aircraft. The Georgians on the ground continually thanked the U.S. military team for its efforts. "We are in dire need of these supplies," said Sergey Khomchenko, Counterpart Community and Humanitarian Assistance Program director. "Thank you so much for helping us in this great time of need. These supplies will surely save lives." U.S. officials, including a U.S. European Command survey team, continue to coordinate closely with the Georgian government to determine what aid is most needed within the country and how best to distribute it. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Corey Barker, a U.S. European Command spokesman, praised the joint humanitarian relief effort. "We are very pleased that the joint military community -- EuCom, U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Air Forces in Europe -- have the opportunity to provide logistical support to bring these humanitarian supplies here,” he said. "EuCom forces will remain ready to support as further needs are assessed." (Air Force Capt. Erin Dorrance serves in the 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office.) "Six paletted Gross Humanitarian Light Anti-Tank Weapons encased in beef products... CHECK! Six paletted Gross Humanitarian STINGER Missile Packs encased in lettuce... CKECK! Six paletted Gross Humanitarian ACME "Stencil Your Own Country Of Origin" IED Kits encased in bananas... CHECK! ... ..." Air Force PAO. They Aim High. To Top Of Main Page Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68442836 --mf 2008-08-21T04:00:00Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68294113 BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces raided the office of a provincial governor and arrested the son of a leading Sunni Arab politician in separate incidents on Tuesday that could stoke sectarian and political tension. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:26:55 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68294113 2008-08-20T00:26:55Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68470256 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was meeting with Iraqi officials in an effort to finalize an agreement on the presence of American troops in Iraq. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:43:58 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68470256 2008-08-21T09:43:58Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68454199 The difficulty in reaching a long-awaited security agreement to govern the presence of American troops in Iraq reflects its importance to Iraq and the U.S. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:43:28 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68454199 2008-08-21T07:43:28Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68418206 ARBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - The U.S. military spoke out on Wednesday against a deadly Iraqi special forces raid on the governor’s office in one of the country’s most restive provinces, saying……Read more Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:58:51 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68418206 2008-08-20T18:58:51Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68310510 The governor of Karbala said on Tuesday that Iraqi forces proved their efficiency after the success realized during the security plan implemented during al-Ziyara al-Shaabaniya, proving they do not require foreign support, the governor of Karbala said. Read the entire article at IraqiUpdates.com... Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:20:04 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68310510 dinarella 2008-08-19T21:20:04Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68282427 Source: [b]Reuters[/b] BAGHDAD, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces raided the office of a provincial governor and arrested the son of a leading Sunni Arab politician in separate incidents on Tuesday that could stoke sectarian and political tension. In the early morning, an unidentified Ira... Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:01:12 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68282427 2008-08-19T22:01:12Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68534462 The White House said Thursday the United States and Iraq have made some progress on a new security agreement but nothing is final.An administration spokesman refused to comment on some reports saying a draft agreement includes the withdrawal of U.S. forces, at least from Iraqi cities, by June 30, 2009.U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in Baghdad talking to Iraqi officials about a new pact allowing U.S. troops to operate in the country. The New York Times said Thursday the two sides had agreed on a draft but not a final text. Speaking in Crawford, Texas, site of the summer White House, spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, We have made some progress in the recent days on an agreement with the Iraqis but there is no final agreement yet. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:08:00 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68534462 2008-08-21T19:08:00Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68418835 BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 20 (UPI) — Iraqi Christians are finding themselves in legal limbo in Lebanon as sectarian violence in northern Iraq forces many religious minorities to flee their country. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:24:24 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68418835 2008-08-20T22:24:24Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68438131 BAGHDAD, Aug 19 — Iraqi security forces raided the governor’s office in restive Diyala province Tuesday, killing an official and injuring four guards. A Sunni provincial council member and the Sunni president of Diyala University were also arrested, prompting accusations of sectarian bias on the… Read the full story Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:34:14 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68438131 admin 2008-08-20T22:34:14Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68336417 An unidentified Iraqi security forces unit raided a provincial governor's office early on Tuesday, killing the governor's secretary and clashing with other units in one of the most volatile parts of Iraq. Read the entire article at IraqiUpdates.com... Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:20:19 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68336417 dinarella 2008-08-20T07:20:19Z http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68265146 BAGHDAD, Aug. 19 (UPI) — Iraqi lawmakers Tuesday called on legislators to place all military forces, including the Kurdish Peshmerga, under national authority. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:21:06 GMT http://www.wikio.co.uk/info?id=68265146 2008-08-19T20:21:06Z