Afghanistan

May 08, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 7 in the Sabari District, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Spc. Jeremy R. Gullett, 22, of Greenup, Kentucky, who was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Staff Sgt. Kevin C. Roberts, 25, of Farmington, New Mexico, who was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.    » read more »

5/8/2008 -- Recently released Pentagon records show that more than 43,000 U.S. troops who are medically unfit for combat have been sent to Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003. Sending soldiers into combat when they are medically unfit is more than a sign of strain on our armed forces – it is a sign of genuine disrespect to our soldiers who risk their lives to protect us.

Hillary Clinton: Photo by Sara Schloss (CC)    » read more »

Iraq Veterans Urge Lawmakers to Vote Yes on GI Bill Funding

NEW YORK -On Thursday, May 8, the House of Representatives will vote on a World War II-style GI Bill for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, strongly endorses this critical legislation.    » read more »

8 May 2008 -- Experts appearing before a congressional panel have voiced concerns about U.S. policies toward Pakistan and Afghanistan. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill on testimony before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee by former State Department and military officials.

Taliban flags on Pakistan side of the border with Afghanistan: Photo by Talk Radio News Service (CC)    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds asks that all flags in the state be flown at half staff on Thursday, May 8, 2008, from 8 a.m. until sunset, in honor of Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, California.

Airman Yelner was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. He died April 29 near Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. (MDT) on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Black Hills Chapel on Ellsworth Air Force Base. A memorial service was held on May 6 in California.

Source: South Dakota Governor

April 30, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class David L. McDowell, 30, of Ramona, California, died April 29 in Bastion, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked using small arms fire.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.

   » read more »

April 30, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Senior Airman Jonathan A. V. Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, California, died April 29 near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

   » read more »

May 2, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today visited the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain to raise awareness about a new program that screens veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan for brain injuries.

A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury or MTBI, can cause a wide range of symptoms. Problems such as memory loss, headache, insomnia and irritability can all be traced back to MTBI, yet they can often go undiagnosed because there is no obvious wound.    » read more »

05/01/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. 1st Class David L. McDowell, of Ramona, CA:

"Sergeant First Class David McDowell's sacrifice is an example of the extraordinary determination and courage that makes our nation so strong. We are forever grateful to David for his selflessness and steadfast devotion to the defense of America. Maria and I extend our deepest condolences to David's family, friends and fellow soldiers as they mourn his loss."

McDowell, 30, died April 29 in Bastion, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked using small arms fire. McDowell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, United States Army, Fort Lewis, WA.    » read more »

Encouraging Donation of Used Cell Phones; Employee, State Cell Phones Headed to Soldiers

April 28, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is encouraging state employees to donate used cell phones to the Cell Phones for Soldiers project.

Cellphones for soldiers: Photo by Tom Eppenberger (CC)

In addition, Department of Administration Commissioner Annette Kreitzer will ensure that state cell phones that are no longer serviceable or in surplus will be donated to the project.    » read more »

April, 2008 -- Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan — 300,000 in all — report symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder or major depression, yet only slightly more than half have sought treatment, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

Soldiers on patrol in Samarra, Iraq

In addition, researchers found about 19 percent of returning service members report that they experienced a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed, with 7 percent reporting both a probable brain injury and current PTSD or major depression.    » read more »

21 April 2008 -- Pakistan's new government has released an ailing top pro-Taliban militant involved in an insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan, after more than six years imprisonment.

Sufi Muhammad - head of the banned "Movement for the Enforcement of Sharia Law" - was freed Monday under a peace agreement with tribal elders in northwestern Pakistan.

   » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Sgt. Luke J. Mercardante, 35, of Athens, Georgia

Cpl. Kyle W. Wilks, 24, of Rogers, Arkansas

Both Marines died April 15 while conducting combat operations in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

They were both assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejuene, N.C.

Source: DOD

Bill Would Extend Law To War Fraud Related To Iraq, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON -- April 18, 2008 – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today introduced legislation to improve the enforcement of contracting fraud in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Soldiers in Chowkay Valley, Afghanistan: Photo by soldiersmediacenter (CC)    » read more »

“Operation Vermont Maple Sweetness” Nears Completion

April 18, 2008 -- Underhill Center, VT—Vermont maple syrup, donated by producers all around the state, will soon be on its way to Vermont troops as a reminder of the sights, smells and tastes of home.

Over the past three months, the Operation Maple Sweetness committee has been soliciting donations of Vermont maple syrup from sugarmakers throughout the state.

Wood-fired maple syrup evaporater: Photo by Doug Letterman (CC)    » read more »