11/13/04 DoD Identifies Marine Casualties (#1172 and #1173)

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041113-1525.html

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.



2nd Lt. James P. Blecksmith, 24, of San Marino, Calif.



Lance Cpl. Kyle W. Burns, 20, of Laramie, Wyo.



Both Marines died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Blecksmith was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Burns was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

...more...

RIP boys :(

God knows how many Iraqis. The lack of moral indignation in this "Christian" nation is appalling. When we become indifferent to the suffering of others, we become less human.

Saigon put #1137 up Tuesday.

Soldiers and Marines have been dying there for the past year and a half.

Its very disgusting when all you hear anymore is talk of Football and Neckcar Racing on a friday nite out.

The Sheep have retreated to their pens and are fattening up for winter.

"Bring Em On" shouted the AWOL CHIMPANZEE.

Security Situation in Al Anbar Province Improving, Says 82nd Airborne Commander

By K.L. Vantran
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2003 -- Attacks against coalition forces in the Al Anbar province have decreased in the past weeks, 82nd Airborne Division Commander Maj. Gen. Charles H. Swannack Jr., said in an interview from Baghdad, Iraq, today.

The security situation is a "good news" story, he added. "We're receiving fewer attacks and even fewer effective attacks. An enemy may use an RPG (rocket- propelled grenade) to fire into the compound that we occupy and it's way off the mark – doesn't even come close. IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that were put along side the road are nowhere close to attacking a convoy. They're ineffective in their motor fires. I believe we're taking a huge chunk out of the organization and capabilities of this insurgency through our precision attacks. We're taking the fight to the enemy and making progress. Overall our security architecture is improving day by day."

The general said he works on growing the Iraqi capacity for security daily. This includes generating the Iraqi civil defense corps. Ultimately there will be six battalions with two brigade headquarters, or about 5,400 civil defense corps military personnel.

There are about 6,400 in the police force, but 50 percent are not sufficiently trained, said Swannack. "We're running a three-week training course to improve their skills," he added. This will be followed with on-the-job training.

Training and work with the Iraqi security forces in Ramadi, the provincial capital, is going so well, the general said coalition forces might be ready to leave as early as January.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov2003/n11182003_200311189.html

and precisely which January will that be, general?