SERGEANT Matt Locke’s funeral will be held tomorrow and he deserves all the gratitude and recognition the nation can give him. Almost 4000 Australian servicemen and women are deployed across the world: in Iraq and Afghanistan, in East Timor and the Solomons, in the Sinai and elsewhere in the Middle East. Every one of them [...]

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WITH Christmas in mind, author Jeremy Archer has written a fascinating book, capturing the thoughts and feelings of soldiers who were separated from loved ones at Christmas. In Home for Christmas, he delves back over more than 200 years, bringing together the (uncensored) thoughts and feelings of ordinary servicemen and women - from the Crimea [...]

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BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Twenty-five Iraqi soldiers ambushed a British army vehicle near Basra on Wednesday, “killed” two people, detained a third and received a round of applause for their efforts.
It was the penultimate day of a two-week training course for the Iraqis, described by their British mentors as among the best they have seen [...]

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IN THE FACE OF MEDIA indifference, the facts on the ground in Iraq have changed dramatically and for the better. The deaths of Iraqi civilians over the past two months have declined precipitously. Before the surge and its accompanying change in tactics took effect, often 3,000 Iraqis would die violent deaths in a month, directly [...]

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 According to soccer’s governing body, more than 240 million people around the world play the game.Thanks to the efforts of an Airman with local ties deployed to Kabul International Airport and supporters back in the United States, 47 local players will be a little better equipped.
Master Sgt. William Whitt of Manchester, a fuels mentor with [...]

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The Illinois Army National Guard 1844th Transportation Company has been notified it is being mobilized to federal active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The 171 soldiers in the company headquartered at 702 Koch’s Lane in Quincy have been told they are being mobilized for up to 12 months of active duty in the United [...]

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BAGHDAD — An Army general who was hurt in a roadside bombing in Iraq this week was a former Marblehead resident.Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Dorko was the highest-ranking American officer to be hurt since the Iraq war began in March 2003. Dorko was in stable condition and was evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany; [...]

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NNS071030-06. Crew of North Korean Pirated Vessel Regains Control
– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32905
NNS071030-04. Africa Partnership Station Kicks Off
– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32899
NNS071030-02. CNO Visits Big E
– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32900
NNS071030-16. Sailors Volunteer Time, Energy to clean up Qualcomm Stadium
– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32919
NNS071030-13. ‘People’s Marathon’ Draws Commemoration to the Fallen
– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32911
NNS071030-12. Leadership Impacts Motocycle Safety
– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32917
NNS071030-11. Nimitz Sailors assist with clean up at Qualcomm Stadium
– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32906
NNS071030-10. Navy [...]

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WASHINGTON (AP) - Several hundred U.S. diplomats vented anger and frustration Wednesday about the State Department’s decision to force foreign service officers to take jobs in Iraq, with some likening it to a “potential death sentence.”In a contentious hour-long “town hall meeting” called to explain the step, these workers peppered the official who signed the [...]

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WELLSBORO - Local National Guard troops, many of whom fought in Iraq in 2005 and 2006, are headed to Afghanistan this winter.
Members of Charlie Company, 3/103 Armor Regiment will deploy to Afghanistan early this winter, said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Culkin, the company’s readiness non-commissioned officer.   …….more

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