Search Results for: "Anaconda Iraq"
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Satellite Broadband Internet in Iraq and Afghanistan for U.S. Troops
Relevance Score: 2.672 2009-06-28 22:04:20
WARSAW, Poland, Jan. 22 /Reuters/ -- TS2 Satellite Technologies' network in Iraq and Afghanistan has over 15,000 military users of local broadband satellite connections. "We were among the first telecommunications operators in the satellite technology in the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan, and as such we have enjoyed a successful cooperation with the U.S. Army for several years now," says Marcin Frackiewicz, CEO of the TS2 Satellite Technologies. TS2 Satellite Technologies offers two-way high-speed Internet access with no phone lines, no cable and no dial-up modem. It's always on, available virtually anywhere, and affordable. The laptop or Wi-Fi network can receive Internet signal through a special satellite VSAT modem, which was usually set up in a building or tent when deployed. The one VSAT access point provides the following services for soldiers: -- Broadband access to the Internet (WWW, E-mail, FTP etc.) -- Data transfer to many other users simultaneously -- Telephone connections including VoIP, IP phone -- Video-conference connections Advantages of the system: -- Short set-up time -- Fast and easy upgrades -- Possibility of guaranteed CIR -- Transmission in almost all weather conditions The communication among the bases is possible thanks to the simultaneous lease of bands on the Intelsat 10-02, Intelsat 901 and Eutelsat W6 satellites whose coverage enables configuration of connections between any place in Europe, Middle East and Southwest Asia. TS2's satellite military networks are located in Al Taqaddum Air Base, Bahgram AF, Balad Base, Baquba Airfield, Brassfield-Mora, Cob Adder, Cob Speicher, Camp Al Asad Airbase, Camp Bucca Basra City, Camp Buehring, Camp Charlie Basra, Camp Eggers, Camp Fallujah, Camp Grizzly, Camp Korean Village, Camp Liberty, Camp Mejid, Camp Ramadi, Camp Slayer, Camp Stryker, Camp Taji, Camp Victory, Fob Bagram, Fob Brassfield Mora, Fob Delta Al Kut, Fob Diamondback, Fob Falcon, Fob Garryowen, Fob Gardez, Fob Ghazni, Fob Kalagush, Fob Kandahar, Fob Lagman, Fob Mchenry, Fob Marez, Fob Normandy, Fob Rustamiyah, Fob Summerall, Fob Sykes, Fob Salerno, Fob Torkham, Fob Warhorse, Fob Warrior, Herat RTC, Jallahabad Air Base, Kabul Airport, Kabul Camp Eggers, Kandahar Air Base, Lsa Anaconda Balad, Q-West Base Complex and Tallil Ab Lsa Adder. Especially for U.S. Military Personnel, Contracting Officers and DoD Contractors, TS2 delivers satellite equipment to most of all military addresses in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East, within maximum of 7 days. Supported military locations in Iraq - http://www.ts2.pl/en/Internet-in-Iraq-for-US-Army-Soldiers Supported military locations in Afghanistan - http://www.ts2.pl/en/Internet-in-Afghanistan-for-US-Army-Soldiers Contact: Piotr Kubiak and Michal Skrok TS2 Satellite Technologies phone +48 22 630 70 70 fax +48 22 630 70 71 http://www.ts2.pl
Military locations in Iraq supported by TS2 Satellite Technologies
Relevance Score: 2.433 2008-06-01 11:43:45
TS2 was among the first telecommunications operators in the satellite technology in the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan and as such we have enjoyed a successful cooperation with the US Department of Defense, DoD contractors, Contracting Officers and U.S. Military Personnel from Iraq. Air Bases Al Asad Air base Al Iskandariyah Air base Al Taqaddum Air base al-Asad Air base al-Iskandaryah Air base al-Sahra Air base Amarah Air base Baghdad Air base Balad Air base Baquba AF HAir basebaniyah Air base Jalibah Air base K-2 Air base Kirkuk Air base Kut Air base Mosul Air base Qalat Sukar Air base Quyarrah Air base Rasheed Air base Samarra East Air base Sather Air base Taji Air base Tal Ashtah Air base Tallil Air base Tuz Khurmatu Air base US Army Camps Camp Abu Naji [Al Amarah] Camp Adder [Tallil AB] Camp Al Asad [al-Asad AB] Camp Al-Adala [Kadhamiyah/Baghdad] Camp Al-Amal [Baghdad] Camp Al-Hurya Al-Awal [Baquba AF] Camp Al-Hurya Al-Thani [Green Zone] Camp Al-Isdehar [Al Salam] Camp Al-Istiqlal [Baghdad AB] Camp al-Nasr [Abu Ghurayb] Camp Al-Saqr [Rasheed AB] Camp Al-Sharaf [Green Zone] Camp Al-Tadamun [Adhamiyah/Baghdad] Camp al-Tahreer [Abu Ghurayb] Camp Al-Tawheed Al-Awal [Al Sijood] Camp Al-Tawheed Al-Thani [Al Sijood] Camp Al-Watani [Green Zone] Camp Anaconda [Balad AB] Camp Andaluz [Kufa] Camp Anderson [Diwaniyeh] Camp Arkansas [Al Salam] Camp Arrow [Ad Dawr] Camp Ashraf Camp Avalanche [Abu Ghurayb Prison] Camp Babylon Camp Baharia [Fallujah] Camp Balad [Balad AB] Camp Basilone [Qalat Sukar AB] Camp Black Jack Camp Blackjack [Abu Ghurayb] Camp Blue Diamond [Ar Ramadi] Camp Bonzai [Kadhamiyah/Baghdad] Camp Boom [Baquba] Camp Brassfield-Mora [Samarra] Camp Bucca [Umm Qasr] Camp Bushmaster [Najaf] Camp Bushwacker Camp Caldwell [Kirkush] Camp Cedar [Tallil AB] Camp Cedar II [Tallil AB] Camp Chesty [Kut AB] Camp Claiborne [Mosul AB] Camp Cobra [Abu Ghurayb] Camp Cold Steel Camp Condor [Amarah AB] Camp Cooke [Taji AB] Camp Cropper [Baghdad IAP] Camp Cuervo [Rasheed AB] Camp Dahuk Camp Diamondback [Mosul AB] Camp Dogwood [al-Iskandaryah AB] Camp Dragoon [Baghdad] Camp Duke [Najaf] Camp Eagle [Baghdad] Camp Eagle III [Najaf] Camp Edson [Diwaniyeh] Camp Falcon [Rasheed AB] Camp Fallujah [I MEF] Camp Fenway [Qalat Sukar] Camp Ferrin-Huggins [Rasheed AB] Camp Freedom [Mosul] Camp Freedom I [Baquba AF] Camp Freedom II [Green Zone] Camp Ganci [Abu Ghurayb Prison] Camp Golf [Najaf] Camp Graceland [Rasheed AB] Camp Greywolf [Al Sijood] Camp Griffin [Baghdad IAP] Camp Gunslinger [Adhamiyah/Baghdad] Camp Headhunter [Baghdad AB] Camp Honor [Green Zone] Camp Hope [Baghdad] Camp Hope [Diwaniyeh] Camp Hotel [Najaf] Camp Hurricane Point [Ar Ramadi] Camp Independence [Baghdad AB] Camp Iron Horse [Green Zone] Camp Ironhorse [Tikrit] Camp Jennings [Al Amarah] Camp Junction City [Ar Ramadi] Camp Justice [Kadhamiyah/Baghdad] Camp Klecker Camp Korean Village [Ar Rutbah/H-3(?)] Camp Lancer [K-2 AB] Camp Leader [Mosul] Camp Libeccio [Nasiriyah] Camp Liberty [Abu Ghurayb] Camp Lima [Baghdad] Camp Manhattan [Habbaniyah AB] Camp Marez [Mosul AB] Camp Marlboro [Sadr City] Camp Mercury Camp Muleskinner [Rasheed AB] Camp Nakamura [Nippur] Camp Normandy [Muqdadiyah] Camp Outlaw [Green Zone] Camp Pacesetter [Samarra East AB] Camp Paliwoda [Balad] Camp Patriot [Green Zone] Camp Performance [Mosul] Camp Prosperity [Al Salam] Camp Qayyarah [Quyarrah AB] Camp Raider [Tikrit] Camp Red Knight Camp Redcatcher [Rasheed AB] Camp Redemption [Abu Ghurayb Prison] Camp Renegade [Kirkuk AB] Camp Ridgway/Ridgeway [Al Taqaddum AB] Camp Rustamiyah [Rasheed AB] Camp Sather [Baghdad IAP] Camp Scania [Nippur] Camp Slayer [Radwaniyah] Camp Solidarity [Adhamiyah/Baghdad] Camp Speicher [al-Sahra AB] Camp St. Mere [Fallujah] Camp Steel Dragon [Green Zone] Camp Steel Falcon [Dora Farms] Camp Strike [Mosul] Camp Stryker [Baghdad IAP] Camp Sustainer Camp Sycamore [al-Sahra AB] Camp Taji [Taji AB] Camp Taqaddum [Al Taqaddum AB] Camp Thunder [Baghdad IAP] Camp Top Gun [Mosul] Camp Ultimo [Baghdad] Camp Union I [Al Sijood] Camp Union II [Al Sijood] Camp Victory (51 Papa) [Abu Ghurayb] Camp Victory [Abu Ghurayb] Camp Victory North [Abu Ghurayb] Camp Vigilant [Abu Ghurayb Prison] Camp Viper [Jalibah AB] Camp War Eagle [Baghdad] Camp Warhorse [Baquba AF] Camp Warrior [Al Sijood] Camp Whitehorse Camp Whitford [Tallil AB] Camp Wolfpack [Green Zone] Camp Zadan [Zadan] Forward Operating Bases in Iraq FOB al-Asad [al-Asad AB] FOB Al-Tawheed Al-Thalith [Green Zone] FOB Arrow [Ad Dawr] FOB Bandit Island FOB Bernstein [Tuz Khurmatu AB] FOB Blue Diamond [Ar Ramadi] FOB Brassfield-Mora [Samarra] FOB Broomhead FOB Buzz FOB Byers FOB Caldwell [Kirkush] FOB Champion Base [Ar Ramadi] FOB Chosin [Al Iskandariyah AB] FOB Cobra [Abu Ghurayb] FOB Constitution [Abu Ghurayb] FOB Cooke [Taji AB] FOB Danger [Tikrit] FOB Daquq FOB Delta [Kut AB] FOB Duke [Najaf] FOB Eagle [Balad] FOB Echo [Diwaniyah] FOB Eden [Hit] FOB Endurance [Quyarrah AB] FOB Ferrin-Huggins [Rasheed AB] FOB Gabe [Baquba] FOB Givens FOB Glory [Mosul AB] FOB Grant [Tal Ashtah AB] FOB Grizzly [Camp Ashraf] FOB Guardian City [Al Taqaddum AB] FOB Gunner [Taji AB] FOB Headhunter [Baghdad AB] FOB Hit [Al Anbar] FOB Honor [Green Zone] FOB Hotel [Najaf] FOB Hurricane [Ar Ramadi] FOB Ironhorse [Tikrit] FOB Junction City [Ar Ramadi] FOB Kalsu [Iskandariyah] FOB Latham FOB Laurie [Fallujah] FOB Lion [Balad AB] FOB Manhattan [Habbaniyah AB] FOB McHenry [Al Hawijah] FOB McKenzie [Samarra East AB] FOB Melody [Sadr City] FOB Mercury [Fallujah] FOB Miller FOB Morgan [Baghdad IAP] FOB Muleskinner [Rasheed AB] FOB Normandy [Muqdadiyah] FOB O'Ryan FOB Pacesetter [Samarra East AB] FOB Packhorse [Tikrit] FOB Paliden Base [Ar Ramadi] FOB Q-West [Quyarrah AB] FOB Quinn FOB Raider [Tikrit] FOB Red Lion [Camp Ashraf] FOB Ridgway/Ridgeway [Al Taqaddum AB] FOB Rough Rider [Mandali] FOB Sabre [Ar Ramadi] FOB Scania [Nippur] FOB Spartan [Camp Ashraf] FOB Speicher [al-Sahra AB] FOB St. Mere [Fallujah] FOB St. Michael [Mahmudiyah] FOB Steel Dragon [Green Zone] FOB Summerall [Bayji] FOB Tiger [Al Qaim] FOB Trojan Horse [Green Zone] FOB Union III [Green Zone] FOB Volturno [Fallujah] FOB War Eagle [Baghdad] FOB Warhorse [Baquba AF] FOB Warrior [Kirkuk AB] FOB Webster [Al Asad AB] FOB Wilson [Ad Dawr] FOB Wyatt [Balad AB] Other Nomenclature Al Azimiyah Palace al-Kufah Baghdad Convention Center Bashur AB Butler Range Complex Champion Base [Ar Ramadi] Champion Main [Ar Ramadi] CJTF Babylon CMOC Ar Ramadi CMOC Baghdad CMOC Diwaniyah CMOC Mosul CMOC Samarra CSC Scania [Nippur] Engineer Base Anvil [Rasheed AB] Essayons Base [Republican Palace] Fire Base Glory [Mosul AB] Firebase Melody [Sadr City] Firebase Shoemaker [Ar Ramadi] FLB Sycamore [al-Sahra AB] Green Zone [Baghdad] H-1 Airstrip Haditha Dam Hard Site [Abu Ghurayb] Hillah Hurricane Base [Ar Ramadi] International Zone [Baghdad] Kirkuk AB Kut AB Log Base Seitz Loyalty Base [Ar Ramadi] LSA Adder [Tallil AB] LSA Anaconda [Balad AB] LSA Diamondback [Mosul AB] LSA Highlander [Al Salam] LSA Viper [Jalibah AB] MEK Compound OBJ Jaguar [Quyarrah AB] OBJ Redskins [Al Taqaddum AB] OBJ Weber [al-Asad AB] Post Freedom [Mosul] Redcatcher Field [Rasheed AB] Rifles Base (3 ACR) [Ar Ramadi] Saddamiat Al-Tharthar Sinjar Stryker Island [Baghdad IAP] Taji Military Camp Tall 'Afar AB Tiger Base [Al Qaim] TSP Whitford [Tallil AB] Victory Base [Abu Ghurayb]
Vietnam War Vet Killed in Iraq
Relevance Score: 1.854 2009-05-13 19:42:14
PHOENIX - A 60-year-old Vietnam War veteran killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq has become the oldest Army soldier to die in that conflict, the military said Thursday. Maj. Steven Hutchison, of Scottsdale, Ariz., served in Vietnam and wanted to re-enlist immediately after the 9/11 terror attacks, but his wife was against it, his brother said. Richard Hutchison told The Associated Press on Thursday that when she died, "a part of him died" so he signed up in July 2007 at age 59. "He was very devoted to the service and to his country," Richard Hutchison said. He described him as a great big brother and friend. "I didn't want him to go," he said through tears, adding that he loved his brother "so much." The Pentagon said Steven Hutchison was killed in Iraq on Sunday. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nathan Banks said Thursday that Hutchison was the oldest Army soldier killed in Iraq. An Associated Press database of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan shows that Hutchison is the oldest member of any service branch killed since the wars broke out. Hutchison served in Afghanistan for a year before deploying to Iraq in October, heading a 12-soldier team that trained the Iraqi military, his brother said. Later, he was assigned to help secure Iraq's southern border. Hutchinson, who grew up in California, taught psychology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on and off between 1988 and 1996, and lectured and taught at two other colleges, according to school records. He then worked at a health care corporation in Arizona before retiring and re-entering the service, his brother said. He was part of the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan.
US soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq offered Internet service
Relevance Score: 1.833 2010-02-07 13:11:40
Soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq are being offered an Internet service primarily aimed at companies in Asia. The new service offers high-speed Internet access with out the need for phone lines, cable or dial-up modem. TS2 Satellite Technologies company is using satellites to power their Internet service. For soldiers deployed to the war zones this service can allow for communications back home. Many of the soldiers arrive in Afghanistan and Iraq with their own lap top hoping to stay in contact with loved ones. The troops can connect with the service when they are in their barracks. Not everyone though in the service is just using the Internet to stay close with family some are using it to blog and stay in touch with their business associates in the US. Having that connect with family and those at home have upped the morale of the troops.
Military locations in Afghanistan supported by TS2 Satellite Provider
Relevance Score: 1.761 2008-06-01 11:48:22
TS2 was among the first telecommunications operators in the satellite technology in the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan and as such we have enjoyed a successful cooperation with the US Department of Defense, DoD contractors, Contracting Officers and U.S. Military Personnel from Afghanistan. Airfields Bagram Air base Chagcharan Chapman Airfield Bamian / Bamiyan Fayzabad / Faizabad Herat Jalalabad Kabul International Kandahar / Qandahar Khowst Mazar-e Sharif, AF Meymanah / Maimana Pul-i-Kandahar, AF Rhino FOB Shindand Air base Taloqan / Talulqan US Army Camps Kabul Compound Gardez Compound Camp Albert Camp Bagram Camp Barber Camp Black Horse Camp Blackjack Camp Bastion Camp Bulldog Camp Civilian Camp Cunningham Camp Dogan Camp Eggers Camp Gecko Camp Gibraltar Camp Hadrian Camp Holland Camp Harriman Camp Invicta Camp Julien Camp Kabul Camp Kandahar Camp Kearney Camp Lightning Camp Leatherneck Camp Marmal Camp Morehead Camp Nathan Smith Camp Phoenix Camp Rhino Camp Salerno Camp Souter Camp Spann Camp Tombstone Camp Vianini Camp Warehouse Camp Wilson Camp Wright FOB's FOB ABAD FOB Asadabad FOB Bermel FOB Blessing FOB Bostick FOB Cobra FOB Delhi FOB Dwyer FOB Fenty FOB Freia FOB Gereshk FOB Ghazni FOB Indianhead FOB Keating FOB Lagman FOB Lonestar FOB Lwara FOB Martello FOB Maimaneh FOB Mehtar Lam FOB Mizan FOB Naray FOB Orgun-e FOB Payne FOB Qalat FOB Rhino FOB Ripley FOB Salerno FOB Scorpion FOB Shank FOB Sharana FOB Sweeney FOB Tillman FOB Terrett FOB Thunder FOB Tiger FOB Zormat Fire Bases Fire Base Anaconda Fire Base Asadabad Fire Base California Fire Base Cobra Strike Fire Base Cobra Fire Base Gardez Fire Base Lagman Fire Base Maholic Fire Base Nixon Fire Base Orgun-E Fire Base Oulet Fire Base Phoenix Fire Base Shkin Fire Base Waza Khwa Fire Base Wilderness Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) PRT Asadabad - ISAF US PRT Baglan - ISAF PRT Bagram - ISAF US PRT Bamian (Bamyan) ISAF NZ PRT Chaghcharan - ISAF Lithuania PRT Farah - ISAF US PRT Feyzabad - ISAF Germany PRT Gardez - ISAF US PRT Ghazni - ISAFUS PRT Herat - ISAF Italy PRT Jalalabad - ISAF US PRT Kabul PRT Khandahar - ISAF Canada PRT Khowst / Khost - ISAF US PRT Konduz - ISAF Germany PRT Lashkar-Gah - ISAF UK PRT Mazar-E-Sharif - ISAF Sweden PRT Mehtar Lam - ISAF US PRT Meymaneh - ISAF Norway PRT Nurestan - ISAF US PRT Parwan – ROK/US PRT Panjshir - ISAF US PRT Pol-E-Khomri - ISAF Netherlands PRT Qalat - ISAF US PRT Qala-e-Naw - ISAF Spain PRT Sharana - ISAF US PRT Tarin Kowt - ISAF Netherlands/Australia PRT Wardak - ISAF Turkey
283 Bases, 170,000 Pieces of Equipment, 140,000 Troops and an Army of Military Contractors
Relevance Score: 1.689 2009-03-31 11:41:15
With last week's announced escalation of the war in Afghanistan, including an Iraq-like "surge" replete with 4,000 more U.S. troops and a sizable increase in private contractors, President Barack Obama blew the lid off of any lingering perceptions that he somehow represents a significant change in how the U.S. conducts its foreign policy. In the meantime, more reports have emerged that bolster suspicions that Obama's Iraq policy is but a downsized version of Bush's and that a total withdrawal of U.S. forces is not on the horizon. In a dramatic understatement, the GAO notes that the U.S. "has an extensive basing footprint in Iraq. … Closing or handing over U.S. installations in Iraq will be time consuming and costly." With no fewer than 283 such installations throughout Iraq -- 51 large bases and 232 smaller bases -- the Obama administration has not said how it will approach this formidable task. This is no minor detail. "According to U.S. Army officials, experience has shown that it takes one to two months to close the smallest platoon -- or company -- size installations, which contain between 16 and 200 combat soldiers or Marines." However, the U.S. "has never closed large, complex installations -- such as Balad Air Force Base, which contains about 24,000 inhabitants and has matured over five years. U.S. Army officials estimate it could take longer than 18 months to close a base of that size." Obama should explain clearly how he intends to dismantle these bases or to what forces he is going to give control over them. It is very hard to imagine that the U.S. will simply walk away from large bases it spent years building. So, will they be turned over to Iraq? If so, to whom? What guarantee is there that they would not be used as operating bases for death squads? Will some be destroyed? What about the environmental impact? In addition to the bases, the GAO reveals that, as of of March 2008, "the United States had in place about 170,000 pieces of equipment worth about $16.5 billion that would need to be removed from Iraq." Erik Leaver, a senior analyst at the Institute for Policy Studies, says,"An example of a tough question: What to do with MRAPs [Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles]?" "The MRAPs are so heavy, transport back to the U.S., plus the rehab charges may make it cost-effective to actually destroy them," says Leaver. "Plus, if you need to move 120,000 soldiers in a rapid time frame, do you even have the space to bring them back if you take the MRAPs?" Then there are the facilities in Iraq currently being run by U.S. contractors. According to the GAO, Defense Contract Management Agency officials estimate "there is at least $3.5 billion worth of contractor-managed government-owned property in Iraq."
High-Speed Satellite Internet Access for U.S. Troops in Afghanistan and Iraq
Relevance Score: 1.688 2009-12-08 14:15:10
Hughes Network Systems, a major player in broadband satellite networks and services, reportedly has expanded the provision of high-speed satellite Internet access for U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Hughes is proud to provide high-speed Internet service to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, reinforcing the military's Morale, Welfare & Recreation [MWR] efforts in the region," said Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of Hughes Defense and Intelligence Systems Division, in the release. Lober said staying connected with spouses, children, extended family, and friends is essential for the troops' morale, especially as they often are deployed overseas for a year or more. "Hughes has been providing broadband satellite terminals throughout the region since 2003, and the additional bandwidth and resources from our new Dubai-based hub now enables us to connect even more men and women of the military with their loved ones at home while they serve our country overseas," said Payam Herischi, senior director of Hughes Global Services. The high-speed satellite Internet service is available at U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait, with local installation and logistics support provided by partner companies in the region.
$5.8M to Improve FOB Speicher, Iraq
Relevance Score: 1.666 2008-06-03 23:41:16
Wintara, Inc. in Fort Washington, MD received a $5.8 million firm-fixed price contract for replacement facilities for Forward Operating Base, Speicher near Tikrit, Iraq. Work is expected to be complete by Jan 31/09. 98 bids were solicited on Feb 4/08, and 12 bids were received by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Programs Center in Winchester, VA. Capt. Speicher’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter was shot down over Iraq during Operation Desert Storm on Jan 17/91, and was listed as killed. There has been considerable controversy regarding his fate, however, and in January 2001, the Secretary of the Navy took the extremely rare step of changing his status to “missing in action.” In 2002, it was changed again, this time to “missing-captured.” Many also believe that his aircraft was not shot down by a surface-to-air missile, as claimed at the time, but by an Iraqi fighter that passed American planes who were not allowed to engage it. See also the March 27/01 CIA report. After Operation Iraqi Freedom, evidence was found that included a flight suit believed to be his, an escape and evade sign located on the desert floor, and what appear to be the initials “MSS” scrawled on a wall of a cell in the Hakmiyah prison in Baghdad. Speicher’s name was also found on a document in Iraq, dated January 2003, that had the names of prisoners being held in the country. Despite these efforts and clues, however, Speicher’s whereabouts and the exact details of his fate remain unknown.
Iraq's hot, but a tourist hotspot?
Relevance Score: 1.627 2009-06-10 11:37:14
Iraq's first notable tourist, Jonah, hated it. Belched out of a whale and stuck under Ninevah's parching, sweltering sun, the Bible says he cared more for the plant that shaded him than for the city he was sent to save. Thousands of years later, it's cliché to say Iraq is not everyone's ideal day-trip. But, in the six years since Saddam Hussein was deposed, conditions have reached the point where tourism is now a viable industry. That's where Master Sgt. Dave Cullen of the 34th Infantry Division comes in. "My job is to increase tourism to Iraq," said Cullen, noncommissioned officer-in-charge for Tourism and Employment in Multi-National Division-South. Hundreds of thousands of people already travel to Najaf, Karbala and Babil for religious events every year, said Cullen. "Some of the northern provinces in our area have over 30% of the economy based on tourism." In addition, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates has hundreds of historical sites and is the birthplace Hammurabi, Nebuchadnezzar and also the wheel. "The history of the world starts there," Cullen said. Unfortunately for history buffs everywhere, nations ravaged by over 30 years of war and tyranny generally do not offer a plethora of five-star accommodations. "They don't have a very good hotel industry or service industry," said Cullen. The good news, however, is that Cullen will not have to revive Iraq's tourism sector all by himself. In addition to the brigade combat teams and non-government organizations in the area, Cullen will be working by, with, and through Iraqi nationals. "It can't be Dave Cullen going down there and saying I need to set up a hotel," said Cullen. "It has to be agreed upon through their eyes." By working together with the Iraqi government, Cullen will be helping ensure a healthy economy for Iraq after Coalition forces are no more. "The increase of tourism by increasing their economy is going to build a safer environment," said Cullen. Like Jonah and his whale, Cullen and the 34th Red Division have been tasked with a unique mission: to help make Iraq a better place.
U.S. Moves to Replace Contractors in Iraq
Relevance Score: 1.623 2009-03-19 02:32:25
The decision not to renew Blackwater Worldwide's security contract in Iraq when it expires in early May has left the State Department scrambling to fill a protection gap for U.S. diplomats and civilian officials there. Two other U.S. security contractors with a far smaller presence in Iraq -- DynCorp International and Triple Canopy -- have been asked to replace the ousted company, according to State Department and company officials. To meet time, training and security-clearance pressures, officials said, one or both of the firms are likely to undertake the task by rehiring some personnel now working for Blackwater. The Iraqi government refused to issue Blackwater a license to perform security services after a 2007 incident in which company guards on a diplomatic protection mission shot and killed 17 civilians in Baghdad. U.S. prosecutors have indicted five of the guards on charges of manslaughter. Blackwater (which recently changed its name to Xe) still has State Department contracts for air transport in Iraq and security for U.S. diplomats in Afghanistan. ad_icon Meanwhile, fallout from the shootings -- including a new U.S.-Iraq status-of-forces agreement that places contractors under Iraqi legal jurisdiction for the first time -- has led both the Pentagon and the State Department to create new categories of "full-time, temporary" federal jobs to handle some tasks currently done by contractors. The Blackwater incident helped fuel a wider debate on the overall cost and conduct of contractors. President Obama last week ordered a government-wide review of federal contracting procedures, saying that his administration "will stop outsourcing services that should be performed by the government." Nowhere has that outsourcing been larger or more contentious than in Iraq, where contractors have long outnumbered the U.S. military presence, even at its peak of 160,000 troops. The days of massive U.S. reconstruction contracts in Iraq are over, with little to show for tens of billions of dollars spent, according to government auditors. While the military continues to outsource much of its supply chain, contracts for services such as transport and food will diminish as combat forces begin to draw down. More in The Washington Post