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Not Intimidated TSF Returns With Results To Pakistan
Relevance Score: 3.285 2009-08-21 17:13:28
The timeline that reveals the persistent efforts of Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) to assist is as follows: May 18th, TSF deployed to Pakistan to respond to the emergency in the North Western Frontier Province. Over 2 million people have been displaced since the latest outbreak of the conflict between the Pakistani army and the Taliban last April. TSF partnered with a local NGO called Youth Resources Center (YRC) and trained on site 20 local employees for its humanitarian calling operations. Despite the fact that their team evacuated after the terrorist attack on the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, TSF offered, from June 8th to the 15th, more than 1500 calls to the displaced population in the Mardan district. The calling operations resumed on July 28th; with the head of the mission returning to Islamabad to coordinate and monitor the mission on the ground that would cover districts other than Mardan, where many IDPs are sheltered, keeping in mind that over 25 refugee camps are installed in the six districts of the region. What is more, there are a number of "humanitarian hubs" set up to deliver help to people who are staying outside of the camps, such as those settled with family, friends or host communities. Currently there are 10 registration centers and 34 humanitarian hubs, which distribute food to IDPs. Ten more distribution points are inside the camps. Six teams (four teams comprised of male members and two teams of female members) are then covering different camps in Nowshera, Swabi and Mardan districts: • Chota Lahore and Shah Mansoor Camp-I & II in Swabi, where the activities began • Jalozai-I and Jalozai-II in Nowshera • Jalala, Mardan, Shankar College and Tarakai Camp in Mardan district An example of help provided: Naheed lives in the village of Tahirabad. She now has a new born 3-day-old baby, and in order to reach Jalala camp, 15 kms far from her village, she had to walk, while pregnant for more than 13 hours. Her feet were swollen and legs were aching, but she was grateful for the phone services as she called her husband who is working in Karachi. She was happy to hear he was safe and sound and could reassure him of their situation. Jalozai-2 is the biggest camp where more than 57,000 people are sheltered. From July 28th to August 1st, using mobile telecommunication equipment provided by TSF, the six teams were able to offer 1,378 calls to the displaced civilians (33 percent of the calls were international). The two teams of female personnel provide phoning services to women displaced in Shah Mansoor, Jalala, Jalozai-I & II and Tarakai camps. TSF is the only organization offering free international calls. Many Pakistanis have relatives abroad in the Middle East, in the UK or in other countries of Asia.
Terrorist Actions Against The U.S.
Relevance Score: 1.959 2009-07-08 01:16:07
Osama bin Laden was born in Saudi Arabia into a family of immigrants to Saudi Arabia from Yemen. His family had a lot of money and well established, but bin Laden was influenced by extremist Muslim authorities who led him to pursue a radical political life that took him to Sudan in Africa, back to Saudi Arabia, and finally to Afghanistan when the Soviets invaded that state. He had become unpopular with the Saudi government, though supported by wealthy Saudis who responded to his extremist Muslim views. In Afghanistan, bin Laden found a country that was consist mostly of rural locations (more than 80 percent), but which was experiencing modern pressures. He, with his wealth, became popular because of money he spent on behalf of the Afghans and his personal fight against the Soviet Union. In 1965, a Marxist-oriented group, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, a communist party, caused to existence. Soon, Afghanistan faced considerable political turmoil and finally a PDPA coup in 1978. By December of 1979 the PDPA was in considerable trouble, and the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden was soon drawn into that conflict against the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union could never stabilize its power and was driven out in 1988. The United States and Saudi Arabia working through the ISI - Pakistani Intelligence Service - assisted the Afghans in driving out the Soviets. More than 2 million Afghans were killed and more than 6 million fled to Pakistan, Iran and other countries. The United States and the government of Saudi Arabia pumped more than $6 billion into that conflict. Growing out of the conflict and with the presence of Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda was formed. Under the leadership of bin Laden the movement grew: a terrorist leadership, training camps for terrorists, and a strategy against any state that was not a “true Islamic” state were established. The United States because of its world prominence was targeted. A second force to contend with, the Taliban was officially established in 1994 under the leadership of Mullah Omar, an Afghan, in response to the heavy activity of the Pakistani ISI in Afghanistan. It seems likely that much of the money that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia spent in the fight against the Soviet Union was used to lay the foundation for the creation of the Taliban. Also, elements in the Pakistani ISI perhaps were helpful in establishing the Taliban. It must be mentioned that other anti-U.S. and anti-government groups were also functioning in Afghanistan. The political environment is complex. The Taliban began its attempt to take over Afghanistan from the five regional armed forces that had developed during the Soviet period. From its headquarters in Qandahar it moved toward Kabul and took control in September of 1996. In a short time the Taliban controlled about 90 percent of the country. The ideology of the Taliban was mixed among sub-groups, but the Islamic extremists were in control. Many Afghans found the Taliban to be oppressive and as a result, many fled Afghanistan, complicating further the refugee problem in Pakistan. While Afghanistan had been Muslim for some time, the Islamic faith generally had not been rigorously enforced. The Taliban changed that, especially with respect to the position of women, forms of dress, and strict application of Islamic law (Shari’ah). The Taliban recruited many men from within Afghanistan and from Pakistan as well as from other Muslim countries. It drew heavily on younger refugees and Pakistani youth who attended the many madrassas in western Pakistan. These madrassas are “schools” for Islamic youth who are heavily indoctrinated in the faith, even to the point of becoming martyrs for the Islamic cause. Out of this new Afghan environment, terrorists were trained and sent out to strike the “evil” world. In the early 90’s the World Trade Center in New York was bombed, and later in the 90’s U.S. Embassies were bombed in Kenya and Tanzania. President Clinton blamed the bombings on Islamic extremists and demanded of Afghanistan that terrorist activities cease and that bin Laden be turned over to the U.S. for appropriate punishment. When the Clinton demand was not responded to, the U.S., in August 1998, hit the bin Laden terrorist training camps, funded by some wealthy Saudis, with cruise missiles fired from U.S. Navy ships in the Arabian Sea. U.N. sanctions were imposed in November 1999 for the same reason, and all military aid to Afghanistan was cut off in 2001. After September 11, 2001 - when the World Trade Center in New York was destroyed and 3000 people killed, the attack on the Pentagon, and endangered White House - the U.S. demanded the surrender of bin Laden, the shut-down of the al-Qaeda by the Taliban, and closing the terrorist training camps. The refusal of the Taliban to cooperate led to the bombing of Afghanistan by the U.S. with the assistance of the British. Efforts to close down the terrorist problem began in earnest with the attacks in the United States: 1) Forces within Afghanistan began to move against the Taliban, 2) the United States moved troops into Afghanistan, and 3) NATO eventually took command of the International Security Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan under a UN mandate. Politics began to change in Afghanistan, and Pakistan began to experience internal political pressures as a result of turmoil in Afghanistan. In spite of the years of effort and use of resources in war in Iraq, the U.S. is still determined to eliminate or greatly reduce the terrorist threats from the Central Asian area. Harold Sare has studied, conducted research and taught university courses focused on the region of which he writes, and has lived and traveled in that area, specifically in India, including Kashmir, and in Pakistan. He now lives in Stillwater. Tomorrow: Part 3, action against terrorism in Central Asia.
Trunz Water Systems - Solar and Wind Power Water Purification and Desalination Systems
Relevance Score: 1.875 2009-05-30 10:11:30
The Swiss-based company Trunz Water Systems manufactures and distributes a sustainable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly solution for water purification and desalination: a complete and ready-to-operate unit which is mobile and independent thanks to its use of solar and/or wind power. Solar and wind-powered water treatment and desalination systems Trunz Water Systems has developed a unique solution for water treatment and desalination. The innovative technology produces clean drinking water from polluted water and salt water solar and / or wind power. An ultra-filtration membrane or a reverse osmosis system (for sea or brackish water) removes all viruses and bacteria (and salts) without requiring toxic chemical treatment. Compact and mobile water purification systems Trunz Water Systems' products are compact, mobile and work without ongoing fuel costs. If necessary, the units can be mounted on a trailer or four-wheel-drive for easy relocation. The systems come complete with a borehole pump, solar racks and wind generator and are ready for installation. All of the Trunz Water Systems products require minimal maintenance – the pre-filtration system as well as the main filter is equipped with an automatic back-flushing system to keep maintenance and service costs as low as possible. The capacity depends on the raw water quality and ranges from 7,000l to 24,000l a day. Purification and desalination systems with renewable energy sources Designed to provide relief to communities and camps affected by the lack of a power supply and safe drinking water, Trunz Water Systems products can purify water from almost any polluted freshwater source, including rivers, creeks, and wells. Moreover, two of the Trunz Water Systems purifiers which are equipped with a reverse osmosis system are able to remove chemicals and salt. A main benefit of the systems is their very low energy consumption and, thanks to the wind turbine, the units deliver additional electricity to power computers or recharge small appliances. This is especially useful for military camps in remote areas where medical clinics need oxygen, sterilization or surgical equipment or refrigeration of medicines. Drinking-water production trailer The Trunz water trailer can provide safe drinking water within minutes. This system is specifically designed to work under harsh conditions and reliably removes of organic contamination from water sources. The system includes high-quality components to ensure that all materials are as durable and robust as possible. The Trunz water trailer can be adhered to any four-wheel-drive vehicle and allows for easy relocation. Thanks to the solar panels the unit operates completely independently. The energy consumption is exceptionally low (approximately 350 W) and in case bad weather conditions do not allow to charge the batteries to be charged with solar power, a generator (included) will secure ongoing operation of the unit. The Trunz water trailer comes complete and can be set up and initialized with minimal effort. The Trunz water trailer is also available for sea water and / or brackish water. About Trunz Water Systems Trunz Water Systems is based in Switzerland and belongs to the Trunz Group which manufactures units in Arbon, Switzerland. With a production area of 18,000m² and modern, high-tech equipment, the ISO certified company guarantees highly professional competence and Swiss quality.
Vietnam War Vet Killed in Iraq
Relevance Score: 1.835 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: 1.814 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.
Pakistani Refugees Come Back To Swat's Main Camp.
Relevance Score: 1.784 2009-07-15 02:41:41
Thousands more refugees returned Tuesday to the battle-scarred Swat Valley as Pakistani authorities struggled with transport bottlenecks and the refusal of some of the estimated 2 million people displaced by fighting with the Taliban to leave refugee camps until they obtain promised financial assistance. An army spokesman, Lt. Col. Waseem Shahid, said more than 900 families returned Tuesday to government-approved zones, an increase from the 650 families who went home Monday, the first day of the government-organized repatriation program. Authorities have declared most of Swat cleared of Taliban militants after nearly three months of fighting. The military campaign against the Taliban was strongly backed by the United States, which is eager for Pakistan to crack down on militants blamed for attacks in Afghanistan. The government plan calls for about 200,000 refugees staying in camps to return first. But thousands of others who sought refuge with family or friends have also been rushing back, causing traffic congestion at crossing points into the valley. Authorities decided to ease restrictions but were still trying to keep parts of the valley off-limits, said Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for the North West Frontier Province. That appeared to be a tough task. Hundreds of families, for instance, arrived Tuesday in Mingora, Swat's main town, even though people were not supposed to return there until later this month. Anwarul Haq was among about 1,200 refugees who spent one night under the open sky waiting for security forces to let them return home. Authorities at a major entry point into the valley eventually relented and allowed them to return. "It's great to be back in our own town and home," he said. Authorities also said they were working to fix "technical problems" in disbursing financial aid. Families who request it have been promised about $300 given through so-called "smart cards," but only about half the cards have been issued, Hussain said. One refugee, Kamal Khan, said he had been in a camp for two months but had still not received his card. "I'm not getting sufficient relief," he said. Mohammad Adil, a senior official in Mardan district, said no one would be forced to leave the camps. It is expected to take about 45 days for all the refugees to return home. "We are not putting pressure on anyone," he said. Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad, who oversees the support program for the refugees, urged people to be patient. "This is such a big repatriation, and we expect the people to bear a little discomfort," he said. "This is in the interest of overall security that people go back in some order, with some discipline." Authorities have sought to downplay fears that security remains tenuous in the valley, even though operations against the Taliban are continuing. Officials also say they are working on establishing a stronger police force to guarantee that the Taliban do not re-emerge as a threat. But a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said security in the valley is "uneven." "You can't generalize the overall situation," Sebastien Brack said. "All measures have to be taken to ensure the safety of the residents and the displaced persons if they want to go back. The main concern is that the return be voluntary and that safety be guaranteed." Violence flared elsewhere in the northwest. Militants clashed with tribesmen in the Mohmand region after the insurgents were asked to leave late Monday, said Syed Ahmad Jan, a senior regional administrator. The militants refused and opened fire, sparking a gunbattle that left 23 extremists dead and four tribal militiamen wounded, he said. Pakistan has encouraged tribesmen along the Afghan frontier to form militias to repel Taliban militants, and the groups have emerged in several regions. In the nearby Khyber region, attackers opened fire on an oil truck and fled when security forces escorting the convoy returned fire, said Fazal Mahmood, a local government official. The truck driver and a passer-by were killed. Taliban militants have frequently targeted U.S.-NATO supply convoys in the region, home to the Khyber Pass. Also Tuesday, Pakistani Taliban operating from the South Waziristan tribal region fired three rockets across the border and the American and Afghan forces retaliated with eight mortar shells, two Pakistani intelligence officials said. A civilian was wounded by the fire from the Afghan side, the officials added, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. An army spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment. It was not possible to independently verify the information because access to the remote, dangerous region is strictly controlled, but cross-border skirmishes are not uncommon. Associated Press Writers Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Habib Khan in Khar, Zarar Khan in Islamabad and Ishtiaq Mahsud in Dera Ismail Khan contributed to this report.
Pakistani Refugees Come Back To Swat's Main Camp.
Relevance Score: 1.783 2009-07-15 02:41:41
Thousands more refugees returned Tuesday to the battle-scarred Swat Valley as Pakistani authorities struggled with transport bottlenecks and the refusal of some of the estimated 2 million people displaced by fighting with the Taliban to leave refugee camps until they obtain promised financial assistance. An army spokesman, Lt. Col. Waseem Shahid, said more than 900 families returned Tuesday to government-approved zones, an increase from the 650 families who went home Monday, the first day of the government-organized repatriation program. Authorities have declared most of Swat cleared of Taliban militants after nearly three months of fighting. The military campaign against the Taliban was strongly backed by the United States, which is eager for Pakistan to crack down on militants blamed for attacks in Afghanistan. The government plan calls for about 200,000 refugees staying in camps to return first. But thousands of others who sought refuge with family or friends have also been rushing back, causing traffic congestion at crossing points into the valley. Authorities decided to ease restrictions but were still trying to keep parts of the valley off-limits, said Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for the North West Frontier Province. That appeared to be a tough task. Hundreds of families, for instance, arrived Tuesday in Mingora, Swat's main town, even though people were not supposed to return there until later this month. Anwarul Haq was among about 1,200 refugees who spent one night under the open sky waiting for security forces to let them return home. Authorities at a major entry point into the valley eventually relented and allowed them to return. "It's great to be back in our own town and home," he said. Authorities also said they were working to fix "technical problems" in disbursing financial aid. Families who request it have been promised about $300 given through so-called "smart cards," but only about half the cards have been issued, Hussain said. One refugee, Kamal Khan, said he had been in a camp for two months but had still not received his card. "I'm not getting sufficient relief," he said. Mohammad Adil, a senior official in Mardan district, said no one would be forced to leave the camps. It is expected to take about 45 days for all the refugees to return home. "We are not putting pressure on anyone," he said. Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad, who oversees the support program for the refugees, urged people to be patient. "This is such a big repatriation, and we expect the people to bear a little discomfort," he said. "This is in the interest of overall security that people go back in some order, with some discipline." Authorities have sought to downplay fears that security remains tenuous in the valley, even though operations against the Taliban are continuing. Officials also say they are working on establishing a stronger police force to guarantee that the Taliban do not re-emerge as a threat. But a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said security in the valley is "uneven." "You can't generalize the overall situation," Sebastien Brack said. "All measures have to be taken to ensure the safety of the residents and the displaced persons if they want to go back. The main concern is that the return be voluntary and that safety be guaranteed." Violence flared elsewhere in the northwest. Militants clashed with tribesmen in the Mohmand region after the insurgents were asked to leave late Monday, said Syed Ahmad Jan, a senior regional administrator. The militants refused and opened fire, sparking a gunbattle that left 23 extremists dead and four tribal militiamen wounded, he said. Pakistan has encouraged tribesmen along the Afghan frontier to form militias to repel Taliban militants, and the groups have emerged in several regions. In the nearby Khyber region, attackers opened fire on an oil truck and fled when security forces escorting the convoy returned fire, said Fazal Mahmood, a local government official. The truck driver and a passer-by were killed. Taliban militants have frequently targeted U.S.-NATO supply convoys in the region, home to the Khyber Pass. Also Tuesday, Pakistani Taliban operating from the South Waziristan tribal region fired three rockets across the border and the American and Afghan forces retaliated with eight mortar shells, two Pakistani intelligence officials said. A civilian was wounded by the fire from the Afghan side, the officials added, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. An army spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment. It was not possible to independently verify the information because access to the remote, dangerous region is strictly controlled, but cross-border skirmishes are not uncommon. Associated Press Writers Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Habib Khan in Khar, Zarar Khan in Islamabad and Ishtiaq Mahsud in Dera Ismail Khan contributed to this report.
Military locations in Iraq supported by TS2 Satellite Technologies
Relevance Score: 1.695 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]
283 Bases, 170,000 Pieces of Equipment, 140,000 Troops and an Army of Military Contractors
Relevance Score: 1.672 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: 1.671 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.