Iraqi Forces Capture Terrorist, Conduct Raid for Murder Suspect

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2006 - Specially trained Iraqi security forces captured a terrorist suspected of attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces during an early-morning raid yesterday near Taji, U.S. military officials reported.

Iraqi forces, along with coalition advisors, conducted an air-assault near their objective, and quickly secured secondary objectives while detaining the suspect.

Multiple weapons were seized and a vehicle parked outside the raid site tested positive for exposure to explosives. Iraqi forces completed their mission and departed with the weapons and the detainee.

There were no shots fired, and no Iraqi or coalition forces or civilians were injured, officials said.

In a separate incident yesterday, Iraqi army forces conducted a raid in northeast Sadr City, Baghdad, to capture a suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi civilians.

Iraqi forces, along with coalition advisors, established a security cordon and quickly gained entry to multiple locations looking for the suspect. Iraqi forces detained four people of interest without incident or injury to them or the 14 women and children present at the locations, officials said.

During the operation, Iraqi forces received small-arms fire from multiple ground-level and rooftop locations and returned fire at identified targets to neutralize the threat. While departing, they were again engaged by small-arms fire from rooftops. Iraqi forces immediately identified the threats and neutralized them with well-aimed, controlled fire.

Operations on the objective caused minimal damage and resulted in no Iraqi or coalition forces casualties. The unit was unable to assess whether there were civilian casualties due to receiving enemy fire, officials said.

The operation was conducted as part of Operation Together Forward, which is aimed at reducing incidents of sectarian violence in Baghdad.

In addition, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, seized a large weapons cache northwest of Baghdad on Sept. 30.

The cache consisted of rocket-propelled grenades and boosters, fuses, grenade bodies and a missile warhead, officials said.

An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the weapons.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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Money Expert Tells Servicemembers 'How to Be A Millionaire'

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2006 - Speaking and gesturing like a fired-up preacher selling salvation, Kelvin Boston is known for telling television audiences how they can realize their dreams of financial stability - or even become rich.

"Everyone can become a millionaire," Boston told some 200 military and family members attending a Sept. 30 Defense Department-sponsored financial management seminar here at the Mologne House's conference center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The "catch" is that most people don't practice the necessary fiscal discipline and planning to achieve millionaire status, Boston, the host of the PBS television program "Moneywise," said.

And, bad money-handling habits, the financial management expert pointed out, can often put people behind a financial eight ball.

People in bill-paying and credit trouble should seek out a financial counselor immediately to help them rectify their financial situation, he emphasized. Military members are fortunate, he noted, in that they can get such financial advice free of charge from trained counselors on their bases.

It's never too late to achieve financial stability, Boston told listeners. "The universe is rigged for your (financial) success," he said.

Most people make more than enough money over their lifetimes to realize financial stability - if they manage their money properly, he said.

Accumulating unnecessary debt, with accompanying large interest payments, threatens all who want to achieve financial stability, Boston pointed out.

Therefore, Boston advised his audience to formulate a plan to pay off any credit card debt as quickly as possible to avoid paying high interest charges. People with credit bills should also try to send more than the stated monthly payment amount if possible, he said, in order to pay off the debt quicker and avoid added interest charges.

He also told listeners to put some money into a savings account every payday, noting they'd be surprised how much they accumulate over time.

Another good way to make money work is to buy and own your home, he pointed out, rather than paying rent for housing.

And, "the real issue is who is setting the economic policies in your house," Boston said, and "finding the courage" to employ budgeting and other money management tools to become financially stable, or even, "the millionaire next door."

Each person holds their financial destiny in their own hands, Boston said. And, everyone, he added, can use the power of positive thinking -- in conjunction with fiscal self-discipline and planning -- to achieve financial goals.

"You are one with the infinite riches of your subconscious mind," Boston told his audience. "You are happy, healthy, wealthy, and successful. Money will flow to you freely, copiously and endlessly.

"You will always be aware of your true self-worth. You will use your talents. And you will be wonderfully, wonderfully blessed," he concluded.

Seminar attendee Navy civilian Tiffany Brown, 23, said Boston's financial advice "is going to be helpful, because I'm trying to build my financial success."

Boston is "an outstanding public speaker" who, "offers a lot of really good advice," Air Force Maj. Steve Kirchmyer, accompanied by his wife, Tonya, said.

"I think everyone in the military has struggled at one time or another with their finances," Kirchmyer, the father of five children, noted.

"There're a lot of young troops here today" who'll benefit from Boston's advice, he said.

Tonya Kirchmyer said she'd tell her children about Boston's principles of money management "so they'll be financially secure."

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America Supports You: Group Gets New Home, National Sponsor

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2006 - In just a few short months, the Phoenix-based Packages From Home organization has found a new home and a new sponsor, the group's director of marketing and media relations said.

Packages From Home began as a mother's labor of love in March 2004, with sending 20 to 30 care packages a month to her son in Iraq. Since then it has grown into a 1,500- package-a-month operation, which had, until June, been operating out of a temporarily donated 900-square-foot facility.

"With three times the space to sort, process and ship, our goal will be 2,000 to 2,500 care packages a month," Dave Whitten said of the new 3,100 square foot facility on the Phoenix Memorial Hospital campus.

The hospital learned of Packages From Home's situation after seeing a story on a local TV station, he said. In fact, the organization had several offers for donated space, but the hospital's suite its needs best.

Not only is the new facility spacious, it has a separate office perfect for sorting donated items and two large rooms for packing boxes and preparing them for shipment. It also is climate controlled, handicapped-accessible and centrally located, making it convenient for the volunteers, Whitten said.

The new space also easily fits into the organization's budget.

"Phoenix Memorial Hospital is providing the building rent and utility free for the next year, with the option for a second (year) and maybe more," Whitten said. "The building fit what Packages from Home needed, in a huge way!"

Packages from Home is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans and the corporate sector support the nation's servicemembers.

As the organization was looking for its new digs, it stumbled across its first national sponsor, Whitten said.

He was driving his wife to a doctor appointment when he saw a Carlyle Van Lines, Inc. truck. He noticed the "Support Our Troops" sticker and decided to call and see if the company would be interested in sponsoring Packages from Home.

The Warrenburg, Mo.-based company, which specializes in military moves, readily agreed, he said.

All of its 53-foot trucks will sport the Packages from Home logo, which includes the organization's Web site, Whitten said. The company also will help promote the organization with exposure in national moving association and trade magazines.

"This exposure should help raise funds for our number one expense," Whitten said, noting that postage for a single care package can run $8.20. That's a whopping $8,200 or more a month for shipping alone.

Susan Walker, director of operations for Packages from Home, also received a donation from the moving company in early September during an unveiling of one of the trucks with the Packages from Home logo, Whitten added.

With one unveiling complete, the organization is looking forward to the grand opening of its new facility in early November. Invited guests will include local, state and national officials, he said.

"I have to say that I am proud of what this organization has accomplished," Whitten said. "(Our new facility) will allow us to let many more of our troops know that the patriots of this country do care about them and support them 100 percent."

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Bush, Turkish Prime Minister Vow Ongoing Terror War Cooperation

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2006 - President Bush continued to shore up coalition support in the war on terror, meeting here today with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the two leaders reaffirmed their cooperation in overcoming extremism that threatens the Middle East.

The two leaders talked to reporters in the Oval Office following an "extensive and important dialog" that focused on how their countries "can and must work together to achieve peace," Bush said.

They discussed Iraq and Iran and their common efforts to bring stability to the region, he said. "Our desire is to ... help people who care about a peaceful future to reject radicalism and extremism," he said.

Erdogan called the United States "a very important strategic partner" and long-time ally to Turkey. The joint steps the two countries have pursued to fight terrorism "continues to be very important to our relations," he said. "In fact, we do share the same opinion about forming a joint platform in order to combat terrorism on a global scale."

Today's meeting followed Bush's Sept. 29 dinner with the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan. During the session with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Bush emphasized the importance of the U.S. and free countries in the Middle East to work together to stop the spread of terrorism and ensure a hopeful future for the region.

Bush praised both men as moderate leaders who "understand the stakes in the struggle."

Earlier that day, Bush met with President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to working together to defeat terrorism. During that session, Bush thanked Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan's first democratically elected leader, "for his contribution to helping a new democracy in Iraq survive and thrive and grow" and his willingness to offer assistance in Afghanistan, as well.

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Iraqi Army Assumes Control of Forces Near Fallujah

Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2006 - Iraq's army took a leap toward greater independent responsibility yesterday when the 1st Iraqi Army Division assumed operational control of another brigade.

Marines and soldiers of Regimental Combat Team 5, based in Fallujah, turned over operational control of Iraqi soldiers assigned to 4th Brigade to the 1st Iraqi Army Division in a ceremony marking the transfer of authority. Iraqi soldiers serving in the brigade operate in joint and independent battle spaces ranging from this small city west of Abu Ghraib to regions north of Fallujah.

"On behalf of the 5,000 Marines, sailors and soldiers of Regimental Combat Team 5, I want to say how special and important today is," said Marine Col. Larry D. Nicholson, commanding officer of RCT 5.

Nicholson said Iraqi soldiers, or jundi, proved their mettle in the past months by fighting insurgents alongside Marines, sharing in the risks and the victories over terrorism.

"Last week, jundi, Marines and police patrolled the streets of Gharmah," he explained. "That couldn't have been imagined two years ago. Marines and jundi have fought together, died together and bled together."

Iraqi Brig. Gen. Abdullah Abdul Satter Abdul Karem, commander of 4th Brigade, said the transfer from U.S. to Iraqi command was a historic occasion for the brigade, stating his Iraqi soldiers "honor the men of our country."

"This is an indicator of the level of training of the jundi of 4th Brigade," Abdullah said. "We are dedicated to building a free Iraq to defeat terrorism."

Iraqi soldiers from 4th Brigade fought battles in Fallujah, Gharmah and Karbala, he said. They also distributed medical assistance to local residences and assisted in rebuilding Fallujah following the battle in 2004. Additionally, they protected electoral candidates from assassination attempts prior to Iraq's first free elections last year.

"Although the relationship has changed," Nicholson said, "we'll continue to look forward to working together ... to defeat the enemy."

This was the second such ceremony in as many months. In September, Iraq's 1st Division assumed authority over 3rd Brigade, based in Habbaniyah.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)

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