US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
USS John F Kennedy CV-67 still has some fight left

Appears to me that these Kennedy men still have pride in that 38 year old CV...I served on CVA-67 from March 1972 until August 1973.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


We still have a little fight left'

Carrier leaves Norfolk for the last time, heads to Boston
By Mark D. Faram - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 28, 2007 12:23:18 EST

Aboard the USS John F. Kennedy —The aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy
didn't look like a ship about to be decommissioned as it left
Norfolk, Va., on Sunday.

And that's just the way the crew wanted it.

Pulling away from the pier and heading out of Hampton Roads into
open water, one "Big John" crew member was happy to have quieted the
rumor mill.

"We heard the waterfront rumors, and many here expected us to limp
in, leaking fluids and looking like a garbage scow," said the
longtime Kennedy crew member, who asked to remain anonymous. "I
guess we showed them because none of that happened — there were
three carriers in port and we looked better than all of them — we
still have a little fight left in us."

Even Capt. Todd Zecchin, the ship's commanding officer, sounded
proud when he spoke to the crew during the evening meal, lauding
them for their good showing. The ship even got underway a few
minutes early.

This was JFK's last visit to Norfolk, the ship's first home port. It
stopped there as part of a farewell tour that will include a March 1
port call Boston. It will be the ship's eighth visit to its
namesake's hometown.

"I've been onboard here for 11 months, and this is the first real
deployment I've ever been on," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate
(Aircraft Handling) Ashley Clemmer of V-3 division. "I'm really
looking forward to a real port visit, I hear Boston is very nice."

Clemmer and her shipmate, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft
Handling) Jason Bevan, were working hard cleaning out padeyes in the
ship's hanger bay. The hangar bay will be the focal point for the
thousands of visitors expected to tour the ship during the four days
it'll be tied up in Boston.

"We are expecting thousands of visitors each day, maybe as many as a
million during our visit," he said. "That sure will be something to
see."

All over the hanger bay, new murals have been painted, including
likenesses of the ship as well as famous quotations from its
namesake, President Kennedy.

Back in the jet shop, all the way aft in the hanger bay, more
painting was going on as Aviation Machinist's Mate (AW/SW) Freddie
Rivera was airbrushing new decor on one of the ship's flight deck
tractors.

"It's a tribute to the people and the city of Boston," Rivera said
of his handiwork, which included a leprechaun dressed up as a Boston
Celtics basketball player and a bearded baseball fan at Fenway Park,
all wrapped around the Kennedy's logo. The ship's accomplishments on
its last cruise in 2004, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and
the battle for Fallujah in Iraq, were also included in the artwork.

"We want to show the people of Boston we appreciate them and are
thankful for their support of our ship," Rivera said.
 

BLUEJACKET

Banned Idiot
Last edited:

celtic-dragon

New Member
It appears Lieutenant Watada has been re-charged...

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!




It can be argued that the military is so anxious to get Watada because the implications if he were judged innocent would be devastating... I'm sure there are some who believe that this decision to continue going after him is a good decision, based on a soldier's creed or something like that. That's certainly a stance to take, however I believe the primary reason for this prosecution is that if he is innocent, then the military is guilty... definitely not a comfortable situation.
I don't have a law degree (yet), so I can't say for sure, but I have never heard of a mistrial being the basis for a double jeopardy argument. The trial was not completed, as the prosecution stated.
 

The_Zergling

Junior Member
I don't have a law degree (yet), so I can't say for sure, but I have never heard of a mistrial being the basis for a double jeopardy argument. The trial was not completed, as the prosecution stated.

Indeed, the prosecution is correct in that they are legally permitted to pursue another trial.
 

BLUEJACKET

Banned Idiot
Army Secretary Forced to Resign;
Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey was forced to resign Friday over the scandal of substandard conditions at a wing of Walter Reed Hospital. Note that all the time Donald Rumsfeld was in office, and despite horrible errors, no one ever had to resign, least of all-- until the Dems won Congress-- Rumsfeld himself. Over the Abu Ghraib torture scandal, Rumsfeld had said that to throw someone overboard in propitiation was not the way we did things in America (i.e. no one would be punished). Robert Gates is to be applauded for restoring the idea of accountability to Washington.
But everyone should pay attention especially to this para. in the WaPo report:
' The committee also released an internal Army memorandum reportedly written in September in which the Walter Reed garrison commander, Col. Peter Garibaldi, warned Weightman that "patient care services are at risk of mission failure" because of staff shortages brought on by privatization of the support work force at the hospital. '
The privatization of patient care services is responsible for a lot of the problem here. ..
And so is the privatization of services for US troops in Iraq punishing them. Indeed, the privatization of guard duties through the hiring of firms like Blackwater caused all that trouble at Falluja in the first place. KRB never delivered services to US troops with the speed and efficiency they deserved. The Bush-Cheney regime rewarded civilian firms with billions while they paid US GIs a pittance to risk their lives for their country. And then when they were wounded they were sent someplace with black mold on the walls. A full investigation into the full meaning of 'privatization' at the Pentagon for our troops would unconver epochal scandals.
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

US Army Veterans Scandal Widens
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Iraq's Superbombs: Home Made?
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


US signals dramatic shift in Iraq policy
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


What If We Leave?
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


'Surge' needs up to 7,000 more troops
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


A Trial for Thousands Denied Trial
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Afghan, U.S. reports on firefight differ
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


U.S. Airstrikes Hit Qaeda Post in Iraq
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


US Navy: Aircraft Carrier for Afghanistan, Not Iran- or maybe for both!
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Secret unit hunts terrorists overseas
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


U.S. Congress' Iraq struggle evokes Vietnam years
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
 
Last edited:

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Here's another article about the DoD and VA hospital scandal.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


As a USN vet I'm appalled by these stories. It is simply reprehensible that any country would treat it's veterans that way.

That being said I feel I must express my opinon this subject. Presently I use the VA hospital in Iowa City IA. I have probally 10-12 appointments a year because of various medical conditions. This is what I posted in one of my yahoo groups about my treatment at the VA and previously by the USN.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Re: Retiree Medical payments

I've mentenioned this before but it needs repeating.

I used TRI-Care when I lived in San Diego. The service was fine. I
can't remember how much I had to pay. It was about $500 a year for a
family of four.

Here in Iowa I use the VA.(I'm divorced) Right now I have co-pays for
my medications only. That amounts to $520 yearly. That's all. No
ups..no extras..

I like the VA much better than using TRI-Care with the USN. Why? It's
much easier to make an appointment. The health care providers(staff)
are more professional, caring, polite and respectful than those at the
Navy Hospital in San Diego

I can honestly say that at the Naval Hospital in san Diego I never saw any poor treatment or unsanitary condidtions. the same can be said about the VA hospital in Iowa. I cannot speak about any other faclities.
 
Last edited:

BLUEJACKET

Banned Idiot
9 US Soldiers Killed North of Baghdad
Afghan Kids Die as US Drops One-Ton Bombs
US Military Defends Destroying Media Photographs
CIA Says They Have Fresh Leads on bin Laden
Washington's Mixed Signals on Iran
State Department Promotion Sends Iran War Signal
Former Intel Chief: US Pressuring Pak to Get Support for Iran Attack
All the above articles are on
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Soldiers Testify to Lawmakers Over Poor Care at Walter Reed
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Walter Reed uproar refuels Iraq debate
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
 
Last edited:

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Pres. Bush announces that Hospital ship Comfort to deploy to Latin America.

The USN was planning to retire both it's hospital ships this year. But the 2004-05 & 06 deployments of the hospital ship Mercy were very sucessful. Looks like the ships will remain in service for some time.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


President Announces Comfort Deployment to Latin America
Story Number: NNS070306-17
Release Date: 3/6/2007 6:43:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael D. Wimbish, U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- President Bush announced March 5 the deployment of the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) to Latin America for a series of humanitarian relief missions.

Bush said he is sending Comfort to 13 South and Central American countries beginning in June, adding that the deployment is going to be busy.

“Altogether, the Comfort's doctors and nurses and health care professionals expect to treat 85,000 patients and conduct up to 15,000 surgeries,” Bush said. “At the same time, military medical teams will be operating inland to help bring treatment and care to other communities. These teams do everything from vaccinating people against disease to building new medical clinics.”

The Comfort announcement came during a speech in Washington, discussing the partnership between the United States and the region prior to the president’s upcoming trip to five nations there later this week. Bush spoke about current and proposed joint efforts to face political, economic and educational challenges -- including U.S. military humanitarian efforts.

U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command are planning and coordinating the mid-summer deployment with the partner nations Comfort will visit. The deployment is Comfort’s first-ever trip to the region.

“These are people who need help. These are people who might not otherwise get the basic health care they need to realize a better tomorrow,” Bush said.

During the deployment, Bush said Comfort will also partner with the Department of Health and Human Services on a new initiative to provide oral care to the region's poor. Dentists and hygienists will fill cavities and treat infections and provide treatment for the young children.

Comfort is one of two Navy hospital ships with 1,000 hospital beds and 12 operating rooms. The ship’s last major deployment was to the Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

In all, Comfort will make port calls in Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
 
Last edited:

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Ex-USN Salior Charged in Terror plot

This article speaks for itself...

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Former Sailor Arrested on Terror Charge
Associated Press | March 08, 2007
WASHINGTON - A former Navy Sailor was arrested Wednesday for allegedly releasing classified information that ended up in the hands of a suspected terrorism financier.

Hassan Abujihaad, 31, of Phoenix, is accused in a case that began in Connecticut and followed a suspected terrorist network across the country and into Europe and the Middle East.

He was arrested in Phoenix on charges of supporting terrorism with an intent to kill U.S. citizens and transmitting classified information to unauthorized people.

Abujihaad, who is also known as Paul R. Hall, is charged in the same case as Babar Ahmad, a British computer specialist arrested in 2004 and accused of running Web sites to raise money for terrorism. Ahmad is scheduled to be extradited to the U.S. to face trial.

During a search of Ahmad's computers, investigators discovered files containing classified information about the positions of U.S. Navy ships and discussing their susceptibility to attack.

Abujihaad, a former enlisted man, exchanged e-mails with Ahmad while on active duty on the USS Benfold, a guided-missile destroyer, in 2000 and 2001, according to an affidavit released Wednesday. He allegedly purchased videos promoting violent jihad, or holy war.

In those e-mails, Abujihaad discussed naval military briefings and praised those who attacked the USS Cole in 2000, according to the affidavit by FBI Agent David Dillon.

The documents retrieved from Ahmad show drawings of Navy battle groups and discuss upcoming missions. They also say the battle group could be attacked using small weapons such as rocket-propelled grenades. The ships were never attacked.

Abujihaad had a secret security clearance that would have allowed him access to that material, according to the affidavit.

The investigation was run out of Connecticut because Ahmad allegedly used an Internet service provider there to host one of his fundraising Web sites.

Ahmad was arrested in 2004 but the case against Abujihaad apparently received a boost in December following the arrest of Derrick Shareef, 22, of Genoa, Ill., near Chicago, who was accused of planning to use hand grenades to attack holiday shoppers at a mall.

According to the affidavit, Shareef and Abujihaad lived together in 2004 when Ahmad was arrested. After reading news reports of the case, Abujihaad became upset and said, "I think this is about me," Shareef told investigators.

Authorities then taped a phone conversation between Abujihaad and an informant in which Abujihaad appeared nervous. Though Abujihaad didn't say outright that he was involved in the leak of classified information, the affidavit provided enough evidence for an arrest warrant.

Abujihaad received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 2002, according to the affidavit
 

BLUEJACKET

Banned Idiot
"Our Army, the nation's Army, is in bad shape, and the surge will only make it worse for the Army and the country," Korb told reporters. "We're about to undo 30 years of building the best all-volunteer Army we've had."
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


BAGHDAD, March 8 (Reuters) - The new U.S. commander in Iraq said on Thursday military force would not end violence unless talks were held with some militant groups and warned of more "sensational attacks" during the current crackdown in Baghdad.
General David Petraeus, at his first news conference since he took command last month, also said he saw no immediate need for more U.S. troops, but reinforcements already requested would likely stay "well beyond the summer".
"There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq," Petraeus said.
"Military action is necessary to help improve security ... but it is not sufficient."
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Democrats want Iraq pullout by fall 2008
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
 
Top