Articles 12.12.2004

A Washington Post article discusses the continued attacks by insurgents around Iraq. One quote: "The clashes have been particularly fierce in Ramadi, 60 miles west of Baghdad. On Saturday, the Marines said insurgents ambushed them a day earlier, firing rocket-propelled grenades and small arms from the city’s hospital and medical college. The Marines returned fire and suffered no casualties, a statement said."
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The Washington Post (reg req'd) evaluates the increased use of airlifts for US forces in Iraq. One quote: "Two weeks ago, long-distance cargo flights began direct service into Al Asad air base, which is nearer the U.S. Marine force responsible for securing Anbar province, where the restive cities of Fallujah and Ramadi are located."
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The LA Times (reg req'd) has an article on a support program near Camp Pendleton, CA, the home base of the 2/5 Marines. A local credit union sponsored and set up video systems so families could send holiday greetings to troops in Iraq. One of the families quoted had a marine in Ramadi.
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The Beaumont Enterprise, TX, has an article on a care package program from the web-site MarineParents.com. One of the volunteers interviewed is the father of 2/5 Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Green. The program is dedicated to the memory of a 3/1 Marine, Lance Cpl. Nicholas Larsen, who was killed in action near Fallujah on 11.9.2004.
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There is now a forward detachment web-site for the 2nd ID at Ft. Carson, CO. The site contains deployment and housing information, contact information, and information on the area.
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Other articles from the region:
- Reuters: A year on, Iraq's rebels unfazed by Saddam capture
- USA Today: Marines on the front lines talk of God and guns
- London Times, UK, Marines learn how to fight for Allah