It seems as if there’s never a shortage of terrorists, which also seem to multiply like rabbits. For the past 10 years or so US Forces have done what they could to eradicate or at least train and equipt local governments and tribes to help themselves in the fight against Islamic terrorist activities in the Middle East, Africa and wherever else they have gained a strong hold. In spite of who is been CiC, our troops have done all they have been able to do to help and defend against the evil ideologies that have oppressed so many for so long, and at least now they seem to have more support from those in Washington and the upper chains of command.
There are a couple of news worthy articles to share today in the continuous war our troops have had to fight…
First, Somali intel officials said late yesterday that U.S. and Somali commandos seized three men thought to be commanders with the al-Shabab extremist group during a deadly raid in a village in southern Somalia. According to reports the forces targeted a coordination center for the Somalia-based al-Shabab. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The U.S. Africa Command did not immediately comment on the raid but the U.S. has stepped up military efforts against al-Shabab, the deadliest Islamic extremist group in sub-Saharan Africa, under the Trump administration.
According to the article, A Pentagon spokesman, Marine Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway, said the U.S. credited Iraqi security forces with the militants’ capture “on the Iraq-Syria border… These arrests are a significant blow to ISIS as we continue to remove its leadership and fighters from the battlefield…”
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From Niger, folks might remember back in October of last year when four US Special Forces soldiers were ambushed and killed in an attack in Niger. Well, the hearings and investigations have found lack of communication, clerical errors and inexperience led to the loss of our Soldiers. For a short summary on what went wrong, and steps the military is taking to make sure it doesn’t happen again, read here.
In other stories, here’s a few articles that Suffer sent,
The remains of a US Special Forces Green Beret who went MIA in Vietnam nearly 47 years ago have been returned to his family.
Records show Major Donald G. Carr was assigned to Mobile Launch Team 3 with the 5th Special Forces Group when he went on a reconnaissance mission from which he failed to return. On July 6, 1971, Carr’s flight crashed during bad weather and a ground team failed to immediately locate the spot where the plane went down and was declared as MIA.
The Defense agency said between September 1991 and March 2014, joint U.S. and Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic teams conducted more than 25 investigations and site surveys, but could not locate his remains.
In April 2014, however, a Vietnamese citizen contacted U.S. officials about possible remains found in Kon Tum Province. The wreckage included personal items belonging to Carr and his remains were identified through DNA.
He will be buried today at the San Antonio National Cemetery.
1,598 American servicemen and civilians from the Vietnam War are still declared missing. 🙁 I pray other families will finally have some closure and find peace after too many years.
This is a cool story about Actor/Veteran Paul Newman, and how he through his organization NOF (proceeds earned from his line of Newman’s Own products) has been committed to helping Veterans among other charitable outreaches. Late last year, Newman’s friend and CEO of NOF announced they were committing $6.7 million in grants to veterans organizations.
I had heard some time ago that Newman was a Vet, but didn’t realize he served during WW2. I also knew that his profits from Newman’s Own were all given to different organizations and outreaches, but this is still a great legacy and its good to see his friend is still honoring Newman by helping our Veterans, but then again, he is a Veteran as well. Please read the story here.
OK last one, from Daisy. Break out your kleenex.
Most people realize the major sacrifices our troops make when they deploy, and some even consider the sacrifices their families make as well. But sometimes even when they are able to come home for special events, they’re not always able to get here on time. Goodness knows how often civilians have snafus with travel plans, so it’s no wonder that our troops who return home on civilian flights often hit the same messes.
Take the case of US Army soldier Brooks Lindsey who found himself stranded at an airport the night his wife was giving birth to their daughter. Thankfully he was able to contact his wife in Texas and watch her give birth via FaceTime. The photo and video capturing his reaction to the birth has of course gone viral. You can read about it here… and here…
God bless our troops and Veterans. Lord keep them safe wherever they are.
Have a blessed RED Friday all.