25 February 2006 Military News

OPERATIONAL UPDATE BY ARMY MAJOR GENERAL RICK LYNCH, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, MULTINATIONAL FORCE MNF-I 25 Feb 2006
U.S., Iraqi Troops Step Up Patrols, Defuse Weapons Caches AFPS 25 Feb 2006 -- U.S. and Iraqi troops have stepped up their patrols in Iraq's Baghdad and Babil provinces, and thanks to assistance from ordinary Iraqis, they've found and defused numerous roadside bombs, mine fields, and weapons caches, U.S. military officials in Iraq reported.
Iraqi Government Extends Baghdad Car Ban RFE/RL 25 Feb 2006 -- The Iraqi government today announced an extension of its ban on car travel in Baghdad in an effort to contain the sectarian violence that has convulsed the country since the bombing of a Shi'ite shrine in Samarra on 22 February.
Iraq: Despite Calls For Calm, Sectarian Violence Continues RFE/RL 25 Feb 2006 -- Violence continues in Iraq, despite attempts by the authorities to contain sectarian attacks that have killed more than 150 people since the bombing of a Shiite shrine on 22 February.
Iraq Extends Security Clampdown VOA 26 Feb 2006 -- Iraq's interior minister has banned all vehicle movement in Baghdad through Monday morning to thwart sectarian violence that erupted after the bombing of a Shi'ite shrine Wednesday.

Former Afghan Spy Chief Sentenced To Death RFE/RL 25 Feb 2006 -- An Afghan court today sentenced communist-era spy chief Assadullah Sarwari to death for ordering the killing of hundreds of people.

Search and Rescue Ops End, Relief Ops Continue in Philippines AFPS 25 Feb 2006 -- Armed forces of the Philippines and the United States with Joint Task Force Balikatan 2006 ended a week-long search-and-rescue operation at the direction of the Leyte Island governor in the wake of a massive mudslide that destroyed the village of Guinsaugon here Feb. 17, military officials reported today.

Emory S. Land Sailors Deploy in Support of War on Terror Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2006 -- Six Sailors aboard USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) volunteered Feb. 24 to serve a tour in Iraq in support of the global war on terrorism.
USS Pinckney Returns From Historic Deployment Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2006 -- Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) returned to San Diego Feb. 24, after a five-month deployment to the Western Pacific in support of the global war on terrorism (GWOT).
NAS North Island Opens New Air Traffic Control Tower Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2006 -- A new air traffic control tower became fully operational Feb. 18 aboard Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI).
Congressional Delegation Visits USS Tucson Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2006 -- The crew of USS Tucson (SSN 770) hosted a congressional delegation that included a Congressman whose district includes Tucson.

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