2nd Brigade loses 6th GI to Iraq combat

YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — For the third time in seven days, a 2nd Brigade soldier has been killed in Iraq, Pentagon officials confirmed Friday.

Pfc. Joshua K. Titcomb, of the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, was killed Wednesday in Ramadi when an improvised explosive device was detonated near his military vehicle, a Department of Defense statement read. It was unclear whether the vehicle was a tank, Humvee or other piece of equipment. >>More

Quiet in Ramadi, Baghdad's a Mess

No news from Ramadi today.

I usually don't post on events outside of Ramadi, but today I am compelled to write something about the 34+ children that died in the Baghdad car bombing. I am deeply saddened and appalled by these events. No people in any country wants to be occupied, but I do not see any religion, code of ethics or set of moral values that justifies the killing of innocent children. I am reminded of great leaders such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela all who advocate non-violent methods of protest. Where is this person in the Muslim world? Why do these people insist on killing their own? My heart goes out to the families of these children who lives were needlessly ended.

"As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion over-riding morality. Man, for instance,cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side." --Mahatma Gandhi

Condolences For A Fallen Warrior

We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Capt. Eric L. Allton, of Houston, Texas. Capt. Allton, 34, died Sept. 26 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when he was struck by a mortar round. Allton was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Hovey, Korea. Our hearts are saddened, and our prayers and thoughts go out to the family, friends and fellow comrades of this soldier during this difficult time.

U.S. Army Eyes Shortening Combat Tours

This most likely won't affect Rory on this tour, but for soldiers who are yet to be deployed, it's good news.
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NEW YORK (Reuters) -- The U.S. Army is considering slashing the length of combat tours for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan because it fears declines in recruiting and troop retention, The New York Times reported Monday.

Officials say the Army's ability to recruit and retain soldiers will erode unless tours are shortened from 12 months to between six and nine months -- the rough equivalent of the tours found in the U.S. Marine Corps, said the Times, citing top Army personnel officers and Army Reserve and National Guard officials.

But other Army officials involved in combat operations are concerned that the service would fail to meet projected requirements for Iraq and Afghanistan unless troops spend a year in those combat zones, it said.

The newspaper quoted Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, who said that the Army leadership "agrees that 12 months is too long," adding that the service "needs to move to a shorter rotational base."

The Times said it was too early to predict if or when a new deployment policy might take effect, or how it would be carried out.

Nearly 140,000 American troops are fighting a growing insurgency in Iraq. More than 17,000 U.S. and allied troops are in Afghanistan.

Ramadi News Report

Found this blurb in a report on the Mosul car bombing from MSN:

"In other violence Sunday, U.S. troops and insurgents traded fire in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, resulting in at least three people being killed and four wounded, witnesses and hospital officials said. Insurgents fired mortar rounds and rockets at two U.S. positions west and east of the city, and U.S. forces responded with shelling, striking a house in Tamim neighborhood, witnesses said."

Note that when they use the term "people" they are usually referring to civilians as opposed to our troops, so I am not too worried. But if anyone does or has heard from R in the last 24 hours, please post. Thanks and have a great week!