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4 posts from February 2011

02/11/2011

In the line of duty: military personnel killed December and January in Iraq, Afghanistan

Air Force

Tech. Sgt. Leslie D. Williams, 36, of Juneau, Alaska, died Jan. 25 due to a non-combat related incident Flag2 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 4th Maintenance Group, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. 

Army

Two soldiers died Jan. 29 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces
attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C. Killed were Spc. Joshua R. Campbell, 22, of Bennett, Colo. and Spc. Shawn A. Muhr, 26, of Coon Rapids, Iowa. 

Two soldiers died Jan. 15 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an Iraqi soldier from the unit with which they were training shot them with small arms fire.  They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Killed were Sgt. Michael P. Bartley, 23, of Barnhill, Ill. and Spc. Martin J. Lamar, 43, of Sacramento, Calif. 

Three soldiers died Jan. 12, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces Army pray attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. Killed were Sgt. Omar Aceves, 30, of El Paso, Texas, Spc. Jarrid L. King, 20, of Erie, Pa., Pfc. Benjamin G. Moore, 23, of Robbinsville, N.J. They were assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Two soldiers died Jan. 7 of wounds suffered at Logar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La. Killed were Spc. Ethan C. Hardin, 25, of Fayetteville, Ark., and Pfc. Ira B. Laningham, IV, 22, of Zapata, Texas. 

Two soldiers died Jan. 5 of wounds suffered at Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device. Killed were Sgt. 1st Class Robert W. Pharris, 48, of Seymour, Mo.  He was assigned to the Missouri National Guard Agri-Business 
Development Team IV, Jefferson City, Mo. Spc. Christian J. Romig, 24, of Kenner, La.  He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st 
Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. 

Two soldiers Jan. 2 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 1013th Engineer (Sapper) Company of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Killed were Sgt. Jose M. Cintron Rosado, 38, of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico and Spc. Jose A. Delgado Arroyo, 41, of San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Six soldiers died Dec. 12 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. Killed were Cpl. Sean M. Collins, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Cpl. Willie A. McLawhorn Jr., 23, of Conway, N.C., Spc. Patrick D. Deans, 22 of Orlando, Fla., Spc. Kenneth E. Necochea Jr., 21, of San Diego, Calif., Spc. Derek T. Simonetta, 21, of Redwood City, Calif. and Spc. Jorge E. Villacis, 24, of Sunrise, Fla. They were assigned to the 
2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.  

Two soldiers died Dec. 8 in Balkh province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an insurgent attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. Killed were Sgt. James A. Ayube, II, 25, of Salem, Mass. and Spc. Kelly J. Mixon, 23, of Yulee, Fla. They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. 

Spc. Nathan B. Carse, 32, of Harrod, Ohio, died Feb. 8 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 2nd Engineer Battalion, 176th Engineer Brigade, White Sands Missile Range, N.M. 

Sgt. Patrick R. Carroll, 25, of Norwalk, Ohio, died Feb. 7 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 319th Military Intelligence Battalion, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C. 

Spc. Omar Soltero, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, died Jan. 31 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La. 

Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Venetz Jr., 30, of Prince William, Va., died Jan. 28 in Parwan province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C. 

Spc. Joshua T. Lancaster, 22, of Millbrook, Ala., died Jan. 19, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked the Kandahar airfield with indirect fire.  He was assigned to the 184th Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Campbell, Ky. 

Maj. Michael S. Evarts, 41, of Concord, Ohio, died Jan. 17, in Tikrit, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to the 256th Combat Support Hospital, Twinsburg, Ohio. 

Spc. Jose A. Torre, Jr., 21, of Garden Grove, Calif., died Jan.15 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with a rocket-propelled grenade.  He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. 

Pfc. Zachary S. Salmon, 21, of Harrison, Ohio, died Jan. 12 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. 

Maj. Evan J. Mooldyk, 47, of Ranch Murieto, Calif., died Jan. 12 in Khowst province, Afghanistan, in a non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to the 19th Sustainment Command, 377th Theater Sustainment Command, Belle Chasse, La.  

Sgt. Zainah C. Creamer, 28, of Texarkana, Texas, died Jan. 12, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked her unit with an improvised explosive device.  She was assigned to the 212th Military Police Detachment, Headquaters Battalion, Fort Belvoir, Va. 

Pfc. Robert J. Near, 21, of Nampa, Idaho, died Jan. 7 at Kandahar, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 86th Signal Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Ariz. 

Sgt. Eric M. Nettleton, 26, of Wichita, Kan., died Jan. 5, in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan of wounds suffered 
in Dehjawz-e Hasanzay when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. 

Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman, 25, of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., died Dec. 31 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 2nd Brigade Support Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.  

Pfc. Conrado D. Javier Jr., 19, of Marina, Calif., died Dec. 19 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. 

Spc. Sean R. Cutsforth, 22, of Radford, Va., died Dec. 15 at Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. 

Spc. Ethan L. Goncalo, 21, of Fall Rivers, Mass., died Dec. 11 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, Worcester, Mass. 

Pfc. David D. Finch, 24, of Bath Springs, Tenn., died Dec. 8 in Wasit province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. 

Staff Sgt. Vincent W. Ashlock, 45, of Seaside, Calif., died Dec. 4 in Khost province, Afghanistan, in a 
non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to the 890th Engineer Battalion, 168th Engineer Brigade, Lucedale, Miss. 

Staff Sgt. Jason A. Reeves, 32, of Odessa, Texas, died December 5 at Gardez District, Paktia Province, 
Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, Hohenfels, Germany. 

MARINES
Lance Cpl. Aaron M. Swanson, 21, of Jamestown, N.Y., died Feb. 7 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, Buffalo, N.Y. 

Marine Iraq Cpl. Lucas T. Pyeatt, 24, of West Chester, Ohio, died Feb. 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.  

Sgt. Jason G. Amores, 29, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., died Jan. 20 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 

Cpl. Joseph C. Whitehead, 22, of Axis, Ala., died Jan. 17 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

Lance Cpl. Joseph R. Giese, 24, of Winder, Ga., died Jan. 7 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Cpl. Jacob A. Tate, 21, of Columbus, Ohio, died Jan. 2 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

Lance Cpl. Maung P. Htaik, 20, of Hagerstown, Md., died Jan. 1 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

Cpl. Tevan L. Nguyen, 21, of Hutto, Texas, died Dec. 28, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 

Sgt. Garrett A. Misener, 25, of Cordova, Tenn., died Dec. 27 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.  

Lance Cpl. Kenneth A. Corzine, 23, of Bethalto, Ill., died Dec. 24 of wounds received Dec. 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 

Lance Cpl. William H. Crouse IV, 22, of Woodruff, S.C., died Dec. 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

Cpl. Eric M. Torbert Jr., 25, of Lancaster, Pa., died Dec. 18 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 

Staff Sgt. Justin E. Schmalstieg, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pa., died Dec. 15 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 

Lance Cpl. Jose A. Hernandez, 19, of West Palm Beach, Fla., died Dec. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

Staff Sgt. Stacy A. Green, 34, of Alexander City, Ala., died Dec. 10 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

Lance Cpl. Michael E. Geary, 20, of Derry, N.H., died Dec. 8 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

Sgt. Jason D. Peto, 31, of Vancouver, Wash., died Dec. 7 from wounds received Nov. 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 

Pfc. Colton W. Rusk, 20, of Orange Grove, Texas, died Dec. 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.  

Cpl. Derek A. Wyatt, 25, of Akron, Ohio, died Dec. 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.  

Sgt. Nicholas J. Aleman, 24, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died Dec. 5 while supporting combat operations in Paktia province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the Deployment Processing Command-East, Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

NAVY

Navy Petty Officer Dominique Cruz, 26, of Panama City, Fla., was found during search and rescue operations Jan. 19 in the Gulf of Oman after being reported missing Jan. 18.  Cruz was assigned as an Operations Specialist to the USS Halsey homeported in San Diego, Calif.  Halsey is currently deployed to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations. 

-- Darren Barbee

02/10/2011

The GAO gets its Flickr on -- and the guy in the H-1B visa graphic is so hot

Don’t be fooled by other sites claiming you have to pay for U.S. Government Accountability Office report images. The GAO has stepped into the “world of new and social media” by posting FREE1 photos and graphics on Flickr. Selected photos and graphics from GAO reports are “searchable, viewable” and, though it is hard to imagine why, downloadable by visitors to the site. 

1) We think

The kids are going to find it hard to resist this H-1B Visa poster: 
GAO2


At last, you can print out the famous “Be Counted Forms were not prominently displayed at the Fresno Be Counted/QAC Site" photo:

GAO1

And how about this Hazardous Noise Sign that doesn’t include the level of hearing protection needed? This one is going straight on our Facebook wall.

GAO3


The GAO Flickr page can be found here

 


-- Darren Barbee

02/09/2011

Obama 'priority' will recoup billions ripped off in 2010 -- in just 16 more years

Tepid kudos and a warm beer from the trunk of our car to the government for recovering a record $4 billion related to health care fraud in fiscal year 2010.

That’s $1.4 billion more than was recovered last year when we got back $2.6 billion from bad people who ripped off seniors and taxpayers. So good job, we suppose. Presidential BeerJPG

Unfortunately, at this rate it will take, at minimum, 16 more years to recover just a single year’s worth of cash ripped off by scammers, according to some estimates.

President Barack Obama has made the elimination of fraud, waste and abuse a top priority in his administration, a press release said. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli announced the recovery late last month.

Top priority is, as always, a relative thing in government. Especially as $4 billion is a drop in the health care fraud bucket, provided the bucket is the size of Ecuador.

The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates conservatively that 3 percent of all health care spending—or $68 billion—is lost to health care fraud. That’s more than the gross domestic product of 120 different countries, including Iceland, Ecuador, and Kenya.

Other estimates by government and law enforcement agencies count losses due to health care fraud as high as 10 percent of annual health care costs, about $226 billion —each year.

So drink up, government peeps. You’ve earned some Miller Lite.

 -- Darren Barbee

 

02/08/2011

Don't let the IRS nail you; do it yourself

It's tax season and that can only mean one thing: break out the bed of nails.

Watchdog gets some strange press releases, and this was by far the best of the day.  Nail_in_the_head

The pitch we got is that something called the Halsa Wellness Mat (apparently big in Sweden) can take the edge off of filling out your 1040. 

The press release calls it a "modern take on the beds of nails (that) yogis used thousands of years ago" when they dealt with the IRS.

The mat consists of 8,820 spikes that "stimulate your body's acupressure points." The idea is that endorphins and oxytocin, the body's own pain relief hormone, get going and reduce stress. Simply resting on the mat for ten minutes yields benefits. Before you know it, you'll hear yourself saying, "I'm in so much pain I could do my taxes."   

-- Darren Barbee