Monday
Jun192006
Pentagon Update
Monday, June 19, 2006 at 3:00AM
By Wendy Wang
Missing Soldiers in Iraq
Coalition and Iraqi officials have launched an 8,000 personnel search operation for two coalition soldiers missing following an incident in Yusufiyah, Iraq at a security check point. The incident occurred at 7:55pm on June 16th, when forces at a traffic-control checkpoint heard explosion and small-arms fire at a nearby checkpoint at a canal crossing near the Euphrates River. The response team found one soldier manning the check point killed and two others missing. Pentagon spokesman, Bryan Whitman could not say if it was at an Iraqi security check point and why there were not more security forces at the checkpoint. The missing soldiers are Pfc. Thomas Lowell Tucker, 25, of Madras, Oregon, and Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, Texas. The soldier killed in the incident was Spc. David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Whitman could not comment beyond what was already said by Multinational Force Iraq spokesman Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell. He did say that the current duty status and whereabouts of both are unknown, with a considerable effort underway to search and determine their status using a number of means to search by land, air and water. So far 12 villages have been cleared as they have engaged the assistance of local citizens.
North Korea
On reports that North Korea is near a long-range ballistic missile launch, Whitman drew a distinction between describing the North Korean's capability as a "launch" versus a "test." He says he would not describe their capability as a "test" as that word implies known intent. Without speaking specifically to intelligence, Whitman says that the North Korean's intent at the moment remain unknown. The US concerns over the North Korean's missile capability is longstanding and well documented, he says. The US is seeking the counsel of allies in the region and will regard any exercise as "provocative" action. Whitman says that the US has limited missile defense system. Currently the US expects North Korea to abide by a 1999 moratorium on such tests which they had reaffirmed in 2002.
Missing Soldiers in Iraq
Coalition and Iraqi officials have launched an 8,000 personnel search operation for two coalition soldiers missing following an incident in Yusufiyah, Iraq at a security check point. The incident occurred at 7:55pm on June 16th, when forces at a traffic-control checkpoint heard explosion and small-arms fire at a nearby checkpoint at a canal crossing near the Euphrates River. The response team found one soldier manning the check point killed and two others missing. Pentagon spokesman, Bryan Whitman could not say if it was at an Iraqi security check point and why there were not more security forces at the checkpoint. The missing soldiers are Pfc. Thomas Lowell Tucker, 25, of Madras, Oregon, and Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, Texas. The soldier killed in the incident was Spc. David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Whitman could not comment beyond what was already said by Multinational Force Iraq spokesman Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell. He did say that the current duty status and whereabouts of both are unknown, with a considerable effort underway to search and determine their status using a number of means to search by land, air and water. So far 12 villages have been cleared as they have engaged the assistance of local citizens.
North Korea
On reports that North Korea is near a long-range ballistic missile launch, Whitman drew a distinction between describing the North Korean's capability as a "launch" versus a "test." He says he would not describe their capability as a "test" as that word implies known intent. Without speaking specifically to intelligence, Whitman says that the North Korean's intent at the moment remain unknown. The US concerns over the North Korean's missile capability is longstanding and well documented, he says. The US is seeking the counsel of allies in the region and will regard any exercise as "provocative" action. Whitman says that the US has limited missile defense system. Currently the US expects North Korea to abide by a 1999 moratorium on such tests which they had reaffirmed in 2002.
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