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DEL.ICIO.USFive members of 48th injured in mortar attack; two treated in Germany
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One soldier was killed and 16 wounded — including five from Georgia’s 48th Brigade Combat Team — in a rocket attack near the Baghdad airport, military and congressional officials said Thursday.
Two of the soldiers are from Georgia, one of whom suffered serious injuries and was flown to Germany for treatment.
The other three are from an Illinois unit attached to the Georgia brigade. One is also being treated in Germany. The others suffered minor injuries and were treated and returned to duty, said 2nd Lt. Selena Owens, a spokeswoman for the 48th Brigade.
According to authorities:
— Vanessa Harris, a member of the 148th Support Battalion, Bravo Company, suffered a depressed skull fracture and was flown to a U.S. military hospital in Germany.
— Sean Broderick, a member of the Illinois-based 2/130 Infantry, suffered shrapnel wounds to the head, back and abdomen and also is being treated in Germany.
— Clyde Miller, a member of the 148th Support Battalion, Alpha Company, was being treated at a temporary military hospital in Baghdad’s heavily fortified “Green Zone.”
Tracy Colber and Jack Dorset, both of the 2/130, were treated and returned to duty.
Soldiers at the sprawling Camp Liberty complex near Baghdad International Airport are not required to wear helmets and flak jackets while they are within the walls of the compound.
Doug Moore, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall, said the Pentagon notified Marshall’s office of the incident. The 48th is headquartered in Macon, which is in Marshall’s district.
In addition, Owens said two of the Georgia soldiers were with the 148th Support Battalion, which is based in Forsyth, just north of Macon.
The injuries were the first combat casualties suffered by the 48th since the brigade’s combat team started arriving in Iraq about a week ago for a yearlong deployment.
It was not known how long the wounded soldiers had been in Iraq, but some members of the 148th arrived only Monday.
Lt. Col. Steve Boylan, a military spokesman in Baghdad, said the dead and injured “were a combination of civilian and military casualties.”
Boylan said the slain soldier, whose name has not been released, was with the 155th Brigade Combat Team from the Mississippi Army National Guard.
Several of the wounded were from the 256th Brigade Combat Team from the Louisiana National Guard.
The rocket attack was the second at the base in the last four days.
The blast occurred about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in a plaza area at Camp Liberty on the north end of the airport where soldiers gather to board shuttle buses for other parts of the sprawling complex.
Most of the 48th’s units are at Camp Stryker, on the south end of the airport, which has fewer amenities. The 48th initially was supposed to be stationed at Camp Liberty but its orders were changed just a few weeks ago.
The plaza is near a large post exchange that includes Popeyes Chicken and Burger King restaurants.
The PX at Camp Liberty is famous in Iraq for its wide selection of goods that help soldiers feel a little bit closer to home.
Soldiers can get anything at the PX from a 50-cent granola bar to a 42-inch plasma-screen television set that sells for $3,499.
Spc. Rakesh Pal, 23, of Modesto, Calif., told The Associated Press that he likes to hang out at the Liberty PX even if he doesn’t buy anything.
“It reminds me of being back home at the mall,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like I’m in Iraq when I’m in the PX.”
The PX shut down immediately after the attack but reopened Wednesday morning.
AJC staff writers can be reached at: Dave Hirschman, dhirschman@ajc.com; Ron Martz, rmartz@ajc.com. Staff writer Moni Basu in Atlanta and wire services contributed to this article.
Comments
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By Amber Giles
June 3, 2005 08:25 AM | Link to this
hey, I hope that all the Army Guys stay safe.
By Wood
June 3, 2005 10:18 AM | Link to this
Hi all troops; We ahve you covered with our prayers; Keep looking to Jesus; Stay safe, we will be praying for you daily. Love & Prayers; Wood
By Jennifer
June 3, 2005 02:52 PM | Link to this
Excellent reporting - I have a good friend stationed at the Baghdad airport and was very thankful for the fresh information the article provided. As front and center as our troops are in our mind, it might bear remembering that there are an awful lot of Georgians over there in contract positions. They are also in harms way, and they are also in our thoughts and prayers.
By sharon
June 3, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this
I HOPE AND PRAY THAT ALL THE TROOPS RETURN HOME SAFE TO THEIR LOVE ONES.AND TO SGT.BELL.I LOVE AND MISS YOU.HURRY HOME.
By kathie sharpe
June 3, 2005 04:48 PM | Link to this
We all here in a small town call glennville, ga will be praying for all of you pleas be careful and wacth out for each other never let your guard down for any thing never and always keep God very near to you at all time we love you all very must take care
By Maxima Sims
June 3, 2005 05:28 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to let you all know that we LOVE YOU and miss you. BE save and back soon. Guille te queremos y te extranamos mucho quidate y que DIOS te bendiga, Maxi y Jr. te esbriben de parte de todos
By Chalete Thibault
June 3, 2005 08:07 PM | Link to this
Please say hello to my husband Lt. Denny Thibault stationed at FOB St. Michael. I read your info. and look at the pictures daily. They are helpful in keeping up with the 48th and what they’re doing. They all have our love, prayers and support back here in GA. Please tell him I love him and I’m waiting with open arms for his safe return.
By Karmen Callaway
June 3, 2005 08:49 PM | Link to this
Thank you all for everything you are doing to serve our country!!! We really appreciate it and lift you up to the Lord in prayer daily!Deuteronomy 31:8a
By Mildred Lord
June 3, 2005 09:26 PM | Link to this
Dear all troops. We read every trying to keep up with your well-being. Hope all are kept safe. Just God is on your side and we are praying for each of you every day. Love and prayers. Lord.
By Stephanie
June 3, 2005 10:07 PM | Link to this
My sister is stationed by the Baghdad airport. She just called to tell me she is okay. I am glad to have a place to check for news updates. I pray for them all.
By Amanda Scott-Rudeseal
June 3, 2005 10:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks to AJC, Dave, and Curtis for your up to the moment coverage of the 48th. My husband is a member of the 48th stationed at Camp Stryker. Our loved ones try to call home as they can to alleviate our worries but are unable to answer some of our questions. Your coverage answers questions they are unable to. We appreciate your work there. I would like to see more photos of the base and life there so I can show our two year old son where his daddy is “working”. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
By Jim Jeffries
June 3, 2005 10:42 PM | Link to this
Hi to Ryan Jeffries (my son, who is with the 48th) and God BLESS all the brave young men & women who are serving their country. And to all you at home safe, remember, freedom is NOT FREE.
By Tamara
June 3, 2005 11:41 PM | Link to this
Thank you for the current information and photographs about the soldiers of the 48th Brigade. My husband is SSG Ogden from C Co 2/130th from Illinois, and I just discovered your webpage. So far, our local news media has not covered our soldiers deployment. I am thankful to have found a way to feel closer to the my husband through your articles and pictures. Thank you so much!
By LINDA
June 4, 2005 05:03 AM | Link to this
Just wanted to tell the guys we love and pray for them daily. my brotheris in the 48th 1/121 from Macon his name is Chris England if anyone sees him tell him everyone at home loves him and prays for his protection daily. Please stay safe and come home. You are on my mind daily and will be until you come home. Chris is my only sibling and there are 18 years difference hes like my own child..I love you babe..your sis
By LINDA
June 4, 2005 05:06 AM | Link to this
WE ARE PRAYING FOR ALL THE GUYS IN IRAQ. MY BROTHER IS THERE CPL CHRIS ENGLAND 48TH 1/121. WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU AND ALL THE SOLDIERS THERE DAILY.WE LOVE YOU BABE…YOUR SIS
By Judy Chastain
June 4, 2005 07:22 AM | Link to this
Thank you, Dave and Curtis, for helping us stay informed while our soldiers are so far from home. My son, SSG Chris Chastain (1/108th AR Scouts) is with you at St Michael - it was his humvee you took pictures from for the weapons cache find - and he was proud that we could see, first hand, the good work they are doing. Stay strong and keep “plunking” - we pray for you all daily. Judy C
By Rhonda Amos
June 4, 2005 12:55 PM | Link to this
My son is stationed at Camp Liberty. He is with the 3rd Infantry from Ft. Stewart. May God put a shield around all of our soldiers and bring them back safe to us. I love and miss him dearly. May God bless all our troops!!!
By Christine Otis
June 5, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this
I want to thank you for your work you and AJC is doing to keep us informed. My son was near this attack and thankfully unharmed, though others around him were not so fortunate. He called shortly afterward to let us know he was OK, even though we did not see anything in the news for several days. It just showed us that there is a real danger there, even in their base. God bless all the men and women that are sacrificing their time and energies to help Iraq gain a little of what we take for granted. If you can keep an eye out for Spc Brian Otis of the 2-130th, that’s my son and I am so proud of him and all the Georgia troops especially.
By Brenda Padgett
June 5, 2005 05:24 PM | Link to this
5{ of you in the 48th and to AJC for your updates on our nephew’s unit. Words can’t be found to to thank you for the assurance we receive about the safety andsuccessful missions our troops are having. HATS OFF TO THE USA, THE 48TH AND TO AJC!
By Tom Pomian
June 6, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this
TJ, Jeff and all the other boys, stay safe and cover each other. We are all praying for you. Thanks to the AJC and their staff for all the good info.
By Cass
June 6, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this
48th 2-121 God Bless you all!!!! Steelice06 and all of the other soldiers, stay safe and cover each other. I will continue to pray for you all.
By 2LT James Walton
June 9, 2005 12:09 PM | Link to this
All soldiers of the 48th stay safe and watch each other’s back. We’re praying for you here, and waiting for your return.
GMC Cadets lead the way!
By brenda clement
June 9, 2005 06:12 PM | Link to this
To all the soldiers 48th and to my son perry clement jr., who is with 1/121, love you all and my prayers and thoughts are with you daily. love you son ….love mom
By jennifer N
June 9, 2005 07:06 PM | Link to this
hey thank you for what you r doing; you guys r the best!
By Debby C
June 10, 2005 05:30 PM | Link to this
Hello Troops, Just wanted to say hello and we are praying for all of you,and a safe return. GET - R- DONE BOYS and come home soon.
By S. Farrell
June 11, 2005 11:42 PM | Link to this
To my Dear Husband, Brian, and all the heroesof the 48th Brigade. Thank you for your sacrifices. Stay strong and alert. May God keep his hand upon your shoulder and bring you home safe. Brian, your new family misses you and loves you very much. Remember: Keep your body armor on and stay in your vehicle (lol).
By Mike Poisson
June 12, 2005 01:15 PM | Link to this
Our store manager, Catherine Jones, has been deployed to Iraq, and advised us of what happened on May 31, 2005, to their store. We were relieved she was ok. All of at Fort Eustis PX wish all a successful deployment and safe return to U.S. soil.
By Mistie Davis
June 12, 2005 10:24 PM | Link to this
To Jim Kirchner and all of United States brave soilders OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU!
By Melissa Haygood
June 13, 2005 04:14 PM | Link to this
Thank you so much for keeping us in touch with what is going on with our soldiers. My husband, Spc. Andrew Haygood, is with the 48th BDE at St. Michael. I just want to say that I love him and miss him very much. To all the guys, especially from Calhoun, come home safely.
By Alesia O'Keefe
June 13, 2005 11:33 PM | Link to this
To all in our HHC 1/108th family: Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are taking care of your families so you can come home safely to them! We miss you and love you, respect and admire you. Be careful! Take care of each other!! HOOAH!!! All our love, HHC 1/108th AR Family Readiness Group!!!
By Lisa
June 14, 2005 02:01 AM | Link to this
Thank you so much for your coverage, I log on everyday to this site and read about what my husband and other soldiers are going through and after see Sundays attacks I was beside myself. I had not heard from my husband a member of 1-108th 48th bdg in nearly 2 weeks he is stationed at St. Michaels. As I was crying on the phone with a girlfriend I found a picture of my husband with his head in his hands. I could only imagine what was going through his mind. It weakened me only more to know that I can’t be there to hold him or comfort him. Knowing he was alive and okay made it bearable. Thank you AJC foryour coverage. I hope you can stay until our men come home.
By Lisa
June 14, 2005 02:08 AM | Link to this
As I read the headlines for Sunday I sat in shock, my husband is in the 1-108th 48th Bdg. I was in shock not knowing if the love of my life & father of three was okay. I was on the phone crying to my girlfriend when I saw his picture. He was holding his head in his hands. I could only imagine what he was thinking about, what was going through his mind. At least I know he is okay. Thank you AJC. Please don’t leave until our soldiers do. My prayers are with all of you. Thank you.
By Lisa Aring
June 14, 2005 11:10 AM | Link to this
I would like to remind our guys we REALLY apprieciate their efforts. Do not cloud you thought with worry about those at home. We are taking care of everyone in our new extend family. We are safe, and thinking of how good you home coming WILL BE. Just watch each others back and keep focused on the task at hand. Thank you ajc for you efforts and your well round coverage. My love goes to Sgt Donald Aring.
By Addriane
June 14, 2005 05:57 PM | Link to this
Thanks AJC for being with our love ones. I have a love one in the 1-108th 48th Bdg. I am praying each and everyday all our soldiers come back home. WE LOVE YOU GUY & GALS.
By ssg vargas,sabino
June 15, 2005 08:51 AM | Link to this
Hi AJC I would love for you guy’s to have an article about the E TRP 108 CAV,all you coverage has been the 1/108 AR Please We are also at Camp ST Miachel…..
By Deborah Bruce
June 15, 2005 10:46 AM | Link to this
I would also love to see an article about the E TRP 108 CAV. I have seen a picture with 2 of the guys from that group and keep hoping to see or hear about my solider too. Thank you for keeping us in touch through the articles and pictures. May God protect and bless all of our folks and bring them all home safe.