Yankees Update

BAMBINO: The Yanks have slowly made their way back to respectability. They have a long way to go, but as it stands, they are 8 behind Boston for the Division, and just 4 behind Cleveland for the Wild Card. I'll admit, I had them dead in the water about a month ago, but Joe Torre has righted the ship. I watch every game like it's a playoff game. Good stuff. Now I just don't hope Cashman makes dopey moves. We shall see. Let's go Yankees!

MLB STANDINGS:

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp

Balad F-16s destroy terrorist training camp

27 July 07

by Maj. Robert Couse-Baker

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here destroyed an al-Qaida training camp southwest of Baghdad July 21.

In a coordinated attack, joint air terminal controllers on the ground cleared seven F-16s to drop 500-pound and 1,000-pound guided bombs on the terror complex near Karbala.

The precision-guided weapons destroyed the target, degrading al-Qaida's ability to mount attacks on the Iraqi government, coalition forces and innocent civilians. The destruction of the terrorist facility is part of aggressive and comprehensive operations to hunt down, capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq, said Col. Charles Moore, the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group commander. "Our Airmen and other coalition forces are helping Iraq achieve a stable government and ultimately, helping the United States and our allies to defeat terrorism," he said.

A large part of the 332nd AEW's combat effectiveness stems from the Air Force's culture of excellence. "We train day-to-day to make sure when we are called upon to deliver, we do it with precision and professionalism," said Capt. Kevin Hicok, a pilot with the 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed here from Misawa Air Base, Japan. "Deliberate coordination and careful planning goes into every weapons drop," Captain Hicok said, "to ensure that we have a positive ID on the target and that everyone is on the same page."

The recent increase in air operations is part of the coalition's increasing pressure on violent extremists, primarily in Baghdad and nearby areas. In a separate air strike north of Baghdad July 22, another F-16 from Balad AB dropped a precision-guided weapon on a terrorist weapons cache in a rural area, destroying it and detonating the explosives stored inside.

"I could not be prouder of the way our Airmen performed on Saturday," Colonel Moore said. "The events of this past weekend once again demonstrate the Air Force's ability to deliver decisive combat airpower any place and at any time."

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/FrontPage%20Stories/Balad%20F-16s%20destroy%20terrorist%20training%20camp.aspx

Soldier Chefs Keep Units Fueled at Remote Outpost

24 July 07

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek

COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq - It has been said that an Army runs on its stomach, and most Soldiers would agree. Soldiers from the 15th Infantry Regiment's 1st Battalion here rely on a five-member team to supply them with the culinary fuel they need to carry out their missions.

A typical day for the Soldier chefs starts at 4 a.m.

"Half of cooking is presentation," said Pfc. Emril Getscher. "We try to make everything we do look good as well as taste good."After breakfast is served and the area is cleaned, the food-service team usually has a few hours before repeating the process for dinner. Their work finally ends around 9 p.m.The team receives rations, supplies and supplements every few days from the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion's Company F. Each meal comes with a menu and instructions. Food sanitation is a large part of a cook's job, and harsh conditions in Iraq - like dust - can make the job even harder, according to Staff Sgt. Russell Slouffman, senior NCO in charge of food service at COP Cleary. The conditions also make transporting and storing food difficult.

"One of the biggest problems is not getting the food and supplies we ask for... it's the conditions," said Staff Sgt. Slouffman. Ice cream, for example, is one of Soldiers' biggest requests when the temperatures reach 120 degrees. "But it would have to be transported on dry ice or in freezers. We just don't have those capabilities," he said.Of the meals they do receive and prepare at the outpost, Staff Sgt. Slouffman and Pfc. Getscher agree that steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs are Soldiers' favorites.

"When we cook hamburgers and hot dogs, everyone feels like they are at home," Pfc. Getscher said. "We have the grill going, and we bring out chili and chips and it kind of brings us all back to the states."Despite the long days and challenges, the food service specialists say they love their work. "And when people say thank you," Pfc. Getscher said, "it makes it all worth it.""We are the No. 1 morale booster out here. When Soldiers get excited to eat something we cooked, I get excited," added Staff Sgt. Slouffman. "It's all about seeing the smiles on their faces when they come to chow."

Photo - Pfc. Emril Getscher, a cook for the 15th Infantry Regiment's 1st Battalion, serves mashed potatoes to Spc. Brendan Murphy, a medic at Combat Outpost Cleary, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek.

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/FrontPage%20Stories/Soldier%20Chefs%20Keep%20Units%20Fueled%20at%20Remote%20Outpost.aspx

Marines take to skies to hunt insurgents

25 July 07
By Lance Cpl. Joseph D. Day
2nd Marine Division (FWD)

Ramadi, Iraq -- The scout-sniper platoon from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, left the ground behind as they took to the skies to hunt for weapon caches and insurgents. As part of the aeroscout mission, the Marines travel by helicopter to areas not normally checked because of their remote locations.

“The average size group for this type of mission is usually two platoons. We’re doing it with about half,” said 1st Lt. Jordan D. Reese, the executive officer for Weapons Company, 3/7. “We train constantly, so that we are comfortable with each other. The Marines know what type of air power they have behind them. We believe there is no objective we can’t handle.”Marines from the scout-sniper platoon conducted aeroscout operations south of Ramadi, in the desolate lands of the Razazah plains July 22.

The Marines loaded onto the helicopters at 9 a.m. They carried with them a full combat load, and packs of food, blankets and water to pass out to the people they encounter on the mission.“The food drops are our way to show that we are on their side,” the Rockford Ill. native said. “In the city this might not be a big deal, but this food could mean life or death to these people. There is nothing out there in the far desert. Maybe it will keep them happy enough to have them stay working with us, and not the terrorists.”

During the flight, Reese observed different sites looking for anything suspicious. After flying around for about 15 minutes, he spotted a tent with vehicles around it and people walking around. He decided to insert the team to take a closer look.The two CH-53 Sea Stallions landed and the two scout-sniper teams moved fast out the door of the helicopter and began to provide security for the landing zone.“With a unit this small conducting the operation, it is real easy to maneuver,” Reese said. “We can get in, hit the objective, and get out in about 20 minutes.”Once the helicopters lifted the scouts went to work, moving fast, but cautiously toward the tent.

Between the two teams, one team held security while the other team searched the people and the structure.After a quick, but thorough search the Marines decided there weren’t any suspicious items or information, so they called in the helicopters for extraction.“These missions give us a presence in an area which hasn’t had any coalition forces in it for years or even ever,” Reese said. “This will keep the bad guys on their toes and that is really what we’re going for.

Keep them guessing so we can catch up to them and get them.”Though the Marines had finished with the objective, they were not done. While observing a different area, Reese noticed some additional suspicious activities. They went back to work.“The Marines showed the ethos of being a professional warrior today,” said Capt. Miguel A. Pena, a forward air controller for the battalion. “They showed the people we’re here to provide help to them.”As the Marines sprinted toward their second objective, men came out with their hands up as the Marines approached their vehicles.“We are able to reach far into the desert winds and help some people who we had no contact with before,” Pena said. “We are conducting these missions in a nonstandard way.

Before they were ground driven, now we bring the air element to the fight.”The Marines questioned the men through the interpreter. They asked them about, where they were from, why they were there, and if anything suspicious happened recently. The Marines gave the group of men the one of their packs of food for co-operating with them.The Marines then set up landing zone security again, while Pena called for the birds to come pick them up.“These missions provide us with the opportunity to hit the enemy before they hit us,” Reese said. “We will continue to do it because of all the positive effects it has on the people and on our mission here in Ramadi.”Photo - Lance Cpl. Adam A. Ramirez, squad automatic weapon gunner for the scout snipers, runs off the CH-53 Sea Stallion toward the objective. The Marines only have a short time on the ground so they move fast to ensure they can get everything they need done at each site.

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/FrontPage%20Stories/Marines%20take%20to%20skies%20to%20hunt%20insurgents.aspx

Yankees 21 Devil Rays 4

Yankees blow by Rays in finale
Team uses 10-run fourth inning to cruise to third straight
By Caleb Breakey / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- That wasn't a miscue lit up on the scoreboard at Yankee Stadium. The bulbs were in fine working condition and the electronic switchboard checked out normal. Those two dotted numbers squished together under the fourth-inning column wasn't a malfunction.
Fourteen Yankees came up to bat in the 10-run inning to kick-start a 21-4 rout of the Devil Rays on Sunday. The 29-minute hitting barrage marked the first time the Yankees have plated double-digit runs in an inning since Sept. 4, 2006, against the Kansas City Royals.
"You might go a few years before you see another game like this," Derek Jeter said. "It was just one of those things I don't think you can really explain."
Crooked numbers riddled the box score, but the gold, silver and bronze awards go to the following in order:
• Alex Rodriguez inched closer to the 500-homer club with a two-run shot in the seventh for No. 498.
• Hideki Matsui set a regular-season career high with five hits and homered for the third time in as many games.
• Rookie Shelley Duncan, called up less than 72 hours ago, hit a couple of long balls. His solo shot in the sixth marked his third home run in a span of five at-bats.
The crowd beckoned Duncan for two curtain calls during the game, both coming after his four-baggers. That upped his standing ovations count to three in four games. He even overshadowed Rodriguez, who didn't receive a curtain call after his milestone-chasing homer.
Yankees manager Joe Torre said he leaned over to Rodriguez after one of Duncan's home runs and said, "Sorry, you're not the guy anymore."

BOX SCORE:

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2007_07_22_tbamlb_nyamlb_1&c_id=nyy

Alonso Wins German GP

BAMBINO: Well it isn't the Nurburgring of old, but it was still a pretty good race. The rain came twice and as a result all pit strategies went out the window. The beneficiary was Fernando Alonso who propelled his MP4-22 to victory after passing Felipe Massa with 5 laps to go (both cars touched each other as Fernando passed by). Alonso's intermediates were better than Massa's and that was the difference. There was an after race exchange of words before the podium ceremony between the two drivers where profanities were used.

Ferrari had a mixed day. Massa rode home in second but Kimi Raikkonen retired on lap 34 limping his Ferrari into the pits before stalling on pit road. Still, both drivers are in the championship hunt.

McLaren also had mixed results. Alonso won and Hamilton, who rode off the circuit on turn 1 in the pouring rain, finished a miserable 9th.

The Red Bull-Renault team benefitted from the chaos as Mark Webber and veteran David Coulthard finished 3rd and 5th respectively.

Alex Wurz of Williams-Toyota finished a strong 4th while the BMW team stayed consistent scoring 6th and 7th. Heikki Kovalainen of Renault took the final points paying position.

FINAL RESULTS:

1) Fernando Alonso - McLaren-Mercedes

2) Felipe Massa - Ferrari

3) Mark Webber - Red Bull - Renault

4) Alexander Wurz - Williams - Toyota

5) David Coulthard - Red Bull - Renault

6) Nick Heidfeld - BMW

7) Robert Kubica - BMW

8) Heikki Kovalainen - Renault

Yankees at the All Star Break

BAMBINO: Well the Yanks just took 2 of 3 from the Angels at the Stadium but still are 1 game under .500. They have to play .650 baseball the rest of the way to even have a shot at the wild card. It's possible. They have a real easy schedule after the break but then again, they had an easy schedule two weeks ago when they hit the road to play some bad teams and only won 1 game. If the 2007 Yanks have taught us anything, they can't beat the teams they should beat, then they look like champs against the elites. Go figure. Anyway, the Bombers just need to win some series and hopefully by August, they are within striking distance. Then anything's possible.

LET'S GO YANKEES!!!!!