Iraq

Ex-employees: Blackwater OK'd $1 million to pay off Iraqis

lauren.king — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:53:39 -0500

Former top executives at Blackwater Worldwide say the U.S. security contractor sent about $1 million to its Iraq office with the intention of paying off officials in the country who were angry about the fatal shootings of 17 civilians by Blackwater employees, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Four former executives described the plan under the condition of anonymity, the newspaper said.

Settlement falls through in Blackwater civil suit

lauren.king — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:42:05 -0500

By Matthew Barakat ALEXANDRIA A settlement in a civil suit against the government contractor once known as Blackwater has apparently fallen apart after a plaintiff's lawyer said a faulty translation prompted the decision to settle. But lawyers for the company argue that a deal's a deal.

Lynchburg-based Guard unit mobilized for Iraq

Cindy.Clayton — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:59:04 -0500

LYNCHBURG About 400 members of a Lynchburg-based Virginia National Guard battalion are being mobilized for a security mission in Iraq.

Family's fallen son honored by N.C. community

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:44:00 -0400

POWELLS POINT, N.C. Dan Gautier found out a community with a small military presence responds just as quickly for a chance to honor a fallen soldier even if he never lived here. Tears still come easily as Gautier told how his 19-year-old son Aaron was killed in Iraq two years ago when the family still lived in Hampton, Va. Gautier later moved to a home on Foster Forbes Drive.

Lawsuits against Blackwater tossed, but they can be refiled

lauren.king — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:31:02 -0400

By Matthew Barakat

WASHINGTON A federal judge on Wednesday tossed out a series of lawsuits filed by alleged Iraqi victims of the contractor once known as Blackwater USA, but is allowing the plaintiffs to refile their claims.

Public barred from hearings in Blackwater case

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:14:03 -0400

By Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the public from attending a critical set of pretrial hearings in the prosecution of five U.S. security contractors accused of killing 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians in a 2007 shooting.

Norfolk military memorial to add letters from Iraq, Afghanistan

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:26:33 -0400

NORFOLK It's been 11 years - and two wars - since Norfolk installed its unique memorial to military sacrifice along the city's waterfront. The Armed Forces Memorial consists of 20 letters sent from troops to their loved ones, reproduced on cast bronze "paper" that appears to have been scattered by the wind across the riverfront plaza at Town Point Park.

Va. National Guard company returns from Iraq

lauren.king — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:44:19 -0400

The Powhatan-based Virginia National Guard 180th Engineer Company returned from deployment today.

The soldiers arrived at their demobilization station at Fort McCoy, Wis., on Friday for administrative activities to transition from active duty to traditional National Guard status in Virginia.

Powhatan-based Guard unit returns from Iraq

Patrick.Wilson — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:19:08 -0400

About 160 National Guardsmen from Virginia returned to the United States from Iraq on Friday.

Soldiers in the 180th Engineer Company based in Powhatan arrived at Fort McCoy, Wis., after nine months in Iraq. About 10 soldiers in the unit are from Hampton Roads, the National Guard said.

Fort Eustis Reservists headed to Iraq

Meredith.Kruse — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:18:04 -0400

By Jaedda Armstrong The 5th Battalion of the 159th Aviation Regiment headed to Fort Sill, Okla., Tuesday morning for training in preparation for deploying to Iraq, the Army announced. Unit size About 130 Army Reservists Leader Maj. Aaron Smith Location of deployment Al Asad, Iraq Deployed Sept. 29 Return Expected one-year deployment