News stories tagged with "baghdad"

(05/01/06) Since the bombing of a famous shrine in Samarra, Iraq, in Februrary, sectarian violence in the country has skyrocketed. As a response, the US military dispatched several thousand Iraqi and American soldiers into Baghdad as reinforcements. One of the units pulled into the capital was the 1st Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division. The brigade is based at Fort Drum near Watertown and has been in Iraq since last August. Its 3500 soldiers are expected to return later this summer. Before the shrine bombing, many of the brigade's units had been stationed in rural areas outside the city. Freelance reporter Ben Gilbert was embedded with some of them, and has this report on the transition to Baghdad.

(01/11/06) Soldiers from Fort Drum near Watertown were involved in the escape of a French engineer held captive in Iraq. Bernard Planche was kidnapped in Baghdad on December 5th. Planche fled from his captors Saturday. He approached members of the 10th Mountain Division who were conducting a checkpoint. Freelance journalist Bill Putnam is embedded with the 10th Mountain's 1st Brigade Combat Team in Iraq and sent us this story.

(02/22/05) For the last 10 months, we've been hearing audio diaries from Baghdad from Corporal Bill Putnam. He's a photojournalist with the Army's 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. He and David Sommerstein met in Kosovo several years ago. Earlier this month, Putnam completed his tour of duty in Iraq. He flew out of the country on a Blackhawk helicopter and sent one last audio diary.

(01/31/05) Iraqi officials estimate voter turnout was higher than the 57 percent predicted before the yesterday's election. Iraqis stood in long lines to vote in defiance of mortar attacks, suicide bombers and boycott calls. But in some regions, turnout is estimsted in the single digits, as the pace of bombings and other violent attacks dissuaded many from voting. The capital city, Baghdad, is among the most dangerous places. That's where Army photojournalist Bill Putnam is stationed. Putnam's with the 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. He's been sending us audio diaries of his experiences. Today he tells us about the December interrogation of a suspected insurgent.

(04/16/03) A US Marine from northern New York is among a military contingent that's helping Iraqi police return to the chaotic streets of Baghdad. Jody Tosti reports.

(01/14/03) As the country considers war against Iraq, it's tempting to view it in terms such as collateral damage, smart bombs, and other words that gloss over the actual suffering and dying. Commentator Paul Willcott has a more personal view of the conflict.