Pentagon says U.S. commander killed in Falluja

[sabra]

Source: Voice of Iraq

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A U.S. commander was killed on Monday in an improvised explosive device attack in Falluja in western Iraq, the U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday.

“The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said a statement of the U.S. army received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“Cmdr. Duane G. Wolfe, 54, of Port Hueneme, Calif., died May 25 from injuries suffered as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on his convoy southeast of Falluja,” the statement added.

Read more: http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=113833

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

1. Here's rhetorical question;

why is the Navy on shore in Iraq? :shrug:
Also, why did they refer to him as a sailor? I'd think an officer would have received a different reference.........

[Captain Hilts]

2. The USN has 60K fewer people now than it had in 2003. The 'blue to green' program

if you want to get your 20 in to earn your retirement.

[TheWraith]

3. Sailor is the typical term for someone from the Navy.

And some Navy personell are used in operations on dry land. SEALs, for instance, as well as medical corpsmen.

[MADem]

5. Perhaps he was a SEABEE overseeing infrastructure projects?

All Navy personnel are Sailors, at the end of the day.

Poor guy. Only fifty four--his family must be devastated.

[Shipwack]

18. "Seabee overseeing infrastructure" - makes sense

I used to be stationed at Point Mugu, down the road from Hueneme, and Hueneme is the largest Seabee base on the West Coast (or maybe anywhere).

[COLGATE4]

7. There is such a shortfall of support personnel

that the Navy is routinely called upon to fill open personnel needs in Iraq. My daughter, a LTCMDR and doctor did a tour in Iraq in 2007. He may have been a Medical Officer.

[krispos42]

8. The Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy

"The Men's Department", I had a discharged marine inform me... :-)

The Navy does the logistical and support work for the marines, as I understand it. For example, the corpsmen that treat injured marines are navy sailors.


Although I would have though they would have called him a "naval officer".

[sce56]

15. Port Huneme is home to the SeaBees

Naval Construction Battalion.

[ixion]

4. "Operation Iraqi Freedom" rolls on

we should be so proud.

We're liberating them, by destroying and occupying their country. Great.

[Amonester]

9. Nov. 06 seems to be so far away now...

it's way passed due :cry:

No We Can't

[Divine Discontent]

6. how many does this make who've died on this new president's watch? eom

[Tempest]

11. Obama never said there would be an immediate pullout

It's tragic, but losses were expected until the pullout.

[LeFleur1]

12. Didn't He Say We'd Pull Out?

Re: Obama never said there would be an immediate pullout

I thought that was the difference between he and Hillary. He said we'd get out. She promised to leave more slowly.

We have no business there. We never had any business being there. The more it all "changes" the more it stays the same.

[Tempest]

16. Obama gave a 15 month withdrawal timeline during the campaign

He extended it to 18 months after the election.

[Divine Discontent]

19. and 90 days more worth of deaths is disgusting, as I'm sure you agree. eom

[dipsydoodle]

10. Just an issue of being there I guess

:shrug:

[CRK7376]

13. Due to man power shortages

lots of Naval personnel are being used outside their normal duties. For example, lots of Navy folks have been commanding and working on Provincial Reconstruction Teams, working with civil affairs, construction, government teams etc...This Sailor could well have been with a PRT who go outside the relative safety of a Forward Operating Base. I think the Navy Reserve has a SeaBee unit out of Port Hueneme. Thought and prayers to his family.

[thewiseguy]

14. Update: He was the officer in charge of overseeing construction projects in Anbar

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/05/navy_IAofficer_killed_052709w/

[sce56]

17. Ventura County Star

A sailor based at Naval Base Ventura County was killed Monday when his convoy was attacked southeast of Fallujah in Iraq, U.S. Department of Defense officials said Wednesday. Officials also noted that another sailor who had been scheduled to report to Port Huemene died May 12 of non-combat related injuries, but few other details were available Wednesday. Cmdr. Duane Wolfe, 54, of Los Osos died this week from injuries after his convoy was hit with an “improvised explosive device” while traveling through Fallujah, U.S. Department of Defense officials said. Wolfe enlisted in the Navy on July 25, 1972, and has been a reservist for the past 31 years, said Teri Reid, spokeswoman for Naval Base Ventura County. Wolfe was named commander on Nov. 21, 2008, but has served in various reserve units attached to Naval Operational Support Center, Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, since 1977. In November, Wolfe was assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division in Iraq, where he served as the Officer in Charge of the Al-Anbar Area Office. During his years in service, Wolfe also was a civilian deputy commander of the 30th Space Wing Mission Support Group at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

“Duane’s death will leave a hole in the Mission Support Group that can never be filled,” Col. Rick Wright, 30th Mission Support Group commander, said in a statement. “He was a great team member and an even greater friend. His 24 years of service at Vandenberg Air Force Base will be missed dearly.” Reid said a casualty assistance officer has been in contact with Wolfe’s family in Los Osos. Family and friends were at Wolfe’s home Wednesday, but declined to comment. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement: “Maria and I were saddened to learn of the death of Commander Duane G. Wolfe, which is a great loss for America. His bravery and willingness to put his life on the line to serve his country will forever be remembered. Our hearts go out to Duane’s family and friends as they deal with this terrible loss.” In honor of Wolfe, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff. Details on Wolfe’s funeral services have not been released. The second sailor who died was Joseph Richardson, 34, Reid said. Richardson was classified as an Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM1).

Richardson grew up in Lehigh, Iowa, and graduated in 1993 from Southeast Webster High School, according to Iowa Gov. Chet Culver’s Web site. Richardson was based at Naval Air Station Lemoore and moved to Port Hueneme where he was supposed to report for duty on May 14, Reid said. Culver ordered all flags in the state be flown at half-staff on Thursday. Funeral services will be held for Richardson on Thursday in Lehigh. According to an obituary published in Fort Dodge, Iowa newspaper, The Messenger, Richardson loved spending time with his daughter, Madison, and with his family when he would return to Iowa on leave. He had many interests, including cars, camping and four-wheeling with his Jeep in the California hills and mountains.

[proteus_lives]

20. Sad.

RIP, Commander.

:patriot: