News 6 Mashup: August 2, 2021

Here is a News 6 mashup of top stories for the week of Aug. 2, 2021, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

U.S. Combat Troops to Withdraw from Iraq

President Biden announced a plan to remove “all remaining U.S. combat troops” from Iraq by the end of 2021. According to the BBC, “Iranian-backed politicians and militias want them out, especially after the U.S. assassinated the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quids Force, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani” early in 2020. However, it also states that some are concerned with a recurrence of the Islamic State, which is what happened in 2011 when President Obama pulled troops from the area.

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season

We’re coming to the height of hurricane season, and if you’ve recently PCS’d to a hurricane-prone area, the Department of Defense wants you to be prepared. When a hurricane is heading your way, you may need to prepare your home, which could include installing hurricane shutters or plywood on windows, securing outdoor objects such as patio furniture, and filling up your vehicles with fuel. Inside, build a kit that includes enough food and water for at least three days, batteries, solar-powered phone charger, a flashlight, and a hand-crank radio. Get the latest hurricane updates from the National Hurricane Center.

U.S. Soldier Wins Gold Medal

Amber English, First Lt. Army Reserve soldier who trains with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit located at Fort Benning in Georgia, won the gold medal and set an Olympic record at the Olympics last week. She beat out the “defending champion, Diana Bacosi” from Italy. English is one of 19 U.S. athletes competing who also serve in the military. Most of those are from the Army, reported the Department of Defense.

Meet the U.S. Military Athletes Competing at the Tokyo Olympics

This Week in History

On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, sparking the Persian Gulf War. Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq refused to leave Kuwait after the United Nations Security Council demanded that he withdraw his troops. In response, Operation Desert Storm was a “U.S.-led air offensive” which resulted in “42 days of relentless attacks by the allied coalition.” The war was considered a success; however, Saddam Hussein remained in power and continued to wield his force in the surrounding areas leading to future conflicts.