Airman Dies In Iraq: An airman was killed today (April 9) supporting combat operations near Forward Operating Base Poliwoda in Iraq, the Air Force announced. The name of the airman, who was deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB, Iraq, is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. This is the second airman to die in Iraq this month. On April 3, SSgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., died in Baghdad when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device during a patrol. He was assigned to the Multinational Force Division-Baghdad from the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.