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shawn703 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 09:58 PM
Original message
US hostages freed in Saudi Arabia
SEVEN US hostages held by gunmen in the Saudi oil city of Al-Khobar had been rescued by Saudi forces, Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar bin Sultan told Fox television today.

"Seven hostages have been rescued. Two are wounded and five are all right," the ambassador told the network.

The announcement came after Saudi forces launched an operation to end the hostage drama.


more...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9697412%255E1702,00.html
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NNN0LHI Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 10:01 PM
Response to Original message
1. Wish we had a better source for this than Fox news for this story
Edited on Sat May-29-04 10:06 PM by NNN0LHI
Hope its true.

Don

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maddezmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 10:05 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. watching CNNI now...not a mention of freed hostages from the raid
perhaps, this is referring to earlier in the day. :shrug:
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NNN0LHI Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 10:13 PM
Response to Reply #2
4. If that was the Saudi SWAT team jumping out of that helicopter...
Edited on Sat May-29-04 10:14 PM by NNN0LHI
...I am real worried for any hostages inside that building. They looked like they had the professionalism of the Keystone Cops.

Don

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Aidoneus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 10:26 PM
Response to Reply #4
5. Well, they were trained by the CIA
Edited on Sat May-29-04 10:27 PM by Aidoneus
doesn't THAT make you feel better about it? :cry:
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NNN0LHI Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 11:02 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. Actually Vinnell Corporation got that contract



http://www.vinnell.com/home.aspx

Vinnell Corporation, is a recognized leader in facilities operation and maintenance, military training, educational and vocational training, and logistics support in the United States and overseas. Since its modest beginnings during the Great Depression, Vinnell has successfully completed projects on 5 continents and in over 50 countries for a variety of government and commercial customers. Our technical expertise, experience, and outstanding record of achievement assure our clients that we will respond effectively and efficiently to meet their needs.

http://www.vinnell.com/militytraining.aspx

Military Training

Total force development, from command and control to individual soldier training


For more than a quarter century, Vinnell has been an innovative leader in the training and support of international military forces. We provide the full spectrum of developmental services—from training of the individual soldier to the command and staff training of senior military officers. We also provide logistical and maintenance support from unit to depot level and have a proven record of fielding and supporting major weapon systems. Our training activities cover everything from squad- to brigade-level tactical training. We conduct force-on-force exercises using the latest in training technology, including the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES).

In 1975, Vinnell embarked on a precedent-setting project for a civilian firm—the training, logistical support, and complete modernization of the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG), a full-time military force the size of a small army. Vinnell has managed this program from its inception and has successfully trained thousands of soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and officers in individual, technical, and professional skills.

Vinnell saw its training and support activities grow throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Among the corporation’s successes in this area were the Interim Training Center in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and aviation technician training for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. In 1980, we began our involvement with the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), providing the RSAF with everything from systems analysis to logistics and aeronautical engineering.

When the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) decided to field the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, prime contractor FMC Arabia selected Vinnell as the best qualified logistics support contractor for the program. We performed vehicle processing and deprocessing, maintenance and maintenance training, conduct-of-fire-trainer instruction and operation, tactical training from squad to brigade level, and instructor training at the RSLF ordnance and infantry schools. Because of our long and varied experience in the Middle East, we fully understand the unique local requirements and we effectively adjust our training and operational support efforts accordingly.

Vinnell is an industry leader in base operations support. We operate military bases in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, ensuring the highest degree of facilities maintenance and operations. We have a proven record of providing the full spectrum of maintenance and logistics support during wartime and under the most extreme conditions. In Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraqi Freedom, Vinnell provided continuous and superlative operations and maintenance services to our U.S. and foreign customers. From Incirlik, Turkey, to Fort Irwin, California, Vinnell was instrumental in keeping readiness and responsiveness at high levels during times of conflict, We are also adept at assisting with post-war recovery operations and bringing bases and infrastructure back on line rapidly in a culturally sensitive manner.

more



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Aidoneus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 11:04 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. and Vinnell is a CIA merc front
Edited on Sat May-29-04 11:05 PM by Aidoneus
that's why they were bombed a year or two back.
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NNN0LHI Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 10:57 PM
Response to Reply #2
6. Deleted by poster
Edited on Sat May-29-04 11:03 PM by NNN0LHI
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Purveyor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-29-04 10:12 PM
Response to Original message
3. A bit of conflicting information from NDTV.com, India
Saudi hostage drama: 8 Arabs freed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, May 30, 2004 (Al-Khobar):


<snip>

"Eight hostages, including two Iraqi-born American men, a Jordanian woman and an Egyptian woman, were released at around 9:00 pm (2330 IST) Saturday," a security guard at The Oasis compound said, requesting anonymity.

Link to entire article
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