bigjarofwasps

Hi Guys, I`ve heard a rumour that Air Crews, are now issued with Kruggerands, as apposed gold sovereigns. I`ve yet to have this confirmed, and if true I`m assuming that its the quarter ounce ones, and not a full kruggerand. Will try and confirm more details and let you know. Can anyone shine any light on this further?

South Africa's modern history has often been dated from the first commercial mining of diamonds and gold in the 1870s and the 1880s, when the region became a magnet for European investment. Mining in the region predated European arrivals by several centuries, however, as the new government recalled in its minerals policy statements in 1994 and 1995. Iron mining and smelting sites in the northeast were used as much as 1,700 years ago; copper was mined south of the Limpopo River more than 1,000 years ago; and historians describe early mining activities in the Witwatersrand (literally, "Ridge of White Waters" in Afrikaans, commonly shortened to Rand) area, which attracted miners from elsewhere in Africa as early as the thirteenth century Soon after the European rush for gold and diamonds in the late nineteenth century, mining operations expanded to include more than two dozen other minerals. By the mid-twentieth century, South Africa was the world's largest producer or second largest producer of gold, diamonds, platinum, chromium, manganese, and vanadium; and it ranked high among producers of coal, iron ore, uranium, copper, silver, fluorspar, asbestos, and limestone. Clusters of minerals occur in five major mineral complexes--the Bushveld, Transvaal, Witwatersrand, Northern Cape, and Western Cape complexes. Whereas most mines were originally funded and managed from European centers, by the 1970s most were managed by South Africa's large diversified corporations, which controlled assets around the world. Despite its importance in export revenues, the mining industry contributes only about 9.6 percent of GDP in the mid-1990s, down from an average of nearly 15 percent during the 1980s. The mining sector had been gradually surpassed by manufacturing and financial services both in terms of national output and labor force participation. The mines still account for a greater share of export revenues than any other single economic activity in the 1990s. The mineowners' association, the South African Chamber of Mines, was formed in 1889 to represent the industry in dealings with the government. In the 1990s, the Chamber of Mines includes six major mining finance houses, with thirty-six gold mines, twenty-two coal mines, and sixteen diamond, platinum, antimony, asbestos, manganese, lead, and copper mines. Together they account for 85 percent of South Africa's mineral output. The Chamber of Mines negotiates labor concerns on behalf of mineowners, administers training programs for mineworkers, trains mineworkers in rescue and safety procedures, oversees pension and benefit funds, coordinates research programs, and refines and processes some minerals before sale. Gold, first mined by Europeans in 1886 near Johannesburg, soon became the most important sector in the mining industry. South Africa has almost one-half of the world's known gold reserves, located primarily in the Rand in what was once a prehistoric lake. Gold is also mined in the Free State. Industry analysts estimated in the early 1990s that South Africa had produced more than 43,000 tons of gold in the past century, and that at least that amount remained in reserves. Gold occurs in seams embedded in rock strata, sometimes more than a mile below the surface. Deep shafts must be sunk, large amounts of rock must be blasted and brought to the surface, and the rock must be crushed and chemically separated from the gold. Some gold mines then pump processed mine tailings underground to serve as backfill. Mining and processing are costly, especially in deposits where the gold seam is extremely thin compared with the surrounding rock. For example, in the early 1990s industry analysts estimated that only 5.6 grams of gold were extracted from each ton of ore excavated. Nevertheless, the industry has consistently earned high profits and has accounted for one-third to one-half of the world's gold production in the 1980s and 1990s. The country's fifty-seven operating gold mines produce between 600 and 620 tons of gold per year, representing almost 30 percent of the world production. Gold production in 1994 and 1995 fell below 600 tons for the first time since the 1960s. Gold mining companies traditionally kept expenses to a minimum by paying low wages. Gold mines became known for their often exploitative labor policies, including the use of migrant workers on limited contracts, strict worker control in company compounds, and difficult working conditions. Labor costs were especially important in determining profits, because the price of gold was set at US$35 per ounce through the 1960s. After the price of gold was allowed to float in 1968, it gradually rose in response to market demand, and companies could afford to produce less and still earn even greater profits. They then began to expand operations into so-called low-grade-ore mines. The volume of South African gold production fell, and gold prices skyrocketed to an all-time high of US$613 per ounce in 1980. During the 1980s, the dollar price of gold fluctuated widely, but because of devaluations of the rand, the rand price of gold generally advanced. When gold prices fell in 1989, the industry found that many of the low-grade-ore mines were no longer profitable. As the average value of the rand increased against the dollar, overall industry profits declined, and nearly half of the gold mines in operation were running at a loss. At least 40,000 gold mine workers were laid off in 1990, according to government estimates, and layoffs continued through 1993. During 1994 all major gold mining houses except Johannesburg Consolidated Investments (JCI) were reporting lower profits as output fell in response to labor unrest and other factors. Randgold closed its Durban gold mine in mid-1994, owing primarily to poor grades of available ore, and other mines were threatening to close within the next few years unless profits improved. In 1994 JCI began to "unbundle" its corporate structure by dividing into three separate companies. Anglo American, JCI's largest shareholder (with 48 percent), retained its platinum and some diamond interests in one company, Anglo American Platinum. JCI's gold mining and other industrial interests were separated into two companies, JCI Limited and Johnnies Industrial Corporation. Shares for these companies are being offered to the public, primarily as a vehicle for black investment and broadening participation in this sector of the economy.

Hi, I`m by n means whatsoever, an expert, and can not account for this, but I just thought, have you seen how quickly medals tarsh anyway, even if just in a draw or something. How often do you wear `em once or twice a year maybe, you polish `em up, and by the next time you come to need `em they`ve all go black? Just a thought.

Krugerrands: the best-selling gold bullion coins ever The low-price gold bullion coins for gold bullion buyers More gold Krugerrands have been minted than all the other gold bullion coins put together, with some 42 million Krugerrands having been minted since 1967. Most Krugerrands were minted in the 1970s and early 1980s to meet the demand as gold bullion buyers flocked to gold coins as protection against inflation. South African gold bullion Krugerrand coins were first imported into the United States immediately after Americans regained the right to buy and own gold bullion on December 31, 1974. The rush to buy gold was on, and Krugerrands became an instant hit with gold bullion buyers. Today Krugerrands remain the most successful gold bullion coins ever minted. South African Krugerrands banned However, in 1985, because the South African government was white-ruled, Congress banned the importation of Krugerrands. By then, an estimated 22 million Krugerrand gold coins had already been imported, and the ban did not affect the status of gold bullion Krugerrand coins already in the United States. Today an active market continues for "Rands," as they are often called, and thousands of Rands are traded daily. In 1994, Congress lifted the importation ban, and gold bullion Krugerrands were again offered for sale in the United States. By then, however, Gold Eagles had captured the U.S. gold bullion coin market, and the South African effort to promote Krugerrands in the U.S. ended. Today, Rands sell at prices below Gold Eagle prices and remain favorite gold coins for gold buyers seeking to buy bargain bullion gold. As do Gold Eagles, Krugerrands come in four sizes: 1-ounce, 1/2-ounce, 1/4-ounce, and 1/10-ounce. All four gold coins carry the same design. 1-oz Rands are far the most popular and generally can be found in large quantities. The fractional-ounce Rands are not always available, but when fractional-ounce Krugerrands are available they are significantly lower priced than fractional-ounce Gold Eagles. Also like Gold Eagles, Krugerrands are 22-karat gold, being alloyed with copper. (Rands were so popular that when the U.S. Mint designed its Gold Eagles, the Krugerrand dimensions and alloy were used.) Rands are legal tender coins in South Africa. Krugerrand gold bullion coins trade in the secondary market only, which means Rand buyers receive Krugerrands that have been previously owned by other investors. Most Krugerrand gold coin orders are filled with mixed dated coins. Occasionally tubes contain Rands dated the same year. Available Sizes/Options: 1-ounce 1/2- ounce 1/4-ounce 1/10-ounce

http://www.taxfreegold.co.uk/wesellkrugers.html http://www.taxfreegold.co.uk/krugerspellings.html http://www.taxfreegold.co.uk/krugerrandinfo.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krugerrand

Kruger Fact File Everything you need to know about krugerrands. One Ounce of Gold The South African Chamber of Mines had an inspired idea to help market South African gold. It was to issue a one ounce bullion coin, to be sold at a very low premium over the intrinsic gold value. Back in 1967 Krugerrands were first minted and issued in 1967, and have been produced every year since. They have legal tender status in South Africa, which allowed them to be imported into many, but not all, countries without import taxes, duty or VAT. The Krugerrand Family Originally only one size was issued, which contained one full troy ounce (31.1035 grams) of fine gold. This was originally known as a krugerrand, or kruger, for short. From 1980, three other sizes were introduced, namely a half, quarter, and tenth ounce size. Because of these, the original krugerrand is sometimes referred to as a "full" or "one ounce" kruger or krugerrand, although within the trade, the word kruger or krugerrand is understood to be the full sized original one ounce version. British Investors Missed Out At the time of the kruger's introduction, it was not legally possible for British residents to acquire bullion gold coins, so that the krugerrand was almost unknown in Britain until 1971. Low Premium Over Gold Content According to the publicity at the time, the kruger was to be made available to world bullion dealers at a 3% premium over the current gold fix, so that after distribution costs, the coins would be available to investors in quantity at about 4% to 5% over intrinsic gold values, and possibly 10% premium for single pieces. Higher Premium on Smaller Sizes The fractional sizes were issued at higher premiums to bullion dealers of 5%, 7%, and 9% respectively. The fractional coins have never been as popular as the full one ounce coins, usually only being purchased as singles, so that in practice, it would usually cost 10% to 15% premium for the half and quarter ounce, and from 20% to 50% premium for the tenth ounce, most of which seem to have been used in jewellery. Most bullion houses do not want the bother of handling small quantities of low value coins. As an example of this, in the 1970's we, as a small provincial dealer, would frequently handle 500 krugerrands in a single day, but a purchase of 100 tenth krugerrands was a major event, yet it was only 1/50th the size of deal! Not a Pretty Sight Krugers were never intended to be an aesthetically pleasing coin, just a lump of gold with a known weight and value. They certainly cannot be called pretty. Collectors seeking aesthetically attractive coins would be better looking at British gold sovereigns, or some of the newer bullion coins. VAT Introduced in 1973 In Britain VAT was imposed on all coins, except antiques. In January 1995, this was relaxed on almost all second-hand goods, including gold coins. This means that existing privately owned coins can be traded by dealers under a "special scheme" whereby the only VAT chargeable is on the dealer's margin, which is negligible. Because VAT was still payable on any "new" coins, it remained more difficult and expensive to buy and sell large quantities of bullion coins. Continuous Service from Chard Throughout the whole of this time, Chard have maintained a dealing service for both collectors and investors in bullion and numismatic coins. During the period from 1965 to 1971, we were one of only a small number of dealers who were granted a dealers licence. Technical Specifications The following tables summarise the specifications of all the sizes. Size Face Value Weight Fineness Gold Content Gold Content

Hi Guys, I`ve heard a rumour that Air Crews, are now issued with Kruggerands, as apposed gold sovereigns. I`ve yet to have this confirmed, and if true I`m assuming that its the quarter ounce ones, and not a full kruggerand. Will try and confirm more details and let you know. Can anyone shine any light on this further?

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http://www.intlrepo-depo.com/

More US troops face Iraq call-up About 15,000 US soldiers and reservists have been told to prepare for service in Iraq , as other countries hold back from pledging troops. The announcement follows earlier statements by senior US officers this week, that National Guard and Reserve troops would be needed. Other countries failed to respond to President George W Bush's plea for help for help in stabilising the country. US troops come under almost daily attack. On Saturday, a hotel near a media centre used by US troops in Baghdad was targeted in a rocket-propelled grenade attack. The attack on the prestigious al-Rashid hotel took place at about 0630 (0230 GMT) and caused superficial damage but no casualties. But 80 US soldiers have been killed by guerrillas since President George W Bush declared major combat over on 1 May. Warning The first US troops to get a 15-day holiday - in a bid to boost morale among the ranks - have arrived back home on their break. Just under 200 soldiers were flown out of Iraq and thousands more could be eligible to take a sought-after respite. The BBC's Pentagon correspondent Nick Childs said the recuperation programme shows how concerned military commanders are about the morale of their forces. "Troops' families and reservist associations are suggesting that the scale and duration of this mobilisation is hitting both morale and recruitment," says our correspondent. Military commanders are concerned at the morale among US soldiers On Friday 10,000 Army National Guard troops were activated and 5,000 more Army Guard soldiers were put on alert for likely service in Iraq. There are currently two other multinational divisions in Iraq headed by Britain and Poland. The United States is pressing for volunteers to form a third multinational division, but so far they have not come forward. US Army General John Abizaid, head of the US Central Command and commander of the US military operation in Iraq, said he could not rule out calling up additional troops. Marine Corps General Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the nation's second-ranking officer told reporters: "There are many countries out there talking about it (contributing troops), and we have every hope that that will happen. "But hope is not a plan."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5233768.stm

In the book The Real Bravo Two Zero by Michael Asher, he makes several references to gold sovereigns issued to the patrol, and what became of them when they were captured and or killed. None of the Iraqi`s interviewed knew anything about them or could account for where they had ended up??!!!

Corporal Matthew Cornish, 29, from Yorkshire, was serving with the 1st Battalion The Light Infantry. He was married with two young children. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5234926.stm

UK troops killed in Afghan ambush Nato-led troops took over from the US a day ago Three British soldiers have been killed after a vehicle patrol was ambushed by militants in southern Afghanistan. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5233768.stm

Gotcha!!!!!!!!!

I concur????

Sovereign Grading FDC Normally only applied to proof coins. without any marks, wear or blemishes. Unc or Uncirculated. In new condition as issued by the mint. EF or Extremely Fine Showing few signs of having been in circulation, but may show slight surface marks and faint wear. VF or Very Fine Some wear on the raised surfaces having had only limited circulation. Fine or F. Considerable signs of wear on the raised surfaces, or design weak through faulty striking.

http://www.goldsovereigns.co.uk/fakes.html

In Cairo Lawrence intrigued to encourage the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Gertrude Bell was dispatched to India. The disaster at Kut put a decided damper on its ambitions. "I hate war; oh, and I'm so weary of it--of war, of life," as she sighed from Basra, in March 1916 during the frightful heat. That was the month that the British government began to pay Sharif Hussein ?125,000 gold sovereigns a month, a deal she helped set up.

Lawrence wishes to fulfill his promises to unite the Arab tribes when he continues his work in the desert with British support of arms, money, and training: Lawrence: Arabia is for the Arabs now. That's what I've told them anyway. That's what they think. That's why they're fighting. Allenby: Oh surely. Lawrence: They've only one suspicion. We let them drive the Turks out and then move in ourselves. I've told them that that's false, that we've no ambitions in Arabia. Have we? Allenby: I'm not a politician, thank god. Have we any ambition in Arabia, Dryden? Dryden: Difficult question sir. Lawrence: I want to know sir, if I can tell them, in your name, that we've no ambitions in Arabia. Allenby: Certainly. Lawrence: Two thousand small arms, not enough. I need five. Allenby: Right. Lawrence: Money. It'll have to be sovereigns. They don't like paper. Allenby: Right. Lawrence: Instructors for the Lewis guns. Allenby: Right. Lawrence: More money. Allenby: How much more? Lawrence: Twenty-five thousand now. A lot more later. Allenby: Dryden? Dryden: It can be done, sir. Lawrence: A couple of armored cars. Allenby: Right. Lawrence: Field artillery. Allenby: Right. I know to give you every blessed thing I can, Major Lawrence, because I know you'll use it. Congratulations and thank you.

Dan what were you doing with the poison ivy??? The mind boggles!!!!!!!! Also whats your avatar all about? Gordon.

Nazi Gold Soon after the out break of the war the German national gold reserves, already substantially increased by the acquisition of Austrian gold holdings following the Auchluss, were significantly augmented by forcible acquisitions from abroad. The Nazi’s took $2,596,608 of gold from the gold reserves of the Czech National Bank and ?32,200,000 from the National Bank of Hungary. They looted part of the gold reserves of Albania, Holland the USSR and other countries overrun of the victorious Wehrmacht, and after the conquest of France they stole $225,900,000 worth of gold, comprising part of the Belgian national gold reserves, which was deposited in the Banque de France for safekeeping, by the Belgian government. The Belgian gold was taken to the Reichsbank in Berlin and resmelted. Each bar was stamped with the letters RB for Reichsbank, the German eagle, the retrospective date 1938, and its weight to three points of the decimal. Later, when the Germans were forced to withdraw from Southern Italy in the face of the advancing Anglo-American forces, they took with them $100,000,000 in Italian gold, which also ended up in the Reichsbank`s reserves. At the height of the Nazi conquest of Europe the gold reserves held by the Reichsbank were estimated to total as much as $772,636,253. By today’s values the equivalent of $6,490,144,525 much of it looted from subject nations of Europe. Following US air raids on Berlin in early Feb 1945, over $200,000,000 worth of gold reserves, were moved from Berlin, to the Kaiseroda Mine. Weighing around 100 tons, it needed 13 railway flat cars to transport it and took 72 hours to unload and transfer them to twenty 10 ton trucks. Gold in the Kaiseroda mine 8,527 gold bars, valued at $112,000,000. Minted gold coins, valued at $126,000,000, included a million Swiss Francs, a billion French Francs and 711 bags of US $20 gold pieces. 250 tons of gold in total. Reichsbank in Berlin, liberated by the Russians. 90 gold bars worth $1,278,000 and over four and a half million gold coins (dollars, sovereigns, guilders & Francs) worth $,156,625 P27, P30 & P51 Nazi Gold by Ian and Douglas Botting. Some gold also unexpectedly turned up in the former German embassy in Madrid Spain, in May 1945. Estimated at one ton, with a value of $1,250,000. It consisted entirely of gold coins, mostly British gold sovereigns. It was flown by plane back to Frankfurt in 1946. P112 Hitler’s Gold by Arthur L Smith.

Some 1157th Transportation Company soldiers diagnosed with scabies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oshkosh-based unit returned from Katrina relief mission Friday The Wisconsin National Guard learned Saturday that at least 20 soldiers of the Oshkosh-based 1157th Transportation Company have been diagnosed with scabies infestations. About 30 others reported rashes symptomatic of scabies infestation and have been advised to seek treatment for scabies. Scabies is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes Scabei. The infestations were discovered Saturday morning, the day after the unit’s return from two weeks duty supporting Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in Louisiana. The unit was based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans (Belle Chasse), about eight miles south southeast of the New Orleans central business district. Although based at the naval air station, many of the unit’s soldiers conducted transportation missions into the city. The Wisconsin National Guard temporarily kept all the unit’s Oshkosh-area soldiers at the Oshkosh armory until National Guard medical officers and public health officials assessed the situation and made arrangements or recommendations for treatment. Those soldiers who returned to their homes outside the Oshkosh area are being contacted and advised to seek medical advice if they experience symptoms. While the Wisconsin National Guard has not established a connection between the scabies infestations and environmental conditions in Louisiana, all other units performing recent hurricane relief duty in the Gulf Coast were directed to contact their soldiers and airmen so they can be advised to watch for symptoms. In addition to affected soldiers, family members or others who may have been in close contact will be advised of their possible exposure so they can take appropriate preventive measures, watch for symptoms or seek treatment. Scabies infestation is considered fairly common, occurs worldwide and affects people of all races and social classes. It is associated with pimple-like irritations and intense itching. Scabies is usually contracted by direct contact with infected persons — often while in crowded or close living conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, scabies is treatable with one of several topical lotions. Frequent changes of clean clothing, bath towels and bedding are also recommended. Family members undergoing treatment are recommended to receive the same treatment at the same time to prevent reinfestation. # # # # NOTE TO EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prohibits release of any personal information about those soldiers who have been diagnosed or are being evaluated for possible exposure to scabies. The Wisconsin National Guard will not release the names of any Wisconsin National Guard soldiers or airmen who have been diagnosed with Sarcoptes Scabei infestations or who are being evaluated for possible exposure.

Leaders from Wisconsin infantry battalion prepare for mission with Iraq visit by Capt. Benjamin Buchholz 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry CAMP SHELBY, Miss. — Five senior leaders from 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry flew to Iraq in late June to meet the unit they will replace, clarify mission details and see firsthand the living conditions the unit’s 600-plus soldiers should expect. The unit will serve as an armed escort for civilian and military convoys traveling from Kuwait north through the entire country of Iraq, protecting supplies that allow security operations and the transition to peace to succeed. The unit will conduct operations in Iraq from a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kuwait that has many of the same amenities as an Army post or a small town in the United States: a post exchange, shoppette, weight room, dining facility, internet cafe, theater, pizza parlor, coffee shop, and even a volleyball court — sand, of course. The soldiers will live in air-conditioned tents rather than barracks. Lt. Col. Todd Taves, the unit’s commander, along with Maj. John Oakley, Maj. David Aponte, Capt. Frank Iovine, and Command Sgt. Maj. Rafael Conde participated in actual convoys, received updates on the activities of anti-Iraqi forces in the area, and coordinated a smooth in-processing for the unit’s personnel and equipment when they arrive in August. The visit provided the battalion with information to help tailor training to the unit’s specific mission. The unit will now devote more time to driving up-armored HMMWVs with convoys and less time to room-to-room searches, FOB defense, check-point operations and the many other tasks the unit might otherwise have been assigned. As the battalion’s command sergeant major and senior noncommissioned officer, Conde’s primary task on the visit was to assess the FOB’s living accommodations for the troops. He was pleased with what he saw. “Other than the heat, which was like hitting a wall when we got off the plane, my biggest concern is the food,” said Conde, “and not because it’s bad. Just the opposite: it’s too good. The FOB serves four meals a day, buffet-style, and if we don’t have a good physical fitness program we’ll return to Wisconsin a little too healthy.” The other amenities all met Conde’s standard. Because so many local groups, schools, families, and communities have asked what they can do to make the deployment a better experience, the battalion will identify a local charity in Iraq and organize donations to that charity on behalf of the battalion’s supporters. Contributions to these efforts will indirectly improve the quality of life for the battalion soldiers because they will help win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis among whom the Wisconsin soldiers will live for the next year. For information on donating to the 2-127th’s local Iraqi charity, email Capt. Benjamin Buchholz, battalion civil affairs officer: benjamin.buchholz@us.army.mil. # # # # Note to Editors: The Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry is headquartered in Appleton with units in Waupun, Ripon, Green Bay, Fond du Lac and Marinette. The battalion was mobilized June 6 and departed Wisconsin June 9 for several months additional training at Camp Shelby, near Hattiesburg, Miss. The infantry battalion was augmented by soldiers from the Onalaska-based 32nd Engineer Company and from Troop E, 105th Cavalry of Antigo and Merrill. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current News Releases are available at: http://dma.wi.gov/news.asp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Photos to accompany this story: http://dma.wi.gov/MediaPublicAffairs/docview.asp?docid=2352 CUTLINES (photo credits: Wisconsin National Guard photos) 1. Demonstration: A reaction force of soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry secures the entry control point at a mock-up Forward Operating Base at Camp Shelby, Miss. The soldiers are training at Camp Shelby as they prepare for their deployment to Southwest Asia in August. 2. Convoy Training: Soldiers from Company A of the Wisconsin National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry prepare for convoy security training at Camp Shelby, Miss., July 15. The battalion's mission will include security for military and civilian convoys traveling from Kuwait to destinations throughout Iraq. 3. Insurgent: Wisconsin National Guard soldiers apprehend a suspected "insurgent" who breached perimeter defenses at a mock-up Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Camp Shelby, Miss. The soldiers are from Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry. They are about midway through training at Camp Shelby as they prepare for their deployment to Southwest Asia in August. 4. Briefing: Senior Wisconsin National Guard officers get a briefing on the status of training for 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry soldiers at Camp Shelby, Miss. The battalion is commanded by Lt. Col. Todd Taves, second from right in desert camouflage vest.