Frustration reigns in search for 3 missing soldiers

Above: Some of the 4,000 U.S. soldiers involved in the search for the three missing soldiers take a break today in Yusifiya.

YUSUFIYA, Iraq: The tip was urgent. An Iraqi informer said the three missing Americans could be found near the Caveman Canal outside the village of Cargouli.

Sergeant First Class Phitsidane Panpradith gathered up about 15 men and set out on a grueling 19-kilometer, or 12-mile, march through fields and orchards in the baking afternoon sun. His unit had been the first to arrive early Saturday morning at the scene of the ambush that left four American soldiers and Iraqi soldier dead.

After taking some time to cope, they desperately wanted to feel useful. But after searching for several hours, the men found nothing.

"It was dry," Panpradith said on Thursday, at a combat outpost on the same road where the attack occurred. "That's just like everything else out here - it's just sifting through it all and trying to find what we can."

Read the rest at the International Herald Tribune

Related Link:
Dad tells of plans for father-son trip with Joseph Anzack

Related Link:
Alex Jimenez' fate brings war home to town

Related Link:
School rallies around Byron Fouty

Related Link:
Anthony Schober's grandparents speak out

Related Link:
Best friend of Anthony Schober speaks out

Related Link:
U.S.: Some participants in ambush confess; Equipment of missing possibly found; 330 square miles being scoured as more Strykers, troops join search

Related Link:
Military offers up to $200,000 reward for information leading to return of missing soldiers

Related Link:
After false report of death three weeks ago, Joseph Anzack's family again praying for safe return

Related Link:
Friends, family urge Byron Fouty to stay strong

Related Link:
Friend: Hero's welcome waiting for Alex Jimenez

Related Link:
Family requests privacy as it awaits word on Anthony Schober

Related Link:
Pentagon Identifies Ambushed GIs

Related Link:
Military uses leaflets, loudspeakers in search for missing soldiers

Related Link:
Soldier slain in ambush told family he wasn't coming back

Related Link:
Military: 'High-value targets' among 11 arrested, 460 questioned as 4,000 troops search for missing soldiers

Related Link:
Military: 7 soldiers in Saturday ambush from Fort Drum

Related Link:
Former Iraq Commander/Chief of Staff of the Army Casey: Likely more U.S. soldiers will be captured

Related Link:
Transcript of General Caldwell's statement today regarding events and efforts to find missing soldiers

Related Link:
Military: 'Highly credible information' missing soldiers in hands of al-Qaeda group; Group says stop search 'if you want the safety of your soldiers'

Related Link:
Al-Qaeda group claims it holds 3 missing soldiers as thousands continue search

Related Link:
Search for 3 missing in attack that killed 5 continues into the night

Related Link:
5 dead, 3 missing as 7 soldiers and Iraqi interpreter come under attack in Mahmudiyah

Related Link:
Perspective: Life in the 'Triangle of Death'