Dawn Patrol

Technological Marvels and Mishaps [From My Position... On the way!]
So I get this brief from the Deuce. We've identified multiple targets in sector moving at various times. They loiter in one location for a few hours and then move slowly to another location and loiter there. We believe it is an AIF cell that is getting weapons from multiple cache sites. The long loiter times are due to them having to dig up the ordinance.

In My World... Immigration [From My Position... On the way!]
In my last ?In My World? post I declared what would happen if I were elected emperor senator. One of my readers (now that I have them) asked my thoughts on border control. Funny you should ask?

Bright Lights, Big City [Firepower Forward]
Well, our mission at FOB Salerno has ended, and we have pulled back to Bagram Air Field. After the reasonably spartan accommodations in Salerno, this is a veritable Shangri-La with its white lights and paved roads, multiple PX's, Burger King, and Dairy Queen. I suppose it still qualifies as a combat zone but it's hard to understand why.

What Kind of Back up Have You Got...??? The whole nine yards if you need it... [The C-Square ]
A Rand study answers the question a young Marine asked me on continued citizen support when the going gets rough for the troops on the ground or will the news "disturb the citizens at their breakfast".

Short Term Memory [Airborne Hog Society - Live from Iraq]
It has been a little over a week since our Patrol Base had a serious attack mounted against it. Since then, I think that all of us have found cuts and bruises that we did not notice during the attack. I noticed a cut on my arm and a blood stain on my pants that tipped me off to a cut on my leg, about two days later. Looking back, you also recall things that you immediately did not notice.

Little Angel [The Siegrist Blogs]
Today on the ring route, this little girl was flown back to her home village by Big Windy after receiving medical treatment at BAF. This brave little girl lost her left leg and most of her fingers on her left hand when she stepped on a land mine. Mr Maynard said she was scared out of her mind crying uncontrollably when she was loading onto the Chinook. With all the noise and wind and strange looking men and woman dressed in combat gear that would intimidate any young child. Ed saw this and took his lucky bear he flies with on every mission and had the crew members give it to her.

Mohammed Monaf Indicted for Involvement in Romanian Journalist Hostage Taking [Conservative Thinking]
No (nada, zilcho, none) US MSM outlet has picked up the story of the naturalized US citizen Mohammed Monaf. It seems like big news to me.
Monaf was the sole American taken hostage with three Romanian journalists in Baghdad several months ago. A couple of weeks ago, all four hostages were released.

Observations of Rural Iraqi Life [Dadmanly]
I have been getting some updates from the NCO in Charge (NCOIC) of our guys out at the remote site, which I hope to be able to sanitize and post soon. This soldier is one of our finest, a strong leader, caring brother-in-arms who really has a heart for his soldiers (and apparently the Iraqis too).

In Case You Heard Something [DogHostage]
In case you heard something about an attack near me, this post is to let y'all know that even though I heard the explosions and small arms fire, I was nowhere near the recent attacks, and am therefore just fine.

Saving lives [Phil and Becky]
I read a follow-up report on the eight Iraqi Army soldier that we evacuated on a MEDEVAC helicopter following the VBIED on May 31st. One IA soldier died of his wounds, but the remaining seven are still alive and most of them have stabilized.

Force Protection Company watches Camp Fallujah [Live in Iraq]
With the security of Camp Fallujah and II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), area of operations in its hands, many lives depend on the Marines and Sailors of Force Protection Company.

Raids [Hurl's Blog]
The following are accounts of two raids that occured about a month ago. They are a sampling of dozens of such raids that go on all the time, all over Iraq. Most are successful, resulting in bad guys in the bag. Not only are scumbags who engage in terror caught and punished, they usually have info that helps us nail more scumbags.

Red2Alpha Silenced [CDR Salamander]
Another example why I blog anon. The minute your Chain of Command interjects themselves into your writing, or you are influenced one way or another by your C-o-C WRT what you write about, you are compromised.

Large's Dick Corp. and Networked War [Winds of Change]
It's amazing what you can learn editing Defense Industry Daily. For instance, the Dick Corp. in Large, PA has just received a $79 million defense contract to, uh, expand the facilities at Pensacola. No, I'm not making that up.

Pentagon delays release of May recruiting data [Jack Army]
The Pentagon on Wednesday postponed by more than a week the release of military recruiting figures for May, as the Army and Marine Corps struggle to attract new troops amid the Iraq war

UN Sacks First Staffer for Oil-for-Food Scandal [Outside the Beltway]
Joseph Stephanides, who took part in contractor selections and other procurement activities, is the initial casualty:

AbleKane legacy - Deploying Reason [AbleKaneAdventures]
It could be mere coincidence, but almost six months after leaving the Multinational Security Transition Command - Iraq in Baghdad, I noticed the following quote in the command publication

Drifting Vessel And 50 Passengers Back In Port [SAILORS & MARINERS LEAGUE]
THE inter-island vessel Tunatuki made its way safely into Suva Harbour on Tuesday night. The vessel, which had been drifting in open seas for two days, berthed at Narain Jetty at 10.30pm on Tuesday night. Crew members yesterday said the 50 passengers were safe and in good health. They left the vessel as soon as it berthed at the jetty.

Daily Kos :: Bush just publicly committed an impeachable offense [Atheist Soldier]
One more item in the ?domestic enemy? column.

John Doe, Son of a Gunb [Reasoned Audacity]
In the 17th century women were frequent visitors to warships to comfort the crew. And these relationships produced children, some legitimate, some not. The fathers were sometimes known, sometimes not. Babies on board were birthed out between the cannon on the gun deck providing some measure of privacy. The baby's paternity might be noted as "son of a gun."

Operation Beef Up Our Troops [Assumption of Command]

I have already received e-mail (Thanks Jeffery) asking for my address so Beef Jerky can be sent my way. I have said before that I didn't start this site to troll for stuff from readers, just from my friends and family back home, especially Mustang Mama.

I am the Beef Jerky Nazi [The National Guard Experience]
These people don't think I should publish my Golden Rules that bash Beef Jerky lovers. At what point is someone going to step in and put a stop to this Beef Jerky

On Beef Jerky and Blogging [The Silent Republican]

The Jerky War has begun. I suggested earlier to Mustang23 that an alliance for the pormotion of Beef Jerky and the annoying of JP. That alliance is called Bloggers For Beef Jerky. It has now been formed and it appears as if the Beef Jerky Nazi is trying to retaliate. I dunno, but this may get pretty hairy. Grab your helmets everyone and hit the deck.

The Fight Begins [Bloggers For Beef Jerky ]

The "Beef Jerky Nazi" has thrown his hat into the ring and now it is time to put up or shut up. He has even gone as far as Publishing a Reference

NON-MILBLOGGERS:

Will operation thuderbolt work? [Free Iraqi]
I really hope so but I have many doubts regarding such measures and their usefulness. First of all I want to say that personally if I had to choose between living in constant danger and living in a police state, I'd chose living in danger without hesitation. It's the reason why we welcomed OIF with knowing very well the risks and hazards of a war like that, as we have been in similar situations before.

U.S. Blamed for Koran Harm in WTC Collapse [ScrappleFace]
Muslims in Pakistan and Afghanistan rioted today in response to new reports that copies of the Koran were desecrated when two American buildings collapsed after being struck by American airplanes in September of 2001.

TMG Editors Note: Must see interviews by MSM but not making headlines. Released 06/01/05

Interview with COL Hodges w/ FOX news [DVIDS (video)]
Colonel Ben Hodges, C-3 Chief of Plans and Operations for Multinational Corps Iraq talks from Baghdad to Fox News reporter about Operation Lightning, the impact of the Iraqi forces and police, and the recent vehicle born improvised explosive device detonation. Video from Multinational Corps Iraq Public Affairs Office.

Interview with CPT Saatkamp w/ MSNBC [DVIDS (video)]
Captain Kevin Saatkamp, Outgoing Commander for the 21st Infantry Regiment from Ft. Lewis, WA talks from Mosul to MSNBC reporter about his daily role in Mosul, the activity there, and some positive stories to share with the media. Video from 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Interview with COL McKnight w/ WSAV [DVIDS (video)]
Colonel Mark McKnight, Commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, talks from Tikrit to WSAV reporter in Savannah, Georgia about training Iraqi forces and what the Soldiers overseas are feeling on Memorial Day. Video from the 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Interview with SPC Koziol w/ KSAZ [DVIDS (video)]
Specialist Megan Koziol talks from Mosul to KSAZ reporter in Arizona about her time in Baghdad, the injury that could've prevented her from deploying, and what the Soldiers miss most overseas. Video from 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Interview with MG Webster w/ CNN [DVIDS (video)]
Major General William Webster, 3rd Infantry Division Commanding General, talks from Baghdad to CNN reporter about Operation Lightning, and the effectiveness of the missions thus far. Video from the 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Troops Sweep Through Baghdad [Global Security.org]
In Iraq, Operation Lightning continues, but a suicide bomber slipped through the net and hit the main checkpoint into Baghdad International Airport.

Coalition Aircraft Deliver Humanitarian Aid [Defend America]
U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft based in Southwest Asia delivered more than 50,000 pounds of civil assistance cargo to Afghans during four airlift missions May 18 to 30 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Myers: 85 Percent of Iraqis Likely to Vote [Defense Link]
Some 85 percent of Iraqis said they will vote in October elections to ratify a new constitution, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at a Pentagon news conference today, citing recent polling data

Intelligence analysts' work leads to insurgents? capture near Al Asad [Marines.com]
Recently, intelligence analysts with the headquarters squadron of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), provided information on suspected insurgent activity in the vicinity of this air base that led to the detainment of 15 insurgents during a raid conducted by Marines from the 2nd Marine Division?s 1st Force Reconnaissance unit.

Iraqi forces stand their ground in insurgent attack [Stars & Stripes]
A defensive stand by Iraqi army and police during a coordinated attack from insurgents Sunday afternoon in western Baghdad showed growing confidence and ability within the local forces, according to U.S. Army officials here.

GA Principal Denies USMC Speaker [Banter in Alanter]
To my knowledge this story just surfaced yesterday, but seems to be gaining more traction in the press. In a nutshell the story goes like this: Marine speaker submits paperwork to speak to students of Anita White Carson Middle School in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia. His paperwork is ignored. Marine shows up to speak to students. The principal shows outright contempt for the Marine and has him escorted off of the campus.