Dawn Patrol

IRAQ

News from Iraq -- [Long Time Gone - US Civ. in S Korea]
I had the honor of working with a Colonel during my first couple of months in Korea. He volunteered for Iraq and recently sent the following email:
A little slow today (not necessarily a bad thing), so I?ll try to bring you up to date on what we are doing over here. Apologize for the length.

Was up in Kurdistan in northeastern Iraq two weeks ago on a recon for future operations. It is quite different from the desert part of Iraq. It is rolling, grass covered hills that turn into mountains as you approach the border with Iran. The Kurdish people also have a different approach than the general Arab population. They are much more direct in their dealings, and have more drive to get the task done. Because of this, and the fact that we did not do much fighting in that region, their infrastructure is well ahead of what we find in most of the rest of Iraq. It is also one of the issues the Iraqi Constitutional Committee will have to resolve as they struggle with the concept of federalism. We had a little down time before our meeting with the Kurdistan Minister of the Interior, so our interpreter took us to the site of the former Ba?athist police HQs and prison, which...

Perspectives on Tragedy -- [Duke in Iraq]
The other night I was asked to come to the ER to clear a patient for aerovac. As I entered the section of tent that is the emergency room, I could see immediately who I needed to clear. Lying on an elevated cot, the tent version of a hospital bed, was the wounded warrior. He had multiple injuries and I asked him what had happened. He was very calm as he described the incident that had brought him down this road. He was riding on a helicopter, not inside but on the outside standing on the narrow piece of metal tubing that is the ?landing gear? for this type of helicopter. They were flying very close to roof tops outside of Baghdad and a blanket on a roof was sucked up and somehow wrapped itself around part of the helicopter. The helicopter was momentarily out of control. During this time the warrior fell from the helo and landed on the roof breaking a leg in numerous places, then as the helicopter spun out of control the tail rotor swung by and cut off the other leg just below the knee. He looked down ...

Face in the Mirror -- [Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum - in Iraq]
...Yesterday I was more sad than angry, (I was oh so angry), so my sadness was tremendous, and there is of course fatigue. We are all tired, and today was no different. This morning the extent of my patriotism was putting my boots on, and going back to it. The day was nothing out of the ordinary, then as dawn spread across Los Angeles news of ?the article? began to spread, and the usually empty Internet cafe was full. The hunting and pecking was hypnotic, those who don't normally type were giving it one hell of a college try, some were responding to emails others were angrily hitting backspace to correct a spelling error, others were hitting enter to address a chatroom slight. A soldier asked me if I'd seen the article. I hadn't, I really didn't need to. I am here in the middle of it. For those of you who don't know this BN was in the Los Angeles Times (yet again), and our woes are now quite public.

Gunner Palace -- [Bloviating Inanities]
My brother did the soundtrack to this movie. The good news is it's mentioned in today's NRO. The bad news is that fatboy Michael Moore is using it in his bullshit film festival in Michigan. Apparently he's using it to show "the boring hopeless" that is Iraq.
Obviously I saw Gunner Palace and let me tell you, it's not an anti-war film by any stretch. It's a film...

Warning Shots -- [The Fourth Rail - Bill Roggio ]
Syria?s involvement in hosting and facilitating foreign terrorists and elements of the Iraqi insurgency has been common knowledge for some time now. While the Asad regime claims to continue with the arrest and deportation of foreign terrorists entering Iraq, the Iraqi government appears to be losing patience. Iraq?s Minister of the Interior Bayan Jabr has stated he has have made specific requests to Syria to turn over wanted members of the insurgency. Predictably, Syria responds by using the Israeli card.

Meet ?The Iraqi? -- [Austin Bay]
I?ve known this man for several years. A native Iraqi, he has friends throughout Iraq and the Middle East. Last January, prior to the Iraqi election, I asked him to contribute a post to this blog, but he demurred. He would still send me comments about the Arab press, perceptions of US politics, and reports of what was going on in his home town. (I won?t name the town, but I can say I have visited it. Folks don?t realize that there are indeed many pleasant places in Iraq. When the place is blessed with peace, I intend to go back as a tourist.)

But a few days ago...

July 26 RR Podcast -- [Reverse Retna from the Sandlot - in Iraq]
This is the second of my podcast. After talking to my wife I realized that not everyone reading this may be aware of what a podcast is or how to use it. A podcast is basically an MP3 placed on the internet for download using RSS/XML technology. Without getting too crazy the best way to listen is to use a program that you tell to go and get the new feed.

Engineers Work to Complete Repairs

At Baghdad Power Plant -- [Centcom - Mr. Norris Jones, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]
QUDAS, Iraq - A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers repair project at the Qudas electric power generating station 25 kilometers north of Baghdad is 85 per cent complete.

Going Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -- [Ma Deuce Gunner - in Iraq]
Leave. R&R. A Break. Call it what you wish. I am getting out of here for a few weeks.
My bag is sitting packed by the door, a brand new clean uniform neatly folded inside. Just the basics for traveling...books, shaving kit, candy and stuff for the flights. I got my tentative flight time, just counting the hours.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

IRAQ: AL-ZARQAWI ISSUES VIDEO-HISTORY OF HIS TERROR GROUP -- (AKI)
Baghdad, 27 July- In the propaganda war waged in parallel to the bloody attacks by Jihadi terrorists around the globe, the Internet and video images are paramount. The latest salvo from Jordanian terror chief, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is a 46-minute video, of which Adnkronos International (AKI) has a copy.

Ill-Equipped Soldiers Use Excess Force -- (Washington Times)...Rowan Scarborough
U.S. Army soldiers have used "excessive" and "unauthorized deadly force" in Iraq to defend supply convoys because they did not have the proper weapons, according to a commander's secret internal memorandum.

Video shown of new Saddam interrogation -- (Middle East Times - REUTERS)
EVER DEFIANT: Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein speaks during his initial appearance before the Iraqi Special Tribunal in Baghdad on July 21.
Iraqi ousted president Saddam Hussein was shown on July 21 being interrogated by an investigating judge over crimes against Shia Kurds.

2 Panels Cite U.S. Problems In Stabilizing After Combat -- (New York Times)...Thom Shanker
Two new studies by independent panels are harshly critical of the way the United States government prepares for stabilization missions after major combat, such as in Iraq, and they place the blame on an interagency process that does little to harness the various departments and agencies for unified action.

The Ambassador's Own Scorecard -- (Boston Globe)...Daniel Serwer
The new American ambassador in Baghdad has given the public an unusual opportunity to gauge his success. Based on his widely lauded work as US ambassador in Kabul, the new envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, has developed a checklist for the United States when it undertakes nation-building after a conflict.

In Web Posting, Terrorist Group Says Algerian Diplomats Were Slain -- (New York Times)...James Glanz
Two Algerian diplomats who were kidnapped in broad daylight less than a week ago have been killed after receiving a death sentence from what was described as a religious court, a group led by the Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said in an Internet posting on Wednesday.

Labor Resolution Urges Pullout Of Troops In Iraq -- (Philadelphia Inquirer)...Jane M. Von Bergen
Pushed by Philadelphia labor leaders, the traditionally hawkish labor movement called on the Bush administration "to level with the American people" on the Iraq war and to bring U.S. troops home quickly. "Our soldiers... deserve a commitment from our country's leaders to bring them home as quickly as possible," said the resolution passed overwhelmingly at the AFL-CIO's convention.

Baghdad Residents Criticize Living Conditions -- (Detroit Free Press)...Leila Fadel
...The Iraqi capital of Baghdad is crumbling around angry residents. Narrow concrete sewage pipes decay underground and water pipes leak out more than half the drinking water before it ever reaches a home, according to the U.S. military.

Guard Unit Tied To Elite Iraqi Force -- (Los Angeles Times)...Solomon Moore and Scott Gold
Members of a California Army National Guard company that was placed on restrictive duty in Iraq after being implicated in the latest detainee abuse scandal have trained and conducted joint operations with Iraqi police forces, including an elite unit accused of brutality.

Iraqi Boy, After Dream Trip To U.S., Hates To Go Home -- (New York Times)...Jeffrey Gettleman
After two fairy-tale weeks of pampering, shopping, top-notch medical care and limitless Pepsi, Ayad al-Sirowiy, the 13-year-old Iraqi boy who came to the United States to get the tattoo of war removed from his disfigured face, is going home.

AFGHANISTAN

Chinook Reported Down in Afghanistan -- [ROFASix]
As you have probably noticed this website has a bias for helicopter related stories. Hence, when I saw the headline flash across the AP wire, ?Chinook Copter Destroyed in Afghanistan,? it go my immediate attention.

New CDR -- [The Siegrist Blogs - in Afghanistan]
Here is a pic of Ed and the CO. We had the Afghan Air Force fly in a few days ago and set up a static display. They brought along two HIPs and two Hind's. When they arrived they hovered into parking on Steel Beach one at a time. The last Hind had to hold over Foxtrot Taxi way, where they proceeded to brown them selves out. Everyone was waiting for the parts to start flying. When the dust settled the helo was...

BBC Responds to Kabuli's Charges -- [Commitee to Protect Bloggers]
CPB received a note from Mike Gardner, Head of Media Relations at BBC World Service, in response to our inquiry about the charges made by Sohrab Kabuli the Afghan blogger. He alleged that he received death threats sent from a BBC computer.
Here is Mr. Gardner's response.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

After Riot, U.S. Forces Hand Over Afghan Suspects -- (Philadelphia Inquirer - News in Brief)...Associated Press
The U.S. military moved to defuse tension after a riot outside its main base in Afghanistan by handing six villagers accused of being bombmakers over to local authorities, officials said yesterday.

An Honor, And Then Tragedy For Soldier -- (Miami Herald)...Phil Long
When Army Sgt. Michael Schafer called his folks in Spring Hill from Afghanistan last weekend, the 25-year-old soldier was thrilled that he'd just been promoted to staff sergeant.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Iranian Elections and Shoe Bombers -- [The Universe and Other Things]
Here are some interesting tidbits for you.
One of my Persian Professors from the University of Arizona wrote a piece on the elections in Iran. He was not able to write about them while there, but has some news now that he has returned to the safety of the United States. Check it out at...

I May Have Visitors -- [GI Korea Blog - in S Korea]
North Korea is reported to be asking the United States to remove all it's nuclear weapons from the peninsula before the North Koreans would get rid of theirs. The United States has no nuclear weapons currently in Korea because the US can destory North Korea quite easily with nuclear weapons from forward deployed submarines. The US does not need fixed sites in South Korea.

However,...

Britain - The last days of 'Londonistan' -- [USS Neverdock]
Not if Mr Blair's wife, Cherie Booth, a lawyer, has her way.
She told a conference in Malaysia that Britain should not take measures that would "cheapen our right to call ourselves a civilised country".
Mrs. Blair fails to understand that Britain is at war and in times of war civil liberties may suffer temporarily so that the "civilized country" can survive.
There's more, lots more.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Colombia wants to meet rebels to talk hostage swap -- (Reuters)...Hugh Bronstein
Colombia has offered to meet Marxist rebels at a time and place of their own choosing to negotiate an exchange of about 70 hostages -- including a former presidential candidate and three Americans -- for guerrillas held in state prisons.

About 300 people fall ill from heat (AP)
BOWLING GREEN, Va. ? About 300 people, most of them Boy Scouts, were sickened by the heat Wednesday while waiting for President Bush to arrive at a memorial service for four Scout leaders who were killed while pitching a tent beneath a power line.

North Korea Seeks U.S. Aid Before It Halts Its Nuclear Program -- (New York Times)...Jim Yardley
North Korea on Wednesday criticized an American plan to defuse the nuclear crisis, saying the proposal demands too many steps toward dismantling the country's nuclear program before providing any corresponding aid or energy assistance, a senior United States official said in a background meeting with reporters.

Bush Is Facing Reality On India -- (Los Angeles Times)...Jacob Heilbrunn
The notion that President Bush blundered in promising to help India develop its nuclear energy program is understandable, widespread ? and wrong. With the Pentagon warning in a new assessment of the long-term threat posed by China's military buildup, and a Chinese general huffing about lobbing nuclear weapons at the U.S. (although Beijing officially and predictably said he wasn't speaking for the government), Bush's move is long overdue

Nine Arrested in Failed London Bombings -- (New York Times)...Assoc. Press
LONDON (AP) -- Anti-terrorist officers arrested nine men early Thursday in connection with the botched July 21 attacks on London's transit system.
Scotland Yard police headquarters said the men were arrested under the Terrorism Act at two properties in the neighborhood of Tooting, south London.

SOPHISTICATED

TERRORISM

Good News: We're No Longer In A "Global War On Terror" -- [Scott's Conservative News & Commentary]
No, the times of global war on terror are over. Now were are in a "global struggle against violent extremism," as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard Myers say. General Myers told the National Press Club on Monday that he had "objected to the use of the term 'war on terrorism' before, because if you call it a war, then you think of people in uniform as being the solution." Well good God, man! Jim Bob Stanton down the street in his jeans and wife beater isn't squaring off in the circled sandbox against the terrorists!

THE TERRORISTS' LITTLE HELPER: JUDGE JOHN COUGHENOUR -- [ Michelle Malkin]
Reckless judicial arrogance was on display in Seattle earlier today during the sentencing hearing for al Qaeda operative Ahmed Ressam, the would-be Millennium bomber.

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

A War By Any Other Name -- (Los Angeles Times)...Juliette Kayyem
...But the White House should be prepared for the possibility that its new catchphrase ? the global struggle against violent extremism ? may not bring the same benefits that GWOT once did.

U.S. Muslim Scholars To Forbid Terrorism -- (Washington Post)...Caryle Murphy
An organization of top American Muslim religious scholars plans to issue a formal ruling today condemning terrorism and forbidding Muslims to cooperate with anyone involved in a terrorist act, according to officials of two leading Islamic organizations.

Scaring Us Senseless -- (New York Times)...Nassim Nicholas Taleb
...It is hard to avoid feeling vulnerable to this invisible enemy who does not play by known or explicit rules. Of course, that is precisely the anxiety that terrorists seek to produce. But its opposite - complacency - is not an option.

SUPPORT THE TROOPS

A Picture of You -- [via email]
Hello....Mrs. Greyhawk.....I have a website which features a military support video that you may like.
The currently released single Picture of You? is dedicated to our troops and military families who fight to protect freedom and liberty throughout the world.

THE MEDIA

A Liberal and His Breakfast Table -- [Froggy Ruminations]
Perusing John McIntyre?s fare over at RCP this morning, I noticed a peculiar headline, ?Bus search must have bin Laden smiling?. Bill Johnson, the author of the column, refers to a picture of the NYPD investigating a terrorist threat by searching a bus with bomb sniffing dogs and proning out 5 suspects in a fortunately unfruitful search for explosives. His reaction...

CNN seeks Pulitzer for discovering overworked sergeant's editing mistake! -- [Quill News]
...I went to the CNN webpage to see if the story was anywhere to be found and instead became distracted by an item from Baghdad that was the second most popular story on the CNN site. (CNN) Apparantly some (no doubt) overworked staff non-com in the 3rd ID press office messed up in the editing of a routine news item. CNN decided to make it international news. This is cheap shot score settling ? a routine press operations glitch that does not deserve more than a shout across the news room: ?hey did you guys know you messed this one up?? (Update:..

IN MEMORY OF...

Jacques Brunson: Leaving kids ?pained him? -- [The 48th Goes to War -(AJC) - Charles Yoo]
Sylvester ? Before his 30th birthday last month, Spc. Jacques ?Gus? Brunson asked his family not to send him any presents in Iraq.

Instead, he requested coloring books, crayons, pencils, sunglasses and toys for the Iraqi children he would see while on combat patrols. ?He was caring and he would do anything for you,? said Jennifer Hunt, 24, Brunson?s youngest sister.

Brunson, 30, was one of the four members of the Georgia Army National Guard?s 48th Brigade Combat Team killed Sunday by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

CONGRATS

The Coveted Patch -- [Fire Power Forward - in Afghanistan]
Well, I feel as though I have achieved the apex of my career and have been tangibly recognized for all my long hours, hard work, dedication, and devotion to duty. In a moving ceremony rich in heritage and tradition, myself and 5 others were officially presented with the coveted "Good Dude" tab by LT Tucker Mahoney and all the Good Dudes of his Operations Section. Other "Good Dude tab recipients included Major Short, Lieutenant Giera, SFC Ramerth, SFC Wilson, and Specialist Rashawnda Stogner.

WELCOME HOME

Safe And Somewhat Sound -- [Pass the Brass - back from Iraq]
Guess who?s back?back again?.
Well, I have arrived at my appointed place of duty?finally rid of that wretched place. And to all my fellow warfighters that I left behind??Here?s to the homies?. I?m currently working on a nice little piece in regards to my journey back, but I wanted to jump on here and just give you all the thumbs up for arrival.