Dawn Patrol

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs, other blogs, and the mainstream media. If you're a blogger, you can join the conversation. If you link to any of these stories, add a link to the Dawn Patrol too and your trackback will be added to the list. (We have a daily "Open Post" too, if you have something on another topic you can link there.)

IRAQ

Courage and Compassion Under Fire -- [Major K - in Iraq]
About a month ago in an area of Baghdad not far from where I am now a little known engagement took place out in the street between an arhabi sniper team and a group of Soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard's 256th Brigade Combat Team. They are appropriately known as the Tiger Brigade, and as someone who as served in the active Army in Airborne and Ranger units before coming to the National Guard, from what I have seen, these guys are pretty damned good. This story is one example.

Birthday and Battalion Bashes -- [Wayne's World - Wayne's in Iraq]
...Over the weekend, Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Soldiers from Wayne?s battalion captured 39 suspected insurgents during a raid in Sharmiyah. Among the detainees were those suspected of being key insurgent leaders in the area.

Eight of the 39 insurgents were detained on the grounds of the Mudjaherin al Ansar mosque by Hillah SWAT, a specialized Iraqi Police unit. The mosque was not damaged in the operation

Missing But Not Forgotten -- [Andi's World]
A couple of weeks back, while sitting in a hospital waiting room, I picked up a dated magazine that had an article featuring the parents of MIA Soldier, Sgt. Keith "Matt" Maupin. For some reason, I thought that his body had been recovered, but my memory was wrong.

According to the POW/MIA website, SGT Maupin is still unaccounted for. He was captured on April 9, 2004. Since then, he has been promoted, in absentia, twice. Captured as a PFC, he has been promoted to Sergeant. In July, 2004, a videotape surfaced that purportedly showed the execution of Maupin. However, the DoD concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to confirm that the man shot in the video was indeed Maupin.

Designs of War -- [Dadmanly - in Iraq]
...They were especially interested in the other pieces of debris from the explosion that fell around our building: shrapnel. Now as I've mentioned from time to time, being in military intelligence (MI), I have never had any opportunity to see what might otherwise be commonplace (or at least experienced from time to time) in combat arms units. I really did not expect what we found....

The Dust Weather -- [Six More Months - in Iraq]
When I reluctantly woke to my alarm clock this morning, I noticed my room seemed unusually dark. My first hope was that I had set my alarm wrong and still had an hour to sleep, but a glance at my watch showed it was indeed time to get up. I staggered to my fridge to grab a Redbull to start the day, and cracked open my door. I was greeted by a wall of sand. It?s called a Shamal.(pics)

Wicked Light - 365 and a Wake Up - in Iraq]
...After a few long minutes immersed in that burning light the cold light of reason turned my thoughts from evil portends to a sense of wonder. Rather then cancel our workout 1LT Mo and I decided to make the trek to the gym through the teeth of the sandstorm. The walk wasn?t an especially long one, but by the time we arrived we were frosted with a talcum fine web of earth. The cloying powder latched on to every exposed hair follicle, dying our hair a ghostly white. It was as if, in the course of the journey, the two of us had aged several decades. We glanced in the gym?s oversize mirrors and laughed at the two old men staring back at us.

Samawa update. -- [Iraq the Model - an Iraqi in Iraq]
I was flipping TV channels an hour ago when I cam across Al-Jazeera.
I usually skip this channel but something caught my attention. There was an interview via phone with the representative of Muqty in Samawa city and he was talking to his host about the situation in Samawa (which Mohammed talked about yesterday).
What he said was really upsetting; he twisted facts in the most unfair way and showed the case as if it was Muqty's office that arranged the protest not the normal citizens.

Around the Web -- [Blackfive]
Timmer at Sgt. Stryker's Daily Brief has an email from his niece that's a must read.

Sondra K. has proof of the restraint our soldiers demonstrate at Abu Ghraib.

Tina B. sends the link to Lucian Read's site that contains a lot of his work. Read is the photographer that captured the photo of ...

Gateway Pundit has a video on How the Marines Took Fallujah.

Citizen?s tip leads to end of terrorists? IED attacks -- [Stryker Brigade]
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 8, 2005) ? An Iraqi citizen?s tip lead Multi-National Force Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) to the location of terrorists who had attacked their patrol in eastern Mosul Sunday.

Farewell for Now, Michael Churchill -- [Palmetto Pundit]
Blog buddy Michael Churchill has made his last post for a few months. A member of the Armed Forces, he is leaving to serve his country for a few months, but left us this to remember him by until he returns...

Losing People & Life -- [American Soldier - recently returned from Iraq]
I am not anyone special. I am not a super hero. I am not a superstar or anyone you would ask for an autograph. I am just me. A typical guy who has a family, house, two vehicles, job. I so happen to have had the luxury of serving this country.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Swift Road For U.S. Citizen Soldiers Already Fighting In Iraq -- (New York Times)...Edward Wong
For Specialist James Garrovillas, enlisting in the Army meant more than just joining the military. It meant joining the United States.

Unit had asked for more Marines -- (USA TODAY)...Kimberly Johnson
HADITHAH, Iraq ? A Marine regiment that took heavy casualties last week in western Iraq ? including 19 killed from a Reserve unit headquartered in Ohio ? had repeatedly asked for about 1,000 more troops. Those requests were not granted.

Saving U.S. Army Can Help Save Iraq -- (New York Daily News)...Lawrence Korb
...Sending soldiers back for a third time will ruin the Army's retention rate, which so far has held up. Staying in Iraq through 2006 will completely undermine the Army's recruiting, which despite massive increases in enlistment bonuses is already a disaster. Keeping 50,000 reservists in Iraq throughout 2006 will force the administration to ask Congress to repeal the law that forbids reservists from serving on the active duty for more than two years.

Marines Find Bomb Factory in Western Iraq -- (Fox News)....AP
Six vehicles rigged with explosives were found in the hideout in the northern part of Haqlaniyah, one of a cluster of towns in western Anbar province long believed to be a stronghold of Iraqi insurgents and foreign fighters.

Poll Shows Most Americans Feel More Vulnerable -- (USA Today)...Richard Benedetto
American attitudes toward the war in Iraq continue to sour in the wake of last week's surge in U.S. troop deaths, a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows.

The Courage Needed To Win The War -- (Philadelphia Inquirer)...John C. Bersia
Every time an American soldier falls in Iraq - a disturbingly frequent occurrence in recent days - concerned minds should ask: How much longer will the Bush administration persist with the fiction that the United States and its allies have sufficient military capabilities to end a conflict that now stretches into its third year?

Iraq's 1st Brigade: Begging for basics -- (USA TODAY)...Rick Jervis
BAGHDAD ? Armored Humvees and helicopter gunships would be nice.
But what the soldiers of Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, want more immediately is a gym. And cots that don't sag so much they need cinder blocks for support. Or a system that drains away the human sewage that pools in the street outside their barracks. Or working phones.

Amid A Miasma Of Sand And Fear, Some Iraqis Recall A Brighter Day -- (Washington Post)...Ellen Knickmeyer and Khalid Alsaffar
As Iraq entered a tense one-week countdown before factions must agree on a new constitution, many in Baghdad found themselves recalling a happier day 17 years ago, when they put a long and crippling war behind them.

Sunni Quarter In Baghdad Is Oasis Of Peace -- (San Diego Union-Tribune)...Omar Sinan, Associated Press
In the soft glow of twilight, vendors fire up their kebab grills, crowds gather along shopping streets festooned with decorative red-and-white lights and cafes bustle with the sounds of laughter and conversation.

Marines Find Car Bomb Factory In Iraq -- (Los Angeles Times)...Associated Press
U.S. Marines discovered a car bomb factory Monday in a western Iraqi town near where 20 members of the American unit were killed last week, the U.S. military said.

AFGHANISTAN

Operation Flintstone -- [Fortunate Son - in Afghanistan]
Virtually ever village we visit has the need for basic medicines and, more importantly, nutritional supplements. I've received many offers to help from many friends and family and have been trying to work out a way for people back home to make a real difference in people's lives.So, I talked it over with the "Doc" here at the PRT and have compiled a list of needs that either the Coalition or the Afghan...

The RAF Regiment -- [Miserable Donuts - back from Afhanistan]
The RAF Regiment is the Royal Air Force's ground force protection element. They are highly trained and fairly tough to boot. I had the pleasure of serving with 4 different officers from the Regiment. Up top are Squadron Leaders Matt Radnall (L) and Jamie Kendall (R). In the middle is Flight Lieutenant Adam Thompson and below is Squadron Leader Rich Langley. Damned good officers, and fine people all. To learn a little more about this rather unique bunch try this Website. Per Ardua!

The FRENCH?!? -- [Parvonia]
I was at a barbecue this weekend and mentioned that I went to a Bastille day party thrown by French troops at a base in Afghanistan, and two of the Upstate New Yorkers that were listening said, "The French?" with the same shock and mortification as if I had just said Hitler was my golfing buddy.

"Yeah, they've been in Afghanistan since the beginning."

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Afghan Elections Strapped For Cash Despite Pledges - -- (Philadelphia Inquirer - News in Brief)...Associated Press
Organizers of Afghanistan's Sept. 18 parliamentary elections still face a $19 million funding shortage despite fresh pledges from international donors, a U.N. spokeswoman said yesterday.

Afghanistan Farmers Relieved By End Of Seven-Year Drought -- (San Diego Union-Tribune)...Associated Press
Seven years of drought had left Afghanistan's fields monochrome plains of brown dust. But good snows and rains have many Afghans seeing color again: Seas of golden wheat undulate in the breeze, green apricot trees are plump with yellow fruit, melons of every color dot fields.

SUPPORT THE TROOPS

I've Got Mail! -- [2Slick's Forum]
Since I started this blog almost one year ago, I've received thousands of emails from good people all over the world. Most of the emails were very kind and from the heart, and I just want you all to know that they are greatly appreciated. As an example of just how thoughtful most of you are out there, I'd like to show you something that came to my inbox just last night:...

Phelps Planned Protest at Arlington Funeral of Fallen SF Soldier -- [Jack Army]
It has been reported to me that Jim Phelps, the loser conducting shenanigans like this, planned to protest at the funeral for fallen Special Forces Sergeant Jason Palmerton.

There has been a call put out for anyone affiliated with the Special Forces community in the area of Arlington/Washington DC to "counterprotest" (my word, not theirs). Hopefully, everything ends peacefully and out of sight of the grieving family and friends.

POLITICS

THE FRIENDS OF CINDY SHEEHAN -- [Michelle Malkin]
The Bush-bashing mother of a soldier who died in Iraq last year has garnered quite a bit of buzz from the MSM for her anti-war vigil outside of Crawford, Texas. Drudge highlights her rather drastic change of heart...

PODCASTING

Carnival of the Podcasts #1!! -- [A Soldier's Angel - Holly Aho]
Welcome to the First Carnival of the Podcasts!

This is the first Carnival of the Podcasts, and we have some great entries that I know you'll enjoy listening to! Podcasts can be heard with any music player on your computer, just click the links to listen. This carnival will include direct links to the podcasts themselves, as well as links to the blogs they belong to. Enjoy!

BLOGGING

And Now For Something We Hope You'll Really Like! -- [Dave- guest blogging for Mustang 23 - Mustang's in Iraq]
I worked and shared a house with Mustang. I consider him a friend, and, as a friend, he asked me to guest blog for him while he does ? well, whatever it is he does. It?s supposed to get him home sooner, so I said ?yes.?

I know Mustang by another name, of course. Several, actually, but most of them shouldn?t be repeated. I?m well-acquainted with several of the comment section regulars: I?ve attended family functions with Mustang Sarge, Mustang Mama, Mustang Aunt, and Mustang Sis ? um, make that KCNK. I?ve socialized with A Souldier?s Prayer and Walking Eagle. I can decode the meaning of the name FCC@V. I know where RCBEEP lives. I?ve sampled the sugar cookies for which Mustang Mama is famous, and I?m familiar with who first suggested sending Strawberry Shortcake sheets to our favorite company commander. I?m privy to information. I know things. And if you?re under the impression that I?m going to tell you those things, then you?re absolutely right. But it?ll cost you.

So place your bids in the comments section.

CARNIVAL OF LIBERTY IV

Carnival of Liberty VI -- [Erics Grumples Before the Grave]
Welcome to Fearless Philosophy for Free Minds, home of Carnival of Liberty VI. Before I get started, I would like to thank Eric Cowperthwaite of Eric?s Grumbles Before the Grave (who will be hosting the next carnival, Carnival of Liberty VII) for allowing me this opportunity and assistance in presenting the cr譥 de la cr譥 posts from some of the most talented writers in the blogosphere. Most of the carnival?s entries are from liberty-minded bloggers which can be read daily on the Life, Liberty, and Property Group Blog and the Life, Liberty, and Property Community Homepage hosted by The Truth Laid Bear.

THE MEDIA

It Never Ends....Winter Soldier To Be Rereleased -- [My View from Tonka]
Will John Kerry ever go away?? Apparently the loonies of the 60's and 70's refuse to let go. This 95 minute movie will be released. Here's how the NYT's refers to it:

Andy Rooney Is A Nut -- [Iowa Voice]
Ol' Andy Rooney, God love him, just keeps getting crazier and crazier, I think. Check out his latest rant:...

Raleigh News & Observer editor has a bias test
Raleigh News & Observer executive editor and blogger Melanie Sill continues to get readers? complaints about liberal bias at the N&O.

Sill denies the paper's news columns contain bias:
People I meet often seem to think we make decisions on news based on politics, either overtly or unconsciously. Instead, our framework for pursuing news is based on journalistic questions.

NY Times laments lack of War Heroes -- [Uncle Jimbo - Madison.com]
Just in case you had deluded yourself that the media actually are capable of covering the military with any fairness, wake up. The NY Times has a perfect example of why the jackals fail miserably to even do a decent hatchet job. They publish a piece ostensibly lamenting the dearth of heroes in the great quagmire. A clueless wonder named Damien Cave confesses that it's the fault of:

New York Times: A study in dysfunction -- [Counter Column]
Dear Times editorial staff,

Thank you for the questions you raised in this article, in which you quite gallingly manage to blame the President for the absence of positive news stories in your newspaper.

I'm glad you're finally showing an interest in the issue. As any recovering addict will tell you, the first step is to admit you have a problem. Of course, you haven't gotten to that stage in your recovery yet. But when you're dealing with with a neurotic who's so hopelessly consumed in their dysfunction, even the smallest signs of progress are great victories.