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

Pushing On --[365 and a Wakeup - in Iraq]
Grief has hit like a sledgehammer these last few days, leaving deep gouges in the collective memory of our battalion. A lifetime of anguish, bravery, loss and regret were compressed into a handful of days. I haven?t been able to chronicle the events in anything more then a cursory fashion because at some point my emotions slipped away, blanketed by a insensate numbness.

Creepy Humvees --[Akinoluna - in Iraq]
His staff sergeant told him that if he went anywhere to take the Humvee, so we did, even though I could have driven my beautiful, lovely, air conditioned Ford Expedition. As I was climbing in, he told me not to shut the door too hard or I wouldn't be able to open it again. At first I just thought, "Well that's a pain in the ass" but then I remembered the brand-new Humvees from last week with doors I had to kick open and doors I was unable to open at all from the inside.

New Video at MDG Video --[Ma Deuce Gunner - in Iraq]
I have a new clip posted over at MDG Video. It is from one of our sister companies practicing stacking and entering a building...a VERY SMALL building. Hope you get a laugh out of it.

Loss and Isolation... --[Major K - in Iraq]
I hitched a ride on a helicopter a few days a go to go back down to my old FOB. While it was good to see the Nightstalkers again, the reason that I was there could not have been any worse. Another Nightstalker had fallen, and I was there to attend his memorial service and pay my respects.

ONE DAY LESS --[Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum - in Iraq]
Our hearts are heavy, and thoughts of our own mortality have crept into our waking hours, fear attaches itself to the winds, whispering in our ears. So very close to home, yet so many unseen dangers that lurk in the darkened hearts of our enemies. Here in "this war" we have all peered into the heart of darkness, and all to often we have seen ourselves gazing back. Fatigue has once again set in, and black humor has mercifully albeit temporarily lifted our spirits.

The Anbar Campaign Continues --[The Fourth Rail]
The Coalition appears to be conducting a comprehensive operation along a segment of the Euphrates River. The area of operations appears to stretch from Ramadi in the east to Khan-Al-Baghdadi in the west.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Suicide bomb kills 10 Iraqis, violence spikes --[Reuters]
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide bomber rammed his car into a bus carrying employees of Iraq's oil ministry as it passed a police academy on Monday, killing at least 10 people and wounding 30, police and witnesses said.

Around 1,000 to be freed from Abu Ghraib as gesture --[Reuters]
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - More than 1,000 prisoners held at Abu Ghraib jail will be released this week after a request by Iraqi authorities for a goodwill gesture to mark Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, the U.S. military said on Monday.

At Least 25 Are Killed in Day of Violence Across Iraq --[NY Times]
A suicide bomber swerved his sedan across a highway median and detonated it into a police convoy in eastern Baghdad on Sunday. It was the worst of several attacks and gun battles that Iraqi officials said left at least 25 people dead and dozens wounded.

AFGHANISTAN

Chinook Crash --[The Siegrist Blogs]
Most of you may have heard of the crash over the weekend in Afghanistan. I got a call Sunday morning from the FRG here in Germany informing me that is was not a German based helicopter. The Internet for everyone down range was still down this morning so I was unable to get any more information on what the real deal is. I'm still worried because I still know a few folks that fly with our sister unit.

The War Marches On --[A Storm in Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
By now, I?ve seen it in the news about the Chinook going down in Afghanistan. Five Soldiers died. It was from our base. I knew one of the guys. He was in my unit. He lived two doors down from me.

Attack on U.S soldiers --[Afhgan LORD - an Afghan in Afghanistan]
On Friday Two US soldiers were wounded in Kandahar
The US soldiers injured when a roadside bomb exploded on a military convoy near the Kandahar City. The explosion was followed by firing from suspected Taliban hidden in the area, announced in a press release issued from US Bagram airbase.

Another Chinook down in Afghanistan --[Cali Valley Girl]
The news of the Chinook which crashed this morning in Afghanistan woke me from my post-R&R reverie. Although I received an email from the FRG stating that the helicopter was not from my boyfriend?s unit, I was also soothed by the knowledge that he was still in transit returning after mid-tour leave. My relief is someone else?s heartache. I can?t help but feel weepy, because the reality of the dangers of my boyfriend?s job are suddenly shoved in front of my face once again.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

5 Die in Afghanistan as Copter Crashes --[NY Times]
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 25 - Five American soldiers were killed Sunday when their Chinook military helicopter crashed in the mountains of southern Afghanistan, the United States military said.

Building an Afghan Army and Learning a Lesson in Patience --[NY Times]
American and international efforts to train Afghanistan's security forces began in 2002, about a year before a similar program for Iraqi soldiers and police officers. Yet the Afghan model seems to have lagged behind the troubled Iraqi program.

U.S. Military: Afghan Rebel Tactics Change --[AP]
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Heavy casualties inflicted by U.S.-led coalition forces have forced Afghan rebels to recruit younger fighters and change their tactics, but the insurgency is far from broken, a U.S. military spokesman said Monday.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

The British have their own Cindy Sheehan --[TigerHawk]
A mother whose son was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra a fortnight ago broke down in tears yesterday as she publicly pleaded with Tony Blair to bring British troops home from Iraq.

A More Americanized ROK Army? --[GI Korea]
The ROK Army apparently wants to become more Americanized by relying on hi-tech weapon systems and volunteer forces to down size their military.

TERRORISM

Muslim women, children shield terrorists in Thailand --[ROFASix]
Months ago, I wrote about the Islamic war against the Thai government and people. The Islamic goal is simple. The want to establish an Islamic Caliphate in Thailand.

France is adding to her CT arsenal --[The Counterterrorism Blog]
So, even though France has already one of the toughest anti-terrorism judicial arsenal in Europe, it is adding to it. Indeed, French newspaper Le Monde just revealed the clauses of the new anti-terrorist law due to be formally presented to the government on October 19.
Here is a rundown of the major changes...

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

Suspected al-Qaida Cell Leader Convicted --[AP]
MADRID, Spain (AP) - A suspected al-Qaida cell leader was convicted Monday of conspiring to commit murder in connection with the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States...

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Soldiers in Iraq - care packages --[Steven Kiel - in Iraq]
Since I can no longer receive packages...

If you are a soldier in Iraq and are interested in receiving care packages for yourself or others in your platoon, or if you are interested in receiving things to hand out to Iraqi citizens or soldiers...

At Least I Know Where I Stand With The Muj --[Warriors Voice - in Iraq]
The subject of protesters came up the other evening as we were sitting around ?BS?ing. Every single one of us believes that it is the right of those idiots to protest whatever they want. We all were quick to recognize that those protesters area a loud minority who more or less blame the United States for everything. These protesters are the same people who call many of us serving fascists, brainwashed, hicks, baby killers or red necks. They pretend to support us, all the while cursing us since 76% of service members and their families voted for President Bush. We believe, at least those who were sitting around talking, that "Support the Troops" means supporting the troops not calling the Muj in Iraq and Afghanistan ?Freedom Fighters?...

Support Our Troops AND Their Mission --[Andi's World]
I've just returned from the rally to honor Military Families. It was a fantastic event, and very emotional. I'll bring you the photos and story tomorrow, but for now let's back up and take a look at what happened outside of Walter Reed on Friday night.

Support Our Troops Rally [update] --[A Soldier's Perspective]
Wouldn?t ya know it? I can?t find much about the soldier support rally in the news. As I reading about the largest anti-war rally since the Iraqi invasion occurred, I noticed a glaring bias on the part of most media outlets. Let the nerdy statistics fly...

Sights and Sounds --[Baldilocks]
Scenes from the underground: the ANSWER, etc. Anti-War, Anti-Bush Protests were conducted all across the country today to coincide with same in the DC area, so I went to observe some leftists in their natural habitat.

MSM REPORTS ON SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS...OR NOT

Antiwar Rallies in Washington and Other Cities --[NY Times]
Vast numbers of protesters from around the country poured onto the lawns behind the White House on Saturday to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq, pointedly directing their anger at President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Hundreds Rally in D.C. for U.S. Troops --[AP]
Support for U.S. troops fighting abroad mixed with anger toward anti-war demonstrators at home as hundreds of people, far fewer than organizers had expected, rallied Sunday on the National Mall just a day after tens of thousands protested against the war in Iraq.

Anti-War Demonstrators March on Washington --[AP]
Crowds opposed to the war in Iraq surged past the White House on Saturday, shouting "Peace now" in the largest anti-war protest in the nation's capital since the U.S. invasion.

War Supporters' Day to Rally --[Washington Post]
It took more than 30 years to make it happen again, but yesterday Young joined hundreds of others on the Mall to support the nation's troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, among them his son, Croft, 32.

MILITARY

Jack Kelly, short -n- sweet! --[The Anchoress]
The Army exceeded its recruiting goal for August scoring 102 percent of goal for the month.
You have read no news story about this, because the Army exceeded its recruiting goal for August.

THE MEDIA

More Media Falsehood --[Dadmanly]
The Washington Post ran a story with some fraudulent "novice" protesters, that happened to be picked up by Stars and Stripes in the Saturday 24 September edition. This is highly reminiscent of the NY Times "man on the street" interviews when the same, randomly selected "man on the street" turns out to have a sideline career in giving interviews to NY Times reporters.

Jazeera reporter found guilty of terrorism. --[Iraq the Model - an Iraqi in Iraq]
This is not the first time where reporters and camera men are found to have connections with terrorists so it is definitely time to start questioning the networks themselves and the people in charge of choosing reporters and sending them to join terror networks, sorry! I mean to report the truth!

Not A Job I Would Want --[Balloon Juice]
I can think of a lot of things I would rather do with my life than be public editor of the NY Times, spending 8 hours a day (is this his only job? Not that I don?t think correcting the Times wouldn?t be a full time job.) trying to squeeze corrections and admissions of error from the NY Times staff. However, Byron Calame seems to be giving it the old college try...
He is also still pissed about Krugman making things up...

Reportage And The Iraq War ~ A View From The Home Front! --[GM's Corner]
There is a major difference between what is going on in Iraq and what the MSM is telling you is going on in Iraq. The MSM won't tell you that, I just did! ... And significant differences there are! Not just in the quality of the reporting, but in the focus. One tries to portray a quagmire, the other a quality of life missing in Iraq for decades, if not tens of decades and the difference is telling.

Losing In Iraq --[Pebble Pie]
There is proof this morning that the leftist media propaganda campaign over the war in Iraq is working.

CONGRATS - COMING HOME

I gotta Break Free! --[Assumption of Command - in Iraq]
This is my last post from the Fertile crescent. This is a good thing.
The following must be said...

THE MILBLOG FAMILY

A Roller Coaster --[Eric's Grumbles Before the Grave]
Our son was hit by a car on Friday afternoon on his way home from school. He was riding his bike, wearing a helmet and carrying his bike, the car was going about 20 miles an hour when it hit him. My wife saw the whole thing happen, just a couple of blocks from our home. After rolling up the hood of the car and hitting the windshield he was thrown to the ground. Before she could get to him, he tried to stand up, apparently. She called 911 as she ran to him...

NEWS OF THE WEIRD/HUMOR

Another Conspiracy Theory --[From My Position..On the Way!]
Okay...Tinfoil is firmly in place. The Mrs. and I got to talking yesterday about the next big thing that is going to be President Bush's fault.
Has anyone noticed how all of these hurricanes have passed through the Gulf of Mexico without so much as scratching Cuba?

Poll: Most Americans Not In Iraq --[Scrapple Face]
Hours after a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll revealed that fewer than half of respondents believe the U.S. can win the war in Iraq, a second survey showed that more than 99 percent of Americans are not in Iraq...

Lightning Strikes Two Planes on Takeoff --[Conservative Thinking]
(Honolulu, Hawaii) Even in paradise, there are occasional stormy messages from Mother Nature. Within one hour, lightning struck both Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines planes shortly after takeoff.

(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)