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

Mission #4 -- [Basic Training - in Iraq]
A long one. Accompanied the infantry out on a patrol. I was driving for about 15 hours straight, which means lots of leg cramps. At least it was a fairly nice day and we were able to get out a few times and stretch.

Mar. 1st, 2006 -- [Sapper Sgt - in Iraq]
...We got to go out on some no-joke calls. One was spotted by tankers, and we went out and the EOD guys managed to set the IED off with their robot. But this is a $168,000 robot, and a lousy IED isn't going to kill it. They drove it back, shut it down and rebooted, and it was up and running again. Checked out another IED site where a civillian dump truck got caught in a blast.

Border forts along Iraq/Iran border -- [Grandma - in Iraq]
...Base Camp Adder (Ali Base) Iraq - Protecting the border between rivaling countries of Iraq and Iran in rural Maysan Province is a daunting mission assignment. The US Army Corps of Engineers soon realized that endeavoring to build border forts to shelter and safe guard border police patrolling these remote borders, presented extraordinary construction challenges as well.

Sad News -- [From My Position... On the way - wounded in Iraq]
Major Kareem was the best of the best--He flat didn't care what tribe you belonged to, whether you were a sunni or a shia, or even if you were an Arab. If you were dirty, he was going after you. He took my getting wounded personally, and because of that, they caught the bastard who planted the IED the next day--after he and his boys dismantled the town where I got hit. I often had to reign him in during operations, because he was being too aggressive in his methods, and getting over-extended. But he always got the job done. We saw eye-to-eye on a lot of things, and he was my friend. He often would stop by the FOB with a basket of fruit from his orchard--oranges, pomegranate, grapes...

Ash Wednesday -- [Just Another Thunderhorse Roughneck! - in Iraq]
...Our Army Chaplin gave us a blessing in the morning. He’s never come out before but I think a big reason may be because it is Ash Wednesday. I think it was a good day to receive a blessing since we just happened to be doing one of our most dangerous and most exhausting missions. Another reason he was there was to give the ashes to anyone who wished to receive them. Now I’m in a different period of my year, the season of Lent. I believe Muslims have the same sort of thing during Ramadan.

The emerald desert -- [Fast Bunnies - in Iraq]
The flight up to Mosul earlier this week provided a different picture of Iraq than I am normally used to seeing - that of a green and almost verdant countryside. It won't last more than six weeks or so, but it certainly was odd to be up in the air looking out at land that I had previously only seen brown and dead. Seasons in Iraq are brief...except for the summer. Right now we are wondering if we have seen our last rainfall for awhile, or...

Ralph Peters: No Iraqi Civil War -- [Austn Bay]
...I actually believe the Iraqi civil war began in July or August 2003, when former regime elements (Saddam and his supporters) began a campaign to try and regain power. That’s the civil war we need to hear about– and the Sunnis slow, fitful move into the political process is a battle in that war.

Regarding the somewhat controversial troop poll, I've submitted this to Zogby:-- [Murdoc Onlines]
Do your "Executive Summaries" (listed as available for $19.95) include the actual survey questions?
If not, how does this "Executive Summary" differ from the write-up available on the Zogby site?
Are the actual questions available?
Thanks.

Not that I expect to get an answer.

The key is to know what questions the troops were answering. Secondary to that, but still important, would be demographic info. The write-up notes that Marine results were different than the poll overall, for instance. Knowing whether the Marines are represented proportionally to their numbers in Iraq would matter.

The Trouble With Polls -- [Villianous Company]
...Imagine our dismay when we read this headline:
You've Lost The Troops, Sir.

Dear Lord. Surely they have maps at the White House? I can hear Congress now: "Fire Rummy! Impeach the Shrub! Our troops need OnStar! This is a traveshamockery!"

Puzzled, we clicked on the link.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Pace: Torture, Killings Widespread in Iraq -- (AP)
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Human rights abuses in Iraq are as bad now as they were under Saddam Hussein, as lawlessness and sectarian violence sweep the country, the former U.N. human rights chief in Iraq said Thursday. John Pace, who last month left his post as director of the human rights office at the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, said the level of extra-judicial executions and torture is soaring, and morgue workers are being threatened by both government-backed militia and insurgents not to properly investigate deaths.

Iraqi PM Cancels Meeting With Top Leaders -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari canceled a meeting Thursday with Iraq's top political leaders after they agreed to mount a campaign to deny him another term in a bid to jump-start stalled talks on a new government....

Iraqi Parties Want Jaafari Out Of Prime Minister Race -- (New York Times)...Sabrina Tavernise
In a move that could redraw Iraq's political map, leaders of Iraq's Kurdish, Sunni and secular parties are considering a plan to ask the country's largest Shiite bloc to withdraw Ibrahim Jaafari as its candidate for prime minister in the new government.

U.S. Military Mulls Whether Iraq Troop Cut Possible -- (DefenseNews.com)...Will Dunham, Reuters
A spike in violence in Iraq that has heightened worries about civil war has the Pentagon discussing the wisdom of further cutting American forces there, defense officials said on March 1.

AFGHANISTAN

Meeting with professors -- [AfghaniDan - in Afghanistan]
Last week, I took part in a meeting between the leadership of Khost University (yes, there really is one) and representatives from our task force and the local provincial reconstruction team. It was productive in that a partnership with American University has been in the works, thanks to my friend Capt. Moore. This is the group hug I arranged at the meeting's end, on the new deck (!) built onto our Media Operations Center. It was ...

Canadians Replace U.S. Troops -- [Strategy Page]
March 1, 2006: The standoff at the Pul-i-Charkhi jail outside Kabul continues. The rebellion in the prison was led by Taliban and gangster leaders, some of them under sentence of death. The prisoners threaten to kill other prisoners if their demands are not met.

Good Day on the Curbside Shop in Charikar -- [Miserable Donuts]
The metalworkers' stalls in Charikar. I had seen this arrangment before - in Sarajevo in particular, and in other, older and less advanced cities. "Themed streets" - metalworkers, cloth and fabrics, produce, etc

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Bush, On Way To India, Stops In Afghanistan -- (Washington Post)...Jim VandeHei and John Lancaster
President Bush made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Wednesday to rally U.S. troops and boost the country's embattled president, Hamid Karzai, at a time when Afghanistan is facing a sharp rise in deadly violence that poses the most serious threat yet to the U.S.-backed government.

Taliban Rebels Still Menacing Afghan South -- (New York Times)...Carlotta Gall
...Few in southern Afghanistan are ready to stand up to the Taliban, at least not without greater support or benefits from the Afghan government. In fact, four years after the Taliban were ousted from power by the American military, their presence is bigger and more menacing than ever, say police and government officials, village elders, farmers and aid workers across southern Afghanistan.

US AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Shop and Awe -- [Intel Dump - Kris Alexander]
...I spent the initial phases of Iraqi Freedom in Qatar. Right after, we had declared “mission accomplished”, CENTCOM lowered the force protection level enough for a few of us go exploring the in the souk, or market, in Doha, Qatar. Two of us wandered into a shop selling beautiful Persian silk rugs.

“You are American soldiers?” the proprietor asked in accented English. Damn, the haircut gives us away every time.

“Yes sir,” I replied. “Where are you from in the world?”

“Iran,” he stated glaring defiantly from under his turban--a challenge probably borne from watching too much “reality” TV on Al Jazzera.

“Really?” I replied. “It’s too bad our two countries don’t get along better. My grandfather spent some time in Iran, and he loved it.” (After thirty years in the Air Force, his military adventures are so much better than mine.)

It wasn’t the reply he was expecting, and the glare turned into a quizzical stare. I started looking around. My family has several nice rugs from my grandfather’s travels so I know a little about them.

MSM REPORTS ON US AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

U.S. Reviewing 2nd Dubai Firm -- (Washington Post)...Jonathan Weisman and Susan Schmidt
The Bush administration, stung by the public outcry over the Dubai port deal, has launched a national security investigation of another Dubai-owned company set to take over plants in Georgia and Connecticut that make precision components used in engines for military aircraft and tanks.

Tape: Bush, Chertoff Warned Before Katrina -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - On the eve of Hurricane Katrina's fateful landfall, President Bush was confident. His homeland security chief appeared relaxed. And warnings of the coming destruction - breached or overrun levees, deaths at the New Orleans Superdome and overwhelming needs for post-storm rescues - were delivered in dramatic terms to all involved. All of it was captured on videotape.

Ex-FEMA Chief Says Bush Was Overconfident -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush remained engaged during Hurricane Katrina but was overconfident that the Federal Emergency Management Agency could handle the destructive aftermath based on its record in previous disasters, former federal disaster chief Michael Brown said Wednesday....

U.S. Sailors Rescue Iranian Mariners Adrift 10 Days -- (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)...The Virginian-Pilot
The Norfolk-based guided missile destroyer Gonzalez rescued six Iranian mariners Tuesday who had been adrift in the Persian Gulf for 10 days after their vessel's engine and rudder failed. Gonzalez's bridge team first spotted the crippled sailing vessel, called a dhow, while conducting maritime security operations in the central gulf region, officials said in a statement released Wednesday.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Al-Qaida in Saudi Arabia Issues Rules on Attacking Oil Facilities -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
In response to their failed suicide bombing attack last week on a Saudi oil refinery in Buqayq, Al-Qaida's Committee in the Arabian Peninsula has issued a 63-page booklet, titled "The Laws of Targeting Petroleum-Related Interests and a Review of the Laws Pertaining to the Economic Jihad", by Shaykh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Rashid (a.k.a. Abdelaziz bin Rashid al-Anzi). The document explains that despite Usama Bin Laden's past stated reservations against targeting oil, "we must take into account the date in which [these] statements were made... before the fiery eruption of the jihad and before many developments pertaining to the conflict took place.

MSM REPORTS ON WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Suicide Bomber Kills 4 Near U.S. Consulate -- (AP)
KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) -- A suicide attacker rammed a car packed with explosives into a vehicle carrying an American diplomat in Pakistan's largest city, killing four people - including the diplomat - ahead of President Bush's visit to Pakistan....

Abbas: Al-Qaida Has Infiltrated Gaza Strip -- (AP)
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview published Thursday that the al-Qaida terror network has infiltrated the Gaza Strip and West Bank, which could have dire consequences for the Middle East....

U.S. Invasion Increased Terror Threat, 60 Percent Polled Around World Say -- (Houston Chronicle)...Gregory Katz
An unprecedented poll of citizens in 35 countries released Tuesday by the British Broadcasting Corp. found a pervasive belief that the United States-led invasion of Iraq has increased the threat of terror attacks worldwide.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Wings of Hope - Part II -- [Iraq War News]
Thanks to all of you who are sending items for my adopted Airman’s program to help the children of Afghanistan and their families - Wings of Hope.

Here is an update on where things stand:

"Reaching From Here To There" Official info -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
I briefly mentioned a few days ago the "Reaching From Here To There" program, and wanted to give a more in depth explanation of what it is. First, the official press release for the program goes out tomorrow, but here it is in advance:

Part 2: Military nurses and her work in the war zone -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Mission Critical
With amazing speed and precision, military nurses help airlift critically injured soldiers out of Iraq. Even more amazing — not one critical patient’s life has been lost in flight.

POLITICS

Of Course She's Still Coming Here -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
It's as we thought. The plan has not changed since the original announcement. Just no "flowers and baked goods" "as a group". Of course she's still going to protest here.

Elsa Rassbach, one of the oranizers of this event, responds to this article:

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

HUMOR / SATIRE

AL QAEDA DELENDA EST -- [American Citizen Soldier - in Iraq]
As it now stands, the War on Terror's illiberal critics and unlawful combatants certainly appear to be in agreement on one thing: Both demand a fixed timetable for our military's withdrawal from the field of battle. I believe it extreme folly to hand the enemy such a predetermined calendar announcing our departure. If the goal is to apply pressure to the resistance, why alleviate their job-related stress? That isn't what we mean by deadline.
TOP TEN SIGNS OF VICTORY IN
THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

10. Bin Laden and Zawahiri discovered living together in a cave on Brokeback Mountain.

9. Cindy Sheehan puts her money where her mouth is, enlists with the insurgency.

MILBLOGGING / BLOGGING

U.S. Military Targets Blogs To Shape Opinions On Iraq, Afghanistan Operations -- (InsideDefense.com)...Jason Sherman
...Since last July, the Florida-based U.S. Central Command’s public affairs staff -- in an effort recently praised by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for its innovation -- has been initiating contact with editors of Web sites that cover operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, offering the same news releases and stories written by military officials that are made available to journalists affiliated with traditional media outlets.

Essay contest winner - Why Am I Here? -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
Filed by Trevor under Iraq, Contests (Wednesday March 1, 2006 at 9:55 am)

Wordsmith at War is the winner of my first ever essay contest, but there were several good entries. I’m posting the winning entry below and will post the runner-ups over the next two days, so check back:

Why am I here?

I’m in Iraq because I raised my hand and swore to defend my country against all enemies foreign and domestic. I’m here because I believe, odd as it may sound to those who have never served in the military or fought in a combat zone, that service to one’s country is an important part of being a citizen of that country.

WELCOME HOME

He is home, sound and safe -- [The Hooker and his Girl - home from Afghanistan]
Yeah, it feels a little weird, but he is home, finally!
Calivalleygirl described it pretty good and I have not much to add!
Besides from that I was soo nervous ( because I got to the reception tent 1.5hrs earlier ),
and then we heard the busses coming, and saw shadows moving behind the curtain.
When the curtain opened, it ...

Siegs Home -- [The Siegrist Blogs - home from Afghanistan]
Back at the house.

Homecoming Pics -- [CaliValleyGirl - boyfriend home from Iraq]
Blogger is working again, so I can upload some pics from my boyfriend's homecoming ceremony. They aren't the best quality, but they give you a good idea.

IN MEMORY OF...

Josh Pearce
Let us all say a prayer for the family of our good friend Josh Pearce. A guy that always had a smile on, and never complained. A soldier in every sense of the word. You'll be missed brother. For those that knew him...remember the times you shared. For those that didn't, I wish you would've.