Dawn Patrol

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. 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.

IRAQ

Distant Death Hits Home -- [Badgers Forward - in Iraq]
“All personnel with O positive blood report to Charlie Med.”
The Big Voice boomed from the loudspeakers around camp. I was sitting in my office contemplating bed, irritated that my civilian internet service was down for the second day in a row. Then one of my radio operators piped up.
“Sir, another company has been hit. The request for blood is for our Task Force. They have also called for a communications blackout.”
Ah – a communication blackout. My lack of civilian internet is now moot. Since I have O positive blood, I decide to head over to Charlie Med.

Victories You Don't Hear Much About -- [Strategy Page]
February 7, 2007: There have some major set backs for terrorist organizations in Iraq recently. These generally don't get reported. Bad news sells, good news doesn't. But for those concerned about the progress of the war on terror, these battles in central Iraq are very important. For example, a battalion of troops from the U.S. 82nd Airborne division spent nine days last month (January 4-9), in a Sunni area about 70 kilometers northeast of Baghdad.

Deploying the The Snake Eater in Khalidaya -- [Bill Roggio - The Fourth Rail - reports from Iraq]
In the middle of January, I embedded with the joint U.S. Marine and U.S. Army Military Transition Team based in Khalidaya in Anbar province. The MTT was then commanded by Major Owen West. Major West's greatest criticisms of the war effort is our failure to recognize the nature of the insurgency, which in many parts of Iraq is fought by applying what he calls "heavy police tactics," and our failure in applying the right tools to deal with the problem.

Missions Complete -- [1016th - in Iraq]
When I mobilized with the 1016th, I had only been back in the states for 9 months after my first deployment. I didn’t know what to expect from Iraq, as I had only been to Kuwait previously. I knew it would be a bit more dangerous and more exciting.
The missions I’ve been on have been so different in so many ways. My first line haul was mail. We picked up two 40 foot containers of mail and took them to Camp Echo.

Still No Love -- [Half a World Away - in Iraq]
Well, we are still locked out of our blogs and I am beginning to think it is permanent. It is really annoying, because the majority of mil blogs that I read are highly supportive of our effort over here and in my opinion help to counteract some of the bias from the media. I really don’t understand why they don't want us telling us our story and keeping our friends and families up to date on what we are doing. It is especially aggravating for me and the guys in my unit, as we got another 4 months added to our sentence and our blogs were a nice break from the day to day grind that is our 16 month vacation.

NEWS ON INTERVIEWS FROM IRAQ! -- [Bob Calvert - Talking with Heros]
Talking with Heroes was in Iraq in October 2006 interviewing Military Personnel. See the Grand Opening of Tourist Town School in Iraq and hear the joy of the children. See and hear from the Principal. See them handing the children school supplies and toys ... both Iraqi and American Troops working side by side. Other interviews covered Training the Iraqi Army. One program took place at Bear Cat Chapel with the Chaplain, his Assistant and some of the soldiers who attended services. Hear the messages to America from our Brave Men and Women.

The Hands of God -- [Michael Yon - dispatched from Iraq]
He was dressed as a woman as he walked down the alley toward the mosque full of worshippers. It was Friday, just before Ashura, and the air was chilled.

OPERATION: BOREDOM -- [Slate - The Sandbox - Acute politics dispatces from Iraq ]
I'd like to try to describe a bit of what I feel every night, what it's like to roll out of the relative safety of the Forward Operating Base to hunt for bombs and bad guys. Last night was typical for me and my platoon. We were slated to conduct route clearance operations near the center of Ramadi to "prep the route" for the Marines following us to raid several houses. Prepare to be bored. I was.

Operation Baghdad, Day 2. -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
Last night continued to be quiet for the most part and nothing indicated that the operation in Azamiyah faced resistance.
I woke up late this morning and again it was very quiet. I asked Mohammed if there was anything going on and the answer was negative.

AFGHANISTAN

About Me -- [Afghan Warrior -- Afghani in Afghanistan]
My name is Waheed. I am 22 years old. I work for the US Army as an interpreter, since 2002. I have mostly spent my life in war and conflict.
...I have enjoyed working with the US Army. I have been on over 800 patrols with the US Army to provide security for the Afghans. During these patrols I have meet many people and interpreted between the locals and US Army.

Meanwhile, Back in Afghanistan -- [Austin Bay - Strategy Page]
"As I've said in the past, it will be a bloody spring."
With that sentence, Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States, Said Jawad, acknowledged that the Afghan government believes the Taliban and its al-Qaida allies will launch a "new offensive" within the next two months.

Liberators Who Refuse to Fight -- [Strategy Page]
February 9, 2007: U.S. forces in Afghanistan have nearly tripled in the last three years, from 9,500 in 2002, to 26,000 today. Most (14,000) of the current force is assigned to NATO, while the rest are training Afghan troops or Special Forces running special operations.

News of Afghanistan ۴۶ -- [Miserable Donuts]
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) greets to his Afghan counterpart Abdul Rahim Wardak (C) next to NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (R) during an informal meeting of NATO defence ministers in Seville February 8, 2007

OFF TO MEZAR-E-SHARIF -- [Slate - Sandbox -- Yambo dispatches from Afghanistan]
...We finally get to the camp, which looks much better than Kandahar. It's clean and the troops look more professional. But the routine is the same -- handshakes all around (I am starting to feel like a politician) and Chai tea. This Afghan unit is definitely better trained than others we've worked with. When I ask why, it becomes clear. The corps general is the area warlord, and these troops, before they were Afghan Army, were Northern Alliance. So basically they have been fighting someone or other for close to twenty years. When we start our inspection their attitude is, "What can you tell me that I don't already know?"

GETTING SHOT AT -- [Slate - The Sandbox - B.C. dispatces from Afghanistan]
I'm still at Firebase Snake, which is a cool-sounding name for a small group of ramshackle brick buildings and a Hesco wall tucked in a river valley somewhere in Uruzgan province. I can't talk specifics, but there aren't a whole lot of Americans here, and our only link to friendly forces is by air, due to the bad roads and worse people who control them. I'm working on month eight of this deployment, and I've been on plenty of patrols, but getting shot at is a relatively new experience for me.

A Plan Colombia for Afghanistan: Exporting Success? -- [ Aaron Mannes - Counterterrorism Blog]
Speaking in Bogotá a few weeks ago, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Peter Pace praised Colombia’s success at battling a drug fueled insurgency and cited it as a “good model” for Afghanistan.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Threats Against U.S. Forces and Interests in the Middle East and Against Israel -- [MEMRI]
In a meeting with Iranian air force commanders on February 8, 2007, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei threatened that any attack by the U.S. would be met with a forceful Iranian response: "[The U.S.] is not frightening the Iranian nation with its [threats of attack]. After all, hasn't America attacked Iran before? Moreover, the enemies know well that any aggression [on their part] will be met with a forceful response on the part of the entire Iranian nation against the aggressors and against their interests all over the world."

New Core Staff Deploys to the Horn of Africa -- (Navy News Stand)
NORFOLK (NNS) -- A team of 85 Navy members will leave Naval Station Norfolk on Feb. 8 to begin a yearlong deployment to fill vital staff billets for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and to serve a crucial role in a region of strategic importance in the global war on terrorism.

The North Korean Freeze Tactic -- [GI Korea]
have said this before and I will say it again, Kim Jong-il has no intention of giving up his nuclear weapons. He developed nuclear weapons in order to appease his military eager to join the prestigious nuclear club and to ensure regime survival. He is using the current six party talks to buy time to perfect his nuclear weapons program.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Video: Terrorists Shoot Down U.S. Chinook Helicopter (Updated) - [Jawa Report]
The Salafi jihadi umbrella organization which includes al Qaeda, The Islamic State of Iraq, has released a video showing the downing of a U.S. Chinook Helicopter on February 7th. The video is posted below. Updates at end of post.

Terrorizing the Terrorists With American TV -- [Strategy Page]
February 9, 2007: Iraqis are in awe of American technology. So much so that they think we have stuff that we don't. Iraqis get a lot of this from watching American TV. American crime shows, like the CSI series, circulate on CDs and DVDs, and are avidly watched. So when terror suspects find they are photographed, finger printed and have DNA taken, they know what they are in for. But late last year, American soldiers and marines working in Anbar province got the idea of having a portable kit, with the database built in, to do this.

Palestinian Textbooks Preach Hate and Support Terrorism -- [Andrew Cochran - Counterterrorism Blog]
The Palestinian Media Watch, an Israeli-based organization which examines Palestinian culture, today released an important new report on the content of textbooks introduced at the end of last year into the 12th grade in schools run by the Palestinian Authority. The books lie about the U.S., Israel, and the West in general, and brainwash the kids into believing that terrorist attacks against us are appropriate and meritorious.

Al Qaeda Renews Call to Attack Oil Supplies -- [Andrew Cochran - Counterterrorism Blog]
In the new issue of "Sawt al-Jihad" (Voice of Jihad), issued today, Al Qaeda returns to an attack policy used in 2005 and 2006, that of targeting oil supplies intended for the West. Rita Katz's SITE Institute provides this commentary:

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Donate A Car -- [Laurie - Soldiers' Angels New York]
Donated Cars "Add Mileage" to Purchasing Needed Items for Wounded Servicemembers; Soldiers' Angels Car Donation Program Now Accepting Donations of automobiles, boats or recreation vehicles

Congressman, Why Won't You Support Us? -- [MaryAnn - Soldiers' Angels Germany]
This post is contributed by reader and friend Robert Connolly.
I am contemplating writing my Congressman. My Congressman is David Price, a Democrat, and the new chair of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. Dr. Price (he used to make his living as a professor at Duke University) is not given to the rhetorical nonsense that comes from the likes of Charlie Rangel, or the two U.S. Senators from the State of New York.

MILITARY

Many 1967-72 Spitting Incidents Are Documented in the Press. [Jim Lindgren - The Volokh Conspiracy] HT:Countercolumn
Hundreds of Vietnam-era veterans have publicly claimed in recent decades that they were spat on by citizens or anti-war protesters because of their military status, either before they went to Vietnam, when they were on leave, or after their returned from overseas. Yet several journalists and at least one scholar, sociologist Jerry Lembcke of Holy Cross, think that such things never happened, that they are an “urban legend.” Lembcke claims: “Stories of spat-upon Vietnam veterans are bogus.”

USS New York -- [Via email]
It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center .
It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite ...

POLITICS

Memo To Our Sources In Iraq -- [Hugh Hewitt]
The Democrats in the Congress have decided to allow access to the intelligence in which your identity is either made explicit or from which it could be deduced. We are sorry that the Democrats have no grasp of the danger in which they are putting you, or if they do have that grasp, no concern for you, your family members, or the continuing effort to bring stability to Iraq.

Socialists plan to Commemorate 1967 March on the Pentagon -- [A Proud Infidel]
A major hat tip to the Capital Police! Your stupidity and lack of foresight has now fueled the flames of the ANSWER(Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition. They have just announced on their Party for Socialism and Liberation website, complete with Che Cuevera icon) that they have had their permits approved to demonstrate on March 17, 2007 and march on the Pentagon,here.

Don't Spit on Me -- [Smash]
RESPONDING to some attempted historical revisionism by the radical left, Jim Lindgren provides contemporary documentation from the Vietnam era of protesters spitting at, assaulting, and generally abusing veterans.

THE MEDIA

"Amenities International": An Arkin video smackdown -- [Michelle Malkin]
We haven't forgotten WaPo weasel William Arkin's troop-bashing about the "obscene amenities" supposedly enjoyed by our soldiers on the battlefield. Hot Air and Sout al-Kuffar have teamed up to bring you a special video response. Click on the sandstorm pic to watch:

Report says Pentagon manipulated intel -- [Uncle Jimbo - BlackFive]
That's not the truth, but it's what the AP headline reads. Do they ever bother to report facts any more or are they just an opinion and propaganda service.

AL-SADR PRESS: -- [Jules Crittenden - Journalist]
But let’s give the AP credit where it’s due. Even though this article on the arrest of anallegedly corrupt deputy health minister is overly concerned with the reaction of Sadrist members of parliament, it does include some kickass details. This is surge as surge is supposed to be done, and gives me hope. I’d like to thank the Associated Press for the following imagery...

MILBLOGGING

Announcements -- [MilBlog Conference 2007 site]
I realize that it's been a while since we've released new information. We're working on a host of items for the conference -- and making progress -- even though the lack of posting around here may seem to indicate otherwise. The venue has been selected and we're currently working on the administrative details. Information will soon be posted.

CONGRATS

HOME SWEET HOME! -- [Yikes]
Well, folks, there it is -- our brand-new home!!!! Isn't it GOREGOUS?! I think it is -- especially so because this isn't just any ole house ~ my Soldiers, Robert Stokely, Marcia Kincaid (mother of fallen Hero Aaron Kincaid), several Patriot Guard Riders, multitudes of people from my church and multitudes of people from our community worked VERY hard on this house...

2 Year Blogiversary Open Trackback -- [Stop The ACLU]
It’s Stop The ACLU’s 2nd Blogiversary Open Trackback Weekend!
Jay has worked hard for the last two years to expose the ACLU and this site’s immense success and popularity is a tribute to his dedication paying off. Thank you to our readers and contributors for your efforts to keep America afloat and from being drowned by the ACLU in a sea of liberalism