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

One thing al-Qaeda excels at; making new enemies. -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
With this series of dirty chemical bombings a war between al-Qaeda and the tribes in Anbar is no longer a possibility. It just became a fact.

Violence slashed as troop surge hits Baghdad -- [Times Online]
As the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war approaches, progress is uncertain but trends are hopeful in the affluent suburb of Karadeh

Iraqis: life is getting better -- [Times Online]
The survey of over 5,000 Iraqis found most optimistic despite suffering sectarian violence since the invasion four years ago

Resilient Iraqis ask what civil war? -- [Times Online]
An opinion poll conducted on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq finds striking optimism among the inhabitants

Iraqi transportation unit growing, confident -- [MNF-I]
KIRKUK — The Iraqi army mechanics of the 4th Motorized Transportation Regiment are a confident group. Standing inside the shop’s tidy tool room, Sgt. Drie Satar Hummadi says his troops are able to fix any vehicle that comes into their garage.

Iraqi Security Forces Soldiers stop suicide bombers -- [MNF-I]
BAQUBAH, Iraq – Iraqi Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, shot and killed a suicide bomber Saturday, south of Shakarat, Iraq.
Coalition force members near the area where the incident occurred reported that the suicide bomber was running toward an Iraqi tactical check point, and after failing to obey several verbal warnings to stop, the Iraqi Army shot him, which prompted the vest to detonate...

IED maker, eight other suspects detained in raids -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists including an alleged improvised explosive device maker Monday morning during operations targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network and foreign fighter facilitators.
In Ramadi, Coalition forces captured three suspected terrorists including one who is an alleged maker of IEDs and is reportedly responsible for attacks against Coalition forces.

Counter-Mortar Operation

Insurgents fire mortar at Coalition troops near Baghdad, flee in vehicle, hide in trees, are eliminated by Coaliton air power.

Guest Post: Rep. Duncan Hunter -- [Captain's Quarters]
An Exclusive Post For Captain's Quarters On The Surge In Iraq
I would like to thank Ed Morrissey for giving me the opportunity to write a guest blog at Captain’s Quarters about the surge in Iraq. The courtesy is much appreciated.
Now, let me take a moment to talk about Iraq. What we're doing in that country is following the same basic pattern that we've used to expand freedom around the world for more than 60 years in places like Japan, Europe, and El Salvador. First, you stand up a free government. Next, you stand up a military capable of protecting that free government, and lastly, the Americans leave.
Fardh Al-Qanoon lowers violence in northwest Baghdad -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — Violence has reduced since moving Coalition forces out of big forward operating bases and into smaller community-based combat outposts as part of the Fardh Al-Qanoon, a senior Army officer serving there said Friday.

Weekly Iraq Report for March 19, 2007 -- [Weekly Standard]
More than a month has now passed since the official announcement of the Baghdad Security Plan on February 14. While it is impossible to judge progress over the course of one month in such a complex battlespace as Baghdad, the initial signs are encouraging.

Marines Counter Ambush a group of Insurgents -- [Hotel Tango: OPFOR]

CSM Jeffrey Mellinger -- [Redstate]
CSM Mellinger is the highest ranking Non-Commissioned Officer in-country in Iraq, now serving under General Petraeus. He has been in the military since being drafted back in 1972, and has served under the Multi National Force in his Command Sergeant major role since August 2004. In our first podcast interview for Troop Talk Radio Blog, my last question to CSM Mellinger was to ask why he has served 35 years in the Military - why he stays in the fight. Here is his reply:...

Idiocy in D.C., Progress in Baghdad -- [The Weekly Standard]
The surge is working--that's what matters.
In order to preserve the cosmic harmony, it seems the gods insist that good news in one place be offset by misfortune elsewhere. It may well be that Gen. David Petraeus is going to lead us to victory in Iraq. He is certainly off to a good start. If the karmic price of success in Iraq is utter embarrassment for senior Bush officials in Washington, D.C.--well, in our judgment, the trade-off is worth it. The world will surely note our success or failure in Iraq.

Mobile Helicopter Killers Found and Destroyed in Iraq -- [Strategy Page]
March 19, 2007: American troops in Iraq figured out how Iraqi terrorists had managed to ambush American helicopters with heavy machine-guns and get away with it. The Iraqis had used trucks with the machine-gun mounted in the back, and a tarp over metal supports (a common feature of military trucks) to conceal the weapon. The tarp was rigged so it could be quickly pulled aside, as well as the metal supports for the tarp. This enabled the heavy machine-gun to immediately open fire.

Scores of Iraqi Civilians Injured in Terrorist Chlorine Gas Attack -- [Defense Link]
WASHINGTON, March 18, 2007 – About 350 Iraqi civilians and six coalition force members were treated for chlorine gas exposure after suicide bombers detonated chlorine- laden dump trucks in three separate incidents March 16, military officials reported.

Australian Prime Minister Vows to Stay the Course in Iraq -- [VOA News]
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has returned home from secret visits to Iraq and Afghanistan. The conservative leader has pledged continued support for U.S.-led campaigns in both countries. Despite much opposition in Australia to the Iraq mission, Mr. Howard appears to hope that national security will prove to be a vote winner in an election due later this year.

Pushing Through To The End -- [1016th - in Iraq]
We only have about a month left, so I don't let it get to me. That's seriously all I really think about, going home. Starting a new life. Getting deployed for me was like a giant reset button on life. It helps you find out who the real friends are. They are the ones that still talk to you after a year. Everyone else forgets about you and moves on with their lives. I made some new friends here, but realistically, I'll only end up talking to a couple of them ever again. For me, the deployment erased all debt. Allowed me to be able to afford my own place. Basically take my life in my own hands and not depend on anyone else. The days are flying by now as well, probably a combination of getting rid of the ROM site and time getting short. The only down side to going home is the overwhelming amount of stuff you have to do. Taxes, Financial aid forms, register for classes again, find a place to live...

"Saying Farewell to Iraq," -- [ON Point - leaving Iraq]
I’m in the McDonalds inside of Kuwait International Airport, waiting for my flight to New York. The term “mixed emotions” doesn’t do justice to what’s been running through my head as I write. On the one hand, I’m little tired. War is a young man’s game, and I’m a long way from 18 years old. Humping enough gear for six weeks plus flak and fritz makes me wish I had 30 + years back. But I also feel like I’m running out on our Marines and soldiers. They’re staying and I’m...

Two Views on Iraq -- [Real Claer Politics]
In an interview from Baghdad, Senator John Sununu told the New Hampshire Union-Leader, "I think the goal of withdrawing (all American) combat troops by the end of 2008 is very realistic and attainable."
Also, Senator Bob Corker discusses his recent trip to Iraq with the Memphis Commercial-Appeal editorial board. Here's part of what Corker said:...

AFGHANISTAN

BUZKASHI -- [Afghanistan JAG - in Afghanistan]
Yesterday I traveled to Camp Phoenix to watch an exhibition of Buzkashi, Afghanistan's National Sport. Although it is often compared to polo, or even "rugby on horseback", this is not a team sport. It's every man for himself. The object is to wrestle a goat carcass away from other riders and throw it into a circle in the middle of the field.

Afghanistan Photos -- [BlackFive]
Army 1st Lt. Steve Miller of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Spartan, distributes humanitarian relief items to a girl in northeastern Afghanistan's Waygal Valley.

AWAC Opens Its International Bureau -- [Afghanistan Without a Clue - in Afghanistan]
...Dany looked at my computer and asked if I was writing my blog, and he asked what the list above was. I explained some of the issues we were dealing with, and he told me about his experiences trying to teach the Afghan tankers, and it made me appreciate the men at CMA more. We may have issues there, but on the whole the guys are doing a pretty good job.

U.S. Refutes Taliban Claim of Shooting Down Helicopter in Afghanistan -- [Defense Link]
WASHINGTON, March 18, 2007 – U.S. military officials refuted a Taliban claim that they shot down a U.S. helicopter in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province on March 16.
The claim is being made on an extremist Web site. U.S. forces have no reports of a downed aircraft and all coalition forces aircraft are accounted for, officials said.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Items About Areas That Could Break Out Into War -- [Strategy Page]
March 18, 2007: The UN says that at least 50,000 Central African Republic ( CAR) citizens are now in refugee camps in Chad. Another 150,000 to 170,000 had been forced to leave their homes in the CAR's northern region. This "low-grade" war began in late 2005, but began to get worse in late 2006. The refugees report they are harassed and robbed by bandit groups called "zaraginas." Reports from the CAR also use the French term "coupeurs du route," or "road cutters," meaning bandit ambushers or

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

False Confessions -- [Strategy Page]
March 19, 2007: The FBI seems to have the goods on Khalid Shaikh Mohammed regarding his connection to September 11, 2001. But in his recent confession, he also admits to involvement in numerous other plots, many of which were never executed. But there seems to be room for some healthy skepticism about his claims. In fact,

Terrorists Terrorized -- [Strategy Page]
The major UN members have agreed on a package of escalating sanctions against Iran, if Iran does not halt its nuclear weapons program. Iran says it will ignore these sanctions. But it cannot. The Arabs have leaned on nations like toe China and Russia, to support the sanctions. Arabs see an Iran with nuclear weapons as a direct threat.

Al Qaeda Internet Terror Fortresses -- [Pat Dollard]
A variety of global intelligence and press sources have reported that Al Qaeda has in the last few weeks circulated a 100 page manual for use by it’s operatives to create the world’s most state of the art internet terrorist fortresses; websites which allow Al Qaeda to plan attacks, create weapons, recruit new members, create recruiting and propaganda videos via a complete online film school including a thorough tutorial on posting the products onto the websites once the cell or individual has produced it, post all manner of undetectable messages, email undetectable messages, perfectly detect whether or not the website/fortress has been breached and by whom, and utilize password technology possibly unsurpassed by our own. These websites are rapidly becoming Al Qaeda’s principal combat operations centers,

Note to FBI: Remember Canadian Terror Plot & Beslan School Massacre -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The FBI has alerted law enforcement officials across the United States that they have information that aliens under recent investigations, with ties to extremist organizations have been involved with buying school buses and/or obtaining licenses to drive school buses - but they say that there is nothing to be concerned about!

Turkish Police Raids Net 39 Al-Qaeda Members; Police Find Al-Qaeda Pledge in Turkish School -- [MEMRI Blog]
The Turkish daily Hurriyet reports that a police raid in several locations against Turkish Al-Qaeda netted 39 Al-Qaeda members.
The operation also turned up report cards from a school in Konya attended by the children of Al-Qaeda members that include a pledge "to Koran, to jihad, and to martyrdom."

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

New Website for Soldiers' Angels -- [Holly Aho - A Soldiers' Angel]
Soldiers' Angels has undergone a website redesign! If it's been awhile since you've visited the Soldiers' Angels website (or if you've never visited ...inconceivable!!) then go take a look! While you're there, consider adopting a soldier or joining one of Soldiers' Angels' many teams.

"Hard for outsiders to understand" -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
You won't see any photos taken inside the hospital from me, but you may be interested in a couple from the article.
...Arrival of critical patients at Landstuhl, something I've witnessed many times:

MILITARY

American Idols -- [Sgt Hook]
I have always been in awe of America’s “Greatest Generation” for not only what they did for this country and my way of life, but for how they changed the world. If not for the men and women who bravely battled evil in 1941, we would not enjoy the lives that we do today, and Europeans certainly would not have known over 60 years of peace on their streets. I can’t help but wonder, as we watch the hit T.V. show, American Idol, and phone in our votes for said idol, just what music Iraqis and Afghans are listening to and who they might phone in their votes for American Idol if given the opportunity?
Hook Productions proudly presents your American Idols…

Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Understand -- [Strategy Page]
March 19, 2007: The comments by American general Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concerning the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy concerning homosexuals in the military, has been shamelessly misinterpreted and distorted in the media. It also has exposed a lack of understanding among not just the mainstream media, but among many bloggers who tend to be supportive of the military.

Arlington National Cemetary -- [Miserable Donuts]
I missed the News yesterday - I was returning from Washington, D.C. My work had an "offsite" meeting for three days in Alexandria, VA. I had one small bloc of time to myself, and I was only a little ways down the highway from Arlington National Cemetary. I had not been there before, so the choice was easily made for my bit of free time...
....I saw more than one person like SFC Joel...service in three wars, and a Medal of Honor.
..One huge disappointment - when I asked at the lady at the information desk where I could go to find the burials from Afghanistan, I was told that information was not being given out publically, since there were some people going there and "misbehaving". [she did ask if she could direct me to someone I knew or such] I was shocked - people would come to Arlington and protest on the graves.

POLITICS

More Moonbattery -- [Smash]
I HAVE A LOT OF MATERIAL to compile for my post on the Gathering of Eagles, but here's a gem that just couldn't wait. I didn't bring a videocamera with me (it's back in California), but with this photo and the accompanying audio, you can get a real taste for the circus-like atmosphere created when crazies cross paths with patriots.
...Click here for the audio.

A Gathering of Eagles

Townhall.com's Mary Katharine Ham was at the Gathering of Eagles pro-troops rally in Washington, D.C. near the Vietnam Memorial, March 17, 2007. These are some clips from the group's rally before the march, and before any moonbat confrontations. (more)

The Day We Took Our Country Back -- [Old War Dogs]
Forty years lost in the wilderness. Forty years in exile. Behind us now. Yesterday we took our country back. It's in the air. I can feel it. Can you?
Let us make it clear, we've all come here. To defend our long-dead brothers; And understand you ain't layin' a hand
On our Wall you leftie mothers." (Click here to listen to the .mp3)

The Gathering Of Eagles - Report -- [Flopping Aces]
From all accounts it appears the Gathering of Eagles was a HUGE success. With many reports coming that the Eagles either matched the nimrod protestor numbers or outnumbered them. Many bloggers were lucky enough to attend the Gathering and had plenty of pictures up. Mike at Mike's America was a central hub for quite a few of them who called in updates and sent in new pictures. Below is a sampling of the pictures sent in with the first one being one of my favorites.

Gathering of Eagles
...But seeing thousands of patriots, some barely able to walk, many still scarred outside and inside from their heroic efforts to defend our country during conflicts past, took a little of the edge off. Those patriots found out about the Gathering of Eagles through emails, word of mouth, on Free Republic, on Move America Forward, here on Hot Air and michellemalkin.com, all over the place. There was no Soros Santa on our side marketing the march and bussing people in from all over the country. People drove through ice storms to get there, ...

Three items of note -- [The Marching Camp]
First, a clarification on a previous post. On the House "emergency" appropriations bill needed to fund the war in Iraq.
First, there are the obvious absurdities. The spinach funding. The increase in the minimum wage. All the other non-essential riders being tacked on. That's insane, but it is politics as usual.
They also cleverly tucked into the law a provision attempting to mandate surrender in Iraq and a unilateral withdrawal commencing 1 March 2008 and ending no more than 180 days later.
Friggin' wonderful. Excerpts and linkage to full text is here.
The Republic has survived one war wherein the Armed Forces were betrayed and had their efforts deliberately overthrown by treasonous conduct at home...

Letter to the Governor From Mr. Gralla of Norman, Oklahoma -- [Task Force Phoenix 5]
...This letter to the editor appeared in the Daily Oklahoman on March 14th- pass it along and get everyone to write a response.
My response is below.."
Get back to work, governor . . . how much did Gov. Henry's trip to Iraq cost? How much did Oklahoma taxpayers pay for this trip? How many Oklahoman soldiers did the governor shake hands with? What was the dollar cost per handshake? Henry was elected and is paid to guide the state of Oklahoma. He wasn't elected and isn't paid by Oklahoma taxpayers to press the flesh and politic in international affairs in a war-torn country.

THE MEDIA

Mainstream Media Misreporting on GOE -- [Gathering of Eagles]
Kristinn has consolidated some of the early reportage of the Gathering:
As those who were there know, the reporting by the mainstream media on the Gathering of Eagles has been mostly ficticious and at times downright laughable.
For the record, here are the leading print media outlets’ reporting on our numbers.
...Note (from Heidi): Somehow, the media came up with their predictably skewed perspective without ever leaving the anti-war rally area. They did not come to the GOE rally, where thousands of veterans mingled, nor note the large groups of veterans on roaming patrols, the three-hour line in front of the Vietnam Wall, or the countless vets guarding all the other memorials in the area.

Busted! The New York Times Bogus Voter Fraud Claims -- [Gateway Pundit]
On Friday The New York Times published a blatantly false editorial on democratic voter fraud
In contrast to their fraudulant editorial, democratic voter fraud in rampant not just in St. Louis and Missouri but in several states.
But, don't expect a correction because that would make this whole bogus non-scandal with Attorney General Gonzales look even more ridiculous.
The Scrutinator was the first to forward this article my way:

MILBLOGGING

Nostalgia and Anticipation -- [Andi - 2007 MilBlog Conference]
Over at the Castle, FbL wrote a post about what the 2006 MilBlog Conference meant to her. She correctly states that the "buzz" for this year's conference has been rather low-key...
...until now, that is. It's time to crank up the excitement. We're less than two months away, folks.
Synergy: The 2006 Milblog Conference -- [Fuzzilicious Thinking]
Andi has put out a challenge to last year's MilBlog Conference attendees: describe the experience. It's not easy, but I'll try...
Although the conference was attractive to me from the beginning, I struggled with whether to spend the money. It seemed self-indulgent. Though a blogger, I was just a milblogging hanger-on in my view; I couldn't see it as anything more than a social event for me. Nothing wrong with social events, but in my cash-strapped life I couldn't justify the expense on that basis alone. But when a gift of airline miles and the chance to share a hotel room came up, I grabbed them. Still, I had doubts.
With the expense thus reduced, I decided to go for it. Without a doubt, it turned out to be the best $150+ I have ever spent.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Pelosi: Iraqi Optimism Highlights Bush Surge Failure -- [ScrappleFace]
A new poll shows Iraqis are “irrationally optimistic, misguided in their support of the new government and in denial about the civil war raging in their country,” according to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Day By Day

WELCOME HOME

Homecomings -- [Soldiers Angels New York]

Today I attended a welcome home for a group of Marine Reservists. Below are pics and video. After hours of waiting, when they finally arrived I was so busy clapping and cheering, I forgot to turn on the video. But you will get the idea. Just sorry I didn't get more of my new friend, Les the bagpiper.

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