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

Not As It Appears
Redstate is currently running a post by "streiff" called AP is Popular with the Troops that claims to show an American soldier on patrol in Iraq "flipping off" the Associated Press photographer, Maya Alleruzzo.
Blackfive provides a link to the original caption that IDs the soldier as:
Staff Sgt Patrick Lockett 25, of Huntsville Alabama of Alpha Troop, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division patrols in Al Kargoulia, 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Baghdad, Iraq, Fri., April 20, 2007. The 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division is back in Iraq for the third time since rolling into Baghdad in 2003. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
On first blush, it appears to be exactly what RedState and Blackfive describe. But sometimes, even pictures can tell less than the whole story.
I got an email from Michael Yon this morning that including the following:
Bob,
You are the man for this. Maya Alleruzzo, currently a photographer for AP, is getting flack. I know Maya and she is very pro troop…

Meet the Iraqi Police in Kirkuk -- [Michael Totten - in Iraq]
KIRKUK, IRAQ – Kirkuk, like Baghdad, is one of the most dangerous places in the world. Car bombs, suicide attacks, shootings, and massacres erupt somewhere in the city every day. It is ethnically divided between Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmens, and is a lightning rod for foreign powers (namely Turkey at this time) that interfere in the city’s politics in the hopes of staving off an ethnic unraveling of their own.

Community Policing in Kirkuk -- [Moderate Risk - in Iraq]
When we got outside the truck was just pulling up and smack was about to be laid down. After a brief conversation with his officers to ascertain specifics, Iraqi Police Chief Sherzad directed that the suspect be brought out. The brief interview that followed with the young man was distinctly unsatisfactory, and Chief Sherzad slapped the young man. Michael Totten and I were stunned but not threatened. Of course we had not been running around on a motorcycle shooting up Kirkuk.

Iraqi police pay wagons -- [PJM]
How Do Iraq’s Finest Get Paid? Not exactly the way New York’s finest get paid, as Richard Miniter - on assignment for PJM in Iraq - discovered. Since so few have a bank account, Iraqi cops (and other public officials) are paid in cash - just as they were under Saddam. And they like it that way.

Car bombs, Chlorine and Al Qaeda: -- [JusticeSoldier - in Iraq]
...As a culture, the people of Iraq have never been into the whole homicide bomber thing in their history.
However, it is a part of the cause of Al Qaeda, which receives foreign terrorists flowing through Syria and into Iraq to join the “jihad” and many come willing to die as a “martyr” in this Jihad against the great satan (that’s you and me). So, the next time a network leads with another homicide car bombing in a market place in Iraq and some analyst or expert comes on the screen and goes on about a civil war - remember that a civil war would BY DEFINITION have to between Iraqi’s versus Iraqi’s only - which is not the case in Iraq.

US Troops Save A Girl In Baghdad

19, First Sergeant -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
This is from a Marine First Sergeant serving in Iraq and about to come home:
As I walk over, all I see are young Marines and a single Corporal. "Who is the convoy commander?" I asked, expecting to see a Senior Sergeant or Staff Sergeant appear from nowhere. "I am, First Sergeant", said Cpl Jansen. All of the Marines started to close in on me as if to see what they had done wrong that caused me to be looking for the convoy commander. So I asked Cpl Jansen how old he was and he replied "19, First Sergeant".

Iraq is Still Here -- [Far From Perfect - in Iraq]
Well what updates for this entry…
My truck got a new electric turret. Now my gunner doesn’t have to be a weight lifter to use it.
We are sweating pretty good, but its cold enough at night for a heater.
The internet still sucks, but if I want my own connection it’ll cost $75 a month for the same crappy connectivity.
I spent about an hour conversing with some IPs the other day. I am learning Arabic at a pretty good pace, but pronunciation and dialectic differences are a bitch. we could actually manage to speak to each other though.

Al-Qaeda in Iraq security emir killed -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces positively identified a terrorist killed in an operation April 20 northwest of Baghdad.
Muhammad Abdullah Abbas al-Issawi, also known as Abu Abd al-Sattar and Abu Akram, was a known al-Qaeda terrorist leader known to operate in Karmah and Ameriyah areas and was the al-Qaeda in Iraq Security Emir of the eastern Anbar Province.
Coalition Forces were conducting operations targeting associates of a known senior leader within al-Qaeda in Iraq. During the operation the terrorists engaged ground forces with small arms fire.

Coalition forces see progress in Diyala River Valley -- [MNF- I]
TIKRIT — Iraqi citizens informed Iraqi and Coalition forces of weapons caches and insurgents responsible for placing improvised explosive devices in Zaganiyah, Iraq, Saturday.
The 5th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. Soldiers from 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division used the information provided by Iraqi citizens that led to six

Marine Sees Improvement -- [Marine Corps News]
BAGHDADI, Iraq – (April 24, 2007) -- It was this time last year when a 24-vehicle convoy of Marines rolled into this Euphrates River town delivering logistical supplies. Marines began fortifying police stations, walking the streets to meet the more than 30,000 residents, continuing the transition process with the police in the area.

More Good News for Today -- [Butterfly Wife]
From the National Review Online, an outspoken critic seeing progress in Iraq:
. . . For the first time in over a year, [Connecticut Republican congressman Christopher] Shays saw promising signs, and he is anxious to confirm them when he returns to Iraq next month. He is encouraged by the improved security in Baghdad, the cooperation of Sunni tribal leaders in Anbar province, and the dramatically improved oil production in the north.

British forces hands over Shuaiba base to Iraqi forces -- [Iraq Updates]
Basra, 25 April 2007 (Voices of Iraq) - British forces handed over on Tuesday al-Shuaiba military base west of Basra, 550 south of Baghdad, to Iraqi forces, the media spokesman of the Iraqi army said.
"British forces handed over on Tuesday al-Shuaiba military base west of Basra, where British and Danish forces were stationing, to the 10th division of Iraqi forces," Colonel Abbas al-Tamemi told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

Attempt to smuggle weapons to armed groups foiled north of Kut -- [Iraq Updates]
An attempt to smuggle a large amount of weapons to armed groups was foiled by police forces in al-Aziziya town, north of Kut, a police source in Wassit province said on Tuesday.
"A large truck carrying amounts of weapons was seized at a checkpoint in northern Aziziya," the source, who asked not to be named, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

Iranian Units Enter Iraq -- [Iraq Slogger]
...Sawa learned of the event through “sources in the International Coalition.” Its journalists were told that an Iranian Army force asked the Iraqis to evacuate the station of Qutaiba, east of the city of Kut, and informed the Iraqi border guards that oil surveys are to begin on the site soon, “and that they should not interfere.”
Bitter border disputes have plagued the relationship between Iran and Iraq over the last decades. Iraq long maintained that areas east of Shatt al-'Arab are Iraqi territory occupied by Iran, while Iran claims territories in Iraq.

The Alternate Reality -- [Strategy Page]
...By restricting road access to one carefully monitored checkpoint, car bombers would be forced to find another base of operations, and be more likely to get caught. The wall would also keep out Shia death squads, who are expected to return once the security build up in Baghdad is over, later this year. But the way Arab politics works, the wall building got stopped when the Israeli security wall was invoked. Despite the fact that the Israeli security wall stopped terror attacks, that wall, and by association all similar walls, are considered evil.

Iraqi Report: Halting the Wall, a Sunni political party is born -- [The Fourth Rail]
The Iraq Report is back after a long hiatus. Today's Today's report includes: An update on the Adhamiya security barrier, the formation of the Iraq Awakening, Coalition ops, Iranian embassy attacked and a Diyala update

Uniting Idol -- [JusticeSoldier - in Iraq]
...While you might have seen a short story on this, I bet it didn’t lead the news nor did the stations bring in their usual band of “experts” for analysis even though this event has some significant importance. First, let’s break it all down. You have Iraq taking part in a popular westernized event (Saddam would not have allowed something he couldn’t control). A female was competing, singing on stage without a veil (Al Qaeda would have gone nuts to see this and see her showing her skin and speaking publicly). Then, the people of Iraq had the opportunity to selectively view the show on their own satellite TV (this would have carried a death penalty under Saddam). Also, people voted on the internet (death penalty under Saddam) or via cell phone text messaging (extremely hated by Saddam and would carry the death penalty). Until America freed the people of Iraq, this would not have even been possible.

AFGHANISTAN

ANA CONDUCT THEIR OWN HUMANITARIAN MISSION -- [Afghanistan JAG - in Afghanistan]
A few weeks ago I wrote about our recon of a village in downtown Kabul that we deemed too dangerous to stop and assist. The more I thought about those people, the more I realized that we couldn't abandon them just because it wasn't safe for U.S. personnel. Those people were in desperate need of assistance. Something had to be done.

DoD News Briefing with Col. Schweitzer from Afghanistan -- [Defense Link]
On security, the Afghan national security force development and partnering is currently at different levels with different units. For example, the army is much further along than the police and border police. The Army routinely takes the lead in operations, and subsequently the coalition is in a supporting role.
The border police is a new organization currently being formed and at this time not operating independently.
With respect to governance and expanding the reach of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, we are fortunate in RC East, because we work with five governors who bust their tails to govern their provinces. They have many challenges, both with providing for the needs of the people as well as their own personal safety. I can tell you that these leaders demonstrate courage every day.
...Together with the Afghan people and their security forces, the communities are looking towards its government for the future instead of the Taliban. This is a recent and significant shift in that particular province.

February Firefight at Mizan -- [Michael Fumento - in Afghanistan]
February 7, 2006. Approximately 40 Taliban are detected during daylight about 10 kilometers northwest of FOB Mizan. A jet could be called in on their position, dropping bombs and firing missiles and almost certainly killing some of them. But some of them isn't good enough out here. When you get the chance to kill or capture some, you try to kill or capture every last one of them. No airstrike can promise that on a group of men spread out precisely to avoid heavy casualties from the air or artillery. You have to go in and get them.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

ANZAC Day -- [Tanker Brothers -in Iraq]
...ANZAC is the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The acronym has it's earliest beginnings in the trenches of Galipoli in 1915. The proudest of Aussie traditions would be founded on the battlefields of Lone Pine and The Nek, in the sands of Gallipoli Beach where thousands would fall within a week. The very first ANZAC Day - April 25th, 1915 - was a day filled with bloodshed and tragic loss of life.

Anzac Day -- [Jules Crittenden]
...Today, this small nation of 20 million on the other side of the world, with total air, land and sea forces of about 50,000, puts many nations to shame with its willingness to engage. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iraq again. Timor and the Marshalls. As Foreign Minister Alexander Downer put it several years ago, Australia is not subject to the popular multinationalism of the lowest common denominator, but has stepped up to play its role.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Bin Laden overseeing Iraq, Afghanistan ops: Taliban - (Reuters)
DUBAI- Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is orchestrating militants' operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a senior commander of Afghan Islamist group Taliban said in remarks broadcast on Wednesday.
Bin Laden has not made any video statements for many months raising speculation that he might have died.
"He is drawing plans in Iraq and Afghanistan ... Praise God he is alive," Mullah Dadullah told Al Jazeera television

Nationalism and Islamic Radicalism -- [Strategy Page]
April 25, 2007: One reason Indonesia has come down hard, but carefully, on local Islamic radicals, is because the goal of the radicals has some disturbing political implications. The main Islamic radical group in Indonesia, Jemaah Islamiya, doesn't just want to turn Indonesia into an Islamic religious dictatorship, but also wants to create a new nation that grabs territory from neighbors (parts of the Philippines and Thailand, as well as all of Malaysia). This bit of nationalism, for a "Greater Indonesia," has a certain popular appeal, and the Indonesian government doesn't want to do anything that would turn this fever dream into a widely publicized one.

House bill introduced to require State & Treasury cooperation on Countering Terrorism Financing -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Three members of the House Financial Services Committee, including Chairman Barney Frank, introduced a bill to improve coordination between the major players in counterterrorism financing, particularly Treasury and State. The bill (click here for the full-text) essentially requires the departments to play nicely together. The bill's aim can be summarized in one paragraph from Sec. 3 (a) starting on page 6:

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Southwest Goes Red -- [The Tank - Kathryn Jean Lopez]
Southwest Airlines encourages its employees to wear red on Fridays as a troop-support fashion statement.

MILITARY

Note from Army Sergeant on the value and meaning of Joint OPS -- [Blackfive]
An Army Sergeant sends this note about how Joint this war has become...I thought it was very interesting:
...the mixing of the services is also continuing in the Brigade. Everyone may be wearing ACUs, but if you look at the rank, and at the service tab above the right pocket, you will find a lot of Navy and Air Force. Our Company has three different services in it right now, and from a distance, you can't tell the difference (but that is the point right now in this theater).

POLITICS

The abuse of Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman -- [Don Surber]
Retired PFC Jessica Lynch’s testimony before Congress today was devastating. She, along with members of Spec. Pat Tillman’s family, told of how they were used by the Pentagon to sell stories of heroism that just were not true.

Harry Reid won't listen to General Petraeus

Harry Reid says he'll ignore General Petraeus.
CNN asks Reid if he will believe General Petraeus] when he says there has been progress in Iraq.
REID: "No, I don't believe him, because it's not happening." (more)

"Give 'em Hooey" Surrenders -- [Strategy Page - Austin Bay]
On Harry Reid's planet, America's enemies need only have one objective: to murder, in a sensational, media-magnifying manner, enough of their own citizens to discomfit and distress Harry Reid Democrats.
I distinguish Harry Reid Democrats from Harry Truman Democrats. Between these two Harrys spreads a vast moral chasm that 60 years of history do not fully explain.
"Give 'em Hell" Truman possessed a large quotient of common sense, as well as the courage of his convictions.

Meeting the Enemy...
...as in going to a political function and ambushing your freshman congressional Representative. In this case, Nancy Boyda, Democrat, representing the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas.
...The tension, such as it was, was over Iraq and her sense of military families and their reaction to Iraq. In her staff's responses to SWWBO, and in her personal responses to me, I get the general sense that Ms. Boyda et.cie, feel that military families are against the war and want everybody home right this minute.
...The point I made is of course we military family members want our deployed soldiers home, but for the right reasons, not "just because"

THE MEDIA

Back to PBS Basics -- [Media Blog - Tim Graham]
PBS will air a 90-minute Bill Moyers documentary tonight called "Buying the War." Moyers told Rolling Stone magazine that Dan Rather comes on the special to announce that the right wing has a "slime machine" that tries to discredit any journalist who tells the so-called "truth" about George W. Bush. (As if Dan Rather would know how to tell the truth about George W. Bush.)
Their argument is that the old media has been ruined by the new media

MILBLOGGIN

And the ban played on -- [theage.com.au]
MORE than 80 years since the repeal of the War Precautions Act, Australian soldiers are still being censored.
Last December, after footage of Australian troops skylarking with weapons was posted on YouTube - including one video of a digger pointing a gun at a fellow soldier dressed as an Arab - Australian soldiers were banned from blogging.
...Some defence forces, the United States' in particular, use military weblogs (or milblogs) as a recruitment tool and for positive publicity.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

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