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

Anbar Rising -- [Foreighn and Domestic - in Iraq]
When I got here in April of last year, the Anbar province was described in the media as the wild west of Iraq, the 'volatile Anbar province', and the base of operations for AQI. A Marine intel officer even filed a report saying the situation was dire. It was also the main route for foreign fighters sneaking into Iraq. Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police were unheard of outside of the large towns of Fallujah and Ramadi.
13 months later, Anbar is being hailed as a model for Coalition-tribal cooperation against AQI. What accounts for the huge turnaround? The Iraqis themselves, with support from the Coalition.

It's a rough time but I wouldn't panic. -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
The political process in Iraq has reached another very critical and important stage. This is the time that will decide if Iraq will emerge as a country that can sustain itself and where groups of people-while have many differences-can share this nation and coexist peacefully.

Values Message -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
One of the reasons I trust General Petraeus is he just comes right out and says what needs to be said. The letter which he sent to our forces serving in Iraq (posted below) is a case in point. The letter is more important than it might appear on first glance.

Captured! -- [Acute Politics - in Iraq]
Acute Politics is back, after some long missions and another communication blackout.
The news is all abuzz with reports of killed and captured soldiers near Mahmudiyah. To be more precise, the attack occurred between Mahmudiyah and Amiriya. The area is mostly open desert, and the Sunni insurgency is strong there. Bill Roggio has written previously about the fight in the region, and my platoon recently conducted a long mission northwest of Amiriya.

Iraq Report: The search, Kurds attacked, SCIRI, Sunni moves -- [The Fourth Rail]
The search is on for the 3 missing soldiers who are believed to have been captured after a complex assualt on a U.S. Army patrol on the outskirts of Mahmudiyah Saturday morning. Over 4,000 troops, along with aerial and satellite surveillance, and elements of the Anbar Salvation Council, are involved. Al Qaeda in Iraq's political front the Islamic State of Iraq has claimed it has captured the 3 soldiers, but has not offered any evidence.

Smoke On The Horizon -- [All Quiet on the Southwest Asian Front - in Iraq]
...The shockwave pushed a good cloud of dust in through the gap in the back door of the TOC, giving a surreal haze to everything as we left. The plume of oily black smoke so signature of burning diesel was huge, leaving a trail at least a mile long as it eeled through the sky over the FOB. I saw it as I ran out the door, looking foe J to confirm he was still alive as SFC B. went to look for Luke and Davis. After any impact or attack we have to get 100% accountability of all our people. Just in case.
Once back in the TOC, I managed to get the video repeater for the brigade's UAV up and running, and soon we had a visual on the blast sites. The bridge close to us was still fully engulfed in flames, with many people scurrying about in view. Most of the people in the TOC took the chance to crowd around to take a look, even the battalion commander. "Boy, what a useful valuable system that is,...

Coalition forces kill insurgents caught firing anti-aircraft guns -- [Stars and Stripes]

...The military said intelligence reports and surveillance of a known al-Qaida in Iraq meeting spot led troops to discover three trucks, two of which were mounted with anti-aircraft artillery weapons. The vehicles were followed, and after the insurgents started firing the guns at two houses, it was determined that they were practicing for possible future attacks against coalition troops, according to a Multi-National Forces-Iraq news release.

SUSPECTED SECRET CELL SENIOR LEADER DETAINED -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained three suspected secret cell terrorists Sunday morning, including an alleged senior leader in the organization, during operations in southeastern Baghdad.
Coalition Forces raided several buildings and captured three suspected members of a secret cell terrorist network known for its use of explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, as well as facilitating the transport of weapons and EFPs from Iran to Iraq, and bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.

COALITION RAIDS TURN UP 35 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 35 suspected terrorists during several raids Sunday morning targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership.
During a raid near Tarmiyah, Coalition forces detained 11 individuals for their suspected involvement with a regional al Qaeda in Iraq emir and al Qaeda senior leaders. In two other operations in the Tarmiyah area, Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists allegedly tied to a network responsible for kidnapping, extortion and attacks against Coalition forces.

Numerous caches discovered near Ramadi -- [MNF-I]
RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces discovered multiple weapons caches in the Albu Bali region while conducting clearing operations during the past week.
Iraqi Police, Provincial Security Force 2 and Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, uncovered 21 enemy caches, including an underground bunker and a car bomb factory.

Petraeus urges troops to adhere to ethical standards in recent letter -- [MNF-I]
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, is urging troops in his command to take the “moral high ground” when dealing with insurgents and the Iraqi people.
In response to the results of the latest mental health survey of troops in Iraq, Petraeus sent a letter to the troops, stressing that the key to securing Iraq is building trust by adhering to values and ethical standards.

Iraqi SWAT training -- [Desert Flier - in Iraq]
...As Ramadi continues to improve on security, it was felt that now is the time to give the police force extra training. The Ramadi police colonel was asked to go around the different substations and find his 'best' men to begin training for a possible Iraqi SWAT team. I spent the day out there with them as the trainers put them through their paces. Also got an opportunity to shoot the AK-47 with them and a few of the special forces weapons. Was worth every second I baked under that hot sun.

More Attacks on Kurdish Political Control -- [Moderate Risk - in Iraq]
The second attack in four days on Kurdish political control occurred in the town of Makhmoor near Mosul at the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) offices, killing at least 32 and wounding more than 115. The city of Makhmoor is not under formal Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) control, but the area is almost entirely composed of racial Kurds. According to CNN, political meetings were taking place at the KDP offices when a suicide truck bomber struck. Although firmly in the red zone of active conflict, Makhmoor and other ethnically Kurdish areas have mostly been spared this kind of violence. It appears that Al Qaeda cannot accept any peace in Iraq.

Shame on Who? -- [Jack Army - in Iraq]
Someone with a bit of ironic sense, calling herself "LadyLiberty", responded to the previous post with:
What utter poppycock, the only reason your [sic] blogging is because you present pro-administration views.
We have family there, your [sic] not telling what [the] hell is going on in other places. Good for you getting a cushy spot-most others aren't so lucky....
...I say, shame on you. You have a family member in Iraq, fighting this war, and you show your support by poo-pooing what he or she is trying to accomplish. Regardless of whether or not he or she is happy here or feels that his or her efforts are having an effect, you should be telling them that they are doing a great job and that while it may be difficult it will all be worth something, hopefully very soon. Instead, you are negative and shameful and probably even counterproductive to our efforts here in the war zone. Our troops belong where the fight is, and right now the fight is in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines and dozens of other places you didn't even know we had troops. Bringing them home now would just be admitting defeat and worse, encouraging more attacks, more genocide, more oppression and killing... is that what you hope for?

Living on the surface of the moon -- [Making the Leap - in Iraq]
I am the only one in the lab at the moment, and it's one of those surreal moments. It's almost like everyone else on camp is asleep... but I know that's not the case. Those that work today are already at work, and those that don't are probably still asleep in their bunks -- my roommate included.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan Rebel Leader Claims OBL Is Alive -- [Gateway Pundit]
An anti-American rebel leader in Afghanistan says he has information that Osama Bin Laden is still alive.
Alarab Online reported:...

Mullah Dadullah, Taliban top commander, killed in Helmand -- [The Fourth Rail]
The corpse of Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah. Click to view.
Afghan officials, ISAF confirm the Taliban's most senior military leader was killed during fighting in the south
NATO and Afghan forces have struck a major blow to the Taliban's military leadership. Mullah Dadullah Akhund, the Taliban's top military commander, has been killed during fighting in the volatile southern province of Helmand. "He was killed last night and right now I have his body before me," Governor Assadullah Khalid of Kandahar province told Reuters. Governor Khalid displayed the body to a group of reporters in neighboring Kandahar province.

AFGHAN SCHOOL CHILDREN -- [Afghanistan JAG - in Afghanistan]
During a recent village recon I had the chance to see an elementary school and visit with the kids.
...Despite our appearance, the kids opened up to us really fast and were glad to see us. A great icebreaker is to show the kids digital pictures of themselves. They've probably never seen pictures of themselves so they're fascinated by the camera.

Week 16--The Sun Comes Out Again -- [Richard's Deployment to Afghanistan - in Afghanistan ]
...The new hospital continues to go up. All the columns are now poured.
The foundation is next. I can see progress every day. One day we will be done with the tents and working inside a new, "brick and mortar" facility. Of course, there's lots of work to be done between now and then, but at least there's light at the end of the tunnel. Watching the hospital go up is fun, especially if you like to watch the big equipment

Canadian soldiers echo Hillier's frustration with focus on detainees -- [CNews]
...The letter, with coloured hearts around its edges, was written by a Grade 7 student in Toronto who was born in Kabul. It tells the story of a little girl whose family fled to Pakistan after being chased from their homeland by the Taliban. Once there, her one-year-old sister was kidnapped.
"My mom wanted a country that was safe and where I would be able to learn so we came to Canada," the neatly typed letter reads. "Thank you so much for trying to make my country a better place and tell your soldier friends that I said thank you."
...But they feel acutely that most of their fellow Canadians at home are themselves largely oblivious to their efforts to improve the lives of ordinary Afghan people.
During his visit to Kandahar last week, Canada's top soldier, Gen. Rick Hillier, said in his typically blunt fashion that the soldiers are "pissed off" that the detainee controversy has dominated headlines at home.
"If they're pissed off about anything, it's that we are here and we're doing so much other good stuff, and nobody's talking about it now,"

A Good Career Move -- [Strategy Page]
May 14, 2007: In a major setback, the senior Taliban field commander, Mullah Dadullah, was cornered and killed by NATO forces in Helmand province over the weekend. NATO and Afghan troops have been chasing Dadullah around southern Afghanistan for a month. Dadullah knew he was being tracked, and his pursuers knew he was trying to get to safety in Pakistan. This time, Dadullah didn't make it.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Another Good Deed Gets Punished -- [Strategy Page]
May 13, 2007: If Colombia thought that frozen American military aid was where it would end, they guessed wrong. U.S. Congressional leaders have all but declared war on Colombia's war on FARC and ELN. In a very real sense, victories won in Colombia are going to be undone in the halls of the United States Congress. This is not getting the headlines that come from Iraq, but it is just as important.

Turkey Holds Another Massive Protest Against Islamic Rule -- [Gateway Pundit]
100,000 to 1.5 million protesters rallied in the coastal city of Izmir, Turkey, on Sunday against the growing threat of Islamic rule on the secularist society.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Exclusive: Interview with a Foreign Fighter from Al-Qaida's "Islamic State of Iraq" -- [Counterterrrorism Blog]
On April 27, 2007, the administrators of a radical Arabic-language chat room on the Paltalk online network announced a special live question-and-answer session with Abu Adam al-Maqdisi, a Palestinian national fighting with Al-Qaida’s “Islamic State of Iraq.” In advertisements posted on other online forums, the organizers explained that the interview had been arranged in order to address questions from Al-Qaida supporters and to “offer an accurate picture of the jihad in Mesopotamia.”

Advice from Al-Qaeda -- [Jules Crittenden]
“Your soldiers are in our grip. If you want the safety of your soldiers then do not search for them.”
Because doing what al-Qaeda wants has always worked so well in the past.
Of course al-Qaeda wants us to stop. Al-Qaeda is afraid it might do itself more damage than whatever brief propaganda value it might gain from torturing and murdering American soldiers. The U.S. and Iraqi forces are doing in Youssefiya what we should be doing in a lot of places, with or without missing soldiers.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Sunday at Walter Reed -- [Soldiers Angels New York]
All week I have wanted to write about our visit to Walter Reed. It has been difficult not only because I have been busy trying to catch up on work since returning home, but because it was quite emotional for me.

MILITARY / MILITARY LIFE

I'm Very Sad Right Now. -- [Partamian Report - going to Afghanistan]
I just hugged and kissed my wife and daughter about 100 times. They got on a plane back to GA and I won't see them again for a long time. That was tough to do. I can't adequately describe how hard that was.

Distrust In The Dust -- [Strategy Page]
May 14, 2007: The U.S. Army has just ordered another $375 million worth of M4 rifles . This got a lot of troops agitated because of the continuing jamming problems with the M4 and M16 rifles. In dusty places like Iraq and Afghanistan, you have to clean your M16 and M4 rifles constantly, otherwise the combination of carbon and dust in the chamber will cause jams.

WELCOME HOME

Graduation -- [Afghanistan Without a Clue - home from Afghanistan]
I heard from Mike today. He is back and safe. Still have not heard from Drew and Rat. Today I get to go see my daughter Elise graduate from college and celebrate my son Taylor's birthday. One of these days I'll write a bigger post, but not today. I have terrible vertigo and am not sleeping well yet. It will probably take a week for it all to get sorted out. MIke promises a post soon too.

Coping with Homecoming -- [War in the SandBox...- home from Afghanistan]
This may sound silly, in fact at first it may make you think I am crazy. But the fact is that for the last few weeks I have really missed Afghanistan. I have given this a lot of thought, and I have discussed it with a few people, including some veterans, and I have realized that perhaps it is not as crazy as it may initially seem. You see I have realized that it's not Afghanistan that I miss. I don't miss the crappy living conditions, I don't miss being shot at, and I don't miss carrying a weapon everywhere. What I do miss is the camaraderie that I shared while I was there.

POLITICS

How Do You End a War? -- [Sgt Stryker]
The Democrat controlled Congress passed their defeatist war funding bill and the President fulfilled his vow to veto it. Now we are back to square one. The war is still being waged and the money needed to wage the war is still being used as a political weapon by both sides. Democrats have promised to find a way to force an end to the war. The President has vowed to support the war until Iraq is stable. And all the while our troops continue to fight and die.

THE MEDIA

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

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