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

Ramadi all-nighters -- [Desert Flier - in Iraq]
1:06AM brings a loud rap on our door "11 in-bound. Mikes unknown".
Knocking the fuzz out of my head as we all stumble and hop around the room putting our uniforms back on. Hopping around on one foot, I avoid a collision with D squared just as someone flips the lights on.
Feeling like I'm floating to the back of Charlie medical, I run down a mental checklist of how many patients, where we are going to triage them, and making little bets in my mind that this could be a long night.

MASCAL #3 and some pics at the range

Air, ground elements continue search for missing Soldiers -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — Soldiers continue searching around the clock for their missing comrades throughout southern Baghdad Thursday.

Baghdad: Patrolling Yarmouk -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Daveed Gartenstein-Ross - in Iraq]
On May 23 and 24, I went on a couple of evening patrols in Baghdad's Yarmouk administrative district. I went with a platoon from the U.S. Army's 2nd Brigade, 32nd Field Artillery, with which I am embedded; they are working with the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division while in Iraq. The battalion of which 2-32 is a part is responsible for a large section of northwest Baghdad, which includes a couple of districts that have been hot lately, Kadamiyah and Mansour. But the districts that 2-32 patrols -- Yarmouk and Hateen -- are relatively quiet. The most dangerous aspect of patrols in those districts is the drive to reach them.

Voices of Anbar: Riverine squadron proud

Voices of Anbar: Riverine squadron proud. Riverine Squadron reactivated since Vietnam and proud to serve in Anbar Province.

Marines volunteer to return to Iraq -- [LA Times]
In one battalion, 200 members opt to extend their enlistments, for no bonus money. 'I'm here to teach the younger guys,' says one.
RAMADI, IRAQ — Marine Cpl. Saul Mellado could be back in California, finishing the final months of his enlistment in a safe billet at Camp Pendleton.
Instead, the 23-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Mexico is patrolling these war-torn streets only recently wrested from insurgent control — and bracing for an expected counteroffensive.

Iraqis taking the lead at Al Suleikh -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — Capt. James Peay was starting to feel like a third wheel.
Peay, a battery commander with the 82nd Airborne Division from Nashville, Tenn., was accompanying Iraqi police chief Lt. Col. Ahmed Abdullah on a combined engagement patrol through the east Baghdad neighborhood of Suleikh.

Iraqi Soldiers win hearts, minds

COALITION FORCES NAB 20 SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA TERRORISTS -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 20 suspected terrorists during several raids targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq around the country Friday morning.
In Baghdad, Coalition Forces raided a house looking for a suspected al-Qaeda battalion commander. The ground force detained three suspected terrorists at the targeted location, including the alleged leader. Intelligence reports indicate he is responsible for numerous attacks in Baghdad, including assassinations, attacks on news media and attacks on the city’s infrastructure.

RAF jets save life of top Iraqi Police commander -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — A Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 crew saved the life of an Iraqi Police commander by "scaring the all living grace of God" out of rogue militias that had ambushed him.

The value of human life -- [Those Wacky Iraqis - in Kuwait/Iraq]
Everyone has a tough time over here with labor brokers and construction type firms when it comes to how they treat their workers. Our values and sense that all men are created equal just do not compute here. These brains are hard wired that if you are of a certain religion, nationality, caste, or tribe other than their own, you just don't count.

the al-qaeda torture handbook, chamber, and victims Marked as: Mature -- [Live Leak]
this was discovered in a recent raid.Al Qaeda terrorists use blow torches, electric drills and meat cleavers to torture and force information out of their victims, according to a "how-to" handbook discovered by U.S. forces in an Iraqi safe house.
The Defense Department recently released disturbing images and cartoons showing how to torture a captive found by American forces during a raid on a Al Qaeda safe house a few weeks ago. They also found photos of tortured Iraqi victims. The book guides followers of Al Qaeda how to interrogate and torture captives

Coup Panic -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
Fear from coups and implied threats with coups have been a common feature of the political scene in Iraq.
After the formation of Maliki's government with all the rifts inside the major political blocs that accompanied that stage, the political map became quite complex that groups within the same bloc were sometimes thought to be conspiring against each other.
At the center of most coup rumors was almost always the Iraqi List and its leader Ayad Allawi.
Right now there's a new uproar, a panic attack in Baghdad about an alleged coup plan, again

Al Qaeda strikes a funeral in Fallujah -- [The Fourth Rail]
Targets the funeral of a slain member of the Anbar Salvation Council
Al Qaeda's war against the Sunni alliance of the Anbar Salvation Council continues in the eastern region of Anbar province. Today, an al Qaeda suicide car bomber successfully attacked the funeral procession of a man killed earlier in the day. "That man was identified as Allawi al-Isawi, a businessman who was reportedly involved in a Sunni Arab alliance working against al-Qaeda fighters in Fallujah," Adnkronos reported.

He's Back: Sadr Resurfaces in Iraq -- [Iraq Slogger]
Najaf, May 25, (VOI) – Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr appeared at the al-Kufa Mosque, where he performs the Friday prayers, after three months of absence, reportedly outside Iraq, eyewitnesses said. "Sadr has arrived at the Kufa Mosque along with several of his supporters to perform the Friday prayers," eyewitnesses from Kufa, 10 km east of the holy Shiite city of Najaf, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). A source close to Sadr said the latter "is expected to deliver a speech before crowds of worshippers on the position of his current regarding several issued raised at present on the Iraqi arena."

Pimp my ride -- [My Desert Adventure - in Iraq]
...These kids get attached to their trucks, and inevitably they “pimp their ride” with custom light bars, sirens, bumpers, loudspeakers—not quite Road Warrior, but pretty cool. The best thing I saw, or rather herd, was some guy rigged up the music system from an ice cream truck. So the other day, I was walking along and I heard “It’s a Small World” blaring down the street in downtown Camp Victory, Iraq. It was great! Just hearing that sound brought me back to a simpler time and place. I think it made quite a few people’s day.

The Desert -- [The Calm Before The Sand - in Iraq]
117. In the shade. That's Fahrenheit, for those of you just tuning in.
It's been murderously hot, and getting hotter. The sun casts its hard eye down on everything, and as I walk around post, I swear I can feel the plant life dying.
In heat like this, even your skin feels like a bulky sweater; a hot, oppressive thing you can't wait to pull off. And sometimes, you're just crazy enough to try.

Of "Intellectual and Moral" Failures -- [SWJ - Brigadier General Huba Wass de Czege]
The SWJ received the following via e-mail from Brigadier General Huba Wass de Czege, US Army (Ret.) and continues the dialogue surrounding ‘Reflections on Generalship’.
With some interest I have been tracking these exchanges over what Paul Yingling, Jack Cushman and Doug McGregor have had to say about our military operations since 9/11. It takes a great deal of courage to say things that are sure to be unpopular whether you are beyond the reach of those who might be offended or not, and therefore we ought to listen for that reason alone. And Paul Yingling is most at risk, therefore his message interests me the most.
There is another reason to listen.

AFGHANISTAN

TRIBAL ELDERS SURROUND INSURGENTS -- [Centcom]
The set up of an illegal check point and the subsequent assault of a Jingle truck driver and destruction of a Jingle truck prompted local Tribal leaders to surround the insurgents responsible in a nearby house in Chapakoh village, Nuristan province May 17.
Coalition forces conducted a Shura where the tribal elders informed the Coalition that they had surrounded the insurgents, responsible for the attacks, in a nearby house.
Villagers requested the Afghan National Police arrest the insurgents. Coalition forces provided additional security outside the village while the ANP searched the home. The insurgents fled the village before the ANP or Coalition forces could make an arrest.
“This is a perfect example of how much the people trust the ANP and Coalition forces,” said Army Maj. Eric Zenk, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division spokesperson.
“They were willing to risk their lives to expel the insurgents who are not welcome in this village.

American Soldiers And Afghan Locals - Sing Along

"Celebrating the muslim new year in Afghanistan, American soldiers were invited to attend. One of us performed a decent rendition of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and the rest of us can't sing anyway."

Week 18--And the Beat Goes On.... -- [Richard's Deployment to Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
There appears to be no shortage of sick and injured in this part of Afghanistan. The days are long, but morale at the hospital is high. Even with everything that is going on, it is hard to blog every week. By the time I subtract anything that would violate Operational Security (OPSEC) and anything that would violate someone's privacy (my own rule) and anything the Army would consider detrimental to good order and discipline (so they don't shut down my blog) sometimes I'm not left with much to say! But I can always write about life on the FOB, or occasionally off the FOB. This week I was off the FOB on a mission, so I took a few pictures.
I'm always amazed at how difficult life is in this part of Afghanistan, and how resilient these people are.

Al Jazeera report on Afghan Al Qaeda leader

Al Jazeera has obtained a videotape showing Mustafa Abu al-Yazid presenting himself as the leader of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

Afghan Warlord Should be Punished -- [Afghan Lord - Afghani in Afghanistan]
I wrote in my Farsi blog that Saddam Husain's execution is an alert to all war criminals in Afghanistan; some weeks later HRW announced that the warlords’ crimes in Afghanistan should be punished. It has driven many to conduct debates and force the Karzai government to deny parliament and house of the nations where all war committed crimes were committed by their local forces.
...If the US and International community want to bring peace and prosperity in Afghanistan they should implement a cleared strategy against gangs of warlords and drug traffickers. The warlords should be taken to the war criminal court in The Hague and punished.
In order to bring peace and normality to Afghanistan, the criminals should be sent to court.
If the US and its alliance want to have support, they should sympathize with Afghanistan’s victims of war. If the Mujahideen (holy warriors) will not be punished, this country won’t gain peace and prosperity.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Aftermath -- [Strategy Page]
May 25, 2007: More than 8000 refugees who fled Burundi in 1972 will be permanently resettled in the US. The refugees have been in Tanzania. The first group of approximately 90 Burundians left for the US in early May. The rest will be flying to the US throughout the remainder of 2007. Phoenix and Atlanta are two of the primary destinations.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Bush declassifies al-Qaida intelligence -- [Iraq Updates]
President Bush, trying to defend his war strategy, declassified intelligence Tuesday asserting that Osama bin Laden ordered a top lieutenant in early 2005 to form a terrorist cell that would conduct attacks outside Iraq - and that the United States should be the top target.
The information mirrored a classified bulletin from the Homeland Security Department in March 2005, reporting that bin Laden had enlisted Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, his senior operative in Iraq, to plan potential strikes in the U.S.

Terrorists Seek More Satisfying Targets -- [Strategy Page]
May 25, 2007: Government counter-terror investigators believe that Jemaah Islamiah leadership has recognized the decline in their popularity, and realized that large scale bombings of tourist targets is one of the reasons. Indeed, any attack that kills large numbers of civilians, garners much sympathy for the victims, and much hatred for the terrorists.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

AT&T Support for the Troops -- [AT&T]
AT&T Supports Cell Phones for Soldiers
A long-standing mission of AT&T is helping connect military families. Cell Phones for Soldiers, initiated in 2004 by 16-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 15-year-old brother Robbie, uses funds from recycled cell phones to buy prepaid phone cards for active duty military members – to help connect them with their families.
Through generous donations and the recycling of used cell phones from drop-off sites across the country, Cell Phones for Soldiers has already raised more than $1 million and distributed more than 75 thousand phone cards to soldiers overseas.

Guardian Angel for Soldier's Pet -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Touching interwiew with an Army couple, their two dogs, and Linda Ludwig of Guardian Angels For Soldier's Pet.
Watch the video.
Guardian Angels For Soldier's Pet is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit located in the state of Arkansas with affiliated chapters in Minnesota and Mississippi.

Added duties -- [Calvey in Iraq - in Iraq]
...I very much appreciate when decent people post on my blog. More than you realize.
I also appreciate the opportunity to engage in respectful, reasoned discourse with real people through a medium like this blog, including reasonable people who respectfully present a differing viewpoint. I have had numerous such conversations on this blog, and I think everyone involved has enjoyed them.
But lately a couple of anonymous individuals have chosen to post on this blog to present ad hominem attacks against me for my pride in serving my country here in Iraq.
I guess some people have nothing better to do than to attack those of us who are serving here in Iraq and are proud of it.

MILITARY LIFE

Do You Appreciate All You Have?? -- [Tanker Brothers - Aussie Chic]
...Often your friends will never fully grasp what you feel. You will, of course, display the toughest exterior possible. Your partner is a Warrior, the least you can do for them is be strong. So when your friend complains that after 3 months she is still not pregnant, you smile and reassure her. You don't remind her you haven't seen your partner for 3 months and any Baby plans may have to wait another 9 months or so.
Have you ever been in that situation where you have been invited to something that requires an RSVP, but you can't RSVP because you don't actually know if your partner will be able to attend??

Hard to come home

Contrasts life in America with deployed soldiers.

MILITARY

The U.S. Army vs. Pinnacle Body Armor -- [ON Point]
Andrew Lubin Last Sunday, May 20, NBC News ran a television special in which they claimed that a Pinnacle Armor flak jacket known as “Dragon Skin” appreciably out-performed the current body armor used by the American military. NBC News claimed that Dragon Skin defeated more bullets than the current system of plates, Interceptor Extended Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) fielded by the Army for Afghanistan and Iraq. Dragon Skin, according to NBC’s tests, also protected vital organs...

Soldier or Recruit: What's in a Title? [The Tank - W. Thomas Smith Jr.]
This is a subject that has been frequently brought to my attention by readers who want to know why soldiers in basic combat training are referred to as soldiers instead of recruits since they have not yet graduated and become 'full-fledged' soldiers.
Marine recruits, after all, are never referred to as 'Marines' until the day of graduation from boot camp. Marine recruits are 'recruits,' sometimes 'privates,' sometimes 'boots' — hence the term 'boot camp' — occasionally a few more colorful titles which I won't get into right now. But recruits have to earn the title, 'Marine.'

POLITICS

De Bitterness of De Foot Soldiers -- [Jules Crittenden]
… As they endure de agony of defeat. It’s been a rough seven years. Gore. Kerry. Now this:
WASHINGTON — Bowing to President Bush, the Democratic-controlled Congress grudgingly approved fresh billions for the Iraq war Thursday night, minus the troop withdrawal timeline that drew his earlier veto.

Troops to Dems: Let Us Fight -- [Danger Room]
"Haunted by Vietnam, Democrats are determined to express support for the troops [while they advocate for withdrawal]. This is admirable. The truth of the matter, however, is this: many troops in Iraq, perhaps even most of them, want to stay and fight," writes DANGER ROOM pal Spencer Ackerman, in yet-another dynamite piece from his recent trip to Iraq.

Republican Votes Make the Difference -- [Weekly Standard Blog]
It was a busy day in the House of Representatives, with action on both the Iraq funding legislation and a major ethics reform measure. On the ethics front--and with Democratic dissension forcing votes on two separate measures--Republicans provided 195 of the 218 votes needed to pass a strengthening of ethics rules opposed by 85 percent of the Democratic caucus:

Congress backs Iraq funding bill -- [Iraq Updates]
Both houses of the US Congress have passed a bill allocating $100bn of new funding for the Iraq war.
The House of Representatives voted in favour of the bill, and the Senate approved it shortly afterwards.
Earlier President George W Bush praised the bill, a compromise measure between Republicans and Democrats without any timetable for a US troop withdrawal.

Illegal Immigration/Amnesty: We are missing the big picture -- [A Proud Infidel]
...We hear so many sob stories from the Dems that we can’t break up families and can't expect children who were born here in the US to be separated from their illegal parents. Well, the question is we also should be asking is, who put these kids in this situation? It wasn’t the US.
I have a unique perspective on illegals as I married into a family with many illegals and I happen to know the answers to the above referenced questions. Today’s immigrants want the benefits but don’t want to make the commitment to America.

THE MEDIA

Will Media Report Al Qaeda Torture Manual With Same Zeal as Abu Ghraib? -- [NewsBusters]
In early 2004, when the first revelations about prisoners being tortured by American soldiers at the Abu Ghraib facility in Iraq appeared, the media covered the story on almost a daily basis for months.
With that as a pretext, the website The Smoking Gun has obtained graphic sketches of various torture techniques being employed by al Qaeda, as well as pictures of victims that have undergone such treatment.
In a recent raid on an al-Qaeda safe house in Iraq, U.S. military officials recovered an assortment of crude drawings depicting torture methods like "blowtorch to the skin" and "eye removal."
...given the media’s fascination with what American soldiers were doing at Abu Ghraib, is it safe to assume that the same level of attention will be given to what our enemy is doing?

Sad.... -- [ArmyWifeToddlerMom]
It nauseated me to my core. The idea of someones, Husband, Son, Brother, Friend being talked about in such a callous way. For the media to think it is ok to talk about the condition of "a body" on National Television, is decadent.
...These are not bodies...these are children, lovers, friends...people we may have touched, hands that have held children, feet that have walked miles.
Can we please honor these brave men and women, by honoring them, and their families. This is not information that needs to be shared unless the family wants to do so...

A Note on Sources -- [Swampland -Time Blog]
...Finally, I find it amusing that some doubt the military source who told me the good news in Anbar province but don't question the sources who told me about the growing pessimism about the Shi'ites ever putting together a viable government...Why does good news about Iraq, however modest--and this was truly a modest, if intriguing, development--trouble you? Isn't it about time that the suffering Sunnis of Anbar Province had a little good news? (And the fragility of the good news is emphasized by a terrible bombing in Falluja today.)
In fact, my good news about progress against Al Qaeda was bad news for the White House: it came the same day that Bush was speaking at the Coast Guard Academy warning about the dire threat from Al Qaeda in Iraq in his usual hyperbolic way.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Al-Sadr Unveils New Plan to Humiliate Bush -- [ScrappleFace]
(2007-05-25) — After several months in hiding, reportedly in Iran, radical Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr emerged south of Baghdad yesterday to tell his Mahdi Army to avoid shooting at Iraqi forces because the U.S. uses that as a justification to continue its illegal occupation of Iraq.

Day By Day

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