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

"That Was Some Scary Shit" -- [Jack Army- in Iraq]
Yesterday, I experienced something I didn't think I ever would, but knew was a possibility.
I told you recently about some force protection upgrades we were working on for our Iraqi Army (IA) brothers in an outpost in this area. Yesterday, we stopped by that outpost in a small town to perform several tasks. My boss met with the city leaders, I checked in with the IA and others on our team were going to meet with various other folks in this town. The barriers were in place and the IA guards were well positioned and understood their jobs. The IA commander of this outpost felt he understood the dangers in this town and this area but I'm certain that he only had a partial understanding of what was going on. His outpost had been attacked on the very first night his unit arrived. It was a very ineffectual attack with no casualties on either side, but it seemed that the attack was more a message than an attempt to engage in a serious battle. The message being, "we know you're here and we don't like it." Hence the new barriers and such.
...It didn't take long for the news to pick it up. All the "facts" in these reports aren't exactly right, but the gist of the reports are about right.

Terrorist fires on own family during raid -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained 29-suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and its foreign fighter network Friday.
Two coordinated operations in Mosul targeted a Kurdish extremist known for helping al-Qaeda in Iraq facilitate foreign fighters and conduct financial and media operations. Coalition Forces entered the first targeted building, isolated the women and children and moved further into the house. While maneuvering through the target building, an armed man engaged the ground force with small arms fire, endangering the force and the innocent family members. Coalition Forces defended themselves and the women and children by killing the armed terrorist.

The IED War --[RedState]
It is generally acknowledged that the IED is the weapon that keeps the war in Iraq going.
One would think we would be doing everything in our power to stop this threat but are we?
...Yes, an organization has been established to combat this threat. Predictably, it is having difficulties in developing an operations tempo and some in the field are underwhelmed by the tech reps they see.
Units are taking a decidedly low-tech approach to the problem, which in my view is where the answer lies:

Arrowhead Ripper: Surrender or Die -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
...I am with 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. I’ve run a few missions with them in Baghdad, and they have fought all over Iraq. This Brigade has much recent combat experience, and is expertly commanded. A person does not need to even meet the commanders (though I do each day) to know they are running a tight ship. The professionalism of 3-2 is particularly high, and they are very competent fighters who are maximizing their assets, including the incredible Stryker vehicles.

We welcome you to the home page of the 3rd "Arrowhead" Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis, WA; the first Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). -- [Arrowhead" Brigade - in Iraq] HT: The Tank
The 3d Stryker Brigade Combat Team was the first brigade to undergo a massive transformation initiated by the Chief of Staff of the US Army. That initiative, the "Stryker Brigade Combat Team", was the first ever medium weight brigade unit in the history of the US Army. Visit the page and go to official sites that will help explain better what the SBCT is all about!

Operation Phantom Thunder: The Battle of Iraq -- [The Fourth Rail]
A status update on the operations in the Baghdad Belts and beyond
Operation Phantom Thunder, the name of the overarching operation to secure the Baghdad Belts, is now in its fifth day. As noted yesterday, Phantom Thunder is a corps-level operation, with multiple U.S. and Iraqi divisions engaged on multiple fronts. Iraqi Security Forces and Multinational Forces Iraq are engaged in intense fights in four main theaters: Baghdad proper, and the belts regions consisting of Diyala and southern Salahadin provinces to the north, northern Babil province to the south, and eastern Anbar province to the west of Baghdad. The fighting has been the most intense in the city of Baqubah, the provincial capital of Diyala.

Iraqi Police Training In Fallujah -- [Right Wing News - Matt Sanchez in Iraq]
Sometime after 0200 Operation Alljah began in a middle-class neighborhood in northern Fallujah. The Marines of the 2nd Battalion 6th Marines occupied a police precinct and began a swarm or strategic blocking off of the streets, in order to control access both in and out of the neighborhood. That morning, by the time I arrived with the 5/10, an artillery unit crossed-trained for civil affairs, the 2/6 were firmly ensconced in the east side of the concrete precinct.
Since traveling north from Kuwait on an Army convoy, and crossing into Baghdad, and later Camp Fallujah, I had always heard stories of how bad, corrupt and unprofessional the Iraqi police (IP) is. "They smile at us when we drive by, because they know there's an IED planted ahead," said one platoon leader.

Citizens gather to join ranks of Lutifiyah’s Iraqi Police -- [MNF-I]
LUTIFIYAH — During a time when Iraq needs help the most, citizens are stepping forward and volunteering their services to help make the country a better place.
Iraqi police from the surrounding areas of Lutifiyah, Iraq, held a recruiting drive in Lutifiyah, June 17.
“Lutifiyah needs a local police force and this recruiting event was a good thing to see happen,”

Iraq And US Forces Take On The Militants.

US paratroopers and iraqi police take on militants,with the Iraqi force commanding ultimate respect from the US forces in their bravery after dodging flying bullets but still battle on

Here's What You Miss From the MSM- Real Progress In Iraq -- [Gateway Pundit]
The goal of U.S. security strategy in Iraq is to develop the Iraqis’ capacity to security their country while carrying out a campaign to defeat the terrorists and neutralize the insurgency. (DOD)
And, despite the reports from the biased media, real progress is taking place in Iraq.
The current map -June 2007- of Iraq shows Iraqis controlling operations in 7 out of 18 Iraqi provinces.

Admiral surprises Soldiers with candid, detailed answers -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — When the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff showed up to speak to 1st Cavalry soldiers here yesterday, soldiers were a bit surprised by how in tune he was with the current situation in Iraq.

America can’t just walk away from the fight with al-Qaeda, US general insists -- [Times Online]
Despite four years of bloodshed, the US soldier in charge of restoring security to Iraq tells Richard Beeston that Britain is still important to the continuing battle

Kidnapped GIs' Leader Disputes Report -- [Military.com]
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A commander of three U.S. Soldiers killed in Iraq in an ambush-kidnapping disputes military investigators' findings that the troops had been told to guard a bridge for up to 36 hours straight.
In his first public comments on the gruesome attack last June, Lt. Col. Thomas Kunk told The Associated Press that Soldiers were asked to come back to base often for rest. But he also said checkpoints were undermanned, and that his commanders rejected his requests for more troops in the particularly dangerous part of Iraq where the Soldiers were attacked.
"I don't believe that they were there for 36 hours, to be quite honest with you, because that's not the way rotation schedules were set up,"

June 21st Update-Focus on Iraq -- [Spirit of America]
This email includes updates and information on:
Army SSG Steven Gardner stationed in Iraq since 2003!
Good News (yes!) from Marine 1stLt Josh Walker stationed in Ramadi Iraq
*Troop outreach under way!
ARMY & AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE (AAFES) - REQUEST HELP IN REMOTE REGION OF IRAQ
Meet SSG Steven Gardner, pictured below with the Headmaster at a primary school near Habur Gate, Iraq.

AFGHANISTAN

News of Afghanistan - The Return III (Edition 59) -- [Miserable Donuts]
I still have smoke pouring out of my ears from a lovely 4 1/2 hour meeting with a room full of lawyers and other insurance people... but here is the News, such as I can find!

Give Afghans An Alternative to Poppy Crops -- [Spirit of America]
Thanks to YOU, our new project, Army Request to Aid Afghan Farmers, is off to a fantastic start! We received almost $50K to support the request of Army personnel to help destitute farmers in Southern Afghanistan.

US troops in dramatic rescue - VIDEO -- [BBC News]
US soldiers rescue a pregnant woman as they patrol the volatile border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

U.S., Afghan Troops Rescue Enemy-Held Hostages -- [Defense Link]
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, June 21, 2007 – Two people who’d been held hostage by Taliban and al Qaeda militants were rescued today by U.S. and Afghan forces during raids in the Zaghun Shah district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, U.S. officials reported.
Intelligence indicated that three Afghan citizens from the district had recently been abducted by Taliban and al Qaeda fighters.
During raids conducted today, U.S. and Afghan troops discovered one of the hostages being held at a compound, while another hostage held nearby was being led away by his captors to another location.

RAF AFGHAN DIARIES: 25th May 2007

SAC Paul Goodfellow's Afghanistan diary - Entry 55 -- There are several members of the RAF Regiment Reserves (also known as the Royal Auxillary Air Force Regiment) with 51 Sqn in Kandahar, providing essential skills and support for the full time troops. Paul chats to Gunner Tom Gordon who serves as a member of the British Police Force when back in the UK.

Taliban using illegal, immoral methods to fight -- [ISAF News Release]
KHOWST, Afghanistan (June 22) – Taliban extremists have been desecrating cemeteries and burial sites, using children as bombers, and violating Islamic tradition, according to ISAF officials here.
“They placed explosives on a 6-year-old boy and told him to walk up to the Afghan Police or Army and push the button,” said Capt. Michael P. Cormier, company commander. “Fortunately, the boy did not understand and asked patrolling officers why he had this vest on.
“This type of action is not tolerated by any culture or any people,” said Maj. Donald A. Korpi, ISAF’s Regional Command-East spokesman. It was the people in the area who first reported these activities to the Afghan security forces in the Andar district, he said.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

9/11 Families Angry That Remains of Victims Still at Garbage Dump -- [The Blotter]
Six years after the 9/11 attacks, frustrated families of 9/11 victims say the unidentified remains of their loved ones are still at an area landfill and have sued New York City in an attempt to have the remains moved to a garbage-free area.
All debris from Ground Zero was transported to the landfill in the months following the attacks.

Iran News Round Up -- [The Corner - Michael Rubin]
Syrian vice president in Tehran: “We always find friends for ourselves prior to any confrontation with the Zionist regime.”
Iran supports ElBaradei proposal to stop holding Iran accountable for violations.
Italy, Germany, and Netherlands are Iran’s major EU trade partners.
Mansour Osanlou, struggling to establish Iran’s first independent trade union, grants interview.
Background on Osanlou and the transportation workers.
As U.S. signals desire to withdrawal from Iraq, Iran reaches out to other U.S. allies in the region

Syria's master plan to destroy Lebanon again -- [Counterterroeism Blog - Olivier Guitta]
In fact, President Bashar Assad never hid his intentions that if Syria were to leave Lebanon, he would burn down the country. It has been now way over 2 years after the murder of Lebanese ex-prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Syria is still free to create havoc in Lebanon, killing left and right, supporting Fatah Al Islam's attacks on the Lebanese Army, propping up the FPLP-GC, Fatah Intifada, Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Germany Warns Of Suicide Attacks, Increased Security -- [The Blotter]
June 22, 2007 10:15 AM - The German government has received reports from U.S. intelligence sources that militant Islamists are threatening to commit suicide attacks on German soil.
"German security authorities have increased their vigilance and have taken extra measures to meet a potential threat by Islamic suicide bombers," German Interior Ministry spokesman Christian Sachs told reporters at a news conference in Berlin today.

Landing Ships Outmaneuver Terrorists -- [Strategy Page]
June 22, 2007: One of the interesting developments in the global war on terror is the use of amphibious ships to carry out humanitarian missions. While this might be seen as stretching a rapidly declining force (at least in terms of the number of ships), it is probably one of the more cost-effective uses of soft power. The ancient Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu is carrying out one of the first of these missions in the Philippines.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

It is my second anniversary. --Of the first day that I died. -- [From My Position... On the way!]
It's weird to say that, but I died two years ago.
Now, don't go and get all religeous and evangelical, I died, as in the muscle in my chest that pumps blood where MOST other people have "hearts" stopped pumping--clinical death.

On Volunteering -- [The Middle Ground]
One reason that I joined Soldiers' Angels is because it allowed me to become personally involved in supporting our military. I've been a member for two years (appx) and, at first, it was enough to quietly do what I wanted and needed to do, support our military.
It struck me that I had been overlooking the most important part of volunteering and support. It isn't about the money, or more specifically, my money. It was about my time and what I was willing to do. The inspiration had been with me all along. I remembered that the reason my grandparents' generation was the "greatest generation" was because they harnessed the power of our nation. Not just the industrial power, but the power of the people when they are inspired to work towards a greater goal.

Inaugural "Ride To Remember" -- [Thunder Run]
Are you a rider? Harley lover? Motorcycle Enthusiast? Want to do something fun and accomplish a good turn in the process?
Then join us for the Inaugural "Ride To Remember"
Starting at First Baptist Church of Peachtree City (208 Willow Bend Road / behind City Hall)
AND THE ROUTE WILL INCLUDE THE SGT MIKE STOKELY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY IN SHARPSBURG GA
Ending at Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory on Armory Road by Newnan High School / Newnan GA

Operation: Thanks for Freedom 2007 Update -- [Yikes]
Just a quick note to let you know that I should have an official, final count of how many cards were collected for troops overseas this evening. I am very sorry I didn't have the final count done sooner...however, between our trip to Washington, DC and hubby's unexpected heat stroke & subsequent hospitalization, I fell way behind on counting and reading them all. Thanks to several awesome local friends, they have all be read (to ensure approriate content) and sorted, etc.... tonight I'll have them all back and will give you the official final total. My rough guestimation as of right now is that it's at least 2,000 cards, hopefully close to 3,000...but we'll see tonight! :)

Operation One Family -- [Soldiers' Angels]
Costa Mesa, CA., June 20, 2007 - Numerous national organizations are joining forces with MilitaryConnection.com, TAPS, Homefront America, Soldiers Angels and ThanksUSA in a joint effort to support the families of the fallen by forming Operation One Family. Details of the program and registration information for families can be found at www.operationonefamily.org

MILITARY

Dealing with Tricare -- [Army Sailor - recently returned from Afghansitan]
I am hesitant to complain too much, because I know many of my comrades have returned from the war with far worse problems than mine, but I decided to give a short rant anyway. First off let me say that my Branch Medical Clinic (at Willow Grove Naval Air Station) has been very good about seeing me and putting in requests for Tricare.
I also have to admit that Tricare has responded to me much faster than I imagined they would. Usually within two weeks I get a letter authorizing any care I need. In fact several weeks ago, I got an authorization for my second visit to an Audiologist, this is the visit where I should be fitted for hearing aids.

"Arrrrrrmy Training Sir!" -- [Dude, where's the beach?]
Like I said earlier, I'm still amazed the Air Force has finally started training their folks before they deploy to a Combat Zone. It's definitely paid off so far.
I give you.... The Final Product.

WELCOME HOME

Almost Home -- [Half a World Away - home from Iraq]
Well, we are back on friendly soil finally. We hit Fort McCoy, Wisconsin on Tuesday and are all well on our way to getting demobilized and out of here. The folks here are great, and it is wonderful to be back in the US of A. They are planning a little party for us when we get back, you can read about it at Omaha.com or LJS.com. More to come later when I have some more free time, internet and email access is very hard to come by and we've had some long days checking the boxes trying to get out of here.

POLITICS

Words mean things -- [My Desert Adventure - in Iraq]
Certain politicians will exploit any tragedy to further their political position—regardless of the damage they cause. They have forgotten that words mean thing. The war in Iraq is a tragic example of that.
How would a mom and dad feel when, after losing a son or a daughter, would turn on the TV and hear the Speaker of the House say that our mission over here is a “grotesque mistake” ,or the majority leader of the Senate say the “The war is lost”?
Words mean things. With their vicious rhetoric, they are adding insult to injury to the family members of fallen heroes. It is inexcusable. I for one, am ashamed.

Who we trust -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Results of the latest Gallup poll show that Americans' confidence in most institutions has dropped somewhat since the post-9/11 all-time highs.
Congress leads the way (sorry, Rangers) with the lowest level ever in the history of this poll, and at 14% now has the lowest confidence ratings for any institution tested over the last three decades.

Americans 5x More Confident in Military Than in Congress -- [NewsBusters]
The MSM delights in highlighting President Bush's anemic poll numbers. Congress's approval rating in the latest Gallup poll was so shockingly, historically, low at 14% that the MSM could hardly ignore it.
But there was another finding emerging from that same Gallup poll that has received very little media attention: the societal institution that enjoys, by far, the highest confidence among Americans is, at 69%, the military.
Video here

Democrats Violating House Rules With Witchhunt Website? -- [Jawa Report]
The stupidest scandal in history just got stupider, and this time, Democrats may be violating House rules in their pursuit of yet another non-crime.
Meanwhile, Democrat-controlled Congressional approval ratings continue to nosedive, while the press pretends it isn't in sync with "the most ethical, most open government in history."

THE MEDIA

BBC 'risked safety of troops' -- [Telegraph]
Frontline: Telegraph correspondents report from Iraq and Afghanistan
The BBC was accused last night of risking the safety of British forces in Iraq after trawling for information on troop movements in the war-torn country.
Politicians reacted in disbelief to the revelation that for over two hours yesterday, the BBC News website carried a request for people in Iraq to report on troop movements.

More on the List -- [Media Blog - Greg Pollowitz]
A few excerpts from the MSNBC list of journalists who donated to candidates. First up, since when does not knowing the rules equal "thinking as a lawyer?"
(D) ABC News, Mary Fulginiti, "Primetime" correspondent, Hollywood, Calif., $500 to Gov. Bill Richardson, Democratic presidential candidate, 2007. Before she joined ABC in November 2006, lawyer Fulginiti gave $6,000 to Democratic candidates.

Chris Matthews Blurts: Send Scooter to Iraq! -- [NewsBusters]
Chris Matthews actually came out for a pardon for Lewis "Scooter" Libby, but he had a catch, "Send him to Iraq." On tonight’s Hardball the MSNBC host, during a discussion about whether Bush should pardon Libby, threw out the following wacky proposal on the June 21 edition of his show:
Chris Matthews proposed to former Cheney aide Ron Christie and former Assistant Attorney General Robert Raben: "I got an idea, I got a solution. Pardon him but send him to Iraq in uniform and put him on the front. Send him to the front. He supported the war, send him to fight it!

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

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