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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.

IRAQ

Second Chances -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
But on D+18, when a most important “visitor” came to Baqubah, not only did he not seem to cause a hiccup, but everyone I talked with was happy to see him. General Petraeus came to Baqubah on 7 July 2007, amid practically zero fuss.
...A couple weeks ago, LTC Fred Johnson told me a story about General Petraeus. Back when LTC Johnson was Captain Johnson, and General Petraeus was Colonel Petraeus, Colonel Petraeus was Captain Johnson’s new commander. They were doing a live-fire exercise at a range at Fort Campbell when a young soldier named Specialist Terrence Jones tripped and accidentally fired his weapon while conducting a live-fire assault. The bullet from Specialist Jones’ weapon struck Colonel Petraeus, slamming through his chest and taking a piece of his back on the way out. Petraeus fell to the ground, bleeding out of his mouth. He nearly died. We could have lost one of the most important and influential military leaders in generations to a mistake. To a professional misstep.
The best that Captain Johnson and Specialist Jones might have hoped for was a painless end to their military service. I asked LTC Fred Johnson about the story of his own soldier shooting David Petraeus, and I asked how it could be that Johnson was still in the military. Johnson looked me in the eye and said something like, “Mike. You know what Petraeus did?”

The Clean Streets of Falluja -- [Badgers Forward - in Iraq]
...Approximately ten days ago we road through the city of Falluja and I was delighted to see clean streets.
Because Team Badger working in conjunction with RCT-6 has done such a great job reducing the road side bomb threat in the city Al Qaeda has had to resort to the car bomb as their terror weapon of choice.
After a couple of attacks the Mayor of Falluja had an answer to that problem. Simply allow no cars or trucks into the city.
People park on the out skirts of the city and walk in through an entrance control point. There are busses to move people around internally.

Operation Alljah explained -- [Fightin 6th Marines - in Iraq]
Our correspondent with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, Cpl. Joel Abshier, recently wrote an article explaining the whys and wherefores of the ongoing Operation Alljah in the city of Fallujah.
...Operation Alljah is a multi-phased operation, with different portions of the city targeted for partitioning by Coalition Forces at each phase of the operation. Erecting blockades and barriers to control the vehicle traffic of each area is the first step. Once established, forces move in, gain a foothold and begin assisting the residents within the respective districts.
“We’re giving (the residents) a certain amount of security that will allow the operation to be conducted,” Cameron said. “At the most fundamental level, we are building up a neighborhood watch. It’s not the same kind of neighborhood watch that you would see in the States though. Here, they are involved in actual operations and assist the Iraqi Police in dealing with the anti-Iraqi forces.”

The Anbar Report - Jul. 3, #1

This edition features stories on MRAP's and operation Alljah.

Summer logistics, and more on summer politics -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
...On the political front there are some interesting developments. You probably heard about the message Maliki sent yesterday to the Sadr movement demanding they clarify their position from the violent elements among their followers. It wasn't as tough a message as we were hoping but it's still an interesting step that broke the fear barrier that Maliki put between himself and Sadr.
In fact it seems that this statement is part of government plan to weaken Sadr's position through public frank statements.
On Saturday there was a demonstration in Nasiriyah against militias. The governor called for the demonstrations and the tribes answered the call and took to the streets demanding rule of law and limiting the use of arms to the forces of the government only.

Fairy Tales -- [Strategy Page]
July 10, 2007: The war in Iraq is notable not because it is against guerillas or terrorists, but because of the large number of armed opposition groups that are, for all intents and purposes, criminal gangs. Such organizations have been around here for thousands of years, but Saddam made them more powerful by incorporating the loyal ones into his security organization. Maybe it was something he learned from the Russians (the KGB loved to work with gangsters), but it left post Saddam Iraq awash in criminal gangs. Sunni Arab gangs grew rich, Kurd and Shia gangs got constant heat. Many quickly discovered that there was money to be made by giving yourself a nationalistic or Islamic name and declaring loyalty to the cause of Sunni Arab supremacy.

Gharna School Opens In Irbil, Iraq

Built by South Koreans that are serving in Iraq

Both Feet In The Pit of Hell -- [The Unlikely Soldier - in Iraq]
Its been ugly here recently. And welcome to the first massive understatement of this post. We, the supposed super-heroes of the world, have our hands full.
Yesterday started out the same way it always does. You get ready, get your gear on, and pile onto the vehicle. It starts moving, and for that time, the world consists only of that troops compartment. Then it finally stops and we make our final preparations. The ramp drops, and we're right there in the middle of it, not sure what to expect. Streets, houses all the same color, trash everywhere just like every other time I mention it, hundreds of wires crisscrossing in jumbled messes over the streets.
We took our building without any real event, and sat in place, waiting to be needed or something...

Reset the clock--again -- [My Desert Adventure - in Iraq]
I take my camera with me everywhere, just in case a good picture presents itself. Today, I was in the motor pool when the guys were getting ready for a mission. On the hood on one truck, right in front of a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) is a box of toys. When the guys go out on missions, they often take toys for the local kids as well as other things. There is no such thing as “Operation Toy Give-a-way” These guys give toys and other things to kids because, well…because they are kids and our guys…well that is just who they are. Sure doesn’t sound like the guys the members of the far left like to refer to as “Nazis”.
What do Michael Moore’s “freedom fighters” do for kids? Recently, a couple of them put 2 small children in a car bomb—so to not arouse suspicion while driving through a check point. Once they got through, the insurgents ran off and detonated the car bomb—with the kids still inside.

Surprise! -- [Acute Politics - in Iraq]
...We left the gate at 1400, and returned at 1410. The backup tractor for the tractor-trailer recovery team broke down before we made it completely out of the gate. We had to stand by the trucks for another two hours while the tractor was recovered into the FOB and replaced. At 1730 we finally pulled into Camp Falluja, where I learned that the lineup time for our next mission was at 0130. It would be a three-day operation.
Great. So now I have 6 hours to eat my first meal of the day, finish fixing a truck, supplement my previous night's 4 hours of sleep, and pack for three days. This is why they call Iraq "The Suck".

Iraq Report: Phantom Thunder Update -- [The Fourth Rail]
Today's report includes: Phantom Thunder update; A fake suicide bombing in Anbar; Sadr runs to Iran as the Mahdi Army is a target; Special Groups and EFPs, Diyala, Babil, Baghdad and the North.

Iraq Report: Phantom Thunder Update -- [Weekly Standard Blog]
With Operation Phantom Thunder, the corps level operation in the Baghdad Belts, now underway, Coalition and Iraqi forces continue to work to secure Baghdad as they take on the Mahdi Army, Iranian backed cells, and al Qaeda's networks nationwide. In Anbar province, combat operations are underway in Thar Thar and Karma and a false suicide attack in Fallujah was reported in the Washington Post. Muqtada al Sadr fled to Iran and operations continue to target his Mahdi Army and the Iranian-backed Special Groups.

Maysan Electrical Distribution Network Upgraded -- [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]
MAYSAN, Iraq - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Gulf Region South (GRS) district has been upgrading the electrical distribution networks in the Maysan Province, building a 400-kilovolt electrical substation project to inhance electricity production in southern Iraq.

First Journal Entry -- [Jack Army - in Iraq]
I've been working on a journal off and on since deploying to the theater. I thought you'd like to see what I recorded nearly a year ago:
Jill] gave me a journal to write in and she wrote me a message on the first page. She sure does a have a way of making me feel cared for. I’m going to miss her a lot during this deployment. I love my job and I love the Army, but it is hard to be away from her and the girls. It took all my strength to keep from crying like a baby when [Jill] led [Princess 1] and [Princess 2] to the van on Thursday. Watching those little girls walk away knowing that there is the possibility that I may never see them again is one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. I know they will be fine with [Jill]. She is a great mother. But I have not spent longer than about 5 weeks away from those little girls since their births.

AFGHANISTAN

The assault on the Red Mosque has begun -- [The Fourth Rail]
Pakistani security forces launch the assault on the Taliban mosque in Islamabad
After a week of negotiations and skirmishes at the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, which left over 20 dead and 100 wounded, the final assault on the compound has begun. Pakistani security forces, led by the elite 111 Brigade, the Special Services Group, and the Pakistani Rangers, launched a major offensive early Tuesday morning Pakistan time on the radical Islamist mosque in the heart of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Islamabad is said to be rocked with explosions. Metroblogging Pakistan provides the details of the opening moves of the assault, with rolling updates.

Afghanistan OPS Maiwand

New Ghowr governor calls for Afghans to fight poverty -- [ISAF News Release]
Release # 2007-525 9 July 2007
CHAGHCHARAN, Afghanistan (July 9) – The new governor of Ghowr province called for Afghans in the province to work together to overcome poverty during his induction ceremony July 7.
“We have to work together and we will have a better life,” said Baz Mohammad Ahmady. “We will struggle against these difficulties, and our friends [ISAF forces] will help us.”

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

U.S. Companies Helping the Taliban *Bumped* -- [Jawa Report]
These companies probably don't know they are doing business with the Taliban. It's best to:
a) let them know what they are doing
b) let them know it is illegal to knowingly or unknowingly do business with the Taliban under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Each IEEPA violation carries a $50,000 fine.
c) once they know they are doing business with the Taliban, which they now do, they may subject to criminal as well as civil penalties. Knowingly aiding and abetting the enemies of the United States during a war could be construed as treason.

Islamic Militants Calls For Help Ignored -- [Strategy Page]
July 10, 2007: At dawn, police attacked the Red Mosque in Pakistan's capital. After five hours of fighting, about 70 percent of the mosque complex was captured. Three security personnel were killed, along with 41 Islamic militants. Another 51 militants were captured.

Potential major break in Lebanon -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
From The Croissant come these two stories:
Lebanese Minister Pierre Gemayel’s murderers were arrested.
Lebanese security forces obtained the confessions of the killers of the Lebanese Industry minister shot in November 2006.
The assassins belong to Fatah Al Islam [FAI], group linked to the Syrian security services.
If this is confirmed, it could have huge implications on proving beyond any reasonable doubt Syria's role in the murder of anti-Syrian Lebanese personalities.
At the same time, some are taking their precautions.
Right after the murder of Lebanese MP Walid Eido in Beirut on June 13, the majority decided to send abroad MPs and this for their own protection.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

New Stak Attack: An Interview with Dr. Tawfik Hamid -- [Hot Air]
What attracts an educated, successful man from a secular family to become a jihadi? Erick Stakelbeck interviewed former jihadist, Dr. Tawfik Hamid on that question and many others. Dr. Hamid also details one difference between Sunnis and Shia that doesn’t get much press.

Imam Behind JFK Terror Plot Sought Assistance From Iran -- [Gateway Pundit]
62 year-old Kareem Ibrahim was denied bail for plotting to blow up fuel tanks at JFK International Airport.
Kareem Ibrahim, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, is led out of a courthouse in Port of Spain June 4, 2007. A Trinidad court denied bail on Monday for three suspects in an alleged plot to blow up New York's JFK International Airport and a local prosecutor said they may face life imprisonment. (Stringer/Reuters)
Trinidadian Kareem Ibrahim, the imam arrested for plotting to blow up the JFK airport, was seeking help from Iran for the terrorist act.
Iran Focus and The New York Sun reported.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Shopping for our Soldiers -- [SgtStryker]
The next time you go shopping, you may want to pick up a few items for our troops. The U.S. Troop Care Package has been meeting the needs of soldiers for the past three years. Founded at the forefront of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on March 19, 2003, U.S. Troop Care Package was created with the purpose of sending care packages to troops.
Jan Sass is the founder of the organization. She was moved to action when she saw anti war protestors displaying an American flag that they had dyed yellow. In response, Jan raised an American flag and counteracted their protest for 60 days. During this time, an onlooker asked her how she could send care packages, and Jann Sass went to work. She took it upon herself to discover the best way to send care packages to the troops and after completing her research; U.S. Troop Care Package was born.

Auction benefitting Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund raises more than $6000 -- [Miss Lady Bug]
I followed up on the Round Rock Express autographed, game-worn Patriotic jerseys that were put up for auction on June 26th. The auction ended on July 3rd. By my calculations, the twenty-nine jerseys netted $6,206.29:

IN MEMORY OF...

When War Hits Close to Home... -- [Iraq War News]
...This one hits close to home. Each day as I see the names, it affects me. But somehow this one is particularly strong. I remember my mother talking about when someone she went to school with was lost in Vietnam. Even if you're not close to them, seeing a familiar town on a casualty list reminds you that the people fighting this war are not just Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, or Sailors. They're sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers, sisters, friends. They are ours. They are your paperboy, the kid who used to sell lemonade down the street, the little girl who fell off her bike in front of your house. They are your UPS guy, your brother's old girlfriend...or a 'nice kid,' who went to school with your sister.

MILITARY

Warfare in the 21st Century, by Andrew Lubin -- [ON Point]
..An interesting and enthusiastic speaker, Barnett discusses how warfare today consists of economic, military, cultural, and political factors, and how the American military needs to change into a two-tiered military that is capable of both winning battles as well as securing the peace afterwards.
The other video comes from Iraq; from the type of intelligent, and motivated Islamic opponent who is more than willing to die for his cause. Globalization and technology is a 2-way street; and it’s worth noting that whether Americans understand or accept this type of warfare or not; this is the face of the opposition in the new millennium.

Navy SEAL Becomes Highest-Ranking U.S. Commando -- [The Tank - W. Thomas Smith Jr.]
Admiral Eric T. Olson, a veteran of the Battle of Mogadishu, made history today when he became the first Navy SEAL to command all American special operations forces worldwide.
During the U.S. Special Operations Command change-of-command ceremony in Tampa, Florida, Def. Sec. Robert Gates referred to Olson's actions at Mogadishu:

Unused Veterans Benefits -- [Strategy Page]
July 10, 2007: American military recruiters report that one of their most potent lures for new recruits are the veterans benefits. It's taken for granted that more than half of the new recruits are only going to stay for one enlistment (usually four years). The most attractive of these goodies are the educational benefits. Put simply, a veteran can receive nearly $40,000, over 36 months, while they are attending college. For someone attending a State university (with its low tuition), the military benefit pays for more than half the cost of going to college. While most American recruits have the intelligence and educational background needed for college work, and the remainder can qualify for trade schools, some 40 percent of veterans college benefits are never used.

POLITICS

Jihadists Celebrate Awesome Win in Iraq -- [Gateway Pundit]
(Note: the US lost more soldiers during the first 4 years of the Clinton Administration than the US has lost in the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq combined over the last 5 and 1/2 years.)
The word on the street is that the democrats are going to push surrender this week.

Perspective: Vietnam and the GWoT -- [Jawa Report]
Dan Riehl adds another installment to the "Historical Perspective the Mainstream Media/Democrat Noise Machine Refuse To Add" series.
Four Years of War in Iraq and Afghanistan: Total of 4,000 fatalities (yet another 'grim milestone').
Vietnam fatalities: 1965 - 1,863; 1966 - 6,143; 1967 - 11,153; 1968 - 16,592; 1969 - 11,616; 1970 - 6,081; 1971 - 2,357.
Riehl notes that we lost four times as many soldiers in 1968 alone than in four years and two theaters in this war.

Dooming Iraq For Votes -- [Flopping Aces]
If spineless Republicans force a withdrawal from Iraq knowing full well what will happen if we leave too early (namely wholesale slaughter) then I can tell you with 100% certainty, the political skins they are trying to save will not survive:

The Lame Duck Phenomenon -- [TigerHawk]
...One thing has become blazingly apparent. The Bush presidency hs entered its lame duck phase. The Executive and Legislative branches of government are locked in combat, unable to accomplish anything. Gridlocked, at least they seem unlikely to do any harm. The more interesting developments seem to be emerging from the Judicial branch, where there appears to be a conservative ascendancy in the making. And the military may - I say may - be making strides against certain Taliban elements in Pakistan (captures of senior aides to Mullah Omar in Quetta) and Al Qaeda elements in Iraq. But much of that isn't getting mainstream attention, and won't.
Lots of potential ugly ideas are being tossed around in Congress - from increased taxation to trade protectionism -- all of which would likely lead to economic contraction. This despite generally good economic news - jobs, stock market performance, earnings and so forth. Still, I am doubtful that much of any of that will get signed into law. Bush will almost certainly veto more in the last 18 months of office that he did in his first six and a half years.

Martin Luther King of Iraq - Murdered by Racists -- [Thunder Run]
This is going to be hard to say, and even harder to take for many of you reading this, but it needs to be said. If you are advocating retreat in Iraq you are either a coward or a racist.
There I’ve said it.
Yes I called you a racist, why? Read on.
I’ve listen to many people and their arguments for leaving Iraq: it’s too dangerous, it’s not our fight and “they” just don’t understand democracy are some of the biggest reasons people give for wanting to leave Iraq. The other biggie: we are creating more terrorists by being there. Of course all of those reasons are valid in the minds of those advocating a sudden and deadly retreat from Iraq and yet I can give examples and anecdotal information that can counter almost everyone of them but one. “They just don’t understand democracy because of their culture.”

THE MEDIA

Walking a Mile in Our Shoes -- [Andi's World]
Sending a spouse, parent or child off to a war-zone is not an easy thing to do, not at all. Mary-Jo Cooney will soon find this out. Her only child, a Marine, will deploy in a few days.
There is no one-size-fits-all for how to cope with deployment. A few months ago I wrote that when my husband leaves, I can't wait to get the laundry done and put away. It is my way of quickly adapting to my new temporary life. The one that doesn't include having my husband at home. Another military wife takes an entirely different approach, which perfectly illustrates how differently each of us handle events. Because of this, I hesitate to criticize someone for how they choose to deal with all of the emotions that surround a deployment. Having said that, I did find myself taken aback by Mary-Jo Cooney's op/ed, mostly for the reasons that Lex so soundly stated. I learned a lot about Mary-Jo and her views from her op/ed, I learned very little about her son, the Marine. I assume the Marine and his upcoming deployment were the inspiration for the op/ed, but I could be wrong.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

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