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

A Marine. A Mentor. A Model Approach. -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
I did not even know his name when I went on the first mission with Rakene Lee. Yet within half an hour, it was clear that Lee was another example of someone who intuitively understands the basics and basis of counterinsurgency. In Ghosts of Anbar, Part III of IV, the importance of leaders like SSGT Lee is described:

Progress -- [Jason's Iraq Vacation - in Iraq]
Things are still frustrating in my little sector of Iraq. However, elsewhere, things are going well. So well, in fact, it seems that the Shia militia is taking some time off. This is good news! Why isn't there more coverage of it?? We didn't even know here, and we supposedly have a few members of JAM working for us (no, seriously, but that of course is rumor). In addition to that, I've talked to a few of my Marine buddies out West, and the reports there are even better. This is very positive news; news that shows a certain strategy is working.

"Curses" -- [Hard Soldier - in Iraq]
There is no such thing as bad luck right? Well I have been hit by more IEDS and had more break downs and just overall bad luck than most in the company so much that people are starting to say that I'm bad luck. These guys have even given me the nickname "routes red". I don't know if I should be honored or just keep laughing at it. I mean it's my job to work in danger so I don't consider it bad luck I think it's all just part of the job but, these guys keep telling me I'm bad luck.

Affirmative...action!"... -- [Jim Spiri - in Iraq]
Everyone was ready, and the mission was on. We would be going to west Mosul once again, where it's never a dull moment. This time, however, we would have some Iraqi Army soldiers with us, commanded by Col. Haji whom I have seen in the past. This time I was able to experience his level of expertise a bit closer today.
More and more, I see the Iraqi Army here, taking the fight to the enemy as they have been taught by the Ghost Battalion, under the direction of Lt. Col. Eric Welsh. Today I saw the students become the example of how it shall be done as time goes on here in Mosul, long after I leave.

Will the Real Sheik Wake up -- [Matt Sanchez- in Iraq]
I just finished interviewing one of Iraq's most fascinating people, Sheik Abdul Sattar al-Rishawi, the man accredited with starting the Anbar Awakening. I'll print the interview in depth shortly, but a small introduction is in order.
Sheik Sattar is one of the few real sheiks in a country that currently has

Security in Iraq

Iraq to sign security agreement with U.S.-FM -- [Aswat Aliraq]
Baghdad, Aug 30, (VOI)- Iraqi Foreign Minster Hoshyar Zibari said on Thursday an expanded conference for Iraq's neighboring countries is to convene in Baghdad in early September, unveiling that Iraq is seeking a long-term security agreement with the U.S. next year once the U.N. mandate given to the Multi-National Forces' presence in the country was over.
"Iraq is currently making preparations for a meeting that will include Iraq's neighbors, U.N. Security Council permanent members and G8 on the experts' level during the first week of September in Baghdad," Hoshyar Zibari told a news conference today in Baghdad.

Iraqi Army withdraws from Fallujah -- [Fightin 6th Marines - in Iraq]
On an obviously momentous day that perfectly enshrines the hard work of the Fightin' 6th, our three regimental predecessors in the region, as well as the work of our Iraqi compatriots, the Iraqi Army has ceded their counterinsurgency operations in Fallujah to the Iraqi Police. A city that only 3 years ago was the scene of arguably the most ferocious house-to-house fighting operation of the war is now in the hands of the 'Sons of Fallujah.'
Clearly, this is something to be excited and spread the word about. Click on the "Share" link under the headline of this story and spread the word to Digg by "digging" the story.
Pfc. Brian Jones was there to watch the last battalion of the last brigade inside the city limits pack up their humvees and roll out.

15,000 miles in 10 days -- [Sergeant Grumpy - in Iraq]
While en route we were put up in one of Saddam's old palaces, and got to visit a couple of others that are occupied by our forces. The places were so overdone with marble and chandeliers, just what you would expect from a thug-king. Opulence without a trace of elegance. And of course you could only imagine what horrors may have occurred there, especially in any of the homes used by his sadistic sons.
But the base that was our real destination was nothing like that. It reminded me very much of Camp Doboj, where I served for a while in Bosnia. Not that it looked like it at all, but in the way it was primitive - no amazing chow hall run by KBR, no PX, no movie tent, no top-notch gym.

Iraq Diary: Shame and Honor in Fallujah -- [Danger Room - Noah Shachtman - in Iraq]
Even the most hard-headed American commanders have lost interest in trying to blast Iraqi insurgents into submission. Now, the focus is on winning the hearts and minds of the people – so they’ll give up the insurgents living in their midst.
There are all kinds of operations underway to do this. A typical one went down the other day in Fallujah,

Focus on the Force 03

Labor Day in Iraq -- [ON Point]
With both Gen David Petraeus and Amb Ryan Crocker arriving in Washington this weekend in order to brief the President on the situation in Iraq, Republicans and Democrats of all leanings are already trying to pre-spin the reports. Gen Petraeus will report on the military situation, and Amb Crocker the political – from listening to several of the Provisional Reconstruction Team leaders last week, it is obvious that “The Surge’s” military success has not led to any semblance of political, economic, or reconstruction success. The next week or so will be most interesting, which leads us to two other items : ...

Businessmen or Baathists…Economic Reconstruction in Iraq -- [ON Point]
we’re also very focused on the need to build capacity in the local and provincial governments and to be able to deliver economic and reconstruction assistance.”-- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, January 11, 2007 There are two “Surges “being implemented in Iraq today. While the military surge commanded by Gen David Petraeus is responsible for regaining control of the country from the various insurgent and religious militias, the economic surge led by 25 Provisional...

Primary school reopens in New Baghdad -- [MNF-I]
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – After a month of painting, repairing, and installation, the Tumooh Primary School reopened Sept. 1 in the New Baghdad.
The school, which provides education for almost 500 elementary-age students, was refurbished by Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, attached to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Battalion leadership had determined that bringing the school up to speed was one of the key areas to be tended to in the area. Improvements to the school included a reattached water line, a new water pump, and a fresh coat of paint.

Charlie Company 3/509

The Pacification of Fallujah: Is it Fake? -- [Captain's Journal]
John Robb has a post entitled Potemkin Pacification, in which he writes:
Indications of calm and tranquility in the “pacified cities” of Iraq is at the expense of viability. Essentially, to pacify urban areas we have destroyed the basic levels of connectivity that make them work. For example, Fallujah residents are disconnected…

Never Play Chess With a Two Star -- [Wizbang]
"Little brother, never play chess with a two star."
I was reminded of that bit of childhood humiliation when I read the news that General Petraeus is going to recommend troop reductions by March. He just beat Congress before he walked in the room.
It's obvious to everyone the surge can't last forever. We had 130,000 troops before the surge started and we're presently at 160,000. It can't last much past April without extending the tours of the guys there which is a political nightmare. So we have to reduce troops by March.
But by recommending that to Congress and throwing them the bone that some can start rotating home by Christmas, he gets the time he needs while giving up "nothing." The "troop reduction" will only get troops back to previous levels.
Petraeus is going to walk into Congress, rattle off a list of talking points about how well our troops are doing and then tell Congress that as a result we can start bringing people home (winners) before Christmas. Make no mistake this isn't what the Democrats wanted 60 days ago, but they will have no choice but to take it.

Like A Rock (video)-- [Badgers Forward - in Iraq]
A new slide show from our Operations Officer with lots of photos of our Team Badger Soldiers.

TQ Surgical Personell -- [TQ Surgical - in Iraq]
AL Taqaddum Iraq - Navy personell

AFGHANISTAN

Behold the forbidden blasphemous balls! -- [Michelle Malkin]
Instead of taking Allah’s name off its flag, Saudi Arabia is whining about football manufacturers putting the flag on its balls. But do you have any doubt in your minds that those manufacturers would be damned by the Islamophobe card-playing rabble-rousers if they purposely left the Allah-bearing flag off its balls?
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Military officials, who did nothing wrong, can’t apologize fast enough:

Freedom Watch Afghanistan

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Electing a Murderer? -- [Weekly Standard]
In June of 1992, right before President George H.W. Bush’s scheduled visit, a group of Panamanian thugs ambushed an American Humvee north of Panama City, killing a U.S. soldier. Among the murderers, according to a U.S. indictment, was a man named Pedro Miguel González. Over the weekend, González became leader of the Panamanian National Assembly.
His election comes at a time when Panama’s center-left Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) is torn between its moderate wing and a more radical bloc associated with jailed dictator Manuel Noriega, who led Panama until his ouster by U.S. troops in 1989. According to Otto Reich, who served as a senior diplomat for Latin America under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, González “belongs to the Noriega faction.” Reich says the PRD radicals consider Panama’s current president, Martín Torrijos, also of the PRD, to be “too moderate” and “too pro-U.S.” If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Martín’s father was the late Omar Torrijos, Panama’s erstwhile military ruler.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Airport terror suspects 'planned massive attacks' -- [Independent Online]
Three suspected Islamic terrorists were arrested for plotting "massive" bomb attacks on Frankfurt's international airport and the Ramstein US Air Base, German authorities said today.
German federal prosecutor Monika Harms said the three had trained at camps in Pakistan and procured some 700 kilos of hydrogen peroxide for making explosives.
"This is a good day for security in Germany," she said.
Officials said the 35 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide, stored in a hide-out, could have been mixed with other additives to produce a bomb with the explosive power of 550 kilos of TNT.

THREE TERRORIST SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN GERMANY

Germans Arrest Three Terror Suspects In Plot Against U.S. Military Base UPDATED/BUMPED -- [Jawa Report]
UPDATE by Rusty, bane of al Qaeda in Germany, at 08:00: Attack is said to be "imminent" and "massive". Two of the arrested "youths" were German born converts to Islam, 22 & 29. The other is a 29 year old Turkish immigrant--which contradicts the earlier report which said he was Pakistani.

Minnesota Website Tells how to Wage Jihad -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The Middle East Media Research Institute has a disturbing and interesting new report on an Islamist website hosted in Minnesota telling people how to join al Qaeda, how to attack high value targets and how to form a functioning cell.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Always Faithful -- [Gathering of Eagles]
By Kit Lange I learned, shortly after accepting the position as National Director for Operations that I would not be able to help every one of our brave warriors that needed help. I promised myself that I would try tirelessly on each. For the most part, I handle the issues as they arise through various official and quasi-official organizations. This is a case where I need some numbers though and a place where every one of you can help. The Marine below apparently isn’t receiving much mail while he recovers in a San Antonio Military Hospital. From the information provided he was deployed to Iraq in Jan 07, shot in the lower back Feb 07 and can not move his leg. He is in the spinal cord unit at the Hospital.
Please take a moment and drop this valiant defender of freedom a get well card. I know you had no plans to go to the drug store today and you never know which card to buy.

Could you spare $5 or $10? or a few more for Soldiers' Angels? -- [View from the 8th Floor]
It's that time of year when donations are lowest for all non-profit organizations.
If you have $5 or $10 or more to spare, you might...
Send a check to: Soldiers' Angels, 1792 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, Ca 91104
or
Donate via PayPal or Credit Card by clicking the "DONATE" button on THIS PAGE.

Happy Anniversary Wednesday's Hero Blogroll! :) -- [Yikes]
Many thanks to Indian Chris for starting this wonderful project to honor all our fallen heroes; Many thanks also to Kathi for putting together this slideshow! And most of all, many, many thanks to our troops and their families who sacrifice so much on our behalf.

ACLU Accuse Long List Of War Crimes On American Troops -- [Stop the ACLU]
It is no surprise that the ACLU is more concerned about “rights” of our enemies than those of Americans. However, as for the legitimacy of the allegations, I will take a step back with caution. I haven’t seen this 10,000 page list.
Update: Jack Lewis thumbs through the 10,000 pages and finds them quite lacking.

MILITARY

Interservice Argument Over Altitude -- [The Tank - W. Thomas Smith Jr.]
Marine Corps Times:
Following the Vietnam War, there was a debate in Congress about attack helicopters and whether the Army’s procurement of them represented a duplication of the Air Force’s requirement to organize, train, equip and provide forces for close-air support.

Sources: B-52 Mistakenly Carried Nukes -- [Washington Post]
AP BISMARCK, ND -- A B-52 bomber was mistakenly loaded with five nuclear warheads during a flight from North Dakota to Louisiana, a newspaper reported

POLITICS

Attacking Iran from left and right -- [TigerHawk]
I, and just about everybody else in the blogosphere, missed this op-ed from last week -- Barack Obama virtually channeling Andy McCarthy and Michael Ledeen on the subject of Iran:

I’ll supply the protesters, you supply the war -- [Don Suber]
How to tell the Surge is working, Part XIV: The Left is changing the subject. Bloggers and columnists on the left are preparing for a war in Iran. They even set up a protest site: Stop War On Iran — a very real protest of an imaginary war.

Dianne Feinstein, "I'm Voting To Fund Bush's War" 9/4/07

Military Officials in Iraq Fault GAO Report -- [Washington Post]
A bleak portrait of the political and security situation in Iraq released yesterday by the Government Accountability Office sparked sharp protests from the top U.S. military command in Baghdad, whose officials described it as flawed and "factually incorrect."

THE MEDIA

You May Not Be Seeing "Path to 9/11" Any Time Soon... -- [Ace of Spades]
The Emmy-nominated miniseries, which unflatteringly portrayed President Clinton's role in the events prior to 9/11, is still not out for purchase. The mini's writer traces the delay to the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.

Bush’s Staged Chat With The Troops?

Listening, Dems/MSM? Friedman Says Iraq 'Blows in 10 Minutes' If We Leave -- [NewsBusters]
Thomas Friedman shouldn't be so modest. The opening line of his column today proclaims his inability, based on his current trip to Iraq, to see the big picture there. But buried in his description of three experiences from his journey is a conclusion as unequivocal as it is harrowing.

War Today, War Tomorrow, War Forever! -- [Jules Crittenden]
Kind of has a ring to it, don’t you think? It’s part of the latest embarrassingly bad commentary from the drama-addicted, accuracy-challenged Keith Olbermann. He’s engaged in a bit of a kindergarten project with bluntnose scissors and Elmer’s glue. He starts with someone else’s arts and crafts project, the following chop job graph from the NYT:

THE BORE WAR - KATIE'S NEEDLESS IRAQ GIG A RATINGS STUNT -- [New York Post]
KATIE COURIC'S big adventure in Iraq looks so far like it's been very interesting for her, but for the rest of us the whole effort seems unnecessary.
Let's start with the obvious. Everyone knows CBS sent her to Iraq as a stunt aimed at goosing the ratings for the third-place "Evening News."
You don't really have to send your news anchor to a war zone. That's not the anchor's job. Covering war zones is what you pay correspondents for.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

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