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

Iranian Army Fires Cannon At Northern Iraq Villages -- [MEMRI Blog]
The Iranian army fired cannon yesterday, March 13, cannon at villages in the Al-Suleimaniya region in northern Iraq, claiming that members of the PJAK organization were present in the villages.

Learning to trust in Iraq -- [CJR - Paul McLeary - in Iraq]
...This is how easily things can turn in Iraq. If the police commander had rolled up on the checkpoint and tried to arrest the men staffing it, the situation could easily devolve into a gun battle between Iraqi government forces and the irregular forces being paid by, and deriving their legitimacy from, the Americans. It’s not a situation that anyone, for obvious reasons, wants. For starters, it would spotlight the fact that the American military is paying citizens to do the work that the Iraqi government security forces have been unable to do, therefore calling into question the effectiveness of the government itself. Also, in Iraq’s tribal society, such a confrontation would likely start a bloody cycle of revenge with U.S. forces caught in the middle.

Doura Market

The Doura Market in Baghdad, Iraq. Scenes include patrons walking the streets, coalition forces visiting with shop owners, kebabs and shawarma being made, Soldiers patrolling and various shots of shops and shop keepers.

Saddam supported at least two al-Qaeda groups: Pentagon -- [Hot Air]
Earlier this week, the Pentagon announced that an investigation into over 600,000 documents captured at the end of the invasion of Iraq showed no operational links to al-Qaeda — or at least, that’s how the media reported it. After a strange few days in which the Pentagon delayed the report, it finally hit the internet last night — and it’s clear that the analysis done by the media was superficial at best. If no operational “smoking gun” could be found, the report still shows that Saddam Hussein had plenty of ties to all sorts of terrorist groups, including radical Islamist jihadis.

1999 ABC News Video Shows Bin Laden’s Connections To Saddam Hussein -- [Pat Dollard]

Another Convoy -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
...As we drive past a Iraqi Army check point, we throw a couple bottles of water out to them as they are uncomfortable as us but manning their post and doing great. Professional and squared away. They were surprised to see us give them some water and thanks us in Iraqi. These guys really appreciate things like that. When yousee them walk down to the Euphrates river and fill up an empty water bottle and drink it, it will make you barf.

Kidnapped Archbishop Found Dead in Iraq -- [WaPo]
...The death of Paulos Faraj Rahho, 65, archbishop of Mosul's Chaldean community, prompted expressions of remorse and condemnation from the Iraqi government and Christian leaders
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said it was a crime of "aggression aimed at inciting sedition among" Iraqis.

Fallujah opens Awakening headquarters [ME Times]
FALLUJAH, Iraq, March 10 (UPI) -- Councilmen in Fallujah voiced their approval for the establishment of five offices for the Awakening movement in the predominately Sunni city.
The approval came following a request from the head of the Awakening movement, Ahmed Abu Risa, Voices of Iraq reported Monday.

Handshakes with the Enemy -- [Michael Totten - in Iraq]
Abe [Greenwald] already blogged about this, but I wanted to follow up on Diana West’s fretting in the Washington Times about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent trip to Iraq, where he was supposedly given a warm reception by the Baghdad government. “[O]ur Iraqi allies have welcomed our Iranian enemies right into it.” Not so fast. Iraq and Iran are two Shia-majority countries. They share a long border and a terrible history, as Abe pointed out. They should be expected to have relations of some kind, and the more civil the better considering the depth of hatred Iranian Persians and Iraqi Arabs have for each other. Another full-blown war between Iraq and Iran is in the interests of no one.

On Iraq's Economic Development: Part III -- [FBL - Castle Argghhh! ]
According to Ambassador Ries, a healthy Iraqi economy will be built upon two major sectors (petro-chemical and agricultural), as well as the smaller sectors of tourism and light manufacturing. Growth and development of these areas will fuel Iraq's economic reconstruction and recovery.

"Heavy Metal in Baghdad" A Movie About Life as an Iraqi Rocker -- [Gateway Pundit]
Opens March 12, 2008
Heavy Metal in Baghdad is a feature film documentary that follows the Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda from the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 to the present day. Playing heavy metal in a Muslim country has always been a difficult (if not impossible) proposition but after Saddam's regime was toppled, there was a brief moment for the band in which real freedom seemed possible. That hope was quickly dashed as their country fell into a bloody insurgency. From 2004-2007, Iraq disintegrated around them while Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and stay alive, always refusing to let their heavy metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis.

AFGHANISTAN

Militant operations degraded in Khowst Province -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82 - in Afghanistan]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Eleven suspected militants were detained Wednesday during an Afghan National Security and Coalition forces operation to degrade militant activities in Khowst Province.
The combined force performed a search of compounds in the Tanai District targeting militants linked to foreign fighter, improvised explosive device and weapons facilitation operations.
During the course of the operation, ANSF and Coalition forces found and detained 11 individuals. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement in militant facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities.

Medevac Mission In Afghanistan - "DustOff Mission In Afghanistan"

Approx. 25 KM North Of Naray FireBase 8000 FT MSL.
It was at night, under goggles, and shows just how far they go to pick up the wounded. Many have seen the photo of a CH-47 Chinook with its back wheels on a rooftop during the day, but this is at night, at high altitude, and with one of the crewmembers on the roof helping the patient. Filmed from an AH-64 Apache using its FLIR.

ANSF, CF cause insurgents to flee, discover IED, weapons cache in Zabul -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82 - in Afghanistan]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, conducted a security patrol to disrupt insurgent activity near Surksang, Zabul Province, Afghanistan, March 11.
The patrol was attacked by a large group of insurgents from two different locations with small-arms, heavy-machine gun, and recoilless-rifle fire. The ANSF force returned fire and precision close air support suppressed the enemy. After pursuing the retreating enemy, the ANSF found a weapons cache consisting of a recoilless rifle, three heavy machine guns and two other weapons.
“The cache was found as a result of the insurgents’ hasty retreat,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Coalition spokesperson
... “At no time today did the enemy forces ever gain an edge on the ANSF,” Bowman said.

An al-Qaeda-Taliban Fissure -- [Threats Watch]
• Afghanistan: Al-Qaeda Bloggers’ Sparring With Taliban Could Signal Key Differences
It is not a new fissure, as the Pashtun Taliban have always had their theological differences with bin Laden’s largely Arab al-Qaeda. But it is a fissure that appears to be rising to the surface once again after being largely pushed aside by unifying conflict with America and others.

UH-60 Medevac - Afghanistan - "Dustoff Mission OEF 07-08"

L-3 Vertex, Bagram Afghanistan.

Still outside looking in -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
Despite their importance to Afghan life, women are often excluded and abused.
Despite the best efforts by the U.S. and Coalition forces to improve security and life in Afghanistan for half a decade, the lack of progress for women continues to be one of the most difficult hurdles.
Hunger won out over shyness as a girl clutches a bag of cookies.Even though women are an integral part of Afghan society, in many respects they are still treated like outsiders looking in to their own country

I got nothing boss! -- [ETT PA-C - in Afghanistan]
Well, today we had a genius driving in the middle of the road, coming toward us and this gunner is waving and shouting, the whole Rules of Engagement thing, and finally points his 50 down down at the guy and screeches out with a trailing up and question mark pitch "Are you trying to die?" Come to find out the guy didn't want to see Allah today and politely left about 20 ft of tire markings on the road and probably some fecal matter on his seat.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

The Eleven New Demands -- [Captain's Journal]
...Because of the influx of foreign jihadists and evolution of fighters in the area to a more global perspective, Pakistan itself is now at risk. Further, the Afghanistan campaign is in jeopardy of failure because of transnational movement and safe haven in the mountainous areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. CENTCOM realizes that the counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan and Pakistan are one and the same campaign. Thus, a more forceful U.S. presence has been proposed to Pakistan, along with eleven new demands (the story as broken by Shireen M Mazari and universally ignored by the so-called Main Stream Media).

Lost Over Iran -- [CJR - Eric Umansky]
President Bush warned just last August that unless Iran is stopped, the Middle East would be put “under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust.” Military strikes seemed to be a possibility. “We will confront this danger before it is too late,” Bush said. And yet the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), the collective judgment of sixteen U.S. intelligence agencies, concluded that Iran wasn’t intent on building a bomb

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Islamist Forum Posts Anthrax Making Instructions -- [Jawa Report]
More evidence that cyber terrorists are linked to actual terrorists.
Jveritas told me about the posting at a well known al Qaeda support forum giving instructions on how to cook up Anthrax. I didn't mention anything about it before for two reasons. First, this kind of posting clearly crosses a line making it a legal matter rather than a military or intelligence one. Second, developing Anthrax into a weapon is a little different then developing an IED. Like building a nuclear weapon, it's a little harder to do in practice than it is in theory

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Wounded Soldiers See the Pentagon In Private Parade -- [WSJ]
"I was really humbled by it because I didn't do anything special," says Cpl. Lyon, a 22-year-old Marine who lost a leg in a mortar attack near Fallujah. "I went to Iraq to do a job, and I got injured and actually couldn't do it. So why was I getting honored?"
...It's an example of the ways the military has chosen to honor its own out of public view. The Pentagon has until recently refused to release any photos of the flag-draped caskets of fallen U.S. troops being brought off planes back at home. President Bush doesn't attend military funerals and meets with bereaved family members only in private settings. Journalists embedded with American forces, meanwhile, must sign a contract limiting their use of photos of dead or wounded service personnel.

Veterans walk to support comrades -- [Rocky Mount Telegram]
Marc Breslow gently pulled back on the heel of his tennis shoe and then released a forceful sigh.
Resting momentarily in the shade of a golden yellow motor home, Breslow stretched his toes, leaned back in his seat and gulped down a bottle of water.
"My feet are a mess; a blistery, bleeding mess," Breslow said as sweat beaded on his forehead, eventually dripping from his brow and smudging his sunglasses. "This is crazy, what we're doing."
What's even crazier, the 57-year-old Breslow said leaning forward in his chair, is that he and his two comrades returned from a battlefield in Iraq less than three months ago and are now walking nearly 400 miles across America in a project they dubbed Resolve to Win.

Carl Heerup's Observations--Day 13 -- [Resolve to Win]
Wow! Today was the best day yet. Mr. Don Blosser (sp?) walked with us the whole 22 miles, carrying the flag or guidon. Members of his post met us, as did others at the rest stops, we had a tremendously enthusiastic response from motorists and from residents and businesses along the way. We had legion riders with us the whole way. At the third rest stop, we were met by a lot of American Legion Post 320 members, whose honor guard walked the last leg with us. Finally, we were met by two pipers who played the last mile or two, greatly lifting our spirits.

Freedom is not free. -- [Five for Fighting]
Support our Troops and their families by watching this powerful and important video on the Five For Fighting charity website. Through a $30,000 contribution from TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the site will donate about $1.00 per view to Operation Homefront for the first 30,000 views. Operation Homefront is an organization that provides emergency assistance to our troops and the families they leave behind, and was started by a wife who's husband is currently stationed in Iraq. Let's get to 30,000 and more.

America's Female Warriors Show Bravery, Loyalty -- [Cassandra]
Here are two inspiring stories that should get more attention.
Some time this month, a nineteen year-old Army medic from the state of Texas will become the second woman to earn the Silver Star for valor under enemy fire. Spc. Monica Lin Brown, characteristically, plays down her achievement:

Military artists capture realities of the war zone --[Fredericksburg.com] [HT: Fire and Ice]
The Marine couldn't have been more than 21 or 22, but he was no kid. Michael Fay could see that in his face.
Fay, a chief warrant officer and combat artist traveling with the Marine's unit, stepped away from the security of the school to capture that gunner's image with a digital camera.

Commentary: Why I Don’t Support the Troops -- [Berkeley Daily Planet] HT: Texas Rainmaker
In the recent political battle around the Marine recruiting station in Berkeley there has been much confusion around the concept or slogan of “supporting the troops,” but opposing the unjust wars of the Bush regime. Many who oppose the Bush regime wars also say they “support the troops.” Let me say it straight out—I do not support the troops and neither should you. It is objectively impossible to support the troops of the imperialist military forces of the U.S. and at the same time oppose the wars in which they fight.

MILITARY

What is soldierly patriotism? -- [John of Argghhh! ]
a post from a proud father.
...Son to this day, I cannot answer the question, “Why did you join the Marines?” Yes I was asked many times. All the answers were and are phony. They will just not understand. It was my destiny, it is yours. No answer is good enough. It’s like that line in Blackhawk Down … “Hoot, why do you do it man, are you some kinda war junky?” You remember his answer, “Know what I tell them? …. Nothing. They wouldn’t understand anyway.”)
...I remembered that I’m doing this because I am able to do this and I need to do this and it’s a job that chooses you, you don’t choose it. I’ve come to that determination

Will American war crimes be revealed? -- [Salon]
More than 100 veterans gathered in a Detroit hotel in early 1971 to talk about things they had seen and done in the Vietnam War. Called the Winter Soldier Investigation, the group spoke about a horrifying array of allegations: convoys driving over civilians; burning of villages; bodies thrown out of helicopters; torture, mutilation and infamous "free-fire zones," where anyone not wearing a U.S. uniform could be killed.

Admiral Fallon Steps Down -- [Blackfive]
...Wolf's sources, for months now, have said that this was coming, not for disagreements with the administration about a looming war with Iran, but for some other internal "issues" that have nothing to do with policy or the administration. His replacement has been considered for some time now.

Air Force Using Nazi, Dead Kennedys Anthem -- [Danger Room]
"Above All... The new slogan is admittedly a bold one," said Col. Michael Caldwell, deputy director of Air Force public affairs, "but so are Airmen."
So far, so good, right? Then a few of those pesky bloggers translated "Above All" into German. Turns out its "Über Alles." Which is a wee bit problematic. Since "Deutschland Über Alles" was Nazi Germany's national anthem. Oops.

United State Air Force "Above All"

POLITICS

Liberal America’s Disconnect with War and the Need for War -- [Thunder Run]
...This is the major difference between “liberal” America and “conservative” America when it comes to war and prosecuting war. “Liberal” America believes that by talking and negotiating we can protect our country from future attacks and avoid war, whereas “conservatives” tend to believe that we must be willing to stand up and defend ourselves to ensure our own safety. The major flaw with liberal America’s theory as Ms Hagelin points out is that in this war there is no government to negotiate with, unlike the Cold War when we could open a line of communication with Moscow and see a noticeable result along the Berlin Wall, talking with Pakistan or Iraq or Saudi Arabia or any of the Middle Eastern Nations produces no end result as it pertains to Al Qaeda or the Taliban or any of the other numerous militia and terror groups operating around the world.

Interview: An Iraq Vet Runs for Congress -- [Newsweek]
...Why did you form the group Iraq Vets for Congress?
To help individual campaigns. If there are veterans who vote because a guy is a fellow veteran, that individual person does that on his own. [I formed the group] because politics has become a millionaire's game. A high, high percentage of people in congress are millionaires. So, by joining forces with other veterans we’ve been able to get more national attention. We’re starting to break through nationally and what that does it raise our individual profiles. And, the biggest thing is fund raising. I have to raise more than a million dollars for this campaign. I have about a hundred thousand so far, and my opponent already has a million dollars.

Obama's War -- [Commentary Magazine - Peter Wehner]
Throughout his dramatic campaign to win his party’s nomination for the presidency, Senator Barack Obama has tended to ignore the specifics of policy in favor of the generalities of emotion, centering his appeal to voters on vague promises of “change” and “unity.” But on one issue, above all others, Obama has remained fixated from the campaign’s first moment, and that is the war in Iraq.

THE MEDIA

America's media failed -- [From the Frontline]
CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, who recently relocated from the UK to the US, was recently interviewed by former TV man Marvin Kalb at the National Press Club. Amanpour said the profession “failed to do our duty” in the run up to the Iraq war. She also touched on the leading cause of death in journalism these days,

Harvard economists’ study: Media’s anti-war rhetoric emboldens Iraqi insurgents -- [Hot Air]
Caveats aplenty — the data didn’t include Baghdad, there’s no way to tell if attacks increased because of the rhetoric or were just re-timed to coincide with it — but to no one’s surprise except possibly the left’s, “U.S. out of Iraq” does indeed create an incentive for jihadis to try to push the U.S. out of Iraq.

MILBLOGGING

Shut Up and Blog: 5 Years of TexasRainmaker -- [TexasRainmaker]
Back on March 13, 2003, this blog was born. Inspired by the desire to respond to the Dixie Chicks’ incessant whining about censorship and their inability to actually know what censorship was - and having grown tired of posting my thoughts randomly around the web and continually talking back to the talking heads on radio and television - I decided to try this little experiment.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

Daily Show - Marines in Berkeley -- [HT: Cassandra]

Video: Obama's Pastor Teams with Veggie Tales -- [ScrappleFace]
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, recently-retired pastor of Sen. Barack Obama’s home church in Chicago, announced that he’s teaming up with the producers of the Veggie Tales children’s videos to promote his own brand of biblical race relations for boys and girls.

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