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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.
Shiites and Sunnis hold joint prayer in Baghdad -- [Voices of Iraq - Iraqi news]
A Shiite Shrine official on Wednesday said a delegation of Karbala clerics and tribal chieftains held a prayer with Sunnis in Baghdad in a bid of sectarian unity after two years of revenge killings between the two denominations.
Hawijah drivers will no longer have to move aside for U.S. convoys -- [Stars and Stripes]
HAWIJAH, Iraq — U.S. leaders will soon begin notifying Iraqi drivers in this area that they no longer must make way for military vehicles, a step that is welcomed by residents and another sign that dangers have eased.
Iraq official: U.S. could be out by 2011 -- [CNN]
A deadline should be set for the withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces from Iraq, and the pullout could be done by 2011, an Iraqi government spokesman said Tuesday.
Iraq Wants U.S. Out...Maybe
Maliki's Withdrawal Card -- [WSJ]
A year ago, the conventional Beltway wisdom had it that Iraq was a failed state. Today, the same wisdom holds that it is less chaotic but still fragile, dependent entirely on a U.S. presence to survive.
Oberserving Change -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
The security situation has vastly improved, to the point where violence is the exception and not the norm. Daily explosions and gunfire that could be heard throughout Baghdad is now a rarity.
Perceptions of Iraq -- [Matel-in-Iraq - in Iraq]
My ePRT is on the edge of the world. I realized this as we flew low to Baghdad in the Blackwater helicopter on the way to Baghdad. Marine Air flies higher and straighter, so I don't see as much, but there is not much to see anyway on my usual Western Anbar travels, just shades of dusty brown. As we flew toward Bagdad, I saw farm lands that were wider than a football field's distance from the river. Some of the land looked very green and rich. How different would my impression of Iraq have been if I had been somewhere else but Western Anbar?
A Father’s Grief Spurs a Life-Saving Invention -- [The Tank - Fred Schwarz]
In October 2003, Pfc. John D. Hart, of Bedford, Mass., was killed in Iraq when Saddam loyalists ambushed his convoy. Just a week earlier, in a letter to his parents, he had expressed uneasiness about going on patrol in a Humvee with no armor. After Private Hart’s death, his father, Brian, began a campaign to pressure military brass into putting armor on military vehicles, and overall to make sure that soldiers in the field get the equipment they need. Now Brian Hart has taken things a step further by developing a robotic vehicle that will disable and dispose of car bombs and IEDs.
Marines Capture Insurgents Who Tried to Lead them into an IED Trap
Simplicity -- [Playing in the Sandbox - in Iraq]
Recently a lot of people have asked me what Iraq is like. I've reduced it as best I can to this:
Iraq - Hot. Sand. Some people want to kill you. Some people don't.
Land of Palaces -- [Up Country Iraq - in Iraq]
...Biometrics is actually playing a large role in fighting the insurgency right now. Biometrics is the ability to establish an individual’s identity through a unique physical characteristic. There are uses of biometrics here in Iraq that we wouldn’t stand for in the States, but the people here are accepting of this intrusion because it is helping to track the bad guys and it is saving lives.
Desert Nights, American Days -- [Courage Without Fear - in Iraq]
In the deserts of Kuwait and Southern Iraq, the nights come quick. It’s as if you can watch the sun go down in a mater of minutes. It’s a quiet peaceful time. There may be trucks in the motor pool prepping for missions, and the constant drone of the camp generators in the background, but while watching the sunset on the front porch of
CF find weapons caches in cemetery south of Baqubah -- [MNF-I]
TIKRIT, Iraq – Coalition force Soldiers found two weapons caches in a Christian cemetery south of Baqubah, Iraq, July 7. The caches, together, consisted of two rocket launchers, rockets, seven rifle grenades, three AK-47’s with magazines and multiple other devices used to make improvised explosive devices.
Local Signs -- [Fraser From Iraq - in Iraq]
...Then my favorite so far is in the Chow Hall. A big sign over the kitchen where you line up to order eggs says “EGGS COOKED TO ORDER”, which is great you think at first. You wait in line for your turn to place your order with the guy that doesn’t speak English. Just when you think
3 Para in Lair-Raid -- [ROGUE GUNNER - British troop]
A Taliban suspect holds up his hands in surrender after a raid by British troops on a militant stronghold.
Our brave boys swooped on the enemy lair as part of a daring operation to round up a number of notorious rebel leaders.
Escalation in Afghanistan -- [Captain's Journal]
...There have been more U.S. and NATO troops killed in Afghanistan in June than in Iraq for the second straight month. But more to the point, many of the NATO troops aren’t allowed in kinetic engagements, so deploying more German troops doesn’t help if their mission is unnecessary. To comprehend the full force of the report, it should be realized that some troops are taking a disproportionate level of the burden (e.g., U.S. troops), and the Marines’ deployment to Afghanistan has been bloody.
Photos - [From the ’stan - in Afghanistan]
I am not sure if you noticed the newly posted photos on dvidshub.net, taken by Cpl. Randall Clinton. But I wanted to share them with you. They are all of this shower the Marines rigged up using a bucket, rope and some poles.
Fear Of Flying In Afghanistan -- [Strategy Page]
July 8, 2008: The Czech Republic, which has agreed to send five badly needed transport helicopters to serve with NATO troops in Afghanistan, found themselves with a pilot mutiny on their hands.
Artist Who Sang "Black National Anthem" Says Others Needed to Hear It -- [Gateway Pundit]
WHY DID YOU AGREE TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THEN NOT SING IT? WASN’T THIS DISHONEST?
...I wanted to tell them what I was going to do, but I couldn’t because I knew the answer would be ‘no’.
"Black National Anthem"
The Liberty Memorial's Eternal Flame Will Remain Lit For At Least Another Year! -- [The National Defense]
- Live from the "Save the Flame" event rally, we speak with some of the very generous individuals responsible for relighting the Eternal Flame atop the Liberty Memorial at the National WWI Museum in Kansas City.
Iran Test-Fires Long-Range Missile -- [WaPo]
Iran said today it had test-fired a long-range missile capable of reaching Israel and U.S. troops in the region, a step promptly condemned by the Bush administration as heightening tensions over the country's suspected nuclear weapons program.
What Terrorizes Terrorists The Most -- [Strategy Page]
...One of the more useful techniques is biometrics. That is, every time the troops encounter a "person of interest", they don't just take their name and address, they also use portable electronic tools to take fingerprints, a retinal scan and photos. All this is stored in a database, which now contains hundreds of thousands of records for Iraqis, Afghans,
Calling All Kaboom Readers... -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
...After nearly seven months in Iraq, the Gravediggers’ luck had a momentary lapse. I regret to inform you that one of the Gravediggers is in dire need of prayers, thoughts, and support. On June 22, PV2 Hotwheels had an accident. The Gravediggers had returned from a mission and PV2 Hotwheels was refueling a generator.
Army Strong -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Just sayin'.
Go, Alex!!!!
Warehouses are in need.......... -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
The Soldiers' Angels warehouses in NC & CA are a wee bit like Mother Hubbard's cupboard.... E-M-P-T-Y!
Please be aware that both warehouses send out MUCH needed items to the soldiers (male & female), wounded service members and all those in need.
HBO AND CORPORATE PARTNERS TEAM UP TO SEND DONATIONS AND SUPPORT U.S. TROOPS STATIONED IN AFGANISTAN AND IRAQ -- [HBO]
In honor of the Marines of Generation Kill, and all of our troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, HBO and its partners are sending care packages overseas containing the items troops most frequently request. The troops have determined the items—YOU determine how many are sent.
CHUD Cornered On YouTube -- [LT Nixon]
Location of Outbreak: Youtube, Staten Island Madman's Video Comments
Description of Attack: The self-proclaimed Staten Island Madman, aka Mr. Hotshit 1960, has a video up dating from late 2006 expressing his modest dissatisfaction with the "Fuck the Troops" Myspace group.
After the Battle, Fighting the Bottle at Home -- [NY Times]
...With the rising awareness of the problem has come mounting concern about the access to treatment and whether enough combat veterans are receiving the help that is available to them.
War Torn -- [NY Times]
Veterans who return home with psychological damage may engage in self-destructive violence. About half the time, substance abuse is involved.NY Times in depth report
LOSS OF FAITH -- [Trying to Grok]
So I just wrote this morning about how safe and easy this deployment is. Now I'm going to write something mildly contradictory. CaliValleyGirl just pointed me in the direction of the I Should Be Folding Laundry blog. This blogger, Beth, sounds like the kind of woman I'd like to be. Everyone speaks glowingly of her. She lost her pregnancy (twins) back in February, and this is what haunts her now:
...And I often have the ridiculously morbid thought that "at least I won't be pregnant when the Army comes to the door and tell me my husband is dead." Because the only reason I can see for denying me the joy of a baby is to spare me the agony of raising the baby alone.
The Power to Make War Part I -- [Castle Argghhh! - Kat]
A country has refused to accept the neutrality of the United States in its ongoing conflict. It is attacking United States' merchant ships. It is sinking ships and taking prisoners. This country has closed ports to US shipping. This country's navy has actually followed and attacked US ships in US waters. ...
Paid to Blog -- [Castle Argghhh! - FbL]
Military Connection is looking for a part-time, paid milblogger and forum moderator. It's a new endeavor for them, so it looks like a chance to help choose the direction
Blogging Rules By Service Branch -- [Greyhawk]
At Stars and Stripes . (Your results may vary.)
A longer article at Stripes includes this fan-tucking-fastic quote from a certain Chuck Z:
Good plug for Military Bloggers -- [The SandGram - in Afghanistan]
...While I’m a big proponent of free speech, I really must consider a couple of things each time I write. First, will my rants jeopardize the lives of my friends, co-workers or myself? Believe me that the bad guys read our post as well! Second, is ...
Some leading military blogs at a glance -- [Stars and Strips]
Some popular military blogs and some of the authors’ thoughts: ...
...Meanwhile, the military is publicly supportive of blogging and has created blog sites such as the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center Blog and shipboard blogs aboard the USNS Mercy and USS Russell.
President Bush met with military bloggers in 2007 — some videoconferencing from Iraq — to discuss issues such as the war.
Liberty for the Iraqis is worthy of support -- [USA Today - Jim Hardin, USNR]
As someone who has recently returned from duty in southern Iraq, I'm saddened to see USA TODAY's editorial putting a damper on genuine gains made on behalf of the American people by so many in service ("Military success in Iraq masks failures on other goals," July 1).
Media Drags Out Token Atheist Soldier to Attack Military... Again -- [Gateway Pundit]
...The American Left sure doesn't want to see those soldiers praying when their lives are in danger. It would be offensive.
War Reporter Now Fighting Baby Drama -- [AOL News]
Lara Logan, the chief foreign affairs correspondent for CBS News, tells The Washington Post she is pregnant, and the father is a married federal contractor whom she met while stationed in Iraq.
McCain, Obama at odds over Iraqi withdrawal demand -- [AFP]...McCain, who says it is too early to leave Iraq, said US pull-backs must be dictated by security conditions, after Democrat Barack Obama said the Iraqi government now shared his desire for a timetable for withdrawals.
The Surge has Failed -- [This ain’t Hell]
Only a truly brain dead buffoon can keep chanting the “Surge has failed”; even the Messiah and that mouth-breathing, traitorous old fool Murtha can see it. But apparently not Arianna Huffington:
The Chuck Ziegenfuss for President
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
