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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.
Day 59. Pomposity -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
Shamania is over. The walkers have all gone home. Nothing bad happened.
We expected some women suicide bombers to disrupt things. This is no secret, they were interviewed on the news. They were a no show.
I have been here for almost 2 months now. In that time, I have not heard a shot fired, a bomb explode or anyone being attacked. Granted all that may change at any time. I just say so so that you will know the current conditions here.
A Return to Normalcy in Kirkuk -- [MNF-I]
Already accustomed to seclusion, the village residents were surprised when Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division showed up in their community in February. The residents were more surprised when they announced that they would set up operations there; living and working with the residents for the next two months.
A Lot Changes in a Year -- [Matel - in Iraq]
I did a telephone interview today and some of the journalist’s questions made me think – again – about this year has meant. A lot happens in a year. As I think about what I have accomplished and what I still can do in my last month here, I understand that the inquiry is meaningless unless it is put into context. I need to think about what WE - my team, the Marines, the people of Anbar and our country generally - have accomplished.
Balance -- [Playing in the Sandbox - in Iraq]
Reading through the various musings I've written over the last several months, I've noticed that a good majority of them have dealt with the darker side of this life under the unrelenting sun. Eternal optimist that I am, there is - of course - a sprinkling of more comedic observations that I've managed to dig out of the sand (e.g., suicidal donkeys and Mohammed Cobain). Today I caught myself wondering if the pervading darkness in my writing is more a reflection of the author or the environment. I have a preference, but the thought remains.
WTF: Diyala Edition (Updated) -- [Abu Muqawama]
McClatchy has news of a chaotic raid in Diyala by a "special unit" of Iraqi forces (which, if the account is correct, sounds like Iraqi Special Operations Forces/ISOF -- the LA Times describes them as "counter-terrorism" forces). The raid hit the provincial government compound, killing the governor's secretary. Hussein al Zubaidi, a provincial council member and head of the provincial security committee, was arrested and the Iraqi forces involved in the raid seized computers and cars. Oh yeah, the raid also triggered a two-hour gun battle with Iraqi police.
Chain wrapped around 'old man's body' found in mosque -- [CNN]
There are the bloodstains on the wall, and here it is dried on the floor," Abu Muhanad said as he walked through a torture chamber in a Baghdad mosque where more than two dozen bodies have been found.
Two women clutch photographs of loved ones believed killed by the Mehdi Army.
"And here, a woman's shoes. She was a victim of the militia. We found her corpse in the grave."
Chunks of hair waft lazily across the floor in the hot Baghdad breeze.
"This was the torture room," said Muhanad, the leader of a U.S.-backed armed group that now controls the mosque.
"This is what they used for hanging," he said, pointing to a cord dangling from the ceiling. "Here is a chain we found tied to an old man's body."
New Special Groups splinter emerges on Iraqi scene -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
The Asaib al Haq, or League of the Righteous, a terror group backed by Iran’s Qods Force, is being targeted by Coalition forces in the Baghdad region and the South.
Iraqi forces take over Georgians’ missions in Wasit -- [MNF-I]
Already accustomed to seclusion, the village residents were surprised when Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division showed up in their community in February. The residents were more surprised when they announced that they would set up operations there; living and working with the residents for the next two months.
What I Did Today -- [THIS WE'LL DEFEND - in Iraq]
Yesterday one of the Shurta in one of the companies we advise killed his friend in the same company. He fired four rounds point blank. One round was stopped by his armor vest, and another was stopped by his helmet. The other two were stopped by his, well, between his vest and helmet. It speaks very well for the armor capabilities of the vest and helmet he was wearing, unfortunately, no armor on the face.
That much is the truth.
Sons of Iraq patrol recon – building relationships one night at a time -- [LWJ]
Specialist Jarrod Ming of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division accompanied by two Sons of Iraq members, escorts a local resident to his home during a recent mission in downtown Tarmiyah.
Basrah Children's Hospital
The significance of the new Basrah Children's Hospital.
Iraqi Security Forces Arrive -- [Strategy Page]
...After five years of effort, the Iraqi government has managed to produce a force of over half a million armed men. Saddam had at his disposal about twice as many. How do the two forces compare?
Stubbornly Violent... -- [Collabman's Thoughts]
The 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, in partnership with the Iraqi forces, continues operations in the Diyala province as they track, find and apprehend insurgents. More and more U.S. commanders are putting the onus on the Iraqi military to take the lead...
Give the following story a read for insight on how the 2nd SCR is working...umm, pushing the Iraqis to step up and lead on the battlefield. I like what I see in this article and trust more of this will continue. Tell me what you think...
Afghanistan's first ever Olympic Medal: Nikpai hopes his medal can serve as message of peace -- [Associated Press/ESPN]
Rohullah Nikpai defeated world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain on Wednesday to earn the bronze medal in the men's under 58-kilogram taekwondo competition, sparking applause, wide smiles and laughter in homes, restaurants and ice cream parlors around the country.
Afghan forces defeat insurgents in Khowst -- [ISAF]
20 Aug. - Afghan National Security Forces fought off several insurgents in the Bak district of Khowst province.
Six suicide bombers die in unsuccessful attack on U.S. base in Khowst Province -- [ISAF]
KABUL, Afghanistan - Seven insurgents, six of which were suicide bombers, are dead after an unsuccessful second attack on a U.S. base in Khowst Province on August 19. Forces from the base interdicted the insurgent attack approximately 1,000 meters outside of the base perimeter.
...Helicopters arrived on station soon after and engaged these insurgents as they attempted to flee from the scene.
Three of the insurgents killed themselves by detonating their suicide vests. ISAF forces killed three other suicide bombers before they could detonate their vests.
Describing Taliban assault
France 'determined' to stay in Afghanistan after attack kills 10 soldiers
Already unpopular in France, the attack could threaten President Sarkozy's plan to send hundreds more to fight in Afghanistan by the end of this month.
Pledging that his "determination remains intact", the French president is flying to Kabul to support his troops.
Afghanistan: Rumors of War -- [Castle Argghhh!!! - Kat]
The truth of the attack on the French is not complete, but original information indicates that the attack was a completely separate event. In fact, a far distance from the original attack on Salerno. The French were on a security convoy with Afghanistan troops and were attacked by an estimated 100 (?) Taliban. The French and ANP were supported by American air assets that eventually drove the attackers off. Sarkozy is on his way to Afghanistan to meet the wounded and support the French troops.
Insurgents Launch Brazen Attacks in Afghanistan -- [AP]
attacks in Afghanistan in years, culminating early Tuesday with six suicide bombers charging the second-largest US base ... Heavily armed fighters launched two of the biggest insurgent attacks in Afghanistan in years, culminating early Tuesday with six suicide bombers charging the second-largest U.S. base
French TV From Tag Ab -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure]
Our very own LTC Stone Cold, BSMV, emailed me a link today to a story that was produced by France 24 about Tag Ab and the neighboring district of Ala Say.
...It takes time, patience, and unfailing commitment.
Our media is still missing the boat. While the French report is not entirely accurate, they did the best that they could. Most of it is either accurate or close to the truth, but it is by far the best piece I've seen on Tag Ab. There are a thousand stories that are ongoing in Afghanistan where Americans are doing things that would make people here proud, but they are not being reported. The stories are not being told. America is being ripped off.
We're being scooped by the French.
ah the French… -- [Misuchan’s Milblog - in Afghanistan]
So here we are now, surrounded by mountains and the faint smell of feces in the air all around us. The Americans handed over this base to the French a week ago in a ceremony that you would normally see for promotions. Their presence here disgusts me, but only because of their attitude towards us.
Shocker: NY Times Decries Laughably Incompetent Taliban Rout As "Complex Attack" -- [Confederate Yankee]
...Suicide bombers mull about while preparing for an attack against a fortified U.S./Afghan position, receive minimal support in the form of small arms cover fire from a small band of untrained militant irregulars before helicopters chop them to bits, and this is what the Times considers a "complex attack?"
Scary Monsters -- [Strategy Page]
The Taliban have embarked on what amounts to a large scale suicide strategy. In addition to dozens of individual suicide bombers, they have dozens of field units, each of about a hundred gunmen, looking to score spectacular (from a media, not a military, standpoint) victories. Such attacks are being deliberately made against foreign troops from specific countries. France and Canada are particular targets. Month by month, the Taliban lose far more troops than they kill,
Aussie troops kill Taliban commander -- [NEWS.com.au]
Australian special forces soldiers have killed a senior Taliban commander responsible for ... Aussie troops kill Taliban commander.
Breaking: 12000 More Troops to Afghanistan - [Danger Room - Noah Shachtman]
Barack Obama has been calling for extra troops in Afghanistan. But the Pentagon brass said it couldn't be done, until forces were pulled out of Iraq. Does that mean a partial withdrawal from Iraq is coming?
Afghans doubt U.S. intentions: report -- [Reuters]
Afghans believe the United States knows about al Qaeda bases in Pakistan, but does not hit them because it wants an unstable Afghanistan to justify its presence for wider regional goals, a state newspaper said on Wednesday.
While many Afghans have vented such thoughts for some time, it was the first time a state newspaper which generally reflects the government's view has expressed them, and may point to a souring of relations between Afghanistan and its biggest backer.
Poland, Nuance and Understanding Russian Media Strategy -- [Threats Watch - Steve Schippert]
As the United States and Poland sign a new missile shield agreement under the shadow of recent Russian aggression against Georgia, it is important for the American public and policy makers alike to see clearly the Russian reaction and understand...
Georgia: Update and Considerations -- [BlackFive - Laughing_Wolf]
Status: No significant changes to report. The Humvees (and possible other equipment according to some reports) stolen by the Russians has not been returned. There remain no signs of pull out by the Russians, or even any obvious preparations for same.
Analysis of Todays Events 18 August 08 -- [A Major's Perspective]
There was three critical events that transpired today, that should be discussed. The first I will be very brief on. As I talked about last night, regarding Iran's declaration that they had sent a dummy satellite into orbit, now they have admitted they didn't quite do that. First the story was they had sent a missile into space with a satellite, then without a satellite, then it didn't reach space but it would have, then well it just became it didn't but we are going to very soon. I don't know who is blowing more hot air right now, the Iranians or the Russian's stating that they are withdrawing from Georgia.
The Gang That Can't Kill Straight -- [Strategy Page]
August 19, 2008: Many Arabs now consider al Qaeda as the gang that can't kill straight. Consider some current events in Yemen. Thirty months ago, 23 Islamic terrorists broke out of a jail there. Since then, fifteen of those escapees have been recaptured, and five were killed.
Combat Medics and SSG Matt Sims -- [A Major's Perspective]
I have been remiss in not talking about a crucial element of our Military, and that is the Combat Medic. Within the Navy and Marine Corps they are called Corpsman or Independent Corpsman and within the Army they are Combat Medics. These young men, in every war that our nation has fought, have been on the frontline beside our Infantrymen taking care of them, and saving their lives. Within the Infantry they reside in our Rifle Platoons, Companies and Battalions, and the Marine Corps is quite similar.
They are friends and brothers to their fellow, "grunts", but they are also saving angels on the battlefield. They put aside their personal safety under enemy fire to save the lives of our young men on the battlefield, and many times are the one that holds their hand as they die. They take a great burden upon themselves, mending the wounded, and comforting the dying.
...SSG Sims was wounded three times during that second deployment. Once being blown up in an IED Blast, once being wounded in a mortar attack, and the third being a gun shot wound. Each and every time he refused evacuation out of Iraq. When asked why...
How it All Started, Part II -- [FBL]
I'm scheduled to be on a panel called "Milblogging as Community" at the upcoming MilBlog Conference--I'm obviously the token civilian, haha! This has gotten me to thinking once again about how I ended up a civilian among milbloggers.
I scoffed (remember, this was January 2005; FbL hadn't even been "born," yet). I thought [Sgt. B] was kind but utterly absurd, especially for having based his comments on nothing more than my two emails. And yes, I told him he was. I didn't even know any soldiers outside the Internet and the letters I sent to units in Afghanistan and Iraq! How could an ignorant civilian like me with no direct connection to veterans possibly be part of a warfighter's emotional and physical recovery? As if a combat vet would even care to talk to me... Silly man.
Actually... Silly me.
Paula Deen Cries with America's Military Wives -- [momlogic.com]
Most women worry when their husbands are late getting home from the office--but these women worry about their husbands coming home at all.
Momlogic.com contributor and Food Network star Paula Deen wanted to know exactly what it's like to be married to some of this country's finest and bravest, so she sat down with three military wives during a recent visit to Norfolk, Va.
MilBlogger Roundtable: The Army Family Action Plan -- [Castle Argghhh!!!]
Want to hear more about how the Army family cares for Soldiers and their families?
What: A blogger's roundtable on Thursday, August 21st at 1:30 PM with MG John Macdonald, commander of the U.S. Army Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, and Mrs. Becky Pillsbury, spouse of MG James Pillsbury, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Operations, Army Materiel Command. They will discuss the 25th Anniversary of the Army Family Action Plan and how AFAP has improved quality of life for Soldiers and their families.
When: Thursday, August 21st at 1:30 PM
A World Without The American Soldier
What I did to battle PTSD -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
The identification and reinforcement of values, social skills and anger management techniques along with realizing warning signs and stress management training enables veterans to realize a better life. Without integrating these skill sets into the neurological pathways, the heavily imprinted traumatic axonal entrenchment supersedes conscious thinking processes and the mind seeks behavior reminiscent of the initial trauma. The hyper states of PTSD once engaged result in the continuation of the dominate neurological processes.
A deeper apprehension and awareness has to come forward for our veterans to get the help they need.
I have learned that I do not have to let PTSD define me
Local marine receives hero's welcome home -- [Bakersfield Now]
A local marine who was severely injured in Afghanistan is back home tonight with his family. But not after an amazing show of generosity from strangers and friends alike.
Sgt. Justin Clenard lost both of his legs seven weeks when he stepped on a landmine while on duty in Afghanistan. Almost immediately the Bear Valley Buckaroos club decided to give all of the money from their annual golf tournament to the Clenard family. And Sunday they presented him with a check, a small token of the community's gratitude they said.
Clenard has only been walking on prosthetics for the last two weeks. He's still getting used to them but decided to walk in instead of being driven.
Which to trust: Media or vets? -- [Matt Sanchez]
Vets for Freedom has sent the "mainstream media" into a tizzy fit, since journalists, commentators and talking heads are convinced the only stories out of Iraq and Afghanistan that matter are theirs.
Salon.com "journalist" Alex Koppelman complains that eight members of Vets for Freedom traveled to Iraq on the government's dime and wondered about the group possibly coming home to "proselytize for the Republican presidential candidate's position on the war"
What Koppelman failed to mention is that he, too, could have gone to Iraq under the embed program.
Huffington Post blowhards Dave Johnson and James Boyce have created a website to monitor Vets for Freedom. Dave and James also complained about the lack of dispatches from Afghanistan on the Vets for Freedom website.
Hey, Dave and James: The military has an embed program for Afghanistan, too! If you want more info, write me.
It is shameful that newsmen who have created a cottage industry of criticizing the war in Iraq and Afghanistan have never been there, and are not bothered by that fact.
It used to be that you had to experience war to have any credibility. Ernest Hemmingway, Edward Murrow, Winston Churchill, these men all worked as war correspondents.
Electric legs, Chris Matthews, and the professionally indignant Andrew Sullivan comment on the war from air-conditioned offices stateside.
An American Carol [HT: Grim]
Empty Seats Welcome Empty Suit Obama at VFW Convention -- [Gateway Pundit]
This is one of those speeches that makes you want to spit out your lunch...
Obama whines, moans about patriotism, attacks McCain, and says he's not a waffler.
It's no wonder he faced so many empty seats and only polite applause at the VFW Convention today in Orlando.
Barack Obama SLAMS McCain for his negative campaign to VFW
We Chat With Senator Barack Obama Following His VFW Address! -- [The National Defense]
LISTEN NOW
Why should I vote for you as a veteran?
Toby Keith Praises Obama, Says He's A Democrat -- [Huffington Post]
Toby Keith, perhaps best known to non-country audiences for his post-Sept. 11 song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," says he's a Democrat
Tell Sen. Obama To Avoid the C.H.U.D. Blood Money -- [C.H.U.D. Busters]
Location of Outbreak: Alternet, Highlighted by RNC (h/t McClatchy Watch)
Description of Attack: A bundler from Code Pink, who was gotten her mitts on $50-$100K for the Obama campaign, is a full blown C.H.U.D. She attended the World Tribunal on Iraq, which gave us such ideological abortions as the brutal insurgency in Iraq was justified and that we humble Americans should support the Iraqi resistance that actively kills our troops. Her whole wretched statement can be seen on this 2005 Alternet article:
We Join Senator McCain Aboard Straight Talk Express at the VFW National Convention in Orlando! -- [The National Defense]
LISTEN NOW!
Parasites, Vandals, and Thugs Win $2M From NYC Lawsuit -- [LT Nixon Rants]
...Is this $2M going to come out of the pool of money that Rep. Weiner wanted the military to give New York because public servants were being called onto active duty? Glad to know that the NYC authorities know that the real "sacrifices" being made are by filthy, unemployed urchins who rival European soccer hooligans in wreaking havoc.
Obama To Conceal VP Pick Until VP is Needed -- [ScrappleFace]
(2008-08-19) — Democrat presidential hopeful Barack Obama said today that he would reveal the name of his running mate “when, and if, we ever actually need a vice president.”
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
