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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.
Some Parting Thoughts from Major Thomas Sadiq -- [Miserable Donuts - in Iraq]
Major Sadiq was a terrific help to me when I moved up to Baghdad and started my new position. Always hard working and friendly, he made time to help every time I asked. Now he has finished his 12 months here and is leaving us. But he left us with a parting message I thought was worth sharing
SAS kills hundreds of terrorists in 'secret war' against al-Qaeda in Iraq -- [Telegraph]
More than 3,500 insurgents have been "taken off the streets of Baghdad" by the elite British force in a series of audacious "Black Ops" over the past two years.
It is understood that while the majority of the terrorists were captured, several hundred, who were mainly members of the organisation known as "al-Qa'eda in Iraq" have been killed by the SAS.
US says troops could quit Baghdad soon -- [FT]
General David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, said declining violence in Baghdad raised the possibility that American combat troops could leave the capital by next summer.
Al Anbar Security Transferred to Iraqi Control
Footage of a transfer of security authority from Multinational Force-Iraq to the Iraqi Civilian Authority (IVA) for Al Anbar Province at the Provincial Government Center. Scenes include the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, Speeches by Gov. Ma'moon and MNF-West commanding general Maj. Gen. John Kelly and Iraqi security forces on parade.
Understanding Iraq Through Anbar's Lens -- [Threats Watch - Steve Schippert]
With Anbar Security Handed To Iraq, A Look At Iraq In Plain Terms
On Monday, control of Anbar province and responsibility for security there was handed over to Provincial Iraqi Control. This is a profoundly remarkable event, as al-Anbar province – the onetime headquarters for al-Qaeda in Iraq – was seen by many as lost due to security and political conditions on the ground. And with Anbar now handed to Iraqis to manage security, it is appropriate to take a larger look at Iraq, and one from an Anbar-centric perspective. For Anbar was...
Anbar Stands -- [Outside the Wire]
Abraham followed the road along the Euphrates river north as God commanded him.
The road followed course of the great river and its lush green farming villages. The road Abraham travelled passed through villages and cities whose names have changed or been lost to the ages.
One of those is the ancient city of Anbar. Persians, Romans and Arabs all fought battles over this ancient city.
The Roman leader Gordian died at Anbar. The Arab General Khalid wrested the city from the Persians.
Centuries later, U.S. Marines and Soldiers fought house to house in the same city. We know it now as Fallujah.
Scarsely two years ago, Al Anbar province was thought to be lost. But just yesterday, control of the province was handed over to the Iraqi government.
Profile in Courage -- [Matel -in Iraq]
...“Expert opinion” said that we had lost. Many people were calling for us to cut our losses and run out. Almost nobody believed the surge would accomplish the stated goals. The easy choice would have been to go along with that conventional wisdom. That would have meant that many of our friends in Iraq would be dead and we would suffer a resurgence of terrorism, but conventional wisdom would have accepted that as regrettable necessity.
MRAPs, Travel & Detainees -- [Matel -in Iraq]
We went to see a police station. In the jail they had some terrorists they had recently caught. I was happy to for the diligence of the local authorities. I don't understand these guys Some brag that they would gladly kill people like me along with dozens of the local children given a chance. I take no pleasure in seeing these guys in jail and I avoid going in if I can. They are mostly young, stupid guys. Some older, clever bad-guy has convinced them to do this evil thing and has ruined their lives and destroyed their futures. It is sad all around. The face of evil is not always ugly or easily identified.
Of course we have different sorts of terrorists. The really bad ones are usually foreign fighters from various other countries around the Middle East.
Some troops say Iraqis need to do more -- [Stars and Stripes]
As Iraqi security forces continue to take the lead on missions in much of the country, the U.S. military has generally — and deliberately — slipped into the background.
But at an irritable area bordering Baqouba, where there are fears that recent gains made by an Iraqi-led offensive could be lost, the opposite has happened.
Manpower issues and a perceived lack of initiative by Iraqi police have forced soldiers with Company E, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, out of Vilseck, Germany, to patrol Tahrir mainly alone.
Iraq signs Massive Oil Deal With China -- [LT Nixon Rants]
While the world was busy with Broken-Watergate, the highly sought-after first Iraqi oil contracts were signed between the Ministry of Oil and the PRC to develop.
Ramadan Restrictions; "Don't Feed The Bears" -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
We're in the month of Ramadan now and its interesting to watch the Iraqis as they struggle with the various restrictions, most notably the practice of fasting. While observing the holy month Muslims are not permitted to eat during the daylight hours. They wake before dawn, eat, pray and then thats it for food until evening prayers. Honestly, very few of the people that I work with faithfully keep to the strict regime throughout the entire month, but they all give it a good try.
It's hot -- [Fobbits need ice cream too - in Iraq]
I wrote this after smoking a Monte Cristo Robusto (Cuban)
It's August and I imagine it's hot in Iraq to all those that live in Iraq (where we actually usually live) but in Kuwait it's absolutely blazing.
...Today is the first day of Ramadan. We are told not to tease Muslims (we don't usually encounter any outside of TCNs), or to eat in front of any Iraqis. I normally respect Muslims for their intense devotion to their faith, but telling me I can't eat in front of someone is bullshit. We can't have porn or booze and now we can't eat near Iraqis? It's okay for the chow hall to serve pork though, and to make the TCNs prepare, cook and serve it. Whatever. Happy Ramadan, please don't blow me up in a hunger-pain craze.
Oh, and speaking of porn. The guy that admitted to having porn got busted from E4-E1, got sent home and was told he would not be getting discharged, then got a general discharge anyways.
The Thieves Game -- [Strategy Page]
Last month, 830 Iraqi civilians were killed or wounded by terrorist activity. That's an 80 percent reduction from last year. But there are still thousands of Iraqis who are at war with their countrymen, and are willing to kill for the cause (which could be anything from the return of Saddam's Baath Party to power, to the establishment of a Sunni or Shia religious dictatorship.) That murderous mentality is not unique to this time or place, it is endemic.
Day 73. On Patrol with Roci -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
For those of you who have not been here, here is what it is like on a combat patrol in Iraq today. You may have to cover your ears during the noisy combat parts and don't be ashamed if you have to turn your head away when it gets bloody. Not everyone can watch that much gore.
Stuff -- [Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army - SGT WORMY - in Iraq]
I try to put things in perspective and think "that could be me"....I don't let it get me down, it just brings me back to a harsh harsh reality of this war we are fighting. I know I blab on about things I've seen over here, but I do that in an effort to try to get others to see that some pretty bad shit is happening over here. Soldiers are hurting....lives are changing...families are affected. It blows my mind about what I see on CNN, Foxnews, and MSNBC....there have been a few times where I see a glitch of something that happened over here...and that's about all you get, a glitch. Of course, I understand that the military can't give out details. But once in a while, once in a while maybe just a little more light should be shed on the situation so fellow Americans can try to get a grip on what's going on over here. And it's usually funny how things get to you about three days after it happens...
Afghan dam triumph as 1,600 British troops carry out most daring raid 'since Second World War' -- [Daily Mail]
British troops used a mixture of bribery, trickery and bombs to mount one the most daring operations since the Second World War.
In an extraordinary operation, a huge force was responsible for driving a massive hydroelectric turbine through the heart of Helmand - so engineers can complete Afghanistan's biggest reconstruction project.
British soldiers kill 200 Taliban in Afghan dam operation -- [Telegraph]
A major secret British operation to boost the economy in Afghanistan's Helmand province has been completed after a force of 5,000 troops fought for a week to drive a huge dam turbine through Taliban lines.
Repairing Orphanage
Co. commander briefs General Petraeus on Afghan operations -- [Combined Joint Task Force - 101 - in Afghanistan]
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — Eight company commanders recently met with the Multi-National Force – Iraq commanding general on Bagram Air Field and discussed operations in the Regional Command-East area of operations. Capt. Chris McLaud,
I'm back -- [Cheese's Milblog - in Afghaistan]
My platoon does all of the CMA (civilian medical assessment?) missions in the area. We did the first one and apparently did a good enough job to warrant making it one of our permanent missions. A CMA is a humanitarian mission where we bring doctors and medics to a certain area and treat locals. They're a different style of mission because of all the coordination that must be done among foreign military, Afghan forces, etc. Granted, they take all day, but it's better than sitting at Bagram all day while KBR guys buy Pizza Hut and Popeye's.
New York National Guard troops aid Afghan villagers -- [Staying in Touch - in Afghanistan]
Members of Company C 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry of the New York Army National Guard from Camp Blackhorse recently teamed with Afghan National Army soldiers from 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade 201st Corp for a humanitarian assistance mission.
And So It Begins...Again... -- [Embrace The Suck - heading to Afghanistan]
...Then he gave us our little motivational beginning of deployment speech. Holding true to form, our commander is about as inspiring and motivational as a good case of herpes. So he went through most of it without me being able to pick out anything to really get in a huff about, so I was a bit disappointed but then it happened. He stated that we should never forget our families. (Alright, no problem there) But we should put them in the back of our minds in order to focus on the mission. (No problem, you got it Sir.) Then he said, "Because if you don't put them out of your mind and focus on the mission, you might never see them again." (Alright, Now I've got an issue.)
Everyone's families were still there. They were all standing off in the wings and waiting for their chance to see us off properly, and they heard every word of what he was saying. Oh yeah, that is what someone's mother really needs to hear.
Pakistanis claim US helicopter-borne forces assaulted village in South Waziristan -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Unconfirmed reports from Pakistan indicate fifteen were killed after "American and Afghan soldiers" conducted a search and destroy operation in the Taliban-controlled tribal agency.
Saudi al Qaeda commander killed in Afghan clash -- [LWJ - Matt Dupee]
An al Qaeda spokesman claims US and Afghan forces killed a senior field commander in southwestern Afghanistan. Commander Abu Gharib al Makki was killed in one of two clashes reported in Farah province over the last 48-hours.
Pakistan: We Lost The Chance To Nab Ayman Al-Zawahiri But His Wife Was Killed -- [MEMRI Blog]
Rahman Malik, the Interior Security Adviser to the Pakistani Prime Minister, has said that an opportunity to nab Al-Qaeda’s Deputy Leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri was lost but his wife was killed during a military action, the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt reported.
Gunmen fired at MPs protecting supplies in Louisiana -- [USA Today]
Gov. Bobby Jindal says members of the National Guard came under fire this morning in Ville Platte, La.
"Sometime after midnight, somewhere between two and three criminals, we believe they were attempting to loot those supplies, actually opened fire," he says. "They fired about five or six shots at the National Guardsmen.
Coast Guard Post Gustav New Orleans Overflight
In this video released by the U.S. Coast Guard, helicopter crews from Air Station New Orleans fly over the greater New Orleans area to assess impact to the infrastructure after Hurricane Gustav passed...
Depressing News -- [Strategy Page]
September 2, 2008 - Iran: The governments growing closeness with leftist Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez had led to hundreds of Iranian intelligence and special warfare (terrorism) operatives being dispatched to South America. It was only a decade ago that such Iranian operations were shut down there, in the wake of terror attacks against Jews in Argentina.
EU High Court Invalidates Sanctions Against Al Qaeda -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
In a devastating blow to existing international financial sanctions against terrorist groups, the EU's highest court has today overturned the sanctions program imposed by the European Union on Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. The ruling by the European Court of Justice annulled the EU's freezing of the funds of Yassin al-Kadi, a Saudi businessman who has been on terrorist financier black-lists since his listing as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" by the U.S. Treasury in October 2001.
NEFA Foundation Report: "Anatomy of a Modern Homegrown Terror Cell: Aabid Khan et al." (Operation Praline) -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
NEFA Foundation has published a new report that I have written, titled "Anatomy of a Modern Homegrown Terror Cell." The report focuses on the recent criminal trial of Aabid Hussain Khan at the Blackfriars Crown Court in London, as told through the actual evidence seized by U.K. authorities and the detailed testimony of Khan himself. According to Karen Jones, the reviewing lawyer in the case from the U.K. Crown Prosecution Service, "The evidence showed Khan was a committed and active supporter of Al-Qaida ideology…
Senior al Qaeda operative killed in Somalia -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Al Qaeda has reported one of its senior operatives in eastern Africa was killed during fighting in Somalia more than one year ago. Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, a senior al Qaeda operative in eastern Africa, announced the death of Abu Talha al Sudani while discussing the May 1 airstrike that killed Aden Hashi Ayro, the leader of Shabab in Somalia.
"And before him [Ayro], more than a year ago, our leader was martyred, the leader of the mujahideen in Somalia, Abu Talha al Sudani, while he was leading one of the battalions of the mujahideen,” according to a translation provided by Nick Grace. “And this is the first time that we make it public." Grace monitors al Qaeda and other jihadi forums.
Teaming up with Soldiers' Angels -- [Michael Yon - in Afghanistan]
Over the last nearly four years, I've watched in awe as our men and women in uniform changed the course of history. They have taken defeat and disaster and given us—and the Iraqi people—victory and hope. Their sacrifices for our country are immeasurable. Now, with your help, we can show our service members that a growing number of Americans do understand and appreciate their sacrifices and accomplishments.
I'm partnering with Soldiers’ Angels to give copies of my book, Moment of Truth in Iraq, to the very soldiers still stationed there. Soldiers’ Angels is an extraordinary organization. Among many other activities in support of America’s military men and women and their families, Soldiers’ Angels sends thousands of care packages to deployed personnel every month. Moment of Truth in Iraq will now be included in as many of those packages as possible.
Governor Palin Visits Troops in Kuwait
Cheers for Heroes -- [Blackfive]
First, there's a Chicago Hero that some of you know about and the rest should meet...SPC Sergio Lopez (and CJ wrote about him here and here - CJ's A Soldier's Perspective is under maintenance right now so check back later).
Quaker tries to outmaneuver military recruiters -- [CNN]
Sally Ferrell bounded from the truck and grabbed a posterboard sign that read: "War is not the Answer."
...For three years, Ferrell has asked permission to distribute pamphlets and other materials that warn students to think twice before joining the military. But the school superintendent has stopped her, calling her activities unpatriotic. The American Civil Liberties Union, calling it a First Amendment issue, has threatened to sue.
"The students need to know there are alternatives to the military," said Ferrell, a Quaker. "But they're not getting the other side."
Hey guys, you can have Anbar back now -- [Abu Muqawama]
Charlie tries to walk the fine line between defeatist, triumphalist, and realist in Iraq. (When she's really in a pinch she claims to be an academic and make some useless, but intriguing, pedantive distiction about what's going on there.) But, to her mind, handing over Anbar province to the Iraqis is a BFD. And while she's well aware the peace there is fragile, it was also unimaginable two years ago.
That said, she's pretty sure we still don't have a good grasp as to the underlying causes of that peace...nor of the Anbar Awakening upon which it rests.
Fox News Attacks National Guard -- [VA Mortgage Co]
Fox news should be ashamed of the comments made by your Paul Gigot on the Journal Editorial show on August 30, 2008. During a conversation regarding the VP selection of Sarah Palin by John McCain, the subject of her qualifications came up…one of the guests stated that she was highly qualified and that she was the Commander of the National Guard in Alaska……Paul Gigot’s response was ” I don’t think she would want to use that, afterall the National Guard is not exactly the 82nd Airborne!!!”
Evidently Mr. Paul Gigot has not been informed about the number of National Guard men and women from every state in the union that have served numerous tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number that are still deployed and ...
Media's Palin Derangement Syndrome: Suddenly, Old Media Thinks They are DNA Technicians -- [NewsBusters]
John McCain's campaign spokesman is reporting that the media has deluged the campaign with demands that it provide DNA samples to "prove" that baby Trig is the true offspring of vice presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin. Imagine the effrontery of this demand? Imagine the ignorance and outrageousness of this attack that Governor Palin is receiving at the hands of the Old Media?
A Shameful Week for the Press -- [The Corner - Yuval Levin]
I have always tended to think that conservative complaints about the media are a little exaggerated. There are occasionally obvious instances of bias and clear examples of a double standard, but most reporters don’t want to fall into those and some conservatives are surely too sensitive to them. But this week has changed my view. I have never seen, and I admit that I could never have imagined, such shameful, out-of-control, frenzied, angry, condescending, and pathetic journalistic malpractice. The ignorant assault on Palin’s accomplishments and experience, the breathless careless airing of deranged rumors about her private life, the staggeringly indecent mistreatment of her teenage daughter in a difficult time, the ill-informed piling on about the vetting process, the self-intensifying circle of tisking nodding heads utterly detached from a straightforward political event, have been amazing and eye-opening.
DeLay to media: "Keep it up" -- [Politico]
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has a message to reporters scrutinizing John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin: "Please, media, keep it up."
DeLay, speaking on a Politico/Yahoo/Pioneer Press panel in St. Paul on Wednesday morning, said the tough coverage has done something for McCain that the maverick could never do with his own party.
"The media has done more for John McCain in the last two days than he’s done for himself in the last year and a half," DeLay said.
"Trashing her is waking up the sleeping giant, and the sleeping giant is Republican women," he claimed.
The Media Descend to a New Low -- [Weekly Standard]
Time's Mark Halperin has posted an advance copy of the cover of US Weekly magazinIt is apparent that he has no knowlege of the training or dedication of each and every member of the National Guard e, the tabloid published by Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner. That cover shows a smiling Sarah Palin, holding her youngest son Trig. The screaming headline: "Babies, Lies and Scandal: John McCain's Vice President."
Wenner has contributed $5300 to Obama's campaign since 2007.
John Voight Speaks at Vets for Freedom (Video)-- [Atlas Shrugs]
I have been listening to people speak all day and I will tell you unequivocally that Voight's remarks were the clearest, most moving, brilliant in its simplicity. He has been a supporter of the vets for decades. He is such a mensch and the vets loved him! What a case he made for Mccain, Palin, and .... America.
He was moved to tears as was I.
Biden's Loyalty — to McCain? -- [The Corner - Mark Hemingway]
Joe Biden made this very gracious statement yesterday:
"He is my good friend," said Sen. Biden, D-Del., of Sen. McCain, R-Ariz., speaking Tuesday in West Palm Beach, Florida. "We go back 33 years. If John McCain picked up - I get in trouble for saying this with some real strong Obama supporters, but you gotta - it is what it is. If John McCain picked up the phone today and said, 'Joe, I need you to get in a plane and fly out to Missoula, I can't tell you why', I'd get in a plane and I'd go."
Figures... Obama Camp Behind Palin Smears -- [Gateway Pundit]
The Obama Campaign is now admitting to being behind the inaccurate Sarah Palin smears.
Are you really surprised?
RNC Delegates & Police Attacked-- Protesters Gassed (Photos & Video) -- [Gateway Pundit]
It was another day of young Leftists, anarchists, Obama supporters, and hooligans attacking the delegates and police and getting gassed in the face in return.
First-- Here is a quick video of the protesters getting teargassed and wondering why?
These photos were from yesterday's attacks: ...
RNC Protesters - Surround and Attempt to Assault Lone Officer - Forced to Retreat
Obama Supporter Threatens Race War If McCain Wins
Who Vetted Obama? -- [FSM - Cliff Kincaid]
Why is it that an FBI background check is something that the presidential nominee of the Democrat Party has not been forced to undergo but whether the FBI investigated Palin is now becoming a controversy?
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