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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.
2 U. S. copters collide in Baghdad -- [Buffalo News]
Two U. S. helicopters collided Saturday while landing at a base in Baghdad, killing one Iraqi soldier and injuring four people, including two Americans, the military said. It was the second American helicopter crash in two weeks.
The U. S. military said hostile fire did not appear to be the cause.
Also Saturday, the military said U. S. troops killed an al- Qaida in Iraq leader suspected of masterminding one of the deadliest attacks in Baghdad, several other recent bombings and the 2006 videotaped killing of a Russian official.
IED Failed To Blow Up On US Humvee
Iraq, confiscated footage
Going For The Head -- [Strategy Page]
n the past two months, Iraqi and U.S. forces have captured at least 30 members of Iranian group Kataib Hezbollah. This gang specializes in smuggling weapons and military equipment from Iran into Iraq, and then distributing it to pro-Iranian Shia groups. As police and army personnel take control of Shia towns and neighborhoods formerly dominated by Shia militias, it's possible to get information from locals who oppose violent groups.
A Lioness on the Prowl -- [3MAW - in Iraq]
Lance Cpl. Melissa Tugwell is a 23-year-old, Lake Charles, LA-native. She is a combat correspondent with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).
...After completing training, I was assigned to a security checkpoint in Karma, Iraq, with fellow lioness Seaman Christina Follmer. We fell under the supervision of the infantry staff noncommissioned officers of Weapons Platoon, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines.
I’ve found that our mission as lionesses is different than the mission carried out by the first female Marines who manned security check points in Iraq.
Ladies of the 191 Update -- [Ladies of Liberty - in Iraq] HT: MaryAnnWe are down to the double digits, looking at some 80 days or so left in country. The days go by slow at times, but for the most part this deployment has flown by. Ramadan is over. Ramadan is the time for Muslims to fast and focus on God. They fast during daylight hours (no water and food), they don't go on dates, drink, smoke, eat candy, etc. It is a time for them to pray and become closer to God. After the 30 days of Ramadan, they have a 4-day celebration, called EID. It is time for feasting, celebration, dancing, music, carnivals, presents, new clothes, etc. It is a joyous time right now all over Baghdad.
Kirkuk -- [Up Country Iraq - in Iraq]
Over the past couple of weeks I made my way up to Tamim Province to the north of my location. The most well known city up there is the city of Kirkuk. Tamim Province is a mixed province of Arabs and Kurds, yet despite the mixed population, it is also one of the most stable provinces in the northern region, not counting the three provinces that are officially in the Kurdish region.
...Many people refer to Tamim as Kirkuk province, and I noticed that some newspapers do that as well. As most of you have probably heard, the Iraqi Parliament has passed the provincial election law, setting provincial elections for January 2009. These elections are likely to bring greater Sunni representation to the Iraqi parliament since Sunnis are unlikely to boycott the elections as they did in 2005. The original intent of the election law was to include a question on the future of Tamim province. Kurds would like to see...
Day 104. Baghdad -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
We were awakened to gunfire all around our camp this morning. No one got hurt. It was celebratory fire, like the 4th of July, to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
It’s a Long Story -- [The War on Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
For those of you who are not in the military, walking in front of a formation is considered disrespectful. But walking BETWEEN a leader and his formation is an act of disrespect that I have never seen in my 14 year career. And by the manner that SFC Rocksalt was walking, he did it intentionally.
“Hey Sergeant Rocksalt,” I shout. “How ‘bout next time you walk behind my formation!”
He turns around: “How ‘bout next time you shut the fuck up!”
Tonight would have been perfect if... -- [Photography, Software, and Sand - in Iraq]
...In addition to the temperature, I was walking with a buddy of mine here on the compound and came across the spot where two brick walls blocked out all the lights and the nighttime sky suddenly became clear. I couldve easily spent the night there looking up, not just because I enjoy stargazing but because aside from my time in Thailand I'd never seen some of these stars before -- the southern sky is totally different from the northern sky and I'm just starting to see both
Comedy with a Message
Comedy with a message, thats what the cast members of the television show "Mud House" brought to the Iraqis, live, at the Al Kut Touristic Hotel. Though laughter filled the air of Al Kut, the message to be heard by all was one of self government and sovereignty for Iraq.
One Unit, One Fight... -- [Collabman's Thoughts - son in Iraq]
Despite already having served 15 years of service to country, Staff Sgt. Brian Pritchett, with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, re-enlisted indefinitely two months ago. Now, following in his father’s footsteps, Spc. Bobby Pritchett, a driver with 3rd Squadron, 2SCR, is doing the same.
Warrior Cops Train New Iraqi Police -- [American Ranger]
The following article discusses the invaluable assistance that American police officers are providing to the new Iraqi police. I am also a cop and I will return to my police department in February. I am extraordinarily proud that my fellow law enforcement officers are willing to enter the world of war to make a difference, just as they are willing to put their lives on the line back here in the States.
NATO Captures Senior taliban leader -- [Jawa Report]
NATO forces in Afghanistan have captured a senior taliban leader, without even firing a shot. I guess the taliban leader wasn't anxious to find out if there are 72 brown eyed virgins waiting for him on the other side.
War in Afghanistan cannot be won, British commander Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith warns -- [Telegraph]
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith said the British public should not expect "a decisive military victory" and that he believed groups of insurgents would still be at large after troops pulled out.
In June, he claimed that British forces had reached a "tipping point" against a weakened Taliban after their leadership was "decapitated".
But on Sunday the army officer said it was time to lower expectations and focus on reducing the conflict to a level which could be managed by the Afghan army.
British Cmdr. in Afghanistan: war on terror can not be won -- [Al Jazeera]
Victory Impossible! -- [Jules Crittenden]
That’s the lede in this Times of London article quoting a Brit general re Afghanistan, whose troops have been bloodied fighting a Taliban that seems endlessly capable of replenishing itself despite heavy losses. Damn, that sounds familiar. That’s what they used to say about Iraq. Though when you get into it, that isn’t exactly what he’s saying: Don’t give up. More troops, more counterinsurgency, cut political deals, divide and conquer.
On Negotiating with the Taliban -- [Captain's Journal]
This comment at the Small Wars Journal Blog by a British officer reminds us again of the myth that has sprung up around the narrative of Anbar.
… dialogue with Afghan tribes/groupings that provided the ‘freedom’ for them to accept localised security responsibility. Given the nature of some of these local forces it was this aspect of our tactical activity that I recall being the subject of friction between the Brit and US chains of command. Slightly ironic when one considers the subsequent endorsement of the ‘awakening’ in Al An bar and Baghdad. Clearly this latter course of action was driven by our own limited means and was fraught with risk. However, compromise is, I submit, an enduring tenet of COIN.
The irony is only apparent, and belongs to the realm of myth-telling concerning the U.S. experience in the Anbar Province.
Afghanistan begins registering voters for 2009 election -- [Reuters]
Afghanistan began registering voters on Monday for elections due next year that will test support for President Hamid Karzai and democracy itself which is threatened by a virulent Taliban insurgency in which thousands have died.
Like fingers of a hand: Four Soldiers, Sailor secure safe passage in Afghanistan -- [John of Argghhh!]
Afghanistan (Oct. 4, 2008) — “Stay alert and stay vigilant,” shouted a chiseled-face Soldier during a pre-convoy briefing at Camp Eggers, Afghanistan, today. Staff Sgt. Carlos Padilla was one of five service members charged with securing the safe passage of troops from Camp Eggers to Bagram Air Field.
Like the fingers on a hand, each member of the five-man team is paramount to today’s mission,
Sorry, all -- [Cheese's Milblog - in Afghanistan]
It's been an interesting few weeks, and my whole company is counting down the days until we get out of here.
It's funny...last deployment I didn't even realize that it was time to go home until we were moving out of Bayji and back to Tikrit...this time we started counting down at 80 days! The routine that we're stuck in here is enough to drive anyone crazy and as it stands right now, we spend less than three days out of every nine-day rotation living out of our rooms. That isn't as much of a bid deal now that I live in a glorified closet, but it's still nice to see "home" every now and again.
Provincial Reconstruction in Afghanistan -- [SWJ]
The conflict in Afghanistan has been running now for more than six years but, after some early successes, the situation appears to have developed into a classic insurgency with the prospect of it becoming a long-term commitment for the coalition forces. Since taking the lead of the UN established International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in 2003, NATO has pinned a lot of its hopes on the ability of its multi-agency Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) to deliver stabilization to the country. The PRTs try to bring together the three strands of security, governance, and development through the contribution made by the military, political and economic elements of the teams. This paper considers how NATO is tackling the particular difficulties of managing the PRTs, and how it is attempting to harmonise the potentially disparate aims of their three separate dimensions.
...In the conclusion some of the current problems that the coalition faces in Afghanistan are identified, and the specific areas where the lessons from CORDS might be helpful are discussed.
Peace Under Friendly Fire -- [NY Times]
AS civilian casualties mount, American and NATO forces in Afghanistan are facing an erosion of their public legitimacy. The Taliban and Al Qaeda are exploiting this distrust, aiming to transform it into a popular rage against the Afghan government and its foreign allies. Unless the insurgents are denied propaganda tools — in particular, the growing number of images of dead women and children — no number of additional troops will bring success to the American-led mission.
Pakistan has poor track record reporting deaths of senior terrorist leaders -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Reports indicate a senior al Qaeda or Taliban leader may have been killed in the Oct. 2 cross-border strike, but Pakistani sources must be treated with skepticism based on past performance.
U.S. to allies: Fight in Afghanistan or write check -- [Reuters]
The United States has asked Japan and NATO allies who have refused to send troops to Afghanistan to pay the estimated $17 billion needed to build up the Afghan army, according to U.S. defense officials.
Iran Friday Sermon: U.S. Economic Woes 'Divine Punishment' -- [MEMRI Blog]
'The Unhappier They [Americans] Become, The Happier We Get'; 'Americans Should Wait To Be Slapped In The Face By Islam, Muslims, And The Islamic Revolution'; Since
Interim Tehran Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said today in his sermon that Iran's enemies have targeted its economy in vain hopes of countering the Islamic Republic.
Al-Qaida: US economic crisis equals Muslim victory -- [AP]
An American member of al-Qaida pointed to economic troubles in the United States as proof that "the enemies of Islam" face defeat, in an English-language video released Saturday.
In a half hour video message, California-native Adam Gadahn urged Pakistanis to unite against their government and U.S. forces, and taunted Americans over their economic crisis, relating it to their military interventions.
Adam Gadahn resurfaces in new al Qaeda tape -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Al Qaeda's American spokesman was rumored killed in a January airstrike that killed Abu Laith al Libi. Gadahn references the US "economic meltdown."
Security, Surveillance and Satellites -- [ThreatsWatch]
Last week as part of the Continuing Resolution that funds the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security through March 2009, Congress provided partial funding for the first phase of a controversial satellite surveillance program run by the National Applications Office
Personal Attachments, Before and After Combat -- [A Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
...Our returning soldiers and veterans can begin to readjust to the psychological trauma they have received during combat. Especially the ones who have developed strong attachments within a group they identify and interact with regularly. They will need to seek others who have experinced similar situations so as to lessen the internal pain of severing the ties of blood brothers back in the battlefield. The soldier or veteran did not choose for these bonds with family members to be broken, it was a matter of necessity for their survival.
Family understanding and involvement has an integral impact on our returning troops successful reintegration back into society.
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Acute Lung Rescue Team: The "Delta Force of military medicine" -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Here's more from Steve Mraz on Landstuhl's special lung team mentioned here. Although the vast majority of critical patients can be safely medevaced from theater by the highly specialized personnel of the Critical Care Transport Team, there are exceptions. That's when this team goes into action...
Best Charity in America -- [Neptunus Lex]
Do you remember Senior Chief Tommy Valentine? Navy SEAL veteran of multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq? Got a workout named after him. Earned the Silver Star, and Bronze Star (twice).
...The Navy Special Warfare Foundation - certified by the Independent Charities of America as a “Best Charity in America” - is giving us that opportunity. On November 8, 2008. On board Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. It’s Navy for Navy, with MWR all in, and the hopes of at least covering the administrative costs so that something comes back to the foundation, and the families.
They’re looking for individual and corporate donations. Tax exempt, of course. A chance to tell the family of Senior Chief Valentine, and the families of too many heroes like him, how much we value what they’ve done for us.
Jobs for Veterans -- [Soldiers’ Angels Louisiana - Greta]
Helmets to Hardhats is to commended for their great work in Louisiana.
Naomi Wolf Freaking Out the Puget Sound With Lies About the Military -- [LT Nixon]
The radio segment is absolutely painful to listen to. The normally liberal NPR station in the normally liberal town of Seattle isn't even buying this nonsense, as evidenced by the radio host laughing when Naomi Wolf says "Everything I've predicted has come true!". She then calls 3ID the "blackshirts", criticizes police for having a "Rovian S&M fetish" for their riot gear, and somehow the Mayor of NYC is involved in all these fascist shenanigans, which veers sharply into LaRouche territory. An ex-military recruiter calls in and cites the last time an American was killed by the military was in the 90s, which was the result of Clinton stationing Marines on the border in the misguided drug war.
The Battlebook III: A Guide for Spouses in Leadership Roles -- [From my position... On the way! ]
Today's military serves a Nation at War. The Battle Book III: A Guide for Spouses in Leadership Roles offers a wealth of information and resources that address the tough requirements of our times.
This handbook represents the caring work of spouses of students of the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) Class of 2005 and was recently updated by the USAWC student spouses of the Class of 2007.
It is designed to help Families learn about the military and better understand the Soldier's mission.
On this date in history…
-- [Strike - Hold!]
6 October 1973: The Yom Kippur War (also known as The October War) began as Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on the holiest day of the Jewish year. All this month, in honour of the 35th Anniversary of this conflict, I will be posting a series of relevant articles.
6 october 1981: President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, who did much to bring peace between Israel and her Arab neighbour states, was assassinated in Cairo by...
MCAS Miramar Airshow and the people I worked with -- [Doc in the Box]
Part of being attached to Third Marine Air Wing for a corpsman is the annual airshow work drive, last year, we ran a food booth. This year, we actually did medical coverage and I was the LPO (leading petty officer) for the Mini-ambulances on the east side of the flight line.
Pentagon Seeks $57 Billion More in 2010, Jonas Says (Update1) -- [Bloomberg]
Oct. 2 -- The U.S. military wants an increase of $57 billion in fiscal 2010, about 13.5 percent more than this year's budget of $514.3 billion, according to the Pentagon's outgoing comptroller.
The White House hasn't approved the request and Pentagon officials will make a strong case for it, Tina Jonas said.
...``Just how big a boost this would be also depends on what happens'' with emergency wartime supplemental budgets, Kosiak said.
The senior foreign policy adviser for Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama, Richard Danzig, said Obama believes emergency wartime funding measures are ``an unfortunate mode of budgeting.
Troops return to California with good news -- [Los Angeles Times]
The troops came home to a joyous welcome from family members. It was a night for good news: the troops are confident that the US is winning the war.
Homecoming -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Posted on LiveLeak by an Airman with the title: "My Dogs greeting me after returning from 14 months in Iraq".
817th thanked for service in ceremony -- [In-Forum, ND]
On Sunday at the Jamestown Civic Center amid hundreds of supporters and well-wishers, the 817th received its official welcome home. To honor the guardsmen
English Student Reflects on Military Blogs, War -- [milblogging.com]
Before this class I never really never thought about the soldiers involved in this mess. I mean, I knew there were citizens over in Iraq carrying out a madman’s wishes, but I never really connected the implications of this. I knew people were dying there almost on a daily basis, but I never had a face to correlate with the number. In this way the milblog has opened my eyes to a whole new but strikingly similar culture.
The thing that I noticed from the beginning about these soldiers is how amazingly similar they are to the average, everyday, mainland American. They play video games, they write, they joke, surf the net, etc. In a big way this is a wakeup call for me. Seeing how similar these people are to me caused me to question, “What if I was in the army?” I never thought about this before because I always thought that it took a different, disconnected sort of person to join the army, but that is not the case.
Milblogging Tip: How to expand your Military Blog to Podcasting -- [milblogging.com]
If you’re interested or have questions about getting into podcasting, I’d recommend contacting Military Blogger CJ of A Soldier’s Perspective and You Served. He’s been hosting a weekly radio show on BlogTalkRadio discussing military topics. You can also check out BlogTalkRadio’s About page to learn more how their service works.
LA Times Won't Release Video of Obama Publically Praising Former PLO Operative & Jew Hater -- [Gateway Pundit]
Not only does Barack Obama's church of 20 years support Hamas and Hezbollah but Barack Obama also has a long close friendship and financial association with suspected former PLO operative and Israel hater Rashid Khalidi.
...The LA Times may not release the video of Obama praising a good friend and former PLO operative but they did publish an attack on John McCain's military service today.
Barack Obama was never in the military, of course.
Newsweek: Palin Too Common, Too Stupid to be Vice President, She's 'Dangerous' -- [NewsBusters]
Newsweek's John Meacham thinks that Governor Sarah Palin is too much a commoner and too stupid to be allowed to become vice president of the United States of America and apparently his employer agrees with him. The October 13 cover of Newsweek features a close up photo of the Governor with the headline "She's One of the Folks (And that's the problem)," and Meacham writes the accompanying cover story.
Racism rears its ugly head -- [Greyhawk]
Barack Obama has assured his supporters that Republicans will attack him because he's black.
The AP has found an example of just that - headline: AP: Palin's Ayers Attack "Racially Tinged".
...Let me abbreviate why the AP feels Palin's attack is racist: "Anyone who holds a different opinion ('not like us') than Barack Obama on anything is a racist."
See your future?
Barack Obama's Association with Former PLO Operative Khalidi
Obama doesn't weed out illegal cash, GOP says -- [Reuters]
The Republican Party on Sunday said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama had not done enough to screen out illegal campaign contributions and asked U.S. election officials to look into the matter.
Citing news reports, the Republican National Committee said Obama had accepted contributions from foreigners and taken more than the $2,300 maximum from donors who give in small increments. The Obama campaign denied the charges.
The RNC said it will ask the Federal Election Commission to examine Obama records in detail to determine the extent of the problem.
Why He’s Voting for McCain/Palin
Exclusive: Obama to hit McCain on Keating Five -- [Politico]
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Monday will launch a multimedia campaign to draw attention to the involvement of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the “Keating Five” savings-and-loan scandal of 1989-91, which blemished McCain's public image and set him on his course as a self-styled reformer.
Ex-officials misled by pro-Obama video -- [Jerusalem Post]
A video released by the Jewish Council for Education & Research which appeared to show several retired senior IDF and Mossad officials supporting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has proven to be misleading, with a number of officials
A timeline. -- [One's Marine View - in Iraq]
After watching the VP debate, one major issue I paid attention to because, I’ve lived in it was the Iraq AND Afghanistan issues. Granted I think the candidates did a great job. However, you cannot establish a black and white time line to a troop withdrawal.
Interview with Pete Hegseth: Update on VFF -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo]
VFF has a long-term viability, not strictly a short-term play leading into the elections. While Pete heavily reiterates that getting issues addressed now in the media is important, it's primarily because the DEBATE on these issues are at the forefront during and election cycle. Pete says that they will remain quite relevant far beyond Nov 4th, as they will also address support for GWOT going forward,...
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