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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.
Surprised? -- [Greyhawk]
I'm not.
"THE WAR IS OVER AND WE WON:" Michael Yon just phoned from Baghdad, and reports that things are much better than he had expected, and he had expected things to be good.
I've been saying "we won" for some time now, so no argument on that point from me. But if there's any war left in Iraq, it's up north. No one has been reporting from Mosul for a while. That's usually a good sign (recall how news from Anbar disappeared during the surge, as that province tipped into the "win" column) but I'd still like to hear from a trusted source on how things are going up there.
Victory in Iraq Day - November 22, 2008 -- [The Liberty Boys]
I declare November 22, 2008 to be "Victory in Iraq Day." (Hereafter known as "VI Day.")
By every measure, The United States and coalition forces have conclusively defeated all enemies in Iraq, pacified the country, deposed the previous regime, successfully helped to establish a new functioning democratic government, and suppressed any lingering insurgencies. The war has come to an end. And we won.
Leaving Baghdad, battalion recalls a long deployment -- [LWJ - Wesley Morgan]
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment reflect on a year’s tour in Northwestern Baghdad, where the security situation has improved drastically since last spring, and the changing nature of the mission.
Day 149. The Incredible HESCO -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
More pictures of HESCO basket abuse. You may recall my previous post on these marvels of technology and all the wonderful things the Iraqi Army does with them.
The Battle of Wanat Article Archive -- [A Battlefield Tourist]
I have devoted considerable time covering this event, which to me, was immediately recognizable as culminating in one of those iconic string of battles that great American military tradition is born from.
Below is a chronilogical archive of articles I have written regarding this incident. I hope this helps ease the hassle it takes to locate good, reliable information regarding Chosen 2/503 and their time in eastern Afghanistan.
Cut Them Off At The Bank -- [Strategy Page]
November 16, 2008: Economic problems are getting worse. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where much of Iran's foreign trade is handled, local banks are refusing to do business with the 10,000 Iranian trading firms based there. This has caused delays and cancellations of Iranian imports
Failed Delta Hunt for Bin Laden -- [One Marine's View]
It was bitter cold. The harsh wind swept across their high mountain redoubt with only thin native blankets to shelter them from the bitter Afghan air. They were hours from resupply, carrying only what they could on their backs.
And that's just how they wanted it.
...In a first ever account, the man who shepherded those bearded warriors into Tora Bora's thin mountain air writes of the near misses, frustrated plans and weak-kneed guerrillas that stymied their quest for al Qaeda's top commanders.
Happy Veterans Day -- [Lumberjack in the Desert - injured in Iraq]
Coping
Written Sunday, January 21, 2007
I’m doing the best that I can, considering. I spend a lot of time really pissed off or really upset. I know I am getting better at a pretty good rate, but still. In Iraq I was the go to guy for anything that could go wrong with my CET’s (convoy escort team) humvees. I was the guy that could build or fix anything. Heck, I even built the door and a bench for the building our company stages in for convoys, simply because I was bored and had a little extra time before I went on R&R in November. There was nothing I couldn’t fix, build, or do.
Now I’m struggling with the mentality that I’m just a one armed, four fingered gimp. I have sharp memories of the accident that haunt me everyday; the sudden explosion, the taste of blood in my mouth, realizing the bottom half of my arm was missing
Wars That Matter, That You Hardly Ever Hear About -- [Strategy Page]
November 17, 2008: Many critical military events never get much publicity. Sometimes it's because they involve espionage; often it's because, well, the media never really gets interested. Here are ten (in alphabetical order) you should at least be aware of:
Obama Gussies Up Website to Take Credit For Iraq Withdrawal -- [LT Nixon]
Iraqis and an American Soldier Dancing as SOFA is Announced, which Obama had nothing to do with [h/t MadTom]
The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in Iraq was put together by the executive branch of the current administration and is currently in the approval process by the Iraqi government. It was just approved by the Iraqi Cabinet today [AP], and awaits Parliamentary approval. The agreement requires that Coalition Forces be withdrawn from Iraq by 2012.
And Back to the SOFA -- [Greyhawk]
...Reuters headline: "Iraq, US sign pact on troops withdrawal deadline". (As predicted, that's what they're calling the SOFA now.)
And so the Communism Begins -- [Lumberjack in the Desert - injured in Iraq]
Obama will call on citizens of all ages to "serve America", by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year.
Thats right, he is going to require that all your children, whether they want to or not, volunteer their time to the government for at least 50 hours a year. College students, like myself, will be required to give 100 hours of our time (thats 2.5 forty hour work weeks). This is one college student who will be dropping out of college long before I volunteer one hour to your socialist programs. I've given enough for my country, and its a hell of a lot more than you have ever given.
Double Amputee Marine Wants to Stay in to Help Others -- [One Marines View]
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Ryan Bradford was part of a patrol to clear an area near Haditha, Iraq, of roadside bombs with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, on Jan. 18, 2007.
"We found it," he said with a chuckle, admitting that he'd gone about it the hard way. "Another guy got hurt, but he just had shrapnel go through his right calf. I pretty much took the full blast."
The bomb, hidden under a pipe, cost Bradford his left leg above the knee and his right one below the knee. He lost his left eye when a piece of shrapnel went through it and lodged in his brain, and retina damage cost him sight in his right eye. He also suffered intestinal damage.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
