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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.
Transition Transition Transition -- [S4 at War - in Iraq]
We’re working hard towards implementing the security agreement on 1 January (actually, I don’t have a huge role in that particular area. I’m more focused on closing bases). I’ve been busy trying to understand all the legal hoops we have to go through in order to hand over our FOBs to the GOI. Beds, bookshelves, anything not bolted down all has to be offered to any DOD agency, then any State Department organization, then Homeland Security before it can be given to the Iraqis.
Green Zone Chaos -- [Zen Traveller - in Iraq]
The Iraqis, on the first of January, are assuming security responsibilities for the International Zone, aka the Green Zone. In the past, the U.S. military controlled access to the "city within a city"; home to the Coalition and the seat of Iraq's government. As of tomorrow the U.S. Army will turn over all of the access control points (checkpoints) to the Iraqi army
Diyala Sons of Iraq transfer underway -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD (Diyala province) – Along with a new year, Iraq is ringing in an important step toward national reconciliation and sovereignty on Jan. 1, 2009. On that date, the nation’s government will take over control of the Sons of Iraq from Coalition forces in four key provinces across the country -- including Diyala, one of the most diverse provinces, where al-Qaeda in Iraq once terrorized and intimidated local residents.
New Rules in Iraq Add Police Work to Troops’ Jobs -- [New York Times]
In late November, around the time the security agreement between the American and Iraqi governments was ratified, an order came down to Company C at its Sadr City outpost.
In accordance with the agreement’s new rules on searches and detentions, troops from Company C of the First Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, were to begin operating under a policy called “warrant-based targeting.”
Rule Number Two -- [Brad's Excellent Adventure - in Iraq]
Yesterday did not go the way I had planned. Sunday is a regular work day for us, but is usually a relatively quiet one when I can get some things done without too many interruptions. I had several important tasks that have really been needing to get done and that keep getting pushed aside. Finally I had dedicated time for them, and was determined to get them knocked out.
VIP Tragedy -- [Notes from Iraq]
A few days ago, there was an unfortunate incident, in which friendly fire resulted in death of new Iraqi lieutenant, LT Low'a. His battalion, fellow Soldiers and family mourn his death today. Tragic. I only know the rough version of what happened. The Iraqis Army was traveling on a major road south of Baghdad when they encountered an Iraqi VIP convoy.
Christmas, A Brief Update -- [Fraser from **** - in ****]
...A big “Thank you!” goes out to everyone that has sent us goodie packages and Christmas wishes via email.
Football watching is great here. But it always starts right at the beginning of our sleep cycle. We can catch it the next day on a replay, but by then we’ve already searched ESPN Online and found out the score.
OK, it’s cold over here, long johns are a must. But my best purchase for this detachment was a pair of “Crocks”. That’s right, those ugly clog looking rubber shoes. They beat the hell out of flip-flops. Going from our pod to the shower trailer, two football fields away, now includes no stubbed toes, no rocks caught between the foot and the flip-flop.
The Christmas Trip and Other Observations... -- [The Intrepid Reporter - in Iraq]
Hi Ho! Merry Bah Humbug and all that rot… Christmas is OVER thanks be to God! OK, granted the holiday is supposed to be a celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ and all, but to those of us here in Iraq its just another day, especially those of us who are missing our families…
An Iraqi City Divided, and Defined, by Its Walls -- [WaPo]
An Hour at a Crowded Baghdad Checkpoint Reveals Pervasive Nature of Capital's Hated Barriers
Rule Number Two -- [Brad's Excellent Adventure - in Iraq]
Yesterday did not go the way I had planned. Sunday is a regular work day for us, but is usually a relatively quiet one when I can get some things done without too many interruptions. I had several important tasks that have really been needing to get done and that keep getting pushed aside. Finally I had dedicated time for them, and was determined to get them knocked out.
Taliban Burning, Beheading Its Way Through Pakistani Valley -- [FOX News]
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Taliban militants are beheading and burning their way through Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley, and residents say the insurgents now control most of the mountainous region outside the lawless tribal areas where jihadists thrive.
The deteriorating situation in the former tourist haven comes despite an army offensive that began in 2007 and an attempted peace deal. It is especially worrisome to Pakistani officials because the valley lies away from the areas where Al Qaeda and Taliban militants have traditionally operated and where the military is staging a separate offensive.
"You can't imagine how bad it is,"
Close Air Support and Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan -- [SWJ]
American airpower seems to have lost some of its mystique in the war in Afghanistan. American air dominance, including its ability to conduct airstrikes in close air support of coalition troops, has been and continues to be critical to the Afghan war effort. Close air support, in particular, is allowing the United States and NATO to fight an energized insurgency with far fewer troops than it needs. Yet...
US to Widen Supply Routes in Afghan War -- [New York Times]
The United States and NATO are planning to open and expand supply lines through Central Asia to deliver fuel, food and other goods to a military mission in Afghanistan that is expected to grow by tens of thousands of troops in the months ahead, according to American and alliance diplomats and military officials.
The plan to open new paths through Central Asia reflects an American-led effort to seek out a more reliable alternative to the route from Pakistan through
Santa Gave us C4! -- [Afghanistan Shrugged - in Afghanistan]
...I have two main cirteria that I use to determine if dudes are bad; or not. These were developed through rigorous research and study. The bulk of the research into bad guy determination was conducted by noted social scientist Don T. Killme and published in his book titled, "Hey, those dudes are BAD" You may not be able to find this on Amazon but if you act now and send me $50 I can find you a copy.
Criteria number one:
Pakistan Launches Assault in Northwest - [Washington Post]
Pakistan's military launched a major offensive Tuesday in the northwestern tribal region known as Khyber Agency, temporarily closing a key route used to supply US and allied forces battling insurgents in neighboring Afghanistan.
33rd BCT takes charge of TF Phoenix -- [Miserable Donuts]
The 33rd BCT has held the Transfer of Authority and is now TF Phoenix. Their charge is to develop and assist the Afghan security forces. The have a tough job, but they are tough men.
More 6-4 Cavalry Photos from Bob Strong of Reuters -- [From Cow Pastures to Kosovo]
Additional photos can be viewed here
For those of you who have emailed to ask me why mail can take a long time to arrive at the remote outposts, hopefully the following photo will help to explain
Make love, not war -- [Washington Times]
...The officer who described the meeting said that he returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception, and the Afghan chieftain had a big grin on his face. The officer said the man gave up lots of information about Taliban movements and supply routes. He then asked for more pills.
"Whatever it takes to make friends and influence people, whether it's building a school or handing out Viagra," said one longtime CIA operative.
This is surely a better approach to extracting information than waterboarding. Not many would describe consensual sex as torture.
Handing out Viagra pills to aging Afghan warlords is a strategy for reducing, uh, tension.
Today's Military Leadership... -- [Embrace The Suck - in Afghanistan]
WARNING: SEVERE BITCHING AND MOANING EMINENT. DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ME BITCH.
So I have been all high on the holidays for the last few posts, and now that is gone because I have been brought crashing down by the leadership around me, mostly above me.
Record 151 US troops die in Afghanistan in 2008 -- [Stars&Stripes /AP]
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- A record 151 U.S. forces died in Afghanistan in 2008, the deadliest year yet in a seven-year war that military officials say is likely to get even bloodier in 2009, as thousands more American troops pour into the country....
The "Z" is NOT for Zorro -- [ThreatsWatch]
The gruesome violence will not stop with the tolling of the New Year’s bells, nor will it stop at the U.S. border. Many have written about the nexus of crime and terrorism; the fact is that drug crime and terrorism, mixed in with a healthy dose of youth gangs lies in front of us. Ask local law enforcement officials, but don’t necessarily look for it to be reported in your local newspaper. You won’t find much either about the increase in home invasions.
Earlier this month, the former girlfriend of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the Sinaloa cartel showed up dead, and with a “Z” carved on her body as a reminder from Los Zetas. This is no warning. It is, regrettably, a sign of things to come. It is reality.
...The habits and behaviors of “normal” Americans are changing because of the drug cartel violence. People continue to die because of drug cartel violence. People are reconnecting their home intrusion detection systems because of fear. By definition, this is terrorism, and a threat to our ways of life.
Death Dance -- [Neptunus Lex]
It seems to me that all this talk about “proportionality” in the ongoing brawl between Israel and Hamas misses the point. This has nothing at all to do with proportionality, nor even the relative merits of their various arguments, and everything to do with the mutual aspirations of the antagonists. These aspirations overlap in a ven diagram of violence.
Hamas knows it is too militarily weak to follow its dream to its oft-stated end, and push every last Israeli into the sea. Their only hope of achieving eventual victory is to inflame Arab opinion against Israel while stoking Western guilt (and stacking Western gelt) to more thoroughly isolate Israel from its core of civilized support.
What Would a Proportionate Response Look Like? -- [Michael J. Totten]
“If someone was sending rockets on my house where my daughters were sleeping at night, I would do everything to stop it, and I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.” – President-elect Barack Obama - Now that Hamas’s long war against Israel is matched with a short war in Gaza, protests are erupting everywhere from the blogosphere and Arab capitals to the United Nations, and they began on the very first day. Salon.com "blogger Glenn Greenwald calls the Israeli retaliation to more than a year of rocket attacks a “massively disproportionate response.”
Israel Rejects Immediate Cease-fire with Hamas -- [Voice of America]
Israel has rejected an immediate 48-hour cease-fire with Hamas, saying it will push ahead with its military assault on the Gaza Strip.
Israeli officials say Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his defense and foreign ministers made the decision after discussing the French-proposed truce during a meeting overnight.
Israel and Gaza -- [Wings Over Iraq - in Iraq]
...the unfortunate part of this is that I've been unable to watch any news stories on this because, here in Iraq, the only TVs that I can regularly get to are the ones in the dining facility, which need to cater to the masses. And today, the masses wanted to watch Stand By Me.
Fortunately, I have been able to get on the Internet a little more recently, and have noticed a good post on Abu Aardvark which discusses the reactions from the Arab world. For those of you who think that there's a monolithic "Arab World" out there, you'll find that you're sorely mistaken, as there's been not only condemnation but also support (yes, support from Saudi Arabia.
Volunteer suicide bombers seek to attack Israel -- [Stars&Stripes/AP]
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Hard-line Iranian student groups have asked the government to authorize volunteers to go carry out suicide bombings in Israel in response to the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip....
Iran activating its proxies -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Iran is smartly playing its cards, using its main Sunni and Shiite proxy to create havoc in the region and de facto making it stronger. At this point, Iran’s next step is uncertain. But it is quite possible that Hezbollah will decide to open a second front against Israel. Also the destabilization operations against the Sunni regimes in the region hostile to the Islamic Republic are likely to continue unabated. At this point when it comes to terror, all roads lead to Tehran.
Pakistan Terror Commander Admits Aiding Mumbai Attacks -- [FOX News]
Pakistan's own investigation of terror attacks in Mumbai has begun to show substantive links between the 10 gunmen and an Islamic militant group that its powerful spy agency spent years supporting, say people with knowledge of the probe.
Hamas Women Vow to Become 'Martyrdom-Seekers' and Blow Themselves Up Among 'the Apes and Pigs' -- [MEMRI]
Masked woman clad in explosives belt: "I, the martyrdom-seeker Umm Suheib, have dedicated myself for the sake of Allah, and for the sake of redeeming my family, from which I have lost eight martyrs so far. I swear by Allah that I will turn my body parts into a fire that will burn the occupation soldiers, if they move towards my house.
"My beloved people, if Allah supports you, no one will be able to overcome you. We are confident of the support of Allah. There are thousands of martyrdom-seeking women like me, waiting for the occupier, in order to avenge these massacres.
La Salle resident comforts wounded soldiers -- [News Tribune] HT: Shelle
Once an elf for Project Santa, Pat Scanlon of La Salle has made spreading cheer to soldiers overseas a year-round endeavor. This holiday season she spent nearly a week in Germany inspecting the fruits of her labors.
During the first week of November, Scanlon’s days were comprised of visiting injured American soldiers and preparing care packages with the Soldiers’ Angels organization in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in southwestern Germany.
“I wanted to see what was going on. The need is so great and it was so rewarding,” said Scanlon. She said the troops would show much appreciation for even simple gestures.
Happy New Year To The Troops Show 2009! -- [Tanker Brothers]
This show was scheduled earlier today after many conversations with several people yesterday, last night and early this morning. Feel free to tune in on BTR (link here). I, for one, know exactly what it is like being far away from home in a distant and hostile land and after the GREAT success of the Chandlers Watch, Buffman and Wrench and Do The Right Thing Christmas Shows for The Troops, what could be more appropriate than to hold a special show specifically for New Years?
The Adventures of Chuck and Toby -- [Briefing Room]
Today, Chuck and I are on our way to give a brave young hero the documentation to face the harsh world with all the validation he requires to conquer. There is a young man whose identity I will protect that is facing the ugliest of enemies, Intrusive Growth. This young man has travelled before his own affliction to Walter Reed and spoke with the wounded and commented on thier strength and courage now must draw on his own. We are making a small treck via rental car to visit this young inspiration and commision him in the US Army. Secretary Geren will find out about this after the fact but this young man will become the youngest LT in the Army and draw from that Army Strength to fight and defeat this affliction that is interupting him from Dodge Ball and regular life. This kid is Brave and Courageous but today he will become ARMY STRONG!
ARMY YEAR IN PHOTOS 2008 -- [US Army]
This annual year-end special features the best of Army.mil's feature photos, drawn from a variety of Defense Department sources. These photos capture the essence of America's Army - the Soldiers and their Families - the Strength of the Nation.
Marines attract a few more good men -- [Washington Times]
Buoyed by more recruiters, bigger bonuses and an elite reputation, the Marine Corps has grown by nearly 27,000 members in a little more than two years -- half the time that military officials believed it would take.
The Red Cross and the Military -- [ON Point]
We all know the Red Cross from blood drives and Santas ringing bells as they beg for money, but in fact the American Red Cross (ARC) has a long history of providing support to members of the Armed Forces; they’ve been doing so since their inception in 1881. Military members can be confident that when they are deployed, in training, or stationed far from home –– often without phone or email access –– they are not out of touch. The ARC offers emergency communication, emergency financial assistance, counseling, and services for veterans at absolutely no cost to families in need
YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN -- [The Sandbox - CPT Beau Cleland]
made it. Barring some mundane tragedy here in Kuwait, I will have survived deployment number two. A cursory review of the odds reveals that this isn't a statistically significant event, but if you're a member of the unlucky percentage you would probably disagree with that statement. I haven't been in significant danger since I left Sadr City after Mookie cried uncle back in June, but there was always the chance of a random rocket or mortar. On the whole, it still feels good -- there were a couple of episodes where my team and I could have easily been casualties, but we made it out with just one Purple Heart among us.
2008 Weblog Awards -- [John of Argghhh!!!]
Well, The Weblog Awards is finally off and running, meaning Kevin Aylward is running around with his hair on fire.
My Contract With You - The 2008 Weblog Awards -- [Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
If there is one thing I’ve tried to give everybody over the past couple of months, it is quality and inconsistency.
When you come to this blog, you never know exactly what to expect. The banner may be changed. The essay may be funny, or poignant or irreverent. But here is what I know: you guys seem to like stopping by, and I try to give you a piece of quality writing.
Public Affairs and Information Operations -- [John of Argghhh!!!]
[Cross-posted at Small Wars Journal]
Public Affairs and Information Operations are seemingly competing and complementary missions and agendas, complicated by regulatory language created in a much different strategic communications environment, overlain with a frisson of the biases of persons of sensitive politics - from both ends of the spectrum.
Dubious News Reports from Afghanistan -- [Free Range International]
There were two interesting articles in the news concerning Afghanistan today which illustrate (to me) the dire straits we now face. One article reported on the clever use of Viagra by CIA case officers; the other was a mildly negative critique of the US AID reconstruction efforts made by a senior US AID officer. Both stories represent a total lack of situational awareness as 2008 draws to a close. When you have lived in a poorly understood, distant country like Afghanistan as long as I have it is easy to find mistakes in the international press. I am not nitpicking two main stream news reports because they report as fact things I know to be completely untrue. You get that a lot from the press these days. What I find alarming is ...
Why Is This Not Fit For The Evening News? -- [The Eagle's Nest Blog]
After living in Saint Paul for a number of years he moved to Dearborn, MI where there is a large Iraqi population and became a US citizen. I'll tell you more about Ali's story at a later date.
Ali told us of massive demonstrations in the streets of Dearborn following the shoe throwing incident in Baghdad. Unfortunately, we never saw reports in the main stream media about these demonstrations. Why? Because these demonstrators were showing support for President Bush.
Kill Your TV -- [Abu Muqawama]
I will say this vis a vis Israel and Palestine: if you are trying to gather news on what's taking place via American television, I am sorry. Talk of biases aside, there's just very little reporting. I think Bristol Palin's baby got more coverage on NBC this morning than Gaza and Israel did.
A Few Big Ideas -- [NY Times]
Over the past several months, we’ve discussed the many, severe challenges confronting America’s military services and recommended a set of urgent fixes to relieve the stresses on the men and women fighting overseas and keep the country safe. It is also worth exploring more long-term ideas. Here are three that have particularly impressed us, that we hope will help stimulate a wider debate.
Talk About Surrender -- [The Australian]
The media took great delight in reporting the encounter between US President George W. Bush and a pair of flying shoes during his final visit to Iraq two weeks ago. But the great bastions of free speech missed the true significance of an Arab reporter throwing his shoes during a press conference in Baghdad.
A Toast to Old Media’s — and Old Medea’s — Defeat in Iraq -- [PJM]
As 2008 ends, two things should not be forgotten.
First, it was the year that the war in Iraq became successful to the point where many started calling it victory. Perhaps cynics can dismiss writers like Zombietime or opinionated editorialists like those at Investors Business Daily as Pollyannas. But they have nowhere to run or hide when an observer on the ground like Michael Yon, who had the independence to tell us we were in danger of losing not all that long ago, comes out and says, “The Iraq War is over. … The civil war has completely ended.”
As U.S. Succeeds In Iraq, Network TV Pulls the Plug -- [Newsbusters]
Nearly two years after reporters such as NBC's Tom Brokaw derided President Bush's troop surge as "a folly" and suggested the war itself was a "lost cause," American troop deaths are at their lowest level since the Iraq war began in March 2003, and the death toll among Iraqi civilians is also down sharply in 2008.
So right on cue, Monday's New York Times reports that ABC, CBS and NBC have all pulled their full time reporters from Iraq.
What If They Gave a War and No Reporters Came? -- [LT Nixon]
The above picture of lovely Iraqi ladies is a shot from the Baghdad beauty pageant a few weeks back depicted in WaPo's Unseen Iraq, and unless you count the shoe-throwing guy, it was probably the most in-depth reporting from Mesopotamia by an American outlet in weeks. That's probably why it comes as no surprise that the American networks are pulling the plug in Iraq.
Democrats Split, Confused, and Dazed Over Israeli Counterattacks on Hamas -- [Flopping Aces]
Ok, get your scorecards ready, and try to determine WHERE the Democratic Party, America’s Congressional leaders, America’s incoming President, and his administration stand on this issue.
Harry Reid: A Man Of Letters -- [Riehl World View]
In light of the Blago appointment controversy, some may recall Harry Reid sending a letter to Rush Limbaugh falsely accusing Limbaugh of demeaning our troops. Rush used the foolhardy letter to demean and diminish Reid and raise over $2 Million for our troops on Ebay.
To much fanfare, Reid recently issued another letter, signed by all the Democrats in the Senate, to Blagojevich:
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
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.
A Victory Party A Victory Celebration A Victory Parade. -- [Gathering of Eagles]
Who Gets To Decide?
When we’ve won, I mean. Who gets to say it?
Who needs to say it to make it true, or believable, or justified?
My guess would be the people who actually did the heavy-lifting. The men and women who got their boots muddy, their hands dirty. The ones who sacrificed everything to get where we are today.
This past November, Zombietime came up with an idea that took off like wildfire.
A Declaration of Victory in Iraq, and named 22 November as V-I Day.
Thousands Return to Eastern Baghdad, Reclaim Homes -- [MNF-I]
The Iraqi government reports that nearly 2100 Iraqi families who fled their homes in the Rusafa, Karadah and 9 Nissan districts of eastern Baghdad, have returned in 2008 because of increased safety.
According to the Baghdad-2 embedded Provincial Reconstruction Deputy Team Leader LT COL Eric Holliday, the return of Iraqi families “is a measure of effectiveness telling us we are doing our job right” and that “these people feel safe enough to return to those areas and they don’t think there is going to be further violence.”
Leaders Meet, Discuss Upcoming Elections -- [MNF-I]
Leaders from Independent High Electoral Commission – Iraq joined Coalition and Iraqi representatives at Camp Dhi Qar to discuss important issues regarding the upcoming elections, Dec. 18.
"The Iraqi Security Forces are prepared and ready to secure the elections," said Lt. Col. Nathan Cook, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division's executive officer.
ISAF Christmas with the Allauddin Orphanage
The day after Christmas more than 30 ISAF troops distribute bags of goodies to orphans at the Allauddin Orphanage.
Christmas -- [Wings Over Iraq - in Iraq]
We hit up a number of bases on our trip today. I need to be the first to say that I really have no right to complain about my living conditions. For us, life sucks because the Internet is too slow to really browse Youtube effectively looking for videos of World of Warcraft characters dancing (don't judge). For the thousands of Soldiers who live in Combat Outposts on the outskirts of cities, built during the height of the Surge of 2007, life sucks because they don't have anywhere near the luxuries we have (i.e., coffee shop, large post exchange), nor the essentials, like toilets that actually work. As ghetto-fabulous as my living conditions might seem, they're a five-star hotel in comparison to how the conditions the Soldiers may live in as they work among the Iraqi people.
Holidays in Al-Hillah -- [HILLAS' HISTORIES]
We had an unexpected visitor to the Al-Hillah Regional Embassy Offices, where the PRT is located. At 8:30am I was informed that MNF-I Commanding General Odierno had arrived and after a brief ceremony with the military unit that is our neighbor, wanted to meet the PRT within 15 minutes.
Imam Sadiq School Opening
The opening of a school that marks the beginning of a new regime and democratic process in Husseiniyah Iraq
Echo Co., 949th BSB Arrives -- [Newsblaze]
...All of the Soldiers are excited to finally be in Iraq and are fully prepared for the tough road ahead.
Request Denied. -- [Tragically Famous - in Iraq]
I am coming home.
------------------Nothing Follows------------------
We Wait -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
Our Iraqi staff member was diagnosed with having an acute myocardial infarction, aka a "heart attack". The degree of blockage within his coronary arteries and subsequent damage to his heart could not be ascertained by the Army surgical hospital as it was not set up with a catheterization lab nor equipped to do an angiogram. The cardiologist therefor recommended transferring the patient to an appropriate Iraqi facility where he could get further definitive treatment.
Now is where the fun begins.
Terrorist Kills 14 Children in Khowst Province -- [Battlefield Tourist]
A suicide bomb attack on a district center in Khowst Province, Afghanistan has left 16 people dead, including 14 children and two security personnel.
Dueling Information Operations -- [John of Argghhh!!!]
The fact that CJTF-101 PAO put the story out so quickly was clearly intended to get out in front of the story, and to try to shape the story before the bad guys did, because of the murder of the children that was involved
You can see in the release below that CJTF -101 made a good call in getting the story out quickly.
The bad guys are trying (and will succeed in many arenas) to spin the story their way, trying to avoid the torn and shattered children.
Americans Preparing to Take Control of Kandahar -- [Battlefield Tourist]
According to Reuters, on December 11 at Kandahar Airfield, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told US troops, during a “town hall” meeting, that he hoped the increase in troop strength would be in place by late spring. The man in charge of this American escalation in the region is Brigadier General John Nicholson who will be filling a new position called Deputy Commanding General for Stability of Regional Command South.
Plans for Base Illustrate Afghanistan Effort in Microcosm -- [WaPo]
The complexity of the military undertaking in Afghanistan, and the United States' approach to it, can be seen in miniature in the Army Corps of Engineers' plans to build a forward operating base next year in western Afghanistan.
International Crisis Group Report On The ANP -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure - in Afghanistan]
This is the second report from the International Crisis Group that I have read, and comparing it to last year's, there are but a few changes in the overall picture. Some of those changes are due to recommendations that have been implemented (although those changes were not necessarily implemented due to the ICG report.)
News From The ARSIC-South -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure - in Afghanistan]
First things first;
Camp Falcon, the American camp on the British FOB at Lashkar Gah, has been formally renamed Camp Dimond, after CPL Scott Dimond, the ANP mentor who died in the ambush immortalized by Nick Meo in his self-serving article about... let me see... oh, yeah; himself. Well, the warrior whose life was taken in defense of freedom that night has been recognized with the naming of a camp in his honor.
Everyone Plays The Taliban -- [Strategy Page]
December 28, 2008: U.S. plans to increase its Afghan troop strength are in flux. The most recent plans are to basically double U.S. strength there (from 32,000 to 60-65,000.) This would mean five or six combat brigades, an aviation brigade and lots more intelligence and Special Forces troops. This would mean about a dozen more battalions of U.S. infantry, as the new brigade structure has reduced the number of battalions from three to two. But ..
Marine Leadership on the Afgan-Pak border -- [The Military Observer]
FOB Joyce. Part of being a Marine officer is looking after one's Marines, and in last last few weeks in-country, Col Jeff Haynes has been out in the boonies doing just that.
Talking to the Taliban -- [Radio Netherlands Worldwide]
For the first time, a Dutch journalist has managed to interview Taliban fighters in the restive Afghan province of Uruzgan, where several hundred soldiers from the Netherlands are based.
Afghanistan -- [Strategy Page]
December 27, 2008: Afghanistan is in the process of expanding its army to 134,000, hopefully by 2011. The government wants a force of 200,000, but first foreign allies must be convinced to donate enough money and trainers. The current army has just completed its training, for a force of 68,000.
Marked changes in world's political, economic landscape -- [Xinhua]
BEIJING, Dec. 28 -- The world has undergone remarkable changes this year, but international security situation on the whole remained stable with "peace" and "development" prevailing as the themes of the times.
Congress Hacked Again -- [Strategy Page]
December 28, 2008: Recently, another successful hacker penetration of government networks in the United States was revealed. This time it was members of Congress who found that their office PCs and networks were infested with hidden software that was monitoring PC use and sending files back to the hackers.
Another Senior Iranian Military Official Defects -- [PJM - Meir Javedanfar]
The second high-profile defection in two years has taken place. PJM is the first to tell the story in English.
Hamas Legalizes Crucifixion Of Christians -- [Jawa Report]
Hamas declared this earlier in the week. They must think they are a "legal organization".
Meanwhile, they are getting their asses pounded heavily by the IDF. Leaves little time for crucifying doesn't it Hamas. teh...
Georgia, US to sign strategic accord Jan 4: Tbilisi -- [AFP]
Months after Georgia fought a short, nasty war with its northern neighbor, the United States is moving to shore up security ties with the former Soviet Republic.
The War on Terror Has Not Gone Away -- [WSJ - THANE ROSENBAUM]
Despite economic woes, this is no time to let our guard down.
Islamist Websites Call to Attack American, Israeli Interests -- [MEMRI Blog]
In response to the Gaza offensive, Islamist websites have posted many messages calling to attack Israeli and American interests worldwide.
Random Thoughts on Irregular Warfare and Security Assistance -- [Small Wars Journal Op-Ed
Colonel David Maxwell]
As we continue the debate on how we are going to organize our forces for operations in the Irregular Warfare and we think about enabling other forces would like to think a couple of things before we chase new "shiny things" as in new "designer organizations."
First we need to look at ourselves critically and ask if we have been able to develop effective strategies and campaign plans and then support and execute them, respectively.
Al-Qaida-Linked U.S. Citizen Addresses Shabaab al-Muhajideen; Shabaab Responds -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The NEFA Foundation has obtained a statement issued by Anwar al-Awlaki, an Al-Qaida-linked U.S. citizen, addressed to the Shabaab al-Mujahideen, as well as a communiqué Shabaab issued in response. On December 21st, al-Awlaki released a message titled "Salutations to al-Shabab of Somalia”, in which he stated, "We are following your recent news and it fills our hearts with immense joy. We would like to congratulate you for your victories and achievements.
Meet Jason Harrington... -- [John of Argghhh!!!]
He's just like any other Joe living in your neighborhood. Except for that brand-new Silver Star he got yesterday.
Ward 69 -- [The War on Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
Fisher House is supported by donations, and RangerUp has graciously designed a t-shirt to help support Fisher House through Big Tobacco.
So here is the question: RangerUp has to justify the cost of doing this. Would you buy the t-shirt below? What would you do to change the design? Note that I won’t see a dime of this money. All profits from the sale of the t-shirt will go directly to Fisher House.
Take a look at the t-shirt and tell me what you think with a comment. The t-shirt will cost $20 and only 144 shirts will be made, so this is a limited time offer and these shirts will probably go fast.
Troop Support… -- [The Gun Line - in Iraq]
You see, Soldier’s Angels was started as a grassroot support the troops movement by Patti Patton-Bader, who, you may recall, won a recent competition in the military division of “America’s Favorite Mom”, and she used her winnings to fund care packages to the deployed troops.
Well, here’s the fun and ironic twist…
I’m the company mail-dude, and ...
Eagle Scout candidate assists Landstuhl patients -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Over the course of the years, Soldiers' Angels has had the opportunity to work with many Eagle Scout candidates who have volunteered to support wounded and ill Soldiers as part of their community service projects. Soldiers' Angels Germany has been at the receiving end of a few of these efforts, coordinated by my colleague Roger who is SA's POC for Eagle Scout projects.
Godspeed John P. Pryor, Surgeon and Soldier -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
John P. Pryor, 42, of Moorestown, the dedicated leader of the University of Pennsylvania's trauma team and a decorated major in the Army Reserve who wrote eloquently about the painful parallels between battlefield deaths and urban homicides, was killed on Christmas by enemy fire in Iraq while serving as a combat surgeon
Back -- [Fobbits need ice cream too - home from Iraq]
Got some normal gripe posts covering the time between Kuwait and home, but I got home yesterday afternoon. They put our bags on a civilian plane to a different country so I will be spending the holidays in ACUs as they are the only clothes I have for now.
That's All Folks! -- [Something on the staff - home from Iraq]
Well, I'm back in the good old U S of A.
We handed over the mission to the new team, and they managed to burn down the mess hall within 3 hours of taking over. The quality of our food acutally improved after that. We trucked in meals instead of eating what our chemically mellowed cook would have made. Even Emeril can't cook on Prozac.
I left my unit, and am now en route to my new assignment; learning French. I'm not kidding.
Quoted, but Not Noted -- [Outside the Wire]
I do not know why Mr. Mulshine did not give my name. If he had, it would undercut many of his statements. A news man of his esteem would have surely googled me and found that I was doing exactly what he says bloggers are not doing and nearly beating a major Hollywood director and billionaire .
(Or perhaps he did google me and for some reason thought I was not the type to read the Wall Street Journal.)
The hear-say quote, and this particular usage by Mr. Mulshine, is one of the reasons why blogs have succeeded–the core news consumer does not like hear-say quotes and does not want bland executive summaries for the “casual reader.” The core news consumer wants hard news without bias and expert opinion.
BREITBART: Triangulating Scarlett Johansson -- [WaTimes]
This was the year Hollywood finally realized that it couldn't sell an anti-Iraq war film. It also was the year the mainstream media discovered it couldn't report that the war on terror had failed.
Countless prime-time hours and untold acres of celluloid and newsprint were wasted demeaning the American mission. Yet, in the end, the heroic warriors destroyed their media adversaries by defeating our true enemies on the battlefield.
Media redeploying over the event horizon from Iraq -- [Hot Air - Ed Morrissey]
Send to a Friend | Share on Facebook | printer-friendly If nothing else tells you that the Iraq War has been won, the exodus of American television media should confirm it. The broadcast and cable news agencies have stopped staffing regular correspondents in Baghdad, apparently convinced that victory is no news at all
Laura Bush Says the Liberal Media Is "Absolutely Not" Fair
PAUL MULSHINE BLOWS IT -- [Instapundit]
it’s certainly true that bloggers as a class are more competition for careless pundits like Mulshine than for go-getter reporters who find out things that people don’t know, and report them truthfully. It’s also true that those go-getter reporters who put the truth first are pretty scarce in the world of Big Media reporting, and that management shows no sign of wanting more of them, and many signs of wanting attitude-mongers like, well, Mulshine. This is, as I’ve noted before, a dumb business strategy, which explains in part why newspapers are doing so badly. For more on that, see this thoughtful piece by Evan Coyne Maloney. Also, these thoughts from Jay Rosen. And here’s my diagnosis from 2002:
Rockers to Press Obama on Music Torture -- [Danger Room]
Reprieve, a British human rights law group that represents over 30 Guantanamo Bay detainees, is planning to work with musicians to lobby President-elect Barack Obama to end the practice of sonic torture by military interrogators.
Earlier this month, Reprieve and the U.K. Musicians Union launched Zero dB, a "silent protest" over the use of music in interrogations.
Obama Visits Marine Corps Base for Christmas -- [ABC News]
President-elect Obama stopped by the Marine Corps base in Hawaii Kaneche Bay where servicemen and -women were eating Christmas dinner in Kailua Thursday evening.
“Just wanted to say hi, hey guys,” Obama said as he walked into the Anderson dining hall which was decked out in Christmas decorations.
...As Obama entered the room, it was absent of the regular fanfare of cheering and clapping. The diners were polite, staying seated at their respective tables and waited for the president-elect to come to them to stand up.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
Tending Distant FiresThis Dawn Patrol is a request for readers to wish a Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah to those deployed away from their families during this holiday season, in unfriendly places.Far from hearth and home, watching
Cold alone but not alone
On distant shore and only wanting
Safe return and little moreWhat tales we'll tell
When that time comes
When tales can be toldWhen things grim
Seem far away
When other fires go coldSome distant sunset, vision fading
Memories remain
And tired eyes gaze 'pon folded flags
While distant drums beat their refrainSaluting fallen friends whose names
And youth will never fade
Here's to those on other shores,
for them live well, the price is paid- Greyhawk,
-- Iraq, Christmas 2004
Please leave them a comment and wish them all a Merry Christmas or a Happy Hanukkah.
IraqFar From Perfect
Grim
Sgt Hook
Fraser in ****
Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army - Jeremy
Something on the staff (just returned home!)
Hilla's Histories
S4 at War
Bad Dogs and Such
Big Tobacco - (Jewish)
Up Country Iraq (just returned home!)
Notes from Iraq
Wings Over Iraq
Annex B
Fobbits need ice cream too
Armed and Curious
The Gun Line (site is down :( )
Bill of Castle Argghhh!!!
The Zeke
The Marching CampAfghanistan
AFGHANISTAN SHRUGGED
Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army - John
Embrace The Suck
American Soldier
The Left Captain
Cheese's Milblog
Dave Tobin
Stay in Touch
Conversations in the Desert
Michael Yon
Misuchan’s Milblog
Good Morning Afghanistan
Afghanistan Unfiltered
Long Warrior
I have only listed milblogs I know of that are deployed, if anyone knows one I have missed please leave a link in the comment so others may visit.For those troops that are reading blogs to get closer to home, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love and miss you.
Here's a message from a Soldier's Angel that says it all.
Dear Heroes-
Tonight as I bow my head in prayer and nod off to sleep under that blanket of freedom while living safely in my sturdy shelter, I will always appreciate the precious gift of freedom you continue to give to me.
~ Shelle Michaels, Soldiers' AngelsMerry Christmas,
Keep Safe,
Come home soon.Posted by Mrs Greyhawk at 12:37 PM
CHRISTMAS IN IRAQ -- [Word Around the Net]
Last year I wrote about how even Muslims wanted Christians to come back to Iraq because they were neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens - good ones at that. Christmas was celebrated, quietly, but non-Christians came ...
Baghdad Throws Its First Ever Public Christmas Celebration (Video) -- [CNN]
Baghdad celebrates first public Christmas amid hope, memories — BAGHDAD, Iraq — From a distance, it looks like an apparition: a huge multi-colored hot-air balloon floating in the Baghdad sky, bearing a large poster of Jesus Christ. Below it, an Iraqi flag.
Coalition Forces positioned for Santa......... -- [One Marine's View]
We have currently two infantry squads that have been inserted into the well known areas of movement of Santa and his leading reindeer. They have multiple heads up display surface to air man packs to thrawrt any attempts at hostile terrorists taking a pop shot at him during his approaching flight plan.
Forces in place for Operation "SC" -- [One Marine's View]
All forces are in place and have commenced patrols for Operation “SC” to begin. A small interaction of bad guys was distinguished recently but that’s why we have these forces abroad to take care of the light work before the raider fly.
In this rare photo we can see SC & Mrs “C” moving into a prepositioned strike force position “unknown” but suitable for conducting the annual gift distribution.
Troops Celebrate Christmas
Christmas Eve Notes -- [The Intrepid Reporter - in Iraq]
OK Folks:
I promised photos from outside the wire, but I haven’t made a trip that allowed me to take said pics. Not that there’s been any danger, more of the line that A) It’s Christmas Eve and B) The only run I made out there was to hit the duty free to get a goodly supply of booze to insure I would be well lubricated through what I consider to be some insanely tough times. I’ve been trying for six plus times over the past week or so to go get with my friends at another FOB to spend the holidays with them.
Christmas -- [Wings Over Iraq - in Iraq]
So Christmas was a little unexpected, but interesting. I woke up and went for a run, and much to my surprise, I saw a few Soldiers dressed as Santa, Elves and Reindeer being pulled along in a sleigh down the street, all the while dancing in the sleigh. It was also a further surprise to find out that they were some of our own Soldiers, and that they were making a visit to our very own dining facility.
Christmas Time Again! -- [Chris' Almost-Daily Update - in Iraq]
The Christmas season has been different than usual, to be sure. Being away from friends and family has been difficult. It's a different scenery and a different climate than I'm used to as well. But we have a few decorations around, and the care packages have been pouring in from friends and strangers alike. The Have a Heart/Adopt A Soldier organization has sent most of our unit packages! But ...
Hanukkah in Iraq -- [BlackFive]
Chaplain Capt. Andrew Cohen leads the Sabbath evening worship during the sixth day of Hanukkah at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of the victory over Greek oppression, the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
Celebrating Hanukkah In Iraq
Christmas, A Brief Update -- [Fraser in **** - in ****]
...Anyway, Mantra-Of-The-Day was “Best Christmas Ever!” We figured if we said it enough, we might start to believe it. Calling on the phone was a joke. First it took about 15 minutes to get through, then there was that annoying time delay in the conversation, and then at any moment the line dropped off. So it was pretty much a one-way conversation: “Hello (insert name here), this was the Best Christmas EVER!” Wait for a response… “Hello??” Then the line then gets cut off.
Caritas -- [Grim - in Iraq]
If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing....
Congratulations: -- [Grim - in Iraq]
...Christmas is nearly over here -- the sun is setting even now. I hope your Christmas is a good one. As for me, I had the occasion to listen to the son of an African King give a sermon while wearing the uniform of an officer of the United States; a sermon he read to a chivalry gathered in a foreign land in order to free it of a heritage of tyranny.
At the end of the last hymn, the chaplain said, "Now we must blow out the candles. Perhaps we should sing happy birthday." And we did.
Raw Troops in Iraq Celebrate Christmas
Christmas Humor of the Day -- [Wings Over Iraq - in Iraq]
I know many of you dream of a White Christmas, and for those of you in Upstate NY, that's pretty much a given. Nevertheless, don't be so desperate for a White Christmas that you need to grab a fire extinguisher and spray ...
Three Marines singing.... Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas -- [Soldiering On - in Iraq]
A parish priest began his sermon last night with these songs about Christmas and home and reminded me that they were written in WW2 and were the most popular songs at that time with both soldiers and home front types because of the sentiments they convey.
The "chance of feasts" and "prying to God" -- Christmas cards Iraqi style [HILLAS' HISTORIES - in Iraq]
I get all sorts of interesting communications from Iraqis in our province, especially during the holiday season. Some of them provide a linguistic twist that provides an extra element of amuzement. Take for instance the Christmas e-card below. It is the thought, of course, that counts.
Christmas tree in Iraq
Christmas in Baghdad -- [RightwingSparkle]
He knows firsthand how difficult the lot of Christians in Iraq is but, he tells me, "We are just attesting that things are changing in Baghdad, slowly, but we hope that this change actually is real. We will wait for the future to tell ...
Joseph L. Galloway: Remember the empty chairs at holiday tables [Michael Yon]
I have my own memories of holidays spent with soldiers and Marines in combat zones from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf to Iraq. The first was Christmas in An Khe with the 1st Cavalry Division in 1965. The newly arrived division and my ...
Christmas in Iraq.
Soldiers turning vehicles in parade floats for a Christmas parade in Iraq
A Good Afternoon -- [Zen Travler - in Iraq]
The littlest dancer
We returned to the Baghdad Ballet School to deliver some gifts that were generously donated by a similar school in Mobile, Alabama. It was a great afternoon and I got a chance to interact with a lot of the kids. I laughed because
Twas The Night Before Deployment -- [Down Range 46 - heading for Iraq]
There was very little color present, other than the digital camouflage of an Army uniform. There were no stockings hung by the chimney, if there were they would smell to high heaven. But, the spirit of the holiday was thick and there were candies and cookies to munch on.
A Visit from the Pope -- [The Left Captain - in Afghanistan]
Christmas is complete here in Afghanistan and it is back to business as usual. The holiday tone here was quiet, reserved. At a forward operating base, just having a down day is a gift. There isn't much reason to celebrate Christmas here. I was just happy to know that all of my family back home were safe and happy, and enjoying this time of the year.
Christmas in Pushtunistan -- [Long Warrior - in Afghansitan]
Christmas is just about through. The party went off without a hitch. All of our Afghan counterparts came over our compound for some carols, Santa hats, a present lottery, and big plates of Christmas food. I also shared the baklava [thanks]; it was a big hit. The TOC (main office) is now just a big room with people exchanging little secrets and stories of what they did the last time they were deployed.
Thank You Ray Charles... -- [Embrace The Suck - in Afghanistan]
Not only for my sake but for the sake's of all you folks out there who are thinking of us, or missing your own soldier, or just patriotic and worried about us while we are here and you are there.
We just had our Christmas Dinner. And let me say this, Christmas here is wonderful just in a little bit different way than it is at home. Now as I sit here listening to Ray Charles's song, "That Spirit of Christmas" This is what comes to mind.
Santa Claus is coming to town... -- [Castle Argghhh!!!]
...Royal Marine Afstan cover version
He's laid his guns in,
And he's ready to fight;
Gonna rain steel
On the mujis tonight.
Tommy Claus is coming to town.
Afghanistan: British Troops Wear Santa Hats to Fight the Taliban After Being Attacked While Singing Christmas Carols..... -- [Daily Mail]
What Christmas truce? Carol service for our troops on the Afghan frontline ends with a blast of reality from the Taliban
It was dusk in Helmand. And as the sun set over the baked earth, commandos wearing Santa hats gathered round the war memorial and began a simple chorus of carols.
Then the Taliban attacked.
There was no time for the troops to think or even to take off their festive hats.
Any hopes of a Christmas truce, when hostilities cease and foes become friends for a few precious hours, were dashed in an instant.
Twas the Night Before Christmas -- [MoD News]
Thousands of miles from their loved ones, Royal Marines sing Christmas carols in Afghanistan – moments before Taliban forces staged a surprise attack. The troops, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, were attempting to bring a touch of ...
The Things They Sent -- [The Left Captain - in Afghanistan]
This is a cool thing, because there is no easy way to buy any luxury items out here. There is a weekly bazaar and a few small shops run by the Afghans, but you can't get simple American things like a bag of M&Ms, or some deodorant or dental floss, or a pack of gum. You can get plenty of black market DVDs, fake Oakleys, and poorly made Chinese and Pakistani electronics.
Periodically I am touched by the messages that people send with the packages-- they seem motivated because their own children have served in the military, or they themselves served during an earlier conflict.
City native in Afghanistan sends Christmas wishes [Peterborough Ex.]
A local soldier wants to send holiday greetings to his many friends in Peterborough.
Capt. Dave Lincoln is stationed at the Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan and will spend the Christmas season overseas.
Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape -- [Town Hall - Kevin McCullough]
Don't let it be misunderstood. Those who serve in our nation's military espouse values that confuse the left, confound their purpose, and leave them unable to understand, much less resonate with our service men and women. This week I saw why.
Well I Guess There Is No Way Around This... -- [Embrace The Suck - in Afghanistan]
So it's Christmas Eve, tomorrow will be Christmas. So let me begin by saying Merry Christmas to all and to all...ah I can't finish that sentence. Not because of any particular animosity toward Christmas, I actually love Christmas, but just because it is so damn cliché that I can't finish the sentence.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas -- [Jules Crittenden]
The attack, on Christmas Day last year, illustrates the relentless call of duty faced by our troops on the front line. In Afghanistan, 8000 will celebrate the season this way. A further 4100 will spend the military’s final Christmas Day ...
Christmas in Afghanistan - [The Corner - Kevin D. Williamson]
I noticed a message on the Facebook page of an old friend currently serving in Afghanistan. People keep asking him what they can send him for a Christmas care package, and his answer is blankets, coats,
Military center tracking Santa's sleigh ride
The military personnel charged with being the eyes in the sky are certainly acting like he does _ and they've been joined on the Internet by millions of believers.
Even doubters have reason to pause when they hear the North American Aerospace Defense Command _ or NORAD, which monitors air and space threats against the U.S. and Canada _ is in charge of the annual Christmas mission to keep children informed of Santa's worldwide journey to their homes.
For God so loved the world -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Ghosts of Christmas past.
It was late evening when I walked by and looked into the room.
Both legs gone, way up. The rest covered with bandages and surgical draping, even his face. ...
...I asked his nurse if I could gown up and go in. I wanted to stand with him.
It was Christmas Eve.
Podcast of Christmas 4 the Troops
We had over 1000 deployed troops listening to this special program put on for them. Some even chatted with us in the chatrooms.
Christmas at Camp David: For Bush, 1 last visit -- [The Associated Press]
Bush spent part of Christmas Eve morning phoning US troops stationed around the world from Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS -- [The Sandbox]
Welcome to The Sandbox, our command-wide milblog, featuring comments, anecdotes, and observations from service members currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. This is GWOT-lit's forward position, offering those in-country a chance ...
USO's music, comedy lifts troops' spirits -- [Wa-Times]
"The almost universal comment I get from everyone I meet in uniform is, thanks for bringing them," he said of the USO tour, "because it's something that just gets their minds off it, and they really appreciate it."
Such Christmas tours are a time-honored tradition since the USO was founded in 1941 during World War II. Past entertainers have included Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Marilyn Monroe, bringing U.S. troops far from families a bit of home during the holidays.
There was little rest for Adm. Mullen, his wife and the entertainers, who took brief naps during a full day of shows and flights.
Musician Kid Rock performs during the USO's Christmas tour of foreign bases, including Forward Operating Base Sharana in Afghanistan. "It's about you," he told the troops.
“I’ll be home for Christmas” -- [Sandgram - home from Iraq]
For the first time in 10 years, I will be home for Christmas this year. See, Santa always shows up early for Airline pilots and Military personnel who are on the road serving somewhere in the world during this holiday, at least, that is what I tell my kids. Having resigned to the fact that I would be gone each year, I made a promise to myself to have as much fun as I could and share the joy of Christmas with the other poor souls stuck with me on this awesome holiday.
Soldiers come home in time for Christmas -- [KSL TV]
Just in time for Christmas, 14 soldiers of the Utah National Guard returned home to Utah today after serving nearly 12 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
...Now it's time to hug those too young to understand and share emotions with those who will never forget.
Returning Soldiers Make Christmas Merry -- [Kansas City News]
Returning Soldiers Make Christmas Merry. Army Reserves 445th Medical Detachment Were Deployed In Afghanistan. ...
After 15 Months in Iraq, Home for Christmas -- [Soldiers’ Voices - Baghdad Bureau]
For soldiers in my unit, the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment (S.C.R.), this Christmas will be an unforgettable time of wonder and merriment spent with families after being deployed for fifteen months in Iraq. ...
We'll be home Friday -- [Courage without Fear - home from Iraq]
Soldiers from 126th Cavalry to return Friday from Kuwait, Iraq
WYOMING -- About 330 Michigan National Guard soldiers will return home Friday following an 11-month deployment to Kuwait and Iraq. Friends and family will gather at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest SW, in Wyoming at 2 p.m. for a welcome home ceremony.
That's All Folks! -- [Something on Staff - home from Iraq]
Well, I'm back in the good old U S of A.
We handed over the mission to the new team, and they managed to burn down the mess hall within 3 hours of taking over. The quality of our food acutally improved after that. We trucked in meals instead of eating what our chemically mellowed cook would have made. Even Emeril can't cook on Prozac.
Our Twelve Days of Christmas in Iraq..........VIDEO (Hilarious)
1st Battallion 4th Marines, Bravo Company 3rd Platoon. Out of ECP1 in Fallujah, Iraq. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us through the first half of our deployment. This project was a challenge for me but in the end quite worth it. Merry Christmas everyone! -Nick Hesselgrave
1- full resupply of TP
2- megafones
3- crappy humvees
4- portajohns
5- hours of sleep
6- rusty dumbells
7- months deployment
8- IPs(iraqi police) dancing
9- sentries standing
10- hours posting
11- bags of trash
12- freakin' flies!
Merry Christmas, an Iraqie spoof, No SANTA?
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.
A dissertation upon the significance of chicken flicking -- [Castle Argghhh!!! - Bill T - in Iraq]
Such shenanigans are the hallmark of garrison life, because the vacuum left by the distinct absence of things to break and bad guys to whack gets rapidly filled with meaningless activities known to their devotees and promulgators as “meaningful activities.”
Everybody else calls it “chicken sh*t.”
Which brought to mind some recent incidents I ...
Baghdad Throws Its First Ever Public Christmas Celebration (Video) -- [CNN]
Baghdad celebrates first public Christmas amid hope, memories — BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — From a distance, it looks like an apparition: a huge multi-colored hot-air balloon floating in the Baghdad sky, bearing a large poster of Jesus Christ. Below it, an Iraqi flag.
PM: Killer of Iraqis behind shoe-throwing incident -- [Aswat Al Iraq]
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday said that investigations have revealed that a man involved in the “slaughter” of several Iraqis was behind the shoe-throwing incident.
“We will not oppose the court’s decision if al-Zaydi is acquitted,” Maliki told reporters in Baghdad.
Last week, Muntadher al-Zaydi, a correspondent for al-Boghdadiya TV, threw a pair of shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush at a Baghdad-based joint press conference with Maliki
SOI Payday, Day Two -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
Today, we visited another Iraqi base to oversee SOI payday. Read more »
The SOI program was such a great idea at first. Not only did guys get jobs, but the area became more secure.
December 21, 2008 - The more we partner with the Iraqis the more involved we become with their economy. -- [S4 at War - in Iraq]
I spend large sums of money each month with Iraqi contractors, on individual purchases and on re-occurring service contracts. Its similar to a tourist economy where there is essentially two separate pricing schemes, the one for locals and the one for tourists (or, in this case,military). For example,...
A Moral Prism for Iraq -- [Soldiering On - in Iraq]
One thing that continues to stun me about Iraq is the sheer poverty of the place. Yet amidst all the poverty, there are riches and hope. We are doing good here and it is demonstrated by our willingness to try to help these people improve their lives.
Best Army Idea - Ever -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
And I'm not even being sarcastic.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is SFC Boe. She is a therapy dog.
Not just any therapy, either. Combat Stress Control therapy.
Iraq can make you crazy in a zillion different ways, whether you be the guy who gets griped at about PowerPoint slides or the guy kicking down doors or the gal flying medevac birds or the kid processing 10,000 leave forms. There's plety of stress and plenty of crazy to go around.
Warrants and the BSA: -- [Grims Hall - Grim in Iraq]
The SoFA, or "Bilateral Security Agreement" (BSA), contains several things that will change the way we do business here. This is one:
Bodyguards Beware -- [Zen Traveler]
...I've seen guys wrap their head around the minutia of SOPs, writing them down, diagramming them out like football plays, making PowerPoint slides, carrying them around in little notebooks. Come on, either you know what your doing or you don't. If you're confident, knowledgeable, experienced, and calm you will probably make the correct decision every time. If you're carrying around the playbook under your arm and constantly diagramming things out on a whiteboard, well, you might be in over your head.
I know this may sound blasphemous to many in the security industry, but to be honest
I Caught The Ghost... -- [Embrace The Suck - in Afghanistan]
Awhile back I wrote this...
Why I Do This
I just wanted to tell everyone that I caught the ghost...
I love you mom...
Afghan Bravery -- [Michael Yon]
It’s hard to say how much of this fight belongs to the Afghans, and how much is ours. It should be theirs. It won't succeed until it is their fight -- even if they need some back-up help from us. One thing is certain: We are not “rebuilding” Afghanistan; it was never built to begin with. Centuries of repelling invaders kept the country free. But, perversely, it also meant that Afghanistan never benefitted from the advances that most colonial power brought to the remote, primitive places they colonized.
Britain Has Lost the Stomach For a Fight - Michael Portillo, The Sunday Times opinion -- [SWJ]
Last week Gordon Brown announced a date for Britain's withdrawal from Iraq. Most troops will be back in time for a spring general election. The prime minister posed with soldiers and expressed his sorrow over yet more fatal casualties in Afghanistan. He did not dwell on Britain's humiliation in Basra, nor mention that this is the most inglorious withdrawal since Sir Anthony Eden ordered the boys back from Suez.
The fundamental
Improved weather... -- [Thr Left Captain - in Afghanistan]
...People are making attempts to bring holiday cheer to everyone at the FOB. There is holiday themed decor in the chowhall and a variety of inflatable cartoon characters in Santa suits here and there. The chapel, which is near my hut, blasts looping Christmas music for about 12 hours a day. It's mixture of Christmas cover tunes by random artists. It really reminds me of outdoor malls in December-- the background music that rises and falls depending on which direction the wind blows, but it's always there
Buy 'green' for the New Year -- [Don Doran, USAG Kaiserslautern Directorate of Public Works]
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - Most of us have heard that U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense - down to every individual work center and administrative support office - are required to buy "green" products. But let's take a step back for a minute to review what that means.
On Jan. 24, 2007, President George Bush signed Executive Order 13423 - Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation Management - into law. This mandate puts into effect...
Stealth Jihad in America -- [PJM - Jacob Laksin]
...It’s true of course that none of these examples of stealth jihad quite rise to the level of civilizational conquest. Considered together, however, they raise an uncomfortable question: How far is the United States willing to go to indulge demands for religious exclusivity — especially when, as in the case of the 50,000-100,000 American Muslims now living in polygamous arrangements, they violate national laws?
U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership -- [Captain's Journal]
...Russian hegemony is likely far from finished regarding what it considers to be its “near abroad.” We knew at the time of the Russian invasion of Georgia that hard decisions would have to be made, and it appears as if the hardest one was postponed (i.e., entry to NATO) in favor a partial alternative. The question is well-framed above. What level of commitment does it really make?
On the Future and Options -- [Jason Fritz - Small Wars Journal]
Andrew Bacevich's defense of LTC Gian Gentile in October's Atlantic, while well intentioned, was both flawed and misguided. Concerns about the U.S. military's focus on counterinsurgency and stability operations at the expense of conventional war-fighting abilities are real and warrant a significant discussion on how to strike a balance between the two ends of the spectrum of conflict. However, Gentile's arguments that he defends drive that discussion to the extreme end of the spectrum and would leave the U.S. military few options to defend against the plethora of security challenges that face the nation today and in the future.
Bush Visits Injured Soldiers at Walter Reed -- [WaPo]
President Bush made what is expected to be his final trip as commander in chief to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Northwest Washington yesterday, where he visited soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and also had a personal medical appointment.
"I oftentimes say being commander in chief of the military is the thing I'll miss the most," Bush told reporters after the visit. "Coming here to Walter Reed is a reminder of why I'll miss it."
It was Bush's 16th trip to Walter Reed. He has also visited wounded troops nine times at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda and made an appearance at a private medical facility for injured soldiers in San Antonio.
Bush Earns His Way to Heaven... But Sends the GOP to Hell -- [Gateway Pundit]
There's a wonderful story today about how President Bush met with thousands of military personnel and families over the last seven years at the White House. The president met privately with these heroes.
The Washington Times reported:
Episode 49 HAPPY HOLIDAYS! The Sgt. Freedom Campaign
Belleau Wood -- [Miss Ladybug]
This song by Garth Brooks was inspired by actual events during World War I. Not released on a Christmas album (it was on the 1997 Sevens album), I long ago included it on my home-made Christmas CDs. Here, Brooks performs it live:
2 U.S. soldiers accused of abusing detainees -- [Bouhammer's Afghanistan Blog]
I got some intel several weeks ago from sources close to the incident,
Here is the whole story and one that will be sure to piss you off, ...
“Fort Dix Five” Trial Still Deliberating -- [CJ - You Served]
In May of last year, five men were charged with plotting to kill Soldiers and Civilians based at Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey. They are charged with conspiracy to murder military personnel and attempted murder. The trial ended five days ago and would you believe that jurors are still deliberating the case? I think I know why.
Injured Soldier Given A Hero's Welcome -- [MSNBC]
Members of at least five veterans motorcycle clubs assembled to welcome the soldier home, nearly three years after a grenade explosion destroyed nearly half ...
Local Army regiment returns home for the holidays -- [Detroit Free Press]
Blair was on hand at the Detroit Light Guard Armory this afternoon along with approximately 700 other friends and family members to welcome home the 120
Families call National Guard soldiers returning home after year ... -- [MLive.com, MI]
Lester Ott, of Grandville, is reunited with his wife, Heather Ott, and daughter, Alexa Funk, 6, at the Delta Plex after a welcome home ceremony for Michigan
Troops return from Iraq in time for Christmas -- [The Saginaw News]
Homemade signs dotted the crowd announcing "Welcome Home," "We Love You," even "I Can't Wait to Marry You." "Your mission is accomplished, your job is done,
NYT's City Editor Rips Into 'It's a Wonderful Life'; A Rare Window Into a Deeply Cynical Media Mind -- [NewsBusters]
On December 18, in an item that appeared on Page C1 of its December 19 print edition (the graphic at the right is a scaled-down version of what appears at the top of the online version), the New York Times's Wendell Jamieson provided us his perspective on what has became a Christmas staple, Frank Capra Jr.'s "It's a Wonderful Life." I would suggest that the piece reveals a lot more about the author and Old Media's mindset than it tells us about the film.
New York Times Blames Housing and Financial Crisis on Bush -- [NewsBusters]
UPDATE AT END OF POST: White House issues statement concerning "Irresponsible Reporting by New York Times."
Bush On His Record -- [WSJ]
In a more than hour-long interview, Mr. Bush tells me about his tenure. He ticks off his personal list of domestic achievements: No Child Left Behind, which he says was not only an "education reform" but a "civil rights measure"; a costly Medicare prescription-drug program, which also created health-savings accounts and put "people in charge of their own health-care decisions"; his faith-based initiative, which he says was not about making the state a "religious recruiter" but about creating a government mentality that says "if it works, fund it"; his tax cut, which he credits in part for "52 months of uninterrupted job growth." He also is proud of "fighting off protectionism and promoting trade," and his success at getting Trade Promotion Authority back in 2002.
Mr. Bush had many big plans that never came to fruition,
'Twas but a dream perhaps… -- [GM Roper]
Well, as the dream (nightmare?) continues, we shall see little ones, we shall indeed see.
...Obama will be faced with a myriad of problems from the outset, from the financial mess created by the housing slump to the verge of war between Pakistan and India (which hopefully will not occur if level heads will continue to hold sway), to the ongoing atrocities committed by Hamas in Gaza, to the repeat of the travesty of Durban with Durban II wherein the toads of Muslim Radicalism get to bash Israel as the sole raison d'être for the upcoming UN meet, to the ongoing culture of corruption, this time by Democrats.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
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.
A Good Afternoon -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
We returned to the Baghdad Ballet School to deliver some gifts that were generously donated by a similar school in Mobile, Alabama. It was a great afternoon and I got a chance to interact with a lot of the kids. I laughed because the only English that they could speak was to sing the "ABC song" and count to ten, which they did relentlessly.
Sons of Iraq Transition -- [Soldiering On - in Iraq]
One of the weapons employed by GEN Petraeus during the surge was an Iraqi Organization that came to be known as Sons of Iraq (SOIZs). In many cases these SOIZs were former insurgents (nationalists and rejectionists) who had spent the previous two years fighting Coalition Forces and the Iraqi Government. Yet, their ideology was never the same as the nihilist visions of Al Qaeda and the sweeping destruction and bloodshed that it brought. Rather, they wanted a voice in the new Iraq.
Ramblings -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
We’ve reached kind of a confusing point in our involvement here. And by our I mean not only the Civil Affairs effort, but the Army in general. The Status of Forces Agreement is scheduled to go into effect 1 January. More changes will follow.
Blackwater CEO on the role of security contractors -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Today's Wall Street Journal carries a piece contributed by Erik Prince, former Navy SEAL and founder and CEO of Blackwater Worldwide.
There are a lot of misperceptions about contractors in Iraq. The majority of contractors provide a wide variety of support functions such as transport, laundry and garbage disposal services, for example.
Blackwater is in the business of providing security. For State Department employees.
PVC Pipe? -- [S4 at War - in Iraq]
I spend a significant amount of government money with Iraqi and thrid country national vendors who can get supplies I need quickly. I recently had to purchase a monumental amount of PVC pipe. A resourceful Indian guy who we sometimes work with said he could get us what we needed. A few days later he showed up with 4000 ft of coiled up plastic hosing, nothing even remotely close to PVC pipe. I told him I couldn’t use it, that its not PVC pipe to which he replied, “I know sir, the PVC pipe is very expensive, this much cheaper.” I
Burn Before Reading -- [The War on Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
This is better read by watching this:
...I am standing at our company’s burn barrel. The burn barrel is a 55 gallon drum that is used to burn sensitive documents. One of the jobs in the TOC on the night shift is to burn sensitive documents that were created during the day. I am burning documents and smoking simultaneously.
“First sergeant,” I respond. “What you are saying is that I can’t smoke a cigar while I am burning documents.”
“No” he says. “I’m saying that FOB rules state that you can’t smoke within 50 feet of any equipment.”
Well Now, Ain’t This Something… -- [The Gun Line - in Iraq]
I escorted a working party of young Iraqis who were day laborers… They were all young, and they reminded me so much of any typical American teenager, ...
… I felt very encouraged that these young fellows would be the ones to wake up and realize how full of potential their futures are. They will be the ones to take charge of their communities, and decide that they would not allow themselves to be manipulated by religion, by politics, by other countries…
… Perhaps it will happen. I hope it does…
We’ll see if I’m as optimistic at the end of the tour as I am now, but, right now, I am where I need to be, doing what I need to be doing… I’m happy to be here.
Afghanistan Today - Michael Yon Interview -- [NRO]
Michael Yon, courageous independent reporter and author of Moment of Truth in Iraq, has just returned to the United States from Afghanistan. National Review Online editor Kathryn Jean Lopez checked in with him about the president’s trip there this weekend and his own findings
The Clinic -- [Michael Yon - in Afghansitan]
As for the clinics, they are just a small start to meeting the nation's vast health care needs. The sad truth is that for the majority of Afghan peasants, the pathetically small amount of medical care that they received over the war years when they languished in the refugee camps of Pakistan -- occasional inoculations, rehydration salts to prevent deaths to children and infants from diarrhea, antibiotics that we Westerners take for granted, a modicum of hygienic assistance with childbirth -- were the first instances of modern medicine available to them. These clinics, which are pretty basic by our standards, represent a huge leap forward across most of this poor, war-torn nation.
Taliban desecrate body of slain opposing tribal leader -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Pir Samiullah, the main leader of the tribal opposition to the Taliban in Swat, was killed in fighting. The Taliban dug up his body and hanged it to intimidate his followers.
U.S. Military to Launch Pilot Program to Recruit New Local Afghan Militias -- [US News]
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN—The U.S. military will soon launch a pilot program to raise local militias, paid by the Pentagon, in an effort to improve security throughout the country.
The plan is modeled in part on a similar program in Iraq to build up Sunni neighborhood militias. But
AFGHANISTAN IS NOT IRAQ!!! -- [Bouhammer]
I don’t think this is a good idea and I have to say I am not looking forward to seeing the outcome. The Afghan military and in fact the entire government is corrupt to the highest levels. This is a known fact and not a new revelation from the Bouhammer. The steps that worked in Iraq were great for Iraq. AFGHANISTAN IS NOT IRAQ!!! It isn’t.
Self-Preservation In The Tribal Territories -- [Strategy Page]
After a spurt of success in finding and hitting (with UAV launched Hellfire missiles) Islamic terrorist leaders in Pakistan, there has been a sharp drop-off in such activity. The recent spurt of successful attacks (at least five senior al Qaeda leaders, and many more mid-level guys were killed) was apparently the result of a sudden boost in good intelligence. Now, nothing. Something interesting is going on.
Firefighter under fire for flag on helmet -- [HT:Chromed Curses]
NEWTON, Mass. -- A local firefighter is under fire for painting an American flag on his helmet.
Richard Busa, an Iraq war veteran, is refusing to get rid of the spray painted flag on his helmet, which is said to be against department rules.
OPEC makes deepest oil cut ever to rescue prices -- [Reuters]
OPEC oil ministers agreed on Wednesday to remove a record 2.2 million barrels per day from oil markets in a race to balance supply with the world's rapidly crumbling demand for fuel.
Russian Warships Causing No Ripples in Pentagon -- [FOXNews]
..Russian Warships Causing No Ripples in Pentagon, Russian warships have been plying the waters off Venezuela and Panama in recent weeks and are now heading ...
Cheney Defends Waterboarding: "It's Remarkably Successful" -- [Gateway Pundit]
Video: How To Reach A Soldier -- [Any Soldier.com]
We have volunteer Soldier "contacts" on the "Where to Send" page. Click through the names and select the one(s) you wish to support. They list what the folks they represent want and need. We even have a search capability so you can easily identify what the troops need most.
All the Soldiers involved in this effort are military volunteers stationed in areas that are in harm's way. You send your support (letters and/or packages) addressed to them and when they see the "Attn: Any Soldier®" line in their address they put your letters and packages into the hands of Soldiers who don't get much or any mail first. Everything is shared.
A Steeler and a Soldier -- [FBL]
Let me tell you about one soldier’s return flight to Iraq. He saw a man go into the bathroom at the Pittsburgh airport and he thought he recognized him. When the man came out, he went over to him and said, “Excuse me, sir, but are you Franco Harris?” The man replied, “Yes, I am.” And then, being such a big Steelers fan, [the soldier] asked him if he could have a pic of him. Franco was agreeable to this.
After taking the pic, they talked for a few minutes and [the soldier] told him he was on his way back to Iraq.
Gridiron Golf for the Troops -- [Soldier's Angels]
Football Superstar Franco Harris has chosen Soldiers’ Angels to be the designated beneficiary of the 2009 Franco Harris/Lydell Mitchell Grid Iron Golf Tournament, to be held in Tampa during Super Bowl week! This special fundraising event has been conducted at the location of each Super Bowl since 1997, and has resulted in over $180,000 donated to a variety of charitable causes.
Guilt, Guilt, Guilt -- [Chromed Curses]
I have a soldier I adopted, a young engineer who is serving with Marines. He’s from WI and just adorable. I’ve been sending him the occasional box when I can and also stuff for the two soldiers under him because none of them are getting mail from anyone. So when I sent the last 2 boxes to him, I had some warm fleece blankets. Three to be exact. One for Chris and two for him to give to his guys but I didn’t say that specifically. I just said that he could dispense as he sees fit. This is his response:
List of links for VA and other Veteran Resources. -- [John of Argghhh!!!]
In addition to my post on the subject: [link] I've uploaded two documents to the Group, one a Word doc, the other an HTML doc, of all the links I provide in my post. Feel free to download 'em and email and post 'em. The utility of the docs is they...
Army's new manual warns of 'persistent conflict' -- [AP]
The Army has released its first new training field manual in six years, highlighting the need for units to be ready to conduct stability operations after traditional combat has ended.
The manual, titled "Training for Full Spectrum Operations" and written at Fort Leavenworth, explains what soldiers can expect when in combat.
Marine Dad Surprises His Son By Coming Home From Iraq
Newsweek's hero, part 2 -- [Powerline]
The current Newsweek cover story by Michael Isikoff identifies one of the major sources for the New York Times article blowing the government's terrorist surveillance program. He is one Thomas Tamm. Newsweek asks: "Is he a hero or a criminal?"
...It's all worth reading and very helpful in rounding out the portrait Newsweek paints. It should be recalled, however, that Tamm was only one of the "nearly a dozen" sources cited by the New York Times for its story blowing the NSA terrorist surveillance program. Russell Tice outed himself as a source soon after the publication of the Times story. One wonders why the government has brought no prosecution to date in connection with the incredibly damaging crimes committed by Tamm, Tice and the others. One also wonders whether such treachery will continue to be the subject of adulation in the age of Obama.
Nuanced Views on Muntader the Shoe Thrower -- [Weekly Standard - Bill Roggio]
...turns out Hazim Araji isn't just your average Iraqi "man." He is in fact a senior aide to Muqtada al Sadr. Araji organized today's protest in Najaf that called for the release of the shoe-throwing "journalist."
Why didn't the Times stringer point this out? Did the stringer ever leave the Sadrist protest in Najaf? Why didn't the Times's layers upon layers of editors catch this? Perhaps their editors should look a little closer at the stringers they are using in Iraq. Perhaps they are practicing the same form of "journalism" as the feted shoe-thrower.
Sick... LA Times Compares Shoe Chucker to Joe the Plumber -- [Gateway Pundit]
This is just twisted...
In the eyes of the mainstream media-- Joe the Plumber and shoe-chucker Muntather Zaidi are one and the same.
Another one who just doesn't get it. -- [Grim's Hall - Eric]
Quite a while ago, I fisked the same sort of academic who was upset over the fact that the US no longer conscripts its troops. (I note for the record that we never actually did hear back from that professor.)
Any way, the writer of this article, one Danielle Allen (who has some sort of post at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton) manages to observe this:
An Investment in Balanced Media -- [Outside the Wire - JD]
Are you a libertarian/conservative millionaire frustrated by the bias of the media?
Are you looking for a business opportunity that may or may not make money?
hen I have a deal for you. How would you like to buy your own ABC affiliate?
That's right. You can be the proud owner your own TV station in Topeka, KS. Forget Twitter Tweets, and blogs, and streaming video, you can have your own broadcast signal and have a direct impact on North East Kansas.
More importantly, you can have a larger impact nation-wide.
AP Photogs and Journos Withholding Bylines; World Somehow Survives -- [NewsBusters]
No, it's a not a story from the Onion. It's AFP reporting on the actions of Associated Press photographers and journalists:
US news agency staff stage 'byline strike'
Journalists and photographers at the US news agency the Associated Press (AP) are withholding their bylines to protest management's stance in contract talks, their union said.
Phase VI -- [Neptunus Lex]
Phases I and II for Operation Iraqi Freedom were deployment and battlefield preparation. Phase III was major combat operations - it was over in weeks. Phase IV - post-MCO stabilization and force drawdown - took a very great deal longer and cost more in blood and treasure than most people expected. With the signing of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the Iraqi and US governments, planning for Stage V - redeployment of forces home - has already begun. Now it’s time for Phase VI.
You won’t find Phase VI in any Joint CONPLAN. Phase VI is a battle for hearts, minds and history texts. It’s not happening in Iraq. It’s happening right here at home:
The Truth About Bush and the Military -- [Peter Wehner]
Posted on Commentary magazine’s Contentions
Lawrence Di Rita, who served as an aide to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, published a piece in the Washington Post on retired Army chief of staff Eric Shinseki, President-elect Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs. General Shinseki is best known for his supposed clashes with the Bush administration on its Iraq war strategy. Di Rita attempts to clear away what he claims are myths about Shinseki, including that Shinseki opposed the war plan (Di Rita says he did not) and he was snubbed by Rumsfeld at his retirement ceremony (Rumsfeld was never invited to attend). For the sake of clarifying history, Shinseki, who has served his nation honorably and who so far has remained silent about these matters, should be asked about them during his confirmation hearing.
But as a friend pointed out to me, there’s an important point that Di Rita doesn’t make...
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
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.
On the Hunt in Baghdad -- [Michael Totten - in Iraq]
“If your men conduct any raids,” I said to Captain Todd Looney at Combat Outpost Ford on the outskirts of Sadr City, Baghdad, “I want to go.”
“We might have something come up,” he said. “If so, I'll get you out there.”
Less than an hour later, one of the most dangerous terrorist leaders in all of Iraq was spotted holding a meeting at a house in the area. An arrest warrant had already been issued by the government of Iraq, and Captain Looney's company was the closest to his location. They would be the ones to go get him.
"I Would Rather Be With The Men And Women Of The United States Military Than With Anybody Else."
...THE PRESIDENT: Thanks to you, 25 million Iraqis are free.
Thanks to you, Iraq is no longer sponsoring terror -- it is fighting terror. It's making American people safer as a result.
The enemies of freedom in Iraq are determined, and this fight has been tough. Two years ago, the situation had grown dire -- the political process was frozen and sectarian violence was spiraling out of control. Some of you were here then/
Many said the mission was hopeless; many called for retreat. Retreat would have meant failure -- and failure is never an option.
AUDIENCE: Hoo-ah!
Woah! US Troops in Iraq Give Bush a Tremendous Sendoff! - Full Video Here
Waiting for the other shoe to... -- [Buck Sargent - MilBlogs]
...drop?
Just out of curiosity, since this guy apparently claimed to be so concerned with "Iraqi widows and orphans," I wonder how many times he hurled his size 10's at the previous Iraqi "President-for-life-or-at-least-until-the-U.S.-invades-and-pulls-me-out-of-a-hole"?
I think the fact that this "journalist" still had his eyesight and all his limbs answers that one.
Who throws a shoe?
U.S. soldiers’ behavior forced Muntadher to throw his shoes at Bush - al-Zaydi’s family -- [Aswat Al Iraq - Voice of Iraq]
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The family of Muntadher al-Zaydi said on Monday that the U.S. soldiers’ behavior forced him to throw his shoes at U.S. President George Bush, demanding to free him immediately.
Shoes for Bush - a sign of real hope -- [Roger Simon]
“But more importantly and more apposite to today’s event was that other, oft forgotten, reason Bush went to war in Iraq - that the only way to bring true peace to the Middle East would be through democracy. He wanted to spread the democratic system preemptively. A lot of people have sneered at that idea lately, but while they were sneering Iraq has inched forward toward a democracy. It’s even turning into a (somewhat) decent place to live. That buffoon-like shoe chucker - his name is Muntazer al-Zaidi from Al-Baghdadia channel which broadcasts from Cairo - proved it. No matter what happens to al-Zaidi now (and it won’t be much if anything), it will be nothing like what would have happened to him if he had hurled a shoe at the president during the previous Iraqi administration of Saddam Hussein.”
National media center demands al-Boghdadiya channel to apologize -- [Aswat Al Iraq - Voice of Iraq]
The national media center on Monday demanded al-Boghdadiya satellite television, for which Muntadher al-Zaydi who threw a pair of shoes at U.S. President George Bush during a joint press conference with the Iraqi premier, is working, to publicly apologize.
“At the time we condemn this act, we demand the facility the correspondent is working for to present its apology publicly for this act damaged the reputation of Iraqi journalists and journalism in general,” the center said in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq.
Some U.S. Troops May Stay in Iraqi Cities Beyond Deadline
...Gen. Odierno, who assumed command in September, explained that the withdrawal provision in the security pact applied only to combat personnel. The U.S. forces assigned to the joint security stations mentor and fight alongside Iraqi troops, so American commanders classify them as training personnel and don't consider them to be covered by the withdrawal language, he said.
Britain faces humiliating Iraq withdrawal -- [Times Online]
British Forces will leave Iraq by the end of next July under a humiliating proposal that lumps the once-valued deployment with five smaller contingents, including those of Romania, El Salvador and Estonia.
...A British government spokeswoman declined to comment on “leaked” information.
Holiday Season in Iraq: -- [Grim's Hall - in Iraq]
You are probably unaware of this if you're reading it in America, but this is also holiday season in Iraq. The Hajj season is winding down, having been ongoing here for quite a while now. Thousands of Iraqis have traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the rites of the trip to Mecca. This week is one of the great festivals of the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha. Iraqis are celebrating by, among other things, touring Saddam's palace in Babylon. But it's a major celebration all around. I gather that the sheep market is booming, as sheep are used as sacrifices to honor ancestors; apparently sales this year are strongly outpacing last year's.
Aks in Your Stockings-- [S4 ar War - in Iraq]
For the recent Eid holiday children received toy AK-47s and were dressing up like SOI. Besides the obvious problem of children running around with toy AK-47s, this is indicative of the regard the SOI are held in, the challenges of the upcoming months with the transition, and, in my opinion, a legitimicy issue for the IA and IP.
Not So Good With Technology -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
The Iraqi's have a new device at selected security checkpoints around Baghdad. A serious looking operator holds what looks like a toy remote-controlled car device in his hand, and wearing a pair of earphones, dutifully walks down the side of the car. What he's listening for I have no earthly idea; maybe the ticking of a bomb? Who knows?
Chasing Soldiers -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
Time doesn't stop once you get to Iraq, and so one of the things we (and by we, I mean I) have to keep track of is my Soldiers' career progression.
...We're trying to get my senior buck sergeant promoted. This means we need to get a "packet" to the CA brigade conducting the "board" (packet screening and selection) somewhere else here in Iraq. My sergeant needed a current Army Physical Fitness Test.
Here's how that works.
Forces Kill, Capture Enemy Fighters, Seize Weapons in Afghanistan -- [Defense Link]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2008 - Coalition and Afghan forces killed at least two enemy fighters, detained 32 suspects and seized weapons in Afghanistan during operations last week.
Bush warns of long struggle on Afghanistan visit -- [Khaleej Times]
After landing, he spoke to US troops at Bagram Air Base near Kabul before going to the capital for talks with Karzai to dispel any concerns of flagging support when he hands the White House keys to Barack Obama on January 20.
The US leader acknowledged the toll on the 70,000 international troops in Afghanistan fighting an insurgency which has grown increasingly violent since the hardline Taliban regime was ousted in late 2001.
“This is going to be a long struggle,” Bush told a joint press conference with Karzai at the presidential palace. “Ideological struggles take time.”
“Is there difficult days ahead?” he asked.
“Absolutely.
Bush meets with Karzai on surprise visit to Afghanistan
From the jaws of victory -- [Long Warrior - in Afghansitan]
Afghanistan is not going well. Despite the conventional wisdom that is mouthed by all, it is not an unwinnable theater. The Soviets did not fail because this country is a meat grinder that is so inhospitable to foreigners that none could be successful. They failed because they prosecuted it poorly. We are on the same path, and can either choose victory, or the slow humiliating defeat that will come with declaring the nation a losing proposition for modernity. What follows are a few enumerated frustrations that my comrades and I voice daily over coffee, cigars, and cup after cup of steaming chai tea.
On the Front Lines in Afghanistan, Part Two -- [Michael Yon - PJM]
...At a moment when much of the Islamic world is suspicious of the U.S., publicizing the positive changes that Western nations have provided is essential. The enemy advertises cutting off heads, or attacking innocent civilians in India, or blowing up a train in Spain. They smile when blowing up tourists in Bali, and dance as buildings fall. We smile when babies recover and the children of illiterate shepherds and subsistence farmers learn to read. You have to be willfully blind not to know the difference between the good guys and the bad guys in this place.
Taliban Victory Slip Sliding Away -- [Strategy Page]
December 15, 2008: The Taliban thought they had a decisive weapon when they adopted large scale use of roadside and suicide bombing three years ago. This effort was a bitter disappointment. Four years ago, there were only a few hundred roadside or suicide bomb attacks in Afghanistan annually, and these had no major effect on the fighting. This year, there have been nearly 2,500 such attacks, over 80 percent of them roadside bombs. But ...
The Other Front -- [WaPo]
In the seven years I've lived in this stronghold of the Afghan south -- the erstwhile capital of the Taliban and the focus of their renewed assault on the country -- most of my conversations with locals about what's going wrong have centered on corruption and abuse of power. "More than roads, more than schools or wells or electricity, we need good governance," said Nurallah during yet another discussion a couple of weeks ago.
He had put his finger on the heart of the problem.
A Look At Why Even Good Plans Fail -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Two stories today offer a partial answer to that question, and demonstrate vividly that a military victory is only a small part of what counterinsurgency and counterterrorism actually are. There have been victories in both Afghanistan (the U.S. and NATO) and Somalia (Ethiopia with U.S. support).
Uniform of the Day: DROOL BIB & HOCKEY HELMET -- [Afghanistan Shrugged - in Afghanistan]
I've been trying to fish my toast out of the toaster with my fingers and all this has done is burn them several times. Being the genius that I am I decide that I should now use my spring loaded Benchmade knife to do this, this should keep me from getting burned but the chance that I'll electrocute myself has now gone up exponentially. I really like toast and I pretty upset that it's not coming out of the damn machine. This is obviously a Taliban plot to frustrate me and I resolve at that moment to plan an operation to find and destroy these sick individuals that have conspired and acted to foil my toasty happiness.
After 130 years of fundraising, Sally Army told to stop rattling collecting tins because it might 'offend other religions' -- [Daily Mail] Hat Tip: Larwyn
For 130 years they have been part of Christmas, filling the air in towns across the land with music and carols.
But one thing is missing from the repertoire of Salvation Army bands this year - the percussion of rattling tins.
Members have been forbidden to shake their charity tins - even if it's done in time to the music - in case it harasses or intimidates people. One said she had been told it might also offend other religions.
World: Growing Security Concerns in West Africa -- [NY Times]
California Guardsmen Train for Kosovo Deployment -- [Defense Link]
CAMP SHELBY, Miss., Dec. 12, 2008 - Nearly 100 California National Guardsmen are preparing for a deployment to Kosovo in the spring, where they will serve as the NATO Kosovo Force’s quick-reaction force.
The Sovereignty Dodge -- [WaPo] HT: Glenn
"We don't think the world's great nations and countries can be held hostage by non-state actors," Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said yesterday. Fair enough. But what is the world to do when those non-state actors operate from the territory of a state and are the creation of that state's intelligence services?
Dealing with Pakistan: The Great Game, Rebooted -- [WoC - Joe Katzman]
Robert Kagan is dreaming about a UN that will act to place Pakistan's hinterlands in the equivalent of receivership. His question is correct, but his own piece acknowledges why there's no hope of success for the proposed remedy. Whatever the real plan is, it had better be able to leverage failure on that front.
Meanwhile,
Move America Forward Sends Email For Call Of Support For Troops in Snowy Regions of Afghanistan -- [Move America Forward]
Strong storms are forecast to strike positions of U.S. troops in Afghanistan by Monday. Snow will blanket many parts of the country where U.S. troops are stationed, and temperatures will plunge down to the single digits in some locations.
We here at Move America Forward have been monitoring this situation closely and a complete weather report follows below. We are dispatching an especially large shipment of care packages for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but we need your help to reach more troops with these support shipments.
Please sponsor a special care package for U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq - CLICK HERE FOR CARE PACKAGES.
Holiday Cards Humor -- [Sgt Grumpy]
So, both times I've been deployed overseas, around the Holidays we'd get all these great kids cards from some of the schools back home. They really are awesome, and, well, no one can really articulate why, but these cards really touch most Soldiers (except for a few cold, heartless fucks). It is something about the little stick figures, the smiling sun, and the Army tanks running over terrorists. It just touches a Soldier's heart. Ehhm, getting a little choked up.....So anyhow,...
The Problem That Wasn't There: Neo-Nazis in the Military -- [Lt Nixon]
Today's moran is David Neiwart of Crooks and Liars, who has a detailed post about how many returning veterans are going to morph into modern-day Timothy McVeighs to wreak havoc on America. Not sure where to begin on how the military is a non-racist institution, since it's been integrated for a very long time
Lilyea takes down an IVAW poseur -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo]
What is it about the punks who want to hate on the military and US policy that they also love to wear awards they are not entitled to. It's like they know they are losers and feel a need to pretend at being something better. This chimp can't just whine about the war being unconstitutional, no he has to whine wearing medals he didn't earn.
Gates: Procurement System Must Be More Responsive to Current Requirements -- [Defense Link]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2008 - The military procurement system needs to broaden its focus beyond high-end, high-tech systems so it’s better prepared to meet warfighters’ current requirements, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine.
How do soldiers get into their bulky gear in Iraq before patrol
Iraqi War vets get welcome home party -- [Muncie Star Press, IN]
The VFW offers those veterans a chance to socialize with those who may understand what they're going through when they return home. "Our soldiers know that ...
Welcome home, soldier - with video -- [Livingston Daily, MI]
Phil Laier sat in the back seat with a puzzled expression, cautiously waving to everyone who came out to support the 20-year-old U.S. Army specialist who was receiving a hero's welcome after having spent most of the past 15 months in Iraq and Kuwait.
"I really was just hoping to come and eat some chili, take a shower and go to bed, but this is better," a smiling Laier said. "This is pretty nice to be appreciated like this."
Welcome home reception was touching -- [Marion Star, OH]
... Seeing members of the local 1-134th return to their families was an exhilarating experience for me. I remember when the guys returned from Vietnam. There was no one to greet them anywhere unless it was family at the airport.
A leaker identified- Flogging or hanging? -- [Uncle Jimbo]
We now have the name of someone who almost certainly broke a number of laws to salve his own spineless conscience. I vote for flogging then hanging, but I'm a little touchy about national security. You decide what the cost ought to be.
Ignorance: Billy Joel's Gift to the World -- [Greyhawk]
Hard to believe someone could be as ignorant of Iraq or the troops as Joel is, but it's true. Unfortunately he wants to share that ignorance with the world.
... there's really only one way to respond to crap like this. I've written my own song, dedicated to Billy Joel:
True, but... -- [Abu Muqawama]
Shinseki, as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, supported the war plan. The head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Tommy Franks, and his planning staff presented their approach to the Joint Chiefs and their staffs during the development of the plan. There was ample opportunity for the chiefs to express concerns and propose alternatives. There is no record of Shinseki having objected.
On the one hand, there is a lot of truth in this op-ed. I am sure Gen. Shinseki would agree that he did not protest the Iraq War plans as vigorously as his admirers on the Left imagine him to have protested. On the other hand, the author of this op-ed -- the loyal mouthpiece for a man most can agree was a horrible failure as Secretary of Defense (the second time around, it should be noted) -- cannot be trusted to provide a reliable narrative of Gen. Shinseki's retirement
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
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.
Urgent. Thousands of Soldiers may go unloved this Christmas!
It is absolutely critical that we raise $150,000 in the next three days to send out the remaining 40,000 care packages for our soldiers so they arrive in time for Christmas!
Calm for the holidays -- [Armed and Curious - in Iraq]
Progress is a many splendored thing it seems. Its funny how the absence of violence in your life is something to celebrate but this is the life that most Iraqi's face. It's nice to read the story below and compare it to past holiday's. This follows reports last week that violence is not at its lowest level for the entire duration of our efforts in Iraq. I am also hearing rumors of a compromise timeline being hammered out between the military and the incoming administration that satisfies both sides.
Transition -- [S4 ar War - in Iraq]
A General Officer in our area commented recently that 2009 will be all about transitions. My Battalion has been leaning forward pretty agressively to take our partnership with the ISF a step further and really begin the transition to put things in their control. As I mentioned in a previous post I’ve been putting together plans to start closing our FOB and hand it over to the ISF.
I Marine Expeditionary Force - 11 Dec 2008 Al Asad IQ -- [DVIDS]
Talks to a military reporter about his multiple deployments to Iraq, the differences between them, his educational background, his family and sends greetings to his family.
Father! The Sleeper Has Awakened!!! -- [The Gun Line - in Iraq]
I’m here. In Iraq.
Four years ago, you could have told me that I would be sitting in the middle of Iraq, where so many stories of valor, of sacrifice, of grit, and of fighting prowess have been written in the annals of military history in the blood, sweat, and tears of those who have gone before, and I would have looked at you like you had grown a second head.
Four years later, I am here, and I am content to be here.
Two Camps In Iraq -- [Zen Traveler - in iraq]
I got involved in a discussion the other day with one of the correspondents about her views of the state-of-play here in Iraq. She divides the country's political landscape into two camps; those of the pragmatist and the ideologues.
Why I'm not allowed to go anywhere fun -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
It's Eid right now (the week of feasting after Ramadan), so there's not much going on in the Civil Affairs world. We could go out and annoy the locals during their holiday, but decided that would be unsmart. Instead, we packed up our MRAP and headed out on a two-day vacation to Camp Comfy - where our company headquarters is located.
K9s take a bite out of insurgents -- [The Fighting Fifth Marines Blog - in Iraq]
The uses for dogs in combat, though, have since evolved from armored beasts to fine-tuned tools capable of seeking out bomb-making materials, running down fleeing insurgents or tracking bad guys miles away.
Their extraordinary bite and keen senses make dogs a valuable resource when searching for improvised explosive devices and tracking down the insurgents who made them.
MPs: Pull out agreement came into force -- [Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network]
Members of the parliament affirmed that the agreement regarding the withdrawal agreement came into force and started being implemented. The MPs said that specialized committees headed by the Prime Minister and monitored by the parliament were established and that the same started international action in order to explain the agreement and to exert pressure on the second party in order to accelerate the implementation thereof
MP: No need for British troops in Basra -- [Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network]
Coalition MP Haidar Al Ubadi said that there is no justification for preserving British troops in Al Basra pointing out that the same stayed isolated inside their base for more than a year and that the withdrawal thereof will not affect the security situation in the city.
Centers opened in Basra to gather signatures -- [Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network]
Director of Basra election commission, Hazem Al Rubaii announced it will launch a petition drive to see whether there is enough support for a referendum to decide whether Basra province will become a self-ruled region.
Centers will be established across Basra where voters can sign the petition asking for a self-rule referendum.
All Before 0800 -- [AFGHANISTAN SHRUGGED - in Afghanistan]
Beep...Beep, Beep...Beep, Beep...Beep I look at the green face of my watch; 5 AM stares back at me. It's quite and pitch black in the room; nice that it's quiet; this it last time today that it will. The rest of the day will be filled with radio calls, reports, yelling. I lay there in the dark with my watch still beeping.
Via con Dios, my Friends -- [AFGHANISTAN SHRUGGED - in Afghanistan]
Some great Americans left here today, warriors and statesmen. They've reached the end of their tour and it's time to head home, their debt to democracy and freedom marked paid in full.
Leaving here doesn't end like a western where you ride off into the sunset. It comes with an urgent call, "Birds are inbound". They've known for several days and tried several times to get on a flight out of here, every time the effort comes crashing to a stop with the flights being canceled or too full to take them. Not today though.
We've said goodbye several times, up until now it's all been for naught. Soldiers aren't the best at communicating things emotional. We're trained to talk in short terse phrases that match the staccato of the weapons we employ. It's get the point across but any deeper meaning is lost.
We say things like,"It's been an honor serving with you"; " Stay safe and see you on the high ground". But how do you tell someone goodbye that you were prepared to fight and die with if the need arose. We tell ourselves that we won't get attached to each other just in case something happened, but we do.
The moment is now upon us and we're at a loss for words.
NATO : Poles in Position in Ghazni Province
The NATO/ISAF Polish contingent in Afghanistan are concentrating their efforts on the crucial province of Ghazni.
The end is near -- [Staying in Touch - in Afghanistan]
...Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix is fully 85 percent of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, with the mission to mentor and train the Afghan National Army and Police, and provide assistance to the government of Afghanistan and its people.
“I am extremely proud of every service member in the task force and the contributions they made to the Afghan National Security Forces,” said Col. Balfe. “We have made a significant difference in the lives of the Afghan people and their government.
NATO : Security in Musa Qala
NATO TV recently followed a patrol through the town of Musa Qala to see how things were progressing a year on from it being re-captured by the Taliban. In 2007, Musa Qala was the scene of intensive fighting as British, American and Afghan security forces sought to regain control of the area from the Taliban. British and American forces have been here ever since and with the insurgents on their do More..orstep, it is crucial they carry out regular foot patrols.
Coin of the Covenant -- [Staying in Touch - in Afghanistan]
Due to the work level on my section during this mission, neither my deputy or I took leave. We served straight through without a break, a pass or even a day off. We made a pact with each other early on, when we saw how much responsibility and work confronted us, that we just couldn't take time off and leave each others' work for the other to assume.
The key moment came when we started suffering so many casualties and there was so much for us to do in this public affairs section. My comrade, Maj. Kathy Oliver, and I knew that we couldn't possibly take a break and be home on leave when the next tragedy struck. So we stuck it out and worked through.
With friends like these... -- [The Gouge - Troy Steward]
...who needs enemies.
Back on July13th , one of our US outposts was nearly overrun by Taliban fighters. We as a country, lost 9 brave souls (listed HERE) who fought off and killed what is estimated to be dozens if not over a hundred enemy fighters (Read about the battle via HERE). The battle itself received a lot of attention and was in all the press. A day or two after we saw reports that the US forces in that area decided to withdraw from that outpost.
Now we are hearing via [Seattle Times] that the Village Police Chief helped the enemy out and allowed them to move to and get into position in order to launch such a brazen attack.
Bamyan School Supplies
Coalition forces, including Singapore and New Zealand troops, building schools and giving school supplies to children to foster trust between civilians and military.
Waiting -- [The Left Captain - in Afghanistan]
This last mission was a short notice response to a request by the commander of some guys who have been plagued by a streak of run-ins with IEDs. The Army regulations allow for fairly intrusive interventions by commanders (using assets like me) when they have identified significant stressors for certain groups of Soldiers. The name of game is prevention: keeping guys talking about stressors and helping each other cope.
Done -- [Cheese's Milblog - in Afghanistan]
Today was my last patrol. Ever. I didn't even realize it until I was carrying my guns to the weapon locker. It was definitely fitting that I end my career in the turret, as that's where I've spent my best time as a soldier. It feels great...but not nearly as good as American soil(read: snow) will feel under my feet.
Mole Funerals, MRE Bombs, And Queens For A Year... -- [Embrace The Suck - in Afghanistan]
...Moving on, something I found funny. So I was sitting around our Hummers today. We were on stand by for a mission that never came. But after sitting out there a while I got hungry. I searched my truck and myself but turned up nothing worth eating, but I did find some stuff that was worthwhile in other ways but we'll get to that next. Now I was pissed, normally I can pull skittles, and snickers bars out of a million different places. So I asked Pigpen for something to eat, he immediately went into one of his ammo pouches and pulled out a Three Musketeers bar and gave it to me. Now while I was enjoying this wholesome, chocolaty treat I started to think about this.
Another Anthrax Hoax -- [ThreatsWatch]
It starts with a rather brief and almost innocuous news release from the FBI. Eight governors received envelopes containing a white powder. All of the letters were postmarked Dallas, Texas. This started yesterday with only seven, and as of ...
UN declares Jamaat-ud-Dawa a terrorist front group -- [Bill Roggio]
Hafiz Saeed and three other leaders have been named as terrorists. Pakistan has vowed to act.
NEFA Foundation: Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri and "The Lions of Al-Azhar" -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The NEFA Foundation has obtained a new video interview of Al-Qaida Deputy Commander Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri produced by Al-Qaida's As-Sahaab Media Foundation and titled "The Lions of Al-Azhar." During the interview, al-Zawahiri called upon fellow Egyptians to
Decadent Western Musicians For Jihad -- [Jules Crittenden]
Protest the use of bad music at Guantanamo to torment Islamic extremists who would ban their music and probably saw their heads off if they had a chance. Radio Free Europe seems like a good place to pluck that irony-packed news from:
Video: "Once A Marine" -- [Jawa Report]
The awe-inspiring story of Nick Popaditch, a 15-year Marine trigger-puller tank commander who won the Silver Star. His tanks surrounded Firdos "Saddam" Square in April 2003 and pulled down the hated statue.
An AP photo put Nick on the front pages of newspapers around the world as "The Cigar Marine." Nick was critically wounded in Fallujah one year later by an RPG to the head
Children Send Cards and Letters to the Team -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
Today, my team received a stack of letters of appreciation from children of a Texas elementary school. Some were
Letters, packages to Airmen increases during holiday season -- [AF Link]
Postal workers of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here doubled their workload for this holiday season and expect to double it yet again in the coming weeks.
Four Receive Presidential Citizens Medals for Troop Support Work -- [Defense Link]
Four individuals who have supported America's military, including two retired officers and a television star, were among 23 people who received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony today.
Retired Army General Wayne A. Downing
Arnold Fisher
Gary Sinise
Retired Navy Adm. James D. Watkins
Imperial killer drones come closer to reality (Very Cool Video). -- [Castle Argghhh!!!]
You were warned.
Oh, sure, they *say* it's for missile defense. But we know the truth. It's all for the founding of the Imperium! You only *think* Mr. Obama is going to assume the reins of power next month. in fact, these 'droids will flood the streets and keep us in our place, when the overthrow occurs!
Uncle J on G. Gordon Liddy talking ROE -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo]
I spent some time on G. Gordon Liddy’s show today discussing the increasing politicization of the Rules of Engagment our troops operate under. We also discuss the Blackwater indictments.
A 21st Century Military -- [Abu Muqawama]
The left-leaning Center for American Progress has a new report out -- which co-author and fan of the blog Sean Duggan valiantly attempted to send us a few days ago -- outlining suggestions for the incoming Obama Administration with respect to military spending and policy.
18th MP Brigade returns home to Germany -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
... The 18th MP Bde. accomplished a great deal with its IP counterparts and in support of its four battalions, which were strategically placed all throughout Iraq, with their mission focus being IP expansion, development and legitimacy.
The brigade expanded the IP force by training over 20,000 IP throughout Iraq, of which 13,000 were trained to protect the streets of Baghdad.
...The Ever Vigilant 18th MP Bde. will return home to Mannheim in the upcoming weeks as it concludes its third deployment in five years.
PACAF looks to blogging to tell Air Force story -- [Pacific Air Forces]
Newspapers, magazines, network television--all are losing audiences, according to recent news stories. So where do people get information about the world around them?
"Many of the people we're trying to reach no longer read the New York Times or watch "Meet the Press" on Sunday morning," said Col. Ed Thomas, PACAF director of public affairs. "Younger generations, both in and out of uniform, are far more likely to be texting, chatting, blogging or Twittering."
So in September the command created its own blog called "PACAF Pixels."
Pentagon launches TroopTube -- [The Times]
US soldiers are still allowed to write online journals, or “milblogs,” using Department of Defense networks as long as they adhere to requirements not to...
American Special Forces in Afghanistan Accidentally Defend Themselves -- [Big Lizards]
This is rich. First read AP's headline:
US Special Forces mistakenly kill 6 Afghan police
...Anybody reading just the headline (which is all that is shown in some news feeds), or even just the headline plus the beginning of the lede (which might be all that is shown on most other feeds), is bound to come away with the impression -- as I did -- that once again, those vicious, violent, bloodthirsty American soldiers were firing indiscriminately, wildly shooting at anything that moves, and they killed a bunch of innocent victims. Again.
But the reality is...
Name That Party Parade: ABC's 'Faces of Political Scandal' Labels Most GOP Faces, Few Dems -- [NewsBusters]
A collection of "The Faces of Political Scandal," assembled by ABC News yesterday (HT to an e-mailer), once again demonstrates the media's relative reluctance to identify the membership of Democrats involved in scandal.
Of the 14 politicians identified, seven are Democrats and seven are Republicans. Five of the seven GOP members are identified as such, while only two of the seven Democrats were flagged.
Steady Hand at Defense -- [WaPo]
..."I actually think," Gates says, "there is a reasonable chance" some combination of diplomatic and economic carrots and sticks can deter Iran, with its ramshackle economy and restive citizenry, from acquiring nuclear weapons, even though its nuclear quest began under the shah. Will other nations assist U.S. nonproliferation efforts? Gates answers obliquely, noting that Vladimir Putin told him that Iran is Russia's biggest security threat. And, he says, Iran might yet recognize that acquiring nuclear weapons would be a net subtraction from its security, if that acquisition provoked nearby nations to become nuclear powers.
Regarding Iraq, Gates is ...
Has Obama Come to Terms With a Nuclear Iran? -- [PJM]
He appears to be talking about retaliation, not pre-emption.
President George W. Bush has liberated 50 million Muslims from two of the most brutal regimes in history. -- [Gateway Pundit]
He filled the marshes in Iraq with water and brought democracy to the Middle East.
He saved the Iraqi people from these evil thugs:
(WARNING: Very graphic)
Claim from No Quarter: Michelle Obama is "Specifically Named Individual" on Page 64 of Indictment -- [Ace]
Before you get excited, this "specifically named individual" is not being named as part of a crime. Well, not a chargeable crime, anyway. The gist here, according to No Quarter's interpretation of Blagojevich's statements, is that Michelle Obama profited from the same sort of legal political back-scratching that Blagojevich sought for his own wife.
NASA has become a transition problem for Obama -- [The Write Stuff]
CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA administrator Mike Griffin is not cooperating with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, is obstructing its efforts to get information and has told its leader that she is “not qualified” to judge his rocket program, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
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.
Iraq is now winnable, but critics can’t say that word – Krauthammer -- [Aswat Al Iraq]
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post wrote in Star Tribune that it does not have the drama of the Inchon landing or the sweep of the Union comeback in the summer of 1864. But the turnabout of American fortunes in Iraq over the last several months is of equal moment — a war seemingly lost, now winnable. The violence in Iraq has been dramatically reduced. Political allegiances have been radically reversed. The revival of ordinary life in many cities is palpable. Something important is happening.
Tone Deaf -- [War on Big Tobacco]
I return to the BDOC with a Styrofoam container of food. Its 0100: the witching hour. The rest of the FOB is asleep. A team of men sits in the BDOC watching a Haji bootleg of Oz while patrols comb the roads around the FOB in gun trucks listening to their iPods.
Not quite war and not quite home, we mount up every night, check our trucks, log onto our computers and settle into shift. Tone deaf to the world. Just another night.
Iraq is still Iraq, but end of al-Qaeda in Iraq puts end truly in sight -- [Michael Totten - in Iraq]
I spent the last two weeks of last month as an embedded reporter with the United States Army in Baghdad and was disappointed to see that, despite the overwhelming success of the surge, Iraq is as rundown and dysfunctional as ever. Yes, the country is less violent now than at any time since the U.S. invaded in 2003, but Iraq is still Iraq.
End in Sight for War in Iraq, Bush Says -- [Defense Link]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2008 - The war in Iraq isn’t over, but a successful end is in sight, thanks to hard work between the United States and Iraq, President George W. Bush said in his weekly radio address.
What Does Victory Look Like? -- [Soldiering On - in Iraq]
...The Iraqis are rapidly approaching or have surpassed that point in some areas. SOFA is part of that process. It can be frustrating because it can be difficult to take a back seat or a supporting role when one is used to being up front. We have to adapt to the new reality. It isn't easy, but Victories are never easy.
We are winning in Iraq. A great deal of that credit belongs to...
Public Works Boost Baghdad Efficiency -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — The citizens of Baghdad are on a new type of mission these days. Instead of worrying about the violence that once plagued their city, citizens are now focused on making their home town a cleaner place to live.
U.S. Army Soldiers in Iraq sing "12 Days of Christmas"
U.S. soldiers in Iraq rebel and sing the 12 days of Christmas to kick off the holiday season. We may not get to come home for Christmas, but we can send it home and show family and friends we will be ok. Merry Christmas to all!!!!!
Bringing the Law to Justice: -- [Grim's Hall - in Iraq]
With regard to the evil treatment of civilians in the warzone by the media and academia -- we were talking about the HTTs, but also about any other contractors ...
...OK. My job includes arranging meetings between US government employees and tribal figures in Iraq in order to address and avoid problems. That's obviously a diplomatic function: the military's only doing it because the State Department lacks the personnel and resources to devote FSOs to it. Therefore:...
Blackwater guard's statement at Smoking Gun -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo]
The proffer signed by Blackwater employee Jeremy Ridgeway, the 6th guard, is up at Smoking Gun. It is written with all kinds of inflammatory language that the prosecutors are going to use to say there were no reasons for weapons to have been fired. I read the whole thing and it really isn't much of a smoking gun.
Sons of Iraq: A Vote of Confidence for Reconciliation (Full PDF Article) -- [SWJ]
In early November, as U.S. Soldiers looked on, Baghdad-based members of the Sons of Iraq got their monthly paychecks from a new boss: the Iraqi government.
Sons of Iraq: A Vote of Confidence for Reconciliation -- [Castle Argghhh!!!]
Success in Iraq wasn't going to be achieved by killing all those who opposed us or throwing them in jail. That isn't how insurgencies and civil wars work - at least not in an era where the Attila the Hun approach is frowned on. And even where that's tried - think Cambodia - it doesn't work all that well, either. There are going to be levels of co-optation, where there is political wiggle room provided that brings significant chunks of former enemies back into the overall construct.
Sons of Iraq -- [Greyhawk]
The following contribution was written by Adam Weinstein, MNC-I Public Affairs, and sent to us by Major Brian Tribus, Media Relations Officer for Multi-National Corps - Iraq.
Along with the story, some timelines on transfer of "Sons of Iraq" (SOI) to Government of Iraq (GOI) control.
Face of Defense: Medal Recipient Chooses Third Iraq Tour -- [Defense Link]
CAMP TAJI, Iraq, Dec. 5, 2008 – Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Nein didn’t have to come back here. He served in Iraq twice before and was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions as a squad leader under fire. If anyone could have gotten a pass, it was Nein. But he wouldn’t take it.
HESCOs…3 km of them -- [S4 at War - in Iraq]
We’re making some changes to our FOB in anticipation of an eventual turnover to the Iraqi Army. Yesterday I was told that, within 48 hours, we should begin construction of a 3 km HESCO wall.
Iraqis Rescue Mentally Disabled Child Bomber Chained to a Fence -- [CBS News]
Small victories -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
It's been dull here.
Until this afternoon. After returning from another trip to look at Things That Weren't There, the boss and I were sitting out on the porch. I was having a cup of coffee and a cigarette, he was enjoying a phenomenally stinky cigar.
Bush accepts some blame for Abu Ghraib -- [This Ain’t Hell]
The Washington Times writes that President Bush, in an interview with a reporter from the Saudi-run Middle East Broadcasting Center accepts some blame for the Abu Ghraib scandal
From HE 2 HD in >12 months -- [MilBlogs - Buck Sargent]
So I saw my first 42" plasma television in a middle class Baghdad home in the southwest section of the city today, a place which a year ago was an insurgent haven. Not so much anymore. (I neglected to ask the family whether they could get Netflix delivered yet. Maybe next year).
Stuck in the Mud -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
The last rain may have been over a week ago, but the any place with the slightest dip in the topsoil is still marked with a puddle. These small pools of water may not look deep, but allow me to share with you this: these puddles should be considered a sign that reads, "No Parking." Read more »
Pogueville -- [Fobbits need ice cream too - in Iraq]
Today we had a detail which was to take all of our crew-served ammo (linked .50 cal, 40mm MK19, linked 7.62 and linked 5.56) along with our pyro (grenades, smoke grenades, flares...etc) to turn in so that we can leave this shithole.
McCain in Afghanistan -- [BlackFive]
U.S. Senator John McCain talks with U.S. Marine Lt. Col. David L. Odom, the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Afghanistan, on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Dec. 7. U.S. Military service members and British Royal Army personnel briefed U.S. Senators John McCain, Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham on the progress and status of their area of operations in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: The War Grows -- [Michael Yon - in Afghanistan]
While Americans sleep tight in their beds, this time of year U.S. soldiers sit shivering through the frigid, crystal clear nights at remote outposts in places most of us have never heard of and will never see. Often they head out into the enveloping darkness, to hunt down and destroy terrorists, who continue to kill innocent Afghans, Americans, Aussies, Balinese, Brits, Indians, Iraqis, Pakistanis, Spanish….in short, anyone who opposes their violent tyranny. Their greatest weapons are ignorance and terror. Witness the latest unprovoked attack on our friends in India.
U.S. Advisor Praises Progress of Afghan Army’s 205th Corps -- [Defense Link]
With the help of mentors from several countries and every branch of service, the 205th Corps of the Afghan National Army now can plan and execute operations, a senior advisor said yesterday.“These are Afghan pilots flying Afghan missions in support of the Afghan people,” Army Col. Paul Somersall, commander of Regional Corps Advisory Command in southern Afghanistan, said to bloggers and online journalists during a teleconference.
Twenty Minutes from Kabul -- [Captain's Journal]
...It isn’t surprising that this hodgepodge of rogues would only have one thing that holds them together. After all, NATO forces - and in particular - U.S. troops, are the main barrier between them and their other goals, whether it be wealth, control, power or Islamic rule. The indigenous Sunni insurgency and al Qaeda initially had the goal of ousting U.S. forces too, and the Sunni tribes eventually turned on al Qaeda.
The assessment that the “Taliban” is not a monolithic group is also tired and rather passe. It is...
Struggle for Kabul: The Taliban Advance -- [Captain's Journal]
The International Council on Security and Development (formerly the Senlis Council) has issued an important update to their outstanding coverage and analysis of the security situation in Afghanistan, entitled Struggle for Kabul: The Taliban Advance.
The full report is required reading for military and anyone interested in Afghanistan, but
Taliban Control 72% of Afghanistan; Surround Kabul, Group Says -- [Bloomberg]
Taliban fighters have a “permanent presence” in almost three quarters of Afghanistan and are tightening a noose around the capital, Kabul, according to a Paris-based research organization.
The International Council on Security and Development, which has fulltime offices in Afghanistan, said in a report that Taliban fighters have advanced out of their bases in the south and east and are infiltrating Kabul at will.
Afghanistan, Frontline: Korengal --- [HT: American Infidel]
Getty Images photographer John Moore reports from an embed with the U.S. military in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan
J-Bad DUSTOFF -- [Soldiers Angels Germany]
Michael Gisick of Stars and Stripes files this report after spending most of October with the Jalalabad-based DUSTOFF unit from the 101st Aviation regiment. Make sure to watch the video at the end of the article and let the pilots and medics tell you the story of their year-long deployment in their own words.
Based in Kunar province, which includes the infamous Korengal Valley, these guys flew into Wanat during the July attack there while "insurgents’ fire was still lighting up the mountainside as if there were some huge invasion of flash photographers."
Taliban destroy 50 NATO supply trucks in third attack in Peshawar -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Vehicles laden with NATO supplies are torched at the Bilal Terminal. This is the third terminal hit in the past two days. Pakistan shuts down the NATO supply route through Peshawar.
Another False Flag Targetting Pakistan?
Fighters in Pakistan have attacked and destroyed more than 100 lorries from a Nato supply convoy on its way to Afghanistan.
The attack took place in Peshawar, the capital of North-West Frontier Province.
Al Jazeera's Zeina Awad reports.
Marines Prevailed in a Day of Battle -- [Military.com]
"...the Marines were ready for a fight. Rolling through the hardscrabble village of Shewan in Afghanistan's Farah province on August 8, the leathernecks of the Twentynine Palms, Calif.-based 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment knew enemy eyes were upon them.
Pakistan Gets Uglier -- [Boots on the Ground - Chuck Holton]
As if the world didn't have enough reasons to be mad at Pakistan. Here's one more: Pakistani militants yesterday attacked a transportation depot and torched a supply convoy of Humvees and supplies destined for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. One security contractor was killed, and this isn't the first time it's happened.
Pakistan won't hand suspects to India -- [Khaleej Times]
Pakistan said on Tuesday that it will not hand over any suspects in the Mumbai bombings to India and warned that while it wanted peace with its neighbour, it was ready for war if New Delhi decided to attack.
Bloggers Roundtable with COL Somersall -- [The Gouge - Troy Steward]
I was able to participate in the latest Blogger’s Roundtable with COL Paul Somersall from Afghanistan. I first met COL Somersall in October 2007 as I was at the 27th BCTs Annual Training as they were getting ready for their deployment. I only got to spend a short amount of time with him, mostly giving a class on real life lessons as an ETT, but he and I also were able to spend a few one on one moments together talking about what to be prepared for going into Afghanistan. I have been eagerly waiting on this Roundtable and was glad to finally see it happen.
R.I.P. Cheena, And Is The Pen Mightier Than The Sword? -- [Embrace the Suck]
...Looking out over this whole thing, and what we are doing here it just seems like it has degenerated into a big game of "hold what you got". I mean there is always shit going on here where some General looks at his maps and intel reports and gets all the briefings and all the other shit and decides that he thinks he knows where these guys are and there is some operation, or offensive or whatever you want to call it, and it goes off and there are a lot of explosions and bullets flying this way and that, and in the end nothing really changed. Nothing has really been accomplished.
Bringing a smile -- [HOPE Worldwide - in Afghansitan]
Just recently HOPE worldwide completed the Sayed Padsha Airport High School in Kandahar Province. This is one of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan. As part of our project we also wanted to give school book bags and school supplies to children in the area.
Back in Afganistan -- [Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army - Jeremy in Afghanistan]
Well, here I am back in Afghanistan. I got here on Saturday after a short stay at Fort Campbell after messing up my ankle. There is not much to write about. I am back and and happy and not happy about it. Luckily I have Tessa (aka Freedom) to help me out while I am gone. We are planning a great wedding for 6June as long as I get home in time.
Military jet crash in San Diego kills 3 on ground -- [AP]
The Navy recently inspected hundreds of F/A-18 Hornets built by Boeing Co. after discovering "fatigue cracks" on more than a dozen aircraft.
Debating Iran's Nuclear Program -- [Iraq the Mode - Iraqi blogger]
Iraqis simply don’t trust Iran and we don’t have a reason to do so. Even if our current leaders in Baghdad seem to befriend Iran, the state and the people are not willing to be hostage to Iranian preponderance. If the goal is nuclear weapons, which I believe to be the case, then we in Iraq and others in the region have justified concerns.
Pakistan President's Gets Punk'd By Prank Call, Almost Starts a War with India -- [LT Nixon]
The potential for nuclear conflict between Pakistan and India has reached dangerous new levels due to Mumbai, and the fact that some joker could push central Asia towards the Urdu version of Road Warrior is very troubling. That or Pakistan's Administration is playing games with the media to deflect attention from their involvement with the attacks, as India has suggested.
EPA WANTS TO TAX COW FARTS! HT: Ace
Muslim Masses Chant "God is Great" & "Death to America" In Desert of Arafat -- [Gateway Pundit]
...The pilgrims chanted anti-US and anti-Zionist slogans during the ceremony also attended by the Supreme Leader's representative for Hajj affairs, Hojatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi Reyshahri.
Iran - Spin This -- [Strategy Page]
...Iran is attempting to censor what the 21 million Iranian web users can access. Using China as a model, Iran is importing special software and training "Internet Police" to make it all work. Iran is particularly incensed with bloggers, and has accused some of them of being spies. Iran is particularly angry about Iranian bloggers that point out the reality of the armed forces, and the incompetence of civil servants.
THOUSANDS of Iranian Students Protest Ahmadinejad (Video) -- [Gateway Pundit]
Iranian students in Tehran carry signs reading "We want democracy!"
Guantanamo’s Jihad: The Show Begins… -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Al Qaeda’s great moment for propaganda has arrived, just as I predicted it would when I wrote about this in June. The Guantanamo trials will provide leading figures in the 9/11 massacre their “moment” to deliver a blow to America’s psyche, image and legal system.
As predicted, almost to the letter in my analysis in June, the men charged with plotting the September 11 attacks have declared their readiness to make confessions
Inevitability of a WMD Attack? -- [Threats Watch]
Earlier this week Vice President elect Joseph Biden was briefed on the just released study by the Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism that a WMD attack was likely sooner than later and that the supposed “margin...
Former ISI Chief: Mumbai And 9/11 Both Inside Jobs
Monday, December 8, 2008: General Hamid Gul, the former head of the Pakistani ISI, told CNN yesterday that both the Mumbai attacks and 9/11 were inside jobs, much to the chagrin of host and CFR luminary Fareed Zakaria, who told viewers that Guls opinions were absolutely wrong and thoroughly discredited.
Former ISI chief linked to banned al Qaeda WMD advisory group -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Hamid Gul was a director of the Umma Tameer-E-Nau, a Pakistani non-governmental organization that advised al Qaeda and the Taliban on the development of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.
What is in a name? -- [Outside the Wire]
This item from Powerline caught my eye. Specifically the name of the captured terrorist: Ansari.
Ready for a lesson in obscure and possibly irrelevant Muslim/Arab/Afghan/Indian history?
The 'Ansari' were people from Medina, in the Arabian peninsula, who follow the prophet Mohammed during his flight from Mecca. Families who use the name 'Ansari' do so because they claim to be descended from the families who orginally joined Mohammed.
AT&T is helping military families -- [AT&T]
AT&T is helping military families stay connected this holiday season through the Care to Connect program and their support of the Cell Phones for Soldiers program.
Here are two simple ways you can help military families stay connected with free phone calls:
1. All AT&T company stores are offering AT&T Care to Connect, a program that allows holiday shoppers to give towards prepaid phone cards for military members. [Only available in stores]
2. These stores also accept used wireless phones for Cell Phones for Soldiers, a charity that recycles the devices and uses the proceeds to buy free phone cards for the troops.
Children Send Cards and Letters to the Team -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
Today, my team received a stack of letters of appreciation from children of a Texas elementary school. Some were funny, because kids say the darnest things. Most were touching. I am posting just a few. Read more »
Country star, Pam Tillis, talks about her recent visit to Walter Reed. -- [Nat'l Defense]
Surgeon Discusses the Treatment of Traumatic Injuries and the Healing Process (Mp3 -- [DoD Rountable]
Dr. Brendan Patterson, Chief of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, talked to bloggers and online journalists about the surgical advances being brought to injured military personnel to speed recovery, improve quality of life and better prepare them for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Retailer Brings Holiday Cheer to Fisher Houses -- [Defense Link]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 - More than 50 local Wal-Mart associates donated their time and tinsel to bring holiday cheer to servicemembers recovering from wounds at Fisher Houses at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Andrews Air Force Base.
End of Mission -- [Up Country Iraq - home from Iraq]
One final hello to everyone via electrons,
I am happy to say that I am home and enjoying the re-integration process with my family. What a great feeling. For those who don’t know, families of individual deploying or returning military personnel are allowed to go through security and wait at the gates at the airport, so I was able to see those five friendly family faces as I was heading up the ramp from the aircraft.
Thought for the Day, December 7 -- [Greyhawk]
...1941 or thereafter.
The War of America the Unready
I suppose the United States will always be unready for war, and in consequence will always be exposed to great expense, and to the possibility of the gravest calamity, when the Nation goes to war. This is no new thing. Americans learn only from catastrophes and not from experience.
0755AM, December 7, 1941 -- [Castle Argghhh!!!]
Air Raid Pearl Harbor. This is no drill.
Pearl -- [Winds of Change - Armed Liberal]
I'll take a moment and break my self-imposed silence (I decided I'd take off from blogging for three weeks while I deal with the blog move - it's been weird...) and add my reminder to the remembrances of Pearl Harbor that have floated around the blogs. Not as many as in the past, and I think that outside the milblogs, there's a real fatigue about issues of war and peace that has settled over not only the blogs but the commentariat as a whole.
That's worrisome, because to paraphrase - we may be tired of war, but that doesn't mean war is tired of us.
Calling All Non-Citizens!. -- [Boots on the Ground - Chuck Holton]
The military is looking for a few good foreigners
According to a new initiative by the U.S. Department of Defense, the military is now authorized to recruit non-citizens to fill vacancies in essential service positions, namely doctors, nurses and linguists. There are thousands of foreign nationals working in the U.S. legally on temporary work visas, called Employment Authorization Documents. Green cards are one step higher, allowing the holder to live and work permanently in the United States without being a full-fledged citizen.
A Date Which Will Live In Infamy -- [Soldiering On - in Iraq]
Americans have lost their sense of history.
If you ask the average American what meaning June 6th has, you will probably get a blank stare.
If you ask the average American what meaning December 7th has, you will probably get a blank stare.
We as a nation have lost our sense of history and of the moments that made us what we are.
The foundation of Navy blog'n -- [CDR Salamander]
Is blog'n new? Is MilBlog'n new? Not really.
Though I have been at this since '04, there are others who have been at it longer, quite a few. The concept, or more accurately the, well, je ne sais quoi of blog'n has been around for awhile - only the technology was not been there for some who would have been great bloggers.
Results are in: 3 out of 5 blog to keep family and friends updated -- [Soldier Blogging]
Despite the very low sample size, the results corroborate what I'm finding as I survey milblogs. The majority, so far, exist (at least at first) simply to share stories with folks back home. Several of the top ranking milblogs then
MILITARY BLOG/VIDEO NEWS: West Point Oral-History Project Will Make Soldiers' Stories Available Online Sometime in 2009 -- [Milblogging.com]
The U.S. Military Academy, in West Point, N.Y., has established a video oral-history project that will collect the stories of soldiers of all ages and make them available online for students, historians, journalists, and the public. The project, created by the academy’s history department, already has a preview site with a video explaining its goals, but the site’s formal unveiling won’t come until sometime in 2009.
Lefty Granny Sues Army Over Embed SNAFU -- [NewsBusters]
The Oakland Tribune reports the story of a hipster granny from Berkeley that has decided to sue the U.S. military over a reporter embed she arranged in Iraq that was abruptly canceled by the government. While the Oakland Trib and the hippie granny try their hardest to make the U.S. military the villain, it's a bit hard to feel too sorry for her when the facts are considered.
No Proof of Service: No proof of service: Taking the DoD to small claims court, continued.... -- [Jane Stillwater]
..."What is your goal?" asked the embassy person in charge of stranded travelers.
"To embed in Iraq. The Army freaking PROMISED me an embed, and then rescinded their offer after I'd already purchased my airline ticket and now I'm stranded here at the Kuwait airport Starbucks for three weeks, waiting around for my return flight." "We can't get the Army to embed you," said my ambassadorial person, "but we can get the airline to send you home early." And they did. And when I finally got home, I tried to get the Department of Defense to reimburse me for my plane fare. "Your claim is not cognizable, Ms. Stillwater," they replied.
House of Saddam: Where are the Mass Graves and Torture Chambers? -- [PJM]
HBO's new miniseries doesn't provide a full account of Hussein's cruelty.
Anyone hoping HBO’s new miniseries House of Saddam will make anti-warriors reconsider their stance on the Iraq invasion will be disappointed.
No Oil for Food scandal mentions. Little talk of mass graves or torture chambers beyond a casual reference or two during news reports spliced into the story....
Inconvenient Truths -- [Slate - Chris Hitchens]
The media's disingenuous failure to state the obvious.
The obvious is sometimes the most difficult thing to discern, and few things are more amusing than the efforts of our journals of record to keep "open" minds about the self-evident, and thus to create mysteries when the real task of reportage is to dispel them. An all-time achiever in this category is...
CBS: Wounded the 'Consequence' of Rejecting Shinseki's Advice -- [NewsBusters]
Media reports on President-elect Barack Obama's selection of retired Army General Eric Shinseki commonly described the pick as a “rebuke” or “repudiation” of the Bush administration for underestimating the number of troops that would be needed to occupy Iraq, but CBS's Dean Reynolds went further as he implied abiding by Shinseki's 2003 recommendation for “several hundred thousand soldiers” would have prevented wounded troops.
AP Blames GOP For Freddie Mac Fiasco, Ignores Obama Donations -- [NewsBusters]
Democrats, including president-elect Barack Obama and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, received more money in campaign contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac than any other members of Congress.
How Freddie Mac stopped regulators in their tracks -- [Hot Air]
...We already know about the Democrats who blocked regulatory reform. The Republicans controlled Congress at the time, and despite the Bush administration’s urging for regulatory reform, those bills never moved out of committee. Now we know why.
Will Media Report Obama Going Back On Campaign Promises? -- [NewsBusters]
When promises candidate Barack Obama made to voters during the campaign get tossed aside like so much rubbish, will media hold his feet to the fire?
New York Times to mortgage its building to cover cash needs -- [American Thinker]
Remember all those people who took out home equity loans on their homes to finance a lifestyle beyond their income? Well, the New York Times Company is trying to pull off the corporate equivalent. The Gray Lady announces today:
The New York Times Company plans to borrow up to $225 million against its mid-Manhattan headquarters building, to ease a potential cash flow squeeze as the company grapples with tighter credit and shrinking profits.
Tribune about to go underwater? -- [Hot Air]
The New York Times, itself in precarious financial position, reports that media giant Tribune Company may soon default on its obligations. Falling circulation and overextension on sports assets has Tribune hiring bankruptcy advisers.
...As Michelle notes, the potential destruction of Tribune gives others an opportunity to enter the media market. As these outlets get sold off to pay creditors, will conservatives start buying them and entering the media market in force?
Dishonest Narrative Decried -- [Jules Crittenden]
Bill Ayers at NYT, upset about the “dishonesty of the narrative,” informs us that ”cast in the ‘unrepentant terrorist’ role; I felt at times like the enemy projected onto a large screen in the “Two Minutes Hate” scene from George Orwell’s “1984,” when the faithful gathered in a frenzy of fear and loathing.”
He goes on to describe his history of terrorism as a co-founder of the Weather Underground, which he fails to note, killed people. NYT gives him a free, or paid, pass on that.
Bush Looks Back -- [NRO]
Reviewing his decision to implement the surge, Bush recalled the political pressures on him to retreat: “It was in this room that a prominent member of my political party said, ‘You must remove troops from Iraq because it could cost us elections if you don’t,’” the president said, gesturing around the Oval Office. “And it was in this room I looked at him and said, ‘You must not understand George W. Bush.’”
...That thinking set off the process that led to the surge, but not before Republicans lost the election in 2006, in part because of the war. “Rather than rush into a decision of this size,” Bush told us, “I was deliberate, and so the process took time to eventually make its way through the system. And then there were some complicated factors like an election. I was very mindful of dropping military decisions before an election date, because again, one of the constituencies is the military and their families. And I just didn’t think it was the right time to rush this to get it out before an election, trying to affect the election. I’m trying to affect the battlefield first and foremost.”
Earmark helps businesses, not troops -- [Seattle Times]
Scientists have discovered a lotion that can save the lives of U.S. soldiers exposed to chemical weapons — a product vastly superior to the standard-issue decontamination powder.
Naturally, the Defense Department wants to scrap the powder and switch to the more-effective lotion.
But there's a problem: After being lobbied by the companies making the powder, several members of Congress pushed through two earmarks worth $7.6 million that forced the military for the past two years to keep buying the inferior product.
Earmarks vs protecting our soldiers? -- [American Thinker]
...Imagine the possibilities when the president-elect's new Pharonic public works projects get going! We aren't even factoring in the new union dues campaign contribution bonanza of all these new Davis Bacon (union scale) jobs being created in the hope that the more sane members of Congress will insist that law be waived before approving any more frittering away of taxpayer money on this foolishness and corruption greenlight.
Spreading the Wealth
I think the important principle, because sometimes when we start talking about taxes, and I say I want a more balanced tax code, people think, well, that's class warfare. No. It turns out that our economy grows best when the benefits of the economy are most widely spread. And that has been true historically.
IAVA, VoteVets and AFGE “very excited” about Shinseki -- [This Ain't Hell]
I hope they didn’t mess themselves when they heard about Obama’s choice for VA Director, but Todd Bowers, the governmental affairs director of IAVA, the “nonpartisan” organization that tried to turn veterans and troops away from Republicans with their VERY PARTISAN scorecard for the past election,
Shinseki -- [Greyhawk]
WaPo: Obama Picks Shinseki to Lead Veterans Affairs.
Why I like this pick: if Shinseki says he needs, say, 650,000 (random number) additional hires in the V.A. he'll get them. There can be absolutely no argument made against this - in the media, on Capitol Hill, or elsewhere.
Downside ...
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
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.
Far From Won & Done -- [Outside the Wire]
...If you put the Briggs Plan next to General Petraeus' counter insurgency manual, they are nearly identical. The accounts of the Briggs plan in action mirror the strategies and tactics employed by General Raymond Odierno when he was the Corps Commander in 2007.
The coalition is in a similar position to the British in 1956-1957.
The government of Iraq is becoming more capable. The Iraqi Police and military are more effective. The insurgency is waning and on the run. Many former insurgents, both Sunni and Shia, are being assimilated into mainstream.
But there is still a cadre of dedicated insurgents out there.
U.S. Banks and the Iraqi Dinar -- [American Contractor]
After the signing of the SOFA agreement between Iraq and the United States government, banks world wide will soon stop selling the Iraqi Dinar for good. Banks will be distancing themselves from any liability that they have been placing themselves in since the Iraqi law forbids Iraqi Dinar from leaving its borders.
The SOFA Agreement Article 20 also states in plain English that it is illegal to export Iraqi Dinar currency. The Iraqi government placed this in there because they are fully aware of how much dinar is outside the borders of Iraq.
Obama on troop withdrawal from Iraq
Campaign Promises on Ending the War in Iraq Now Muted by Reality -- [NY Times]
On the campaign trail, Senator Barack Obama offered a pledge that electrified and motivated his liberal base, vowing to “end the war” in Iraq.
...“I said that I would remove our combat troops from Iraq in 16 months, with the understanding that it might be necessary — likely to be necessary — to maintain a residual force to provide potential training, logistical support, to protect our civilians in Iraq,” Mr. Obama said this week as he introduced his national security team.
Publicly at least, Mr. Obama has not set a firm number for that “residual force,” a phrase certain to become central to the debate on the way ahead in Iraq
The Red Pill (Part 1) -- [Greyhawk]
...The Tenth Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team (2/10) was in Iraq before the surge - but their tour was extended from 12 to 15 months. That's the reality of the surge, as all here should know - there were actually no additional Brigades sent to Iraq. The five "surge" Brigades were already scheduled to go. Some of their deployment dates were moved up. Their tour lengths were extended to 15 months, and all the Army units already in Iraq had their tours extended from 12 to 15 months. That is how the surge was accomplished - by tour extension, not by sending additional troops to Iraq.
Protecting Iraq's Money -- [American Contractor]
The next important thing that the Iraqi government has to accomplish which is vital to the people of Iraq and that is to protect their assets abroad. If they do not accomplish this in a timely fashion then Iraq will go back to the ways of the previous regime when they sold oil for cash and way below market value just like saddam did in the oil for food program.
The big "if" -- [Armed and Curious]
... I share my old bosses cautions with all things in Iraq, that progress there is often fragile. But, there is no denying that things are moving in the right direction over all. There is no question there are still bursts of spectacular attacks and the ISF is still struggling to grow and build a professional force. But, the Iraqis are motivated to be masters of their own destiny.
...Our endeavour has reached a point where I am comfortable to say we can talk openly about moving out and handing Iraq's fate to her people to decide who they want to be in the world.
From The Frontline 10
This edition features stories on Marines who are secureing a village, a tactical air control party shoot excercise and a joint badge operation. Provided by Regimental Combat Team 1.
Back In Iraq Major Eric Egland Fights Earmark Battle Here at Home -- [Gateway Pundit]
...Major Egland saw first hand in Iraq and Afghanistan that the troops are well equipped to engage in combat, but need the American people to equip them to engage communities. Soldiers and Marines have proven that providing tailored responses to local needs--whether medical supplies, water filtration systems or enough sports equipment to start a soccer league--builds trust and makes the people more willing to stand up, so our troops can stand down and come home--victorious.
Besides his important work in Iraq, Eric is focusing on national security reforms, including making sure wartime earmark abusers face consequences.
This is not a job... -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
Being CA types, we've found ourselves tasked with assisting a guy who has the super-fun assignment of finding all the water purification projects the US funded in the first five years here, and checking on their status.
(Well, I can tell you their status. 90% of them are broken. Because Iraqis don't do maintainance. And their budget process somehow doesn't allow for hiring people to keep things running. It's a bit of a problem here)
Government of Iraq takes control of Haditha Dam -- [The Fighting Fifth Marines Blog - in Iraq]
Marines with Regimental Combat Team 5 finished the final demilitarization of the Haditha Dam located along the Euphrates River.
Haditha Dam Hand Over
Small country, big mission; Azerbaijanis complete tour in Iraq -- [The Fighting Fifth Marines Blog - in Iraq]
For the past five years, service members from a small country approximately the size of South Carolina have been providing vital security for one of Iraq’s major source of power, the Haditha Dam
...Though Azerbaijan may not be well known by most Americans, the work they have done in Iraq for the past five years deserves special recognition worldwide.
“The Azerbaijanis provided security for an absolutely vital piece of infrastructure in the al-Anbar province, the Haditha Dam, which produces an excess of 25 percent of the entire power grid for the country of Iraq,” said Col. Patrick J. Malay, commanding officer of Camp Pendleton-based Regimental Combat Team 5, whose area of operation includes the Haditha Dam.
Look Ma, No Thumbs -- [S4 at War - in Iraq]
The military relies on computers for a lot of its day to day activities. Battalion Staff Officers rely on a lot of Power Point slides to brief anything that could possibly be briefed, we use excel trackers to track all of our excel trackers. All of these things get passed back and forth on thumb drives. Thumb drives have become such a staple that we actually issue them to the staff and Company Commanders. Unfortunately, with thumb drives going back and forth across the military it was facilitating the spread of viruses. The solution? We are no longer allowed to use thumb drives.
Coalition forces target Iranian-backed Hezbollah Brigades in Baghdad -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Seven Hezbollah Brigades terrorists have been captured or killed during raids over the past three days.
Saddam’s cousin , “Chemical Ali,” Sentenced to Death -- [VOA]
...Al-Majid’s co-conspirator in this latest trial, Abdelghani Abdul Ghaffour al-Ani, who headed Saddam Hussein’s Baath party in the southern region of Basrah in the early 1990s, was also sentenced to death for war crimes in the 1991 Shi’ite uprising, following Iraq’s defeat in the 1991 Gulf War.
Al-Ani remained defiant until the end, shouting at the judge, insulting what he called the “U.S. occupiers,” and proclaiming to God that he will “die as a martyr to the nation.”
Saddam's Spies Survive In America -- [Strategy Page]
December 4, 2008: As U.S. troops became more familiar with Iraq, and the details of Saddam's foreign espionage efforts came to light, it became known that Saddam had some U.S. citizens on the payroll. Over a dozen suspects were uncovered, and most were charged, if not prosecuted, for espionage.
Barefoot Movers and a Female Soldier -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
We arrived at the Iraqi base, and and I saw the the Iraqis carrying Hesco barriers across the road to abandoned buildings. I spent a lot of time discussing their plans. Afterwards, I noted how Iraqis interact with a female soldier and take to instruction on maintaining a truck.
British Brass Defends Basra Campaign -- [Captain's Journal]
The Captain’s Journal has a history on the one hand of defending the bravery of the enlisted British soldier, and on the other of criticizing the strategy that the British brass brought to the campaign in Southern Iraq. Without a doubt the British enlisted man wanted to participate in counterinsurgency in Basra, and also quite without a doubt, his chain of command effectively prevented him from doing so.
Now comes Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup who vigorously defends the British campaign, and more particularly, we note, the decisions by the military brass.
Inside a U.S. hostage rescue -- [Army Times]
Spec ops soldiers conduct night raid in Afghanistan mountains
The American businessman lay in a mud hut 8,000 feet up a remote mountainside in Afghanistan, armed captors posted inside and outside to prevent any escape attempt.
Earlier in his captivity, he had made a run for it, but
Taliban Leader: Reinforcing U.S. and NATO Forces In Afghanistan Will Only Lead To More Casualties Among Them -- [MEMRI Blog]
On December 2, 2008, the Islamist forum Al-Faluja posted the latest issue of the Taliban monthly e-journal Al-Sumoud, which contained a message from Taliban leader Mullah Omar.
In the message, Mullah Omar stated that reinforcing U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan would only cause them to suffer more casualties. He also stated...
A Tale of Two Wars -- [AFGHANISTAN SHRUGGED - in Afghanistan]
...CJTF-P is the headquarters for the ETTs here in Afghanistan. I could understand a marked difference between conventional coalition forces and ETTs; but there's such a huge dichotomy from us and our headquarters.
The difference came to light recently when we received some replacements through Camp Phoenix.. We were briefing them on our day to day activities and they were telling us about what they were told at Phoenix. What they were told was shocking and if you followed their guidance it would ensure that you were universally disliked by the ANA and would accomplish nothing here.
Panicked Solutions -- [From the Frontline - Alex Strick van Linschoten - in Afghanistan]
...Despite this situation, on Tuesday Afghan parliamentarians emphatically spoke out against President Karzai’s own plan to arm local tribes against the Taliban drawn up by the Tribal Commission. MPs argued that the Afghan army and police force should be strengthened instead.
The authors’ own incidental experience talking to people from all kinds of backgrounds in Kandahar also offers overwhelming evidence that people fear the return of the militias. “If the militia comes, they will do everything,” explained one friend. “They will rape my boys and my wife. There will be no more government. Now we have maybe thirty percent law in the city. With the militia there will be none. It will be the end.”
The Soviets tried funding militias before they left
The Mumbai attack may escalate the Afghan conflict -- [Weekly Standard]
Beyond the possibility of a war breaking out between India and Pakistan over the Mumbai terror siege, how might this event impact the security situation in South Asia? The short answer is the security situation in Pakistan’s northwest could spiral out of control, impacting NATO’s ability to resupply its forces in Afghanistan.
Ghazni needs some troops -- [The Gouge - Troy Steward]
Ghazni province has always been a hotbed of activity. It was where numerous attacks have happened and also the place where the Koreans were kidnapped, in addition to being the place where the two Afghan women were executed on a reporter's video. I know this area well as I spent a lot of time there. However there seems to be a surge of activity there lately and I am wondering what is happening or being planned by the enemy in this area. I point to the following that just happened.
Another Sunset Over The Barrel Of A Gun... -- [Embrace The Suck - in Afghanistan]
...After all that entertainment we settled in for what would become an exceedingly long shift. Now normally, being stuck in a tower looking out over the landscape in a country where there are people you know are trying to kill you, is a maddening job. First, its incredibly boring looking at the same thing over and over again. Second, its incredibly hard to keep your guns up for that long and do a good job of watching. But every time something moves, or you hear a sound, your awareness rises to levels I haven't felt in a long time. You tune in to everything. You hear everything, you see everything, your eyes narrow, your ears come flying wide open, your brain loses all superfluous activity and concentrates completely on everything in front of you. Your palms start to sweat, you lean forward on your haunches and your eyes start to dart from side to side and up and down. Your forehead scrunches up so hard that you start to get a headache, and then ...
Beerwehr -- [Jules Crittenden]
The German soldier in Afghanistan downs 25 bottles of wine and 485 pints of beer a year.* This follows news that your average goose-stepper is too fat and lazy, sausage-addicted, and his mission to train Afghan cops is a “miserable failure.”
Pashtunistan -- [Outside the Wire]
...In today's Washington Post, Robert Kagan poses the variant on my Pashtunistan scenario writing, "Have the international community declare that parts of Pakistan have become ungovernable and a menace to international security. Establish an international force to work with the Pakistanis to root out terrorist camps in Kashmir as well as in the tribal areas."
The idea of Pashtunistan is nothing new. Since the partition of India into Pakistan there has been an effort to formalize Pashtunistan. The effort has waxed and waned over the decades, but maybe its time has come.
Afghanistan is not a country, it is an amalgamation whose borders were drawn by Russia, Iran (Persia) and Britain. Historically to be an Afghan meant to be a Pathan, a Pashtun to the extent that ...
Silly idea to make Portland a sanctuary for AWOL troops -- [Mike Francis, The Oregonian]
Sometimes all this blogging gets kind of circular -- yesterday, because I was doing some research about anticompetitive behavior in the grocery business, my colleague Mary Kitch wrote an item about the effort by some antiwar activists to make Portland a "sanctuary" city for war resisters ... in other words, they were asking the city council to not enforce federal law about arresting deserting or AWOL troops.
UK Report: School Cancels Traditional Christmas Play for Muslim Eid Celebrations -- [FOX News]
British parents looking to see their children in a traditional Christmas play are fuming after a school decided to cancel the performance because it conflicts with the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, the U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper reported.
Small ISI Kashmir Op Morphed into LeT Mumbai Massacre -- [The Tank - Steve Schippert]
I strongly recommend you read the following: Syed Saleem Shahzad, a source I generally trust in Pakistan, writes that an al-Qaeda "hijack" of a smaller ISI operation intended for Kashmir led to the Mumbai attack. After a concise (and required) historical recap of the al-Qaeda/India/LeT dynamic, he gets to the meat and potatoes...
...keep in mind that the LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) was an original signatory to bin Laden's International Islamic Front in 1998, which formally created al-Qaeda as "the base" organization for international Islamic terror groups.
Mumbai Style Attack in the US: A Skeptical Analysis -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The Mumbai massacre may not be a “new” terror tactic. The mass firearms attack riveted the world in 1972 when the Japanese Red Army gunned down 27 people at Ben Gurion Airport. Since then the annals of terrorism have included innumerable other examples, most notably al-Gamaa Islamiya’s 1997 Luxor Massacre in which 59 tourists were murdered.
Congressional Commission Warns of Bio and Nuclear Terrorism threats in 5 years. -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Greater government efforts and adequate follow-up budgets are needed to head off the threat of major biological terrorist attacks in the United State or overseas within the next five years, leaders of a congressionally mandated Commission on Weapons of Mass Destruction warned today.
Chutzpah: Terrorists Behind Mumbai Massacre Have U.S. Hosted Website, Register Using Actual Terrorist Name! -- [Jawa Report]
...Howie just noticed that the U.S. State Department lists the Jamaat ud Daawa "charity" as a terrorist organization front for the LeT:
Holiday mail for deployed and wounded troops -- [Mike Francis, The Oregonian]
A friend pointed out to me that a well-intended email is circulating with a faulty address for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed. I've rounded up a few places you can send mail to wounded or deployed servicepersons and I believe these are all correct. Please note that many of these groups have rules about whether they forward cards, packages or whatnot. It's always best to go right to the source about how to deliver your good wishes.
An Attempt to Vent -- [From Our Perspective; some thoughts:]
I've wanted to write, to vent, but everytime I sit down to regurgitate this stuff I can't. It's too much of an effort to put words to these emotions. I feel as if I've lost one of my most valuable outlets for these work stressors. Last week I started having nightmares of disasters and dead bodies laying everywhere. This week isolation is the name of game and I don't talk to anyone. Mental health red flags waving I call the shrink and make an appointment.
It often seems when I am ready to talk there's no one to listen. When I need a shoulder to cry on or a hug everyone is busy doing other things. I'm tired and I wish every once in awhile someone was there for me.
Tooth Fairy and Mail (Two things that don't exsist) -- [AFGHANISTAN SHRUGGED - in Afghansitan]
...MAIL: And therein lays the rub! Our mail is broken.
Now when I say broken I mean really broken. Not like; hey this letter got bent-but this letter never got here broken. Maybe broken isn't the right word, broken implies that there was a system that work at one point and now it doesn't. We have no indication that that it ever worked. Here are a couple of examples:
CPT W assigned to Camp We Have Everything in the World (Phoenix) is reassigend to FOB Where the Hell. So that he doesn't have to hump his equipment over hells half acre ships his non-essential equipment to himself at his new FOB. Mail between FOBs is free; so I guess you get what you pay for. This initial transaction took place 27days ago. We know this because keep a running tally on our white board. No boxes.
...And now the coup de grace. I don't speak French so if I mis-spelled that then write me and tell me in a letter; which I'll never get. We just received mail for a soldier that rotated out of here five months ago, the postmark on the box showed December. I thought that was amazing, three days. Until I looked again and saw it was December of last year. Even Marco Polo got to Afghanistan faster than that.
Sgt First Class Mark Thompson battles diabetes and Iraq
CASF Airmen of the 332nd AEW Move Warriors Out of Theater -- [Soldiers Angels Germany]
...The CASF is a medical facility for patients who have been cleared from the nearby CSH or Combat Support Hospital for medevac to Germany. As you can see by the second photo, the patients are loaded on to the aircraft at night - somewhere around 0200 local time. That's midnight in Germany, and that's when the Missions Team at Landstuhl receives the final flight manifest which contains all relevant patient information.
Linda's donations for Landstuhl patients stolen -- [Soldiers Angels Germany]
Sad news - I posted recently about the Blankets of Hope Linda Ferrara and her friends made for the patients at Landstuhl. She's also been working with the West Point Parent Club collecting other donations for the warriors here.
New Social Media Platform Helps Troops Relocate -- [Defense Link]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2008 – From a civilian perspective, it may be hard to understand the challenge of constant relocation that comes with military service. Finding new schools, identifying new organizations to join and tracking down a safe neighborhood can be an overwhelming process. As a result, many military families turn to others in the military community for information and resources.
Joseph L. Galloway: The Times drags an honorable soldier through the mud -- [Michael Yon]
McClatchy Newspapers - This week, I'm writing in defense of an old friend, retired Army Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, who was dragged through the mud this week in a 5,000-word article by David Barstow in The New York Times.
Several months ago, Barstow wrote a story on a Pentagon program undertaken on orders of then-defense secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld that offered hand-feeding and special treatment to a motley crew of television's military talking heads.
...The article noted that after the war got underway, McCaffrey, almost alone among the 50-plus analysts, was an unrelenting critic of Rumsfeld's misconduct of it and his gross interference in matters of strategy and tactics that are better left to professionals.
I found it curious, then, that Barstow chose McCaffrey, who didn't feed at Rumsfeld's trough, as the target of his allegations of conflict of interest and self-dealing, especially when he offered no proof that the general ever tailored his analysis of the war and other military matters to smooth the way into Rumsfeld's Pentagon for the defense companies for whom he was consulting.
So what's up with Transformation? -- [A Major's Perspective]
The military of the future has been the subject of a great deal of talk lately from political pundits, defense experts, and even the President-Elect. It seems everyone has their own ideas about it. Some say we should strike a happy medium between counter-insurgency and major conventional warfare. Others say we should forsake major conventional warfare all-together and concentrate on only counter-insurgency. Our own President-Elect has said a number of times he thinks FCS and programs such as the F22 Raptor need to be rethought or cancelled all together.
So where does this leave us?
$166 Million Gap in Obama Campaign Donation Credibility? -- [Jawa Report]
This should raise a few eyebrows, assuming it's credible. A team of PUMAs has been digging through Obama's campaign contributions via FEC information, and they've found some, er, interesting money laundering accounting.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
