 |  |
| Monthly Archives | [-] |
Prev|List|Random|Next |
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.
Iraqi Rollover -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
Today the team went on a dismounted patrol through a neighborhood in order to visit an election center. As we arrived, an Iraqi HMMWV rolled over in a ditch outside. Our reconnaissance mission quickly became a rescue and recovery mission.
Cheney: "The Iraq Was Was Worth It... It Was a Difficult Situation But It Was Successful" (Video) -- [Gateway Pundit]
The Far Left was enraged today with Dick Cheney. The Vice President declared that the Iraq War was worth it.
He also announced that most of our objectives had been reached.
The Bush-bashers still feign outrage that the US lost 4,226 heroes liberating Iraq.
Of course, they weren't too upset about military losses when the Clinton's were in charge.
Hoffman to McMaster: not so fast, Bub -- [FP _ Tom Ricks]
More troops doing the wrong thing wouldn't have helped in Iraq in 2003-2004, Marine Lt. Col. Frank Hoffman says in response to my post yesterday about Col. H.R. McMaster's new article. McMaster, a consigliere to Gen. Petraeus, argued that because commanders lacked sufficient troops, they were forced to blim-blam around Iraq conducting raids that alienated Iraqi civilians.
Commandos smash Taliban bomb factory -- [Telegraph]
A Taliban bomb-making factory has been shut down following an airborne assault by British commandos.
Canadian soldiers on patrol near Kandahar . Troops seized more than 130 detonators capable of setting off the types of lethal bomb that have killed dozens of coalition soldiers in the last year.
Commanders have hailed the raid as a major success in thwarting the Taliban's increasingly sophisticated bombing campaign.
Effects of War, III: Women, the Solution -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
Previously, my writings have discussed the effects of war in Iraq. The focus was on the littered landscape and the orphaned children. There are other effects and the answer to the question: How do we deal with these effects?
NPR Fresh Air Transcript September 7th, 2009 -- [Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
...I expected a lot worse than what we got here. Most of our train up occurred at the end of the Army’s Surge. So we went to training with images in our head of street fighting and hours of convoys. When we actually got to Iraq the war had been won. It was like being part of the occupying force in Germany back in the late 40’s. We got some damn good training, probably some of the best training of my career. Then we got to Kuwait and out mission changed because the Army didn’t need us to that job any more. So we were sent to ----- ---- ----- to man entry control points.
Why Iraq Is Going To Take A Long Time -- [Ramblings from a painter - in Iraq]
While sitting in the room today, listening to some long, involved negotiations over very minor stuff, it finally all started coming together for me, exactly why it will take Iraq so long to become a functional country.
...All of this was brought about by the repressive Hussein regime, the 8-year war with Iran in the 80's, two wars with the US, and years of international sanctions. This country has had the crap beat out of it for 30 years and the people learned to cope their own, dysfunctional, way.
So here we are, having a conference so that we can turn over a brand new facility to the Iraqis. But building it and having it be a success are two very different things. I won't divulge what this particular project is, and to illustrate the problems we're facing, I'll create an example. Let's use a hospital. First, we build a building. (Actually, that's a lot harder than it sounds ... remember, these people have an average 6th-grade education, and how comfortable are you with knowing that your house, wiring, plumbing, concrete, and everything else were built by crews whose supervisors hadn't even gone to the 7th grade?) Now we have to hook it up to the water system. Only ...
We’re off to Baghdad -- [Blogs Over Baghdad - heading to Iraq]
Yes, finally after more than a week at Camp Buehring, in the northeast corner of Kuwait (close to both Iraq and Iran), we are leaving tomorrow (Wednesday) for Baghdad. When the word came down, there was a sigh of relief in knowing we were moving on to our next phase of this deployment. After that, minds starting racing…thinking about their last minute “to do” list.
Attention K-Mart Shoppers--Fill your DBag -- [Back In the Army Now (at 54) - heading to Iraq]
My wife and I are going to K-Mart today to get the last few items recommended on my Army PowerPoint slide: eyeglasses cleaning and repair kits, fitted sheets, handheld mirror, locks for duffle bags, foot powder, talcum powder, surge protector, extension cord, battery-operated alarm clock, etc. All of these items go in the footlocker--the fifth of the five bags that go with me:
Waiting on a Plane -- [Bullet Wisdom - heading to Iraq]
We are back at Camp Buerhing after a few days in the field finishing what I would categorize as refresher. Last Thursday, we loaded up and drove out into the Kuwaiti desert with the intention of pulling into a placed called FOB Scimitar, a location set up by the Army and contractors with the purpose of preparing Soldier, Sailors and Marines for life in Iraq.
Something to tell my grandkids... -- [Peace and War Times - in Iraq]
The USO always tries to do the best they can, to keep up the moral of our soldiers or at least to give them something that reminds the comforts of home. I have to give it to then; they have done a good job. At times, I just wished I have the privilege that some Armed Forces had of see Bob Hope in person back in the days
Babylon Gets US Funding -- [HILLAS' HISTORIES - in Iraq]
We will be hosting visits in 2009 by officials from the World Monuments Fund and also from UNESCO, which is the entity that has the authority to designate a place a world heritage site. With that often comes UN funding for preservation.
All of this is important to many Iraqi officials who see toursim in the future as an important part of the areas economic development.
Newly established COP sees quick progress -- [Combined Joint Task Force - 101 -- in Afghanistan]
Members of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, are seeing positive results from their increased presence at the newly built Combat Outpost Terminator in Maywand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Within weeks
Raddatz: Journey to Bin Laden's Old Compound -- [ABC News - Martha Raddatz]
I have been traveling in Afghanistan for the past few days with the US military. But today producer Richard Coolidge and I left the military base and went into Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border, where we linked up with Dr. Dave Warner, a civilian doing humanitarian work here. He gave us three choices in terms of what we wanted to see today...
...On one of Warner's visits to the school in recent months an Afghan man asked him nonchalantly , "Do you want to go to Osama's house?"
Behind the lines with the Taliban -- [Paul Watson / Los Angeles Times]
A Taliban fighter's camouflage vest bulges with a bayonet and banana clips of ammunition for his AK-47.
A Times writer joins Taliban fighters in an especially dangerous part of Afghanistan. The men appear to have no fear of troops, and prove to be gracious hosts.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow -- [AfghanistanShrugged]
Ever seen what it’s like when a child gets their first winter coat, taste of chocolate or coloring book?
I have.
A child whose been exposed to rockets, artillery, gunfights and IEDs. Little girls who have violence visited upon them by their own families and neighbors for the crime of going to school or learning to read. Small boys who in very short years are recruited by the ACM to carry Kalashnikovs and launch suicide attacks not valued as people but as tools of warfare.
The Friendly Ghost's Monkey With A Typewriter Experiment... -- [Embrace The Suck - in Afghanistan]
-Guest post from a fellow member of my platoon.
...I figure I will start off this post with a rant about something at took place a couple of nights ago while on ECP, while guarding the FOB from non-existent attacks from the Taliban but mainly fighting off hypothermia. My team was doing one hour shifts, which means while one of us was defending the FOB, the other two were sleeping. However there is only one cot at ECP which means that while one person is sleeping on the cot, the other person can either sit on a chair or try to sleep on the floor for an hour then you switch out. It was about 3am
US mission in Afghanistan tougher than Iraq -- [AFP]
Send by e-mail Print The United States is hoping a strategy similar to the one it used to improve security in Iraq, including an influx of troops, will work in Afghanistan -- one of president-elect Barack Obama's priorities.
But US and Afghan officials say the mission will be more difficult here as Afghanistan is splintered by tribal rivalries and weakened by the existence of militant safe havens across the border in Pakistan.
"We cannot just take the tactics, techniques and procedures that worked in Iraq and employ them in Afghanistan," General David Petraeus, commander of US forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, recently told Foreign Affairs.
U.S. military report warns 'sudden collapse' of Mexico is possible -- [El Paso Times]
The report is one in a series focusing on Mexico's internal security problems, mostly stemming from drug violence and drug corruption. In recent weeks, the Department of Homeland Security and former U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey issued similar alerts about Mexico.
Despite such reports, El Pasoan Veronica Callaghan, a border business leader, said she keeps running into people in the region who "are in denial about what is happening in Mexico." Last week, Mexican President Felipe Calderon instructed his embassy and consular officials to promote a positive image of Mexico.
The U.S. military report, which also analyzed economic situations in other countries, also noted that China has increased its influence in places where oil fields are present.
Iranian protesters burn Barack Obama pictures -- [Times Online]
Iranian demonstrators burned photographs of Barack Obama today as they protested against America’s inaction over Gaza.
...Iranian demonstrators have often burned effigies or pictures of US presidents in the past but this appeared to be the first time Mr Obama’s picture had been defaced, a week before his inauguration as president.
A Conversation with Nizar Rayyan -- [Michael Totten]
I’ve spoken to a handful of guerilla leaders, terrorist leaders, and members of terrorist organizations. The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg has spoken to more. He recalls one of those conversations with Nizar Rayyan, whom the Israelis just killed in Gaza, for a piece in the New York Times called Why Israel Can’t Make Peace with Hamas.
Bin Laden urges jihad against Israel -- [AP]
Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden urged Muslims to launch a jihad against Israel and condemned Arab governments as allies of the Jewish state in a new message aimed at harnessing anger in the Mideast over the Gaza offensive.
Bin Laden spoke in an audiotape posted Wednesday on Islamic militant Web sites where al-Qaida usually issues its messages. It was his first tape since May and came nearly three weeks after Israel started its campaign against Gaza's militant Hamas rulers.
Detainee Tortured, Says U.S. Official -- [WaPo]
The top Bush administration official in charge of deciding whether to bring Guantanamo Bay detainees to trial has concluded that the U.S. military tortured a Saudi national who allegedly planned to participate in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, interrogating him with techniques that included sustained isolation, sleep deprivation, nudity and prolonged exposure to cold, leaving him in a "life-threatening condition."
Defining Torture Down -- [Jawa Report]
The new definition of "torture:"
"For 160 days his only contact was with the interrogators," said Crawford, who personally reviewed Qahtani's interrogation records and other military documents. "Forty-eight of 54 consecutive days of 18-to-20-hour interrogations. Standing naked in front of a female agent. Subject to strip searches. And insults to his mother and sister."...
Pentagon: 61 ex-Guantanamo Inmates Return to Terrorism - [Reuters]
The Pentagon said on Tuesday that 61 former detainees from its military prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, appear to have returned to terrorism since their release from custody.
US Bases Eyed as Gitmo Alternative - [Washington Times]
The Pentagon is looking at several military bases in the US as possible sites to hold terrorist suspects now at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including Camp Pendleton in San Diego and Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
Today's good news -- [FP]
Marine Cpl. Melroy Cort lost his legs fighting for his country in Iraq. He and his wife were driving to Walter Reed Army Medical Center when he was arrested on a felony possession of a firearm. He says an Ohio permit for his pistol, and had been told by his commanding officer to store the gun at the Walter Reed armory upon arrival. The public defender wanted him to plead guilty, but he refused because he was worried that a felony conviction would endanger his military benefits. So he defended himself
URGENT, address change -- [Bouhammer]
A while back I wrote a post about an ETT team that was not getting mail and needed some stuff. Many of you responded and are still responding to their plea. Well it appears some of the same people I talked about in this post are definitely in Afghanistan and are in charge.
Girl Scouts to Cav Scouts 2009 -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
Well, the Girl Scouts are at it again and so am I. But, this year is even sweeter than past years. Yesterday, I picked up nearly 100 pounds of free Starbucks coffee donated by Americans for the troops from the local Starbucks Coffee on Airport Road in Huntsville (plug, plug). This is the second time they've collected and donated Coffee For The Troops. Last year was over 100 pounds of coffee. Many of these bags have personal messages of support for the troops written on them in black marker.
Here's what you can do to help.
MILITARY FAMILIES UNITED ON OBAMA NATIONAL SECURITY APPOINTMENTS -- [Military Families United]
“President-elect Obama’s national security appointments signal new hope for military families that his administration will sustain policies that support our troops and allow them to continue making America safe and secure. With this team, he will have the counsel of those who understand the important work of our military, and who support our troops and their families.”
Next-War-itis, This-War-itis, and the American Military -- [FPRI]
In a recent CBS News story, Marine Corps Commandant General James Conway stated—for at least the second time publicly—that it was time for the Marine Corps to leave Iraq and focus on Afghanistan. In the Commandant’s view, the Marine Corps is a “fighting machine,” Iraq has turned into “nation building,” and “[t]hat’s not what we do…. Where there’s a fight, that’s where the Marine Corps is needed.”[1] The subtext of this seems clear enough. General Conway feels that his Marines should focus on “real war,” where their martial skills of air and artillery strikes and violent maneuver to close with and destroy the enemy are employed to effect. The extended current counterinsurgency and nation-building campaign in Iraq is seen as a misapplication of the Corps’ core competencies and soften the force, or at least emphasize the wrong skills sets and lessons that will cause the United States to pay a steep tax in blood and treasure on some future battlefield.
These comments caused a stir in some circles. Some argue that his comments misread the source of success in Al Anbar, where patient “nation-building” by the Army and the Marine Corps was crucial. It also arguably misreads what will be most useful in Afghanistan, where U.S. strategy emphasizes more than just conventional brawn. But this is not just solely an issue of debate amongst the Marine Corps.
Strategic Collapse at the Army War College -- [PJM]
This famous maxim by the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu is familiar to every student of military science and strategy. His counsel is simple: understand your enemy, understand yourself. Nearly eight years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, however, important segments of our military infrastructure dedicated to training and educating the next generation of military leaders have woefully failed to heed Sun Tzu’s advice. Two recent blog posts by Washington Post military correspondent Tom Ricks related to policies and publications by the U.S. Army War College give evidence to this strategic collapse in the War on Terror.
Top Officer Urges Limit on Mission of Military -- [NY Times]
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that senior officers must work to prevent the militarization of American foreign policy, and he urged generals and admirals to tell civilian leaders when they believed the armed forces should not take the lead in carrying out policies overseas.
Now They Tell Us: WaPo, Setting Bar Lower for Obama, Tells Us that US "Will Never Have Enough Troops" to Elminate Taliban -- [Ace]
Securing a country with so much space, so many mountains, and so many people is a difficult thing, it turns out. And bringing genuine democracy to such a backwards place might be impossible.
Please do note that all of this was equally true a year ago -- but the media then was busy telling us that Afghanistan could be secured fairly easily if only we "hadn't taken our eyes off the ball" and fought the War in Iraq. Now that Obama's President, the media are falling over themselves to repeat his expectations-lowering spin and impress us all as to how terribly difficult this mission really is.
Agendas -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure]
The response to my posting about the venerable Lizette Alvarez and her attempts to start a meme concerning combat veterans of the Global War On Terror has been tremendous. A quick look at the subjects that Alvarez has written about in the past few years shows a definite trend. Below I have listed the titles and a brief description (taken from the NYT,) of her articles.
These articles regard the Army, occasionally the Marine Corps, and trend towards a focus on combat veterans and their misadventures following the their combat experiences. There is also a tendency to focus on violence committed by combat veterans.
Big Media Distorts Bush Economic Record -- [US News - James Pethokoukis]
His presidency is almost over. But what is the true George W. Bush economic record? (Hint: It's not what most of the MSM are telling you.) First, here is a look at the President's own somewhat defiant (and, yes, a smidge self-serving) take on the matter during his final press conference:
Joe the Plumber--Out of His Depth -- [Outside the Wire - JD Johannes]
Previously in this space I remarked that PJTV's sending Joe The Plumber to Israel felt like a shark-jumping publicity stunt and it was a risk that could put PJTV's credibility at risk.
After watching a few reports , I felt Joe was fine, when he related things as the average Joe that he is. When he expereinces a rocket attack, then walks past a playground, he thinks in terms of a suburban father. This is a very good angle and plays to his strengths.
Where Joe gets into trouble is every time he moves beyond that angle, specifically in a long report where he says reporters should not be out in the battle with the troops.
That means Joe thinks Michael Yon, Michael Totten, Bill Roggio & his team, myself and others should not be running around with infantry units.
Citizen Joe Stands His Ground -- [PJM - Bill Wittle]
Those elitist criticisms are understandable and easily dismissed for obvious reasons. What was more distressing to me was that some extremely patriotic men — J.D. Johannes for example — construed that to mean that Joe was referring to people like him, and Michael Yon, and Michael Totten; people who, at great risk to their lives and on their own dime, have for years now been placing themselves in harm’s way in order to get out the story that is not getting out any other way.
Commander-in-Chief, meet your 314th PAOC -- [Blogs over Baghdad - heading to Iraq]
From a “big picture” point of view, the Soldiers are interested in the inauguration because that is their job: spreading the word about the Army and all things that affect it, including a new commander-in-chief. But, on a more personal level, the 314th Soldiers see the upcoming inauguration as a turning point and a challenge, expressing a feeling of optimism ranging from cautious to exuberant. Unit members, especially African-American ones, are not waiting until January 20 to throw their support behind President-elect Obama. The excitement of 1LT John Brimley, press desk officer, on election day was only hampered by his location ....
Change!... Biden Says Obama Will Stick to Bush Iraq Plan -- [Gateway Pundit]
Change...
After the months of put downs, fabrications, waffling, misrepresentations of progress, attacks, etc...
The far left cut-&-runner has decided to stick with the Bush Iraq Plan after all.
It figures.
SecNav to stay after Obama takes office -- [Marine Corps News]
Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked Winter, the secretaries of the Army and the Air Force, and a number of other top Defense Department officials to stay on with him into the Obama administration, Winter said, but he would not comment on reports about any other official staying or going.
Shinseki’s VA confirmation looks likely -- [Marine Corps News]
No major obstacles appear to block the path of former Army chief of staff Eric Shinseki’s nomination to be secretary of veterans affairs, but he and the Obama administration face a long list of challenges.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
