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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.
Iraqi Elections -- [Ramblings from a painter - in Iraq]
The Iraqi elections are only about 36 hours away. With over 14,400 candidates vying for 440 council seats, there are a lot of people looking for air time for their messages. I was watching an Iraqi channel on TV a little while ago and saw non-stop political ads. I mean non-stop: there wasn't any scheduled programming! Just ads for this candidate or that, with a bunch of "rock-the-vote" style ads in between.
...As you might expect, with this many people going out to monitor this important an election, the logistics are daunting. The US is taking the lead on providing transportation, support, and security for the monitors. I've watched the planning develop for several months now
Last Day of Coin -- [Whatever It Takes - in Iraq]
We have been living on the Iraqi side of Taji. Taji is split into two sections, the Iraqi and the American side. The barracks we have been living in are old Iraqi Army barracks. I can't complain, it was pretty nice digs except for not having privacy in an open bay environment. The food here is excellant, much better than last time.
The elections are tomorrow. We are not participating in security or operations, regardless of what has been written in the news.
Iraq's Upcoming Provincial Elections -- [FDD - Daveed Gartenstein-Ross]
Today I published an intelligence briefing for FDD that examines the implications of the upcoming provincial elections in Iraq.
When the Medevac Flies Directly Overhead... -- [Castle Argghhh - Bill T - in Iraq]
...it means it's bad. It means there's no need to rush survivors to the hospital pad.
It means the worst has happened.
Earlier this week, the medevacs flew directly overhead, sometime around midnight, or later -- all I knew then was that it was dark, and it was the worst. I didn't find out how bad it was until I went to work.
Fog of War -- [The Writings of a Man’s Man - in Iraq]
It has been said that war is 95% boredom and 5% sheer terror. I find the numbers closer to 99% boredom. It also has been noted that you’ll know something is wrong only when your soldiers stop complaining. Today these two principles merged as I sat around pulling security for some talking heads debating whether to first pave the road and then put in sewers and water lines or to put in sewers and warter lines before paving the road. My frustration of late has lied in the disturbing fact that no one can ever give me the full picture as to what is going on, there is always some missing information
Lieutenants -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
We were out and about today, introducing a new manuever unit to the AO. We hit a meeting, a couple of ICERP projects (school addition, complete; health clinic, progressing very nicely), drove past a couple of key points. Then we got to the part where the outgoing manuever unit wanted to introduce the incoming manuever unit to a local "sphere of influence."
The gentleman in question, a retired general from the old regime,
The First Mission -- [The Stone Report - in Iraq]
Tuesday I went on my first mission.
My day began early in the morning waiting for the helicopter of Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division, Major General Michael Oates. I got to be in his entourage, or posse, for the day. For those of you unfamiliar with the etiquette of flying with a General, here’s how it goes.
Will Hollywood come to Baghdad? -- [Blogs over Baghdad - in Iraq]
As most of you know, I’m currently assigned to the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad. I live (and will soon work) at Camp Prosperity — one of the places the U.S. military is located here. It’s an interesting camp with lots of trees and open space, large man-made pools, a bustling shopping area with restaurants and stores with a variety of goods, and, best of all, a former palace of Saddam Hussein. The palace was damaged in March 2003, but a large part of it is now occupied by U.S. military (despite the “air conditioning” that we added). Overall, the camp is a nice place to be, if you find yourself in a combat zone.
Obama’s Vietnam -- [Newsweek]
The analogy isn't exact. But the war in Afghanistan is starting to look disturbingly familiar.
Inside an Afghan battle gone wrong: What happened at Wanat? -- [FP - Tom Ricks]
Just before dawn last July 13, Taliban fighters attacked an outpost in eastern Afghanistan being established by U.S. Army soldiers and fought a short, sharp battle that left many American dead -- and many questions. But the U.S. military establishment, I've found after reviewing the Army investigation, dozens of statements given by soldiers to investigators, and interviews with knowledgeable sources, simply has not wanted to confront some bad mistakes on this obscure Afghan battlefield -- especially tragic because, as the interviews make clear, some of the doomed soldiers knew they were headed for potential disaster.
First, here's my account of what happened that day...
Planting The Seeds Of Stability -- [A Soldier's Mind]
When a National Guard unit deploys to a war torn country, they take with them, not only the skill set they were trained on in the military, but the often varied experiences and expertise from their civilian job as well. Some may be businessmen, students, doctors or nurses, lawyers or even farmers. The things that these Soldiers can bring to the table during a deployment, are often as varied as the personality of each Soldier. Members of agricultural development teams currently deployed to Afghanistan, are shining examples of what the National Guard stands for. Their emblem alone signifies this: A minuteman holding a musket in one hand and the other hand resting on a plow. At a recent media roundtable event, Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Army National Guard Chief,Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, spoke about the capabilities that these Soldiers bring to the development of the countries that they are deployed in. Joining them for the event ...
Thank God For Broken Planes... -- [Embrace the Suck - in Afghanistan]
We sat around all day in a holding tent waiting for these flights. Now over the years a lot of soldiers have cycled through this tent. And soldiers bore easily and then they do things to entertain themselves. One of the things they do is write on the walls. Yes, soldiers and children do have a lot in common. Some guys write their names and dates they were here, others write the classic, "So and so, was here", others write the name of their unit and their mottos, still others write dirty jokes, some are REALLY ambitious and they crawl up the side of the tent to about 20 feet up in the air and write their name and unit in VW bug sized letters. Then there was this guy...or girl. I don't know. Who wrote a little poem that caught my eye. It went like this...
WE ARE THE WILLING.
LED BY THE BLIND.
TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.
FOR THE UNGRATEFUL.
To Win In Afghanistan -- [The Military Observer]
It might be easier to "win" in Afghanistan than the Pentagon thinks.
Afghanistan is the 3rd poorest country in the world. The average salary is about $ 1.50 @ day, and the nationwide literacy rate is approx 40 %, although out in the countryside, it’s closer to 90%. The Karzai Government is basically broke, so it’s kept alive by donations from the international community.
Laptops for Literacy -- [Soldiers' Angels Network]
HM1 Charlotte G. Ward is stationed in Iraq on her 3rd tour of duty as a Navy Corpsman. She has taken the lead on a project called "Laptops for Literacy."
"We are working with the Marines on joint activities bringing educational resources to the local populations. We are rebuilding a school and working on literacy issues. We see the difference the availability of education has on improving lives and bringing stability and understanding to these areas." HM1 Charlotte Ward
Itch Free In The Mountains Of Afghanistan -- [Strategy Page]
January 29, 2009: As more U.S. troops head for Afghanistan, those who have already been there have one bit of good news; the new U.S. Army winter clothing (the "Generation III" set) really works. It keeps you warm, even if you are running around in freezing weather and working up a sweat. And it isn't bulky or itchy. It's good stuff.
Adviser: Ahmadinejad Will Seek Another Term as Iranian President -- [FOX News]
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will run for re-election in June, one of his advisors said.
Press adviser Ali Akbar Javanfekr told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ahmadinejad will run to complete the programs he has started since his election in 2005.
North Korea tears up agreements -- [BBC]
Communist North Korea has said it is scrapping all military and political agreements signed with the South, accusing Seoul of hostile intent. — South Korea's government had pushed relations “to the brink of a war”, the North's cross-border relations body said on state media.
TERRORISTS BUYING LATIN AMERICAN PASSPORTS TO ENTER THE US? -- [Center for Security Policy]
Last week, the San Antonio Express-News posted a story about three Afghani Muslim men caught carrying stolen Mexican passports with their pictures and data while en route to Europe. It was revealed by authorities that the documents were genuine and that these men had purchased them for $10,000 each. In light of this information, we at The Americas Report decided to investigate whether this modus operandi could be used by people who pose a real threat to U.S. national security and what we found is alarming.
Foreign Policy Pop Quiz -- [Jules Crittenden]
OK. Pop quiz. You’re Obama, in the first days of your presidency, and you’re being tested by a minor international crisis, the kind of North Korean tantrum you can set your watch by. Open book test, multiple choice. Please ignore this remarkably clear view from Reuters of why North Korea is doing this and what is at risk.
Al Qaeda and the plague: a follow-up -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
New information has surfaced in the past few days seeming to confirm that Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb terrorists had died of plague.
I explored the different possibilities behind such an occurrence in an article in the Middle East Times.
...In the middle of the massive coverage of U.S. President Barack Obama's inauguration, a rather troublesome news story emerged. Unfortunately, it failed to get the coverage it deserves. If confirmed, it deserves the full attention of the Obama administration: the story has to do with bio-terrorism.
The story began with a Jan. 6 report in the Algerian newspaper Echorouk that a number of terrorists had died of the plague in one of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) training camps in Tizi Ouzou. Another Algerian newspaper En-Nahar, affirmed that 50 terrorists have been diagnosed with the plague, 40 of whom have already died.
Best.Phone Call. Ever. -- And a Call for Action -- [Iraq War News]
A week ago, at lunchtime, my phone rang. It was my personal cell phone, and I was at work. Didn't recognize the area code, so I didn't answer. I did, however look up the area code.
'Waco, Texas?' I thought. 'Who the hell do I know in Waco, Texas?'
Only one other option I could think of - a Soldier.
...The caller had a mischievous tone in his voice as he asked me how I was doing, and whether I was in CT or travelling that day. 'OK, I'll play,' I thought. There were only a couple of people this could be. Not too many people had this number.
...It was my first Soldiers' Angels adoptee
Soldiers’ Angels Wounded First Response -- [Soldiers' Angels Network]
With more heroes being sent into Afghanistan and spring time on the horizon, Soldier's Angels is gearing up for the support needed to our medical combat hospitals in country.
Donations are needed for the Soldiers' Angels Wounded First Response backpacks and the Vet Packs.
Driving Ms. Patti -- [Toby Nunn's Briefing Room]
My Good Friend Greta has mentioned to me several times that I need to do a TV Show on my Adventures with the Queen Angel and I believe that it would be great TV. I have been so fortunate to travel around the country with Patti and attend some pretty cool and amazing events but they all pale in comparison to the not so quiet moments in MVP 009 (my Tahoe).
Suicide Among The Ranks: What The Army Is Doing -- 1-800-273-TALK(8255) -- [A Soldier's Mind]
Suicide is a tough topic to discuss. In it’s wake, it leaves so many victims, who often blame themselves for what happened. With the death of the person who committed suicide, come many questions, often the survivors blame and beat themselves up, because they didn’t recognize the signs or discounted them. Over the past several years, suicides in the military services, especially in the Marine Corps and the Army have seen a dramatic increase. In the Army it’s become a huge concern, from the highest ranking officer, to the lowest enlisted servicemember. Just this past year alone, there have numerous suicides reported among the recruiting cadre in the Houston area. It’s a trend that’s become extremely alarming. The question has been asked over and over again … ‘What are we doing to prevent suicides amongst the ranks of the Army?’
Wounded heroes honored in D.C (Video). -- [IN - Iraq]
Staff Sergeant Dwayne Frost, 48, of Washington DC was hit by an IED in Baghdad in 2003. He has since gone through 18 surgeries and lost one of his legs below the knee. He was interviewed at the Heroes Ball on inauguration night.
'Scholarships for Military Children' application deadline nears -- [War on Terror News / AFNS]
1/29/2009 - FORT LEE, Va.-- For military parents who have children about to enter college or already attending, the opportunity to apply for a $1,500 scholarship through the Defense Commissary Agency's Scholarships for Military Children Program is ending Feb. 18.
Goodbyes -- [The New Normal - heading to Afghanistan]
Mildly autistic, he still is not aware that I’ll not be putting him on the bus again for some time to come. Or that I won’t even be home for dinner that night, or the next, or the next.
The bus driver and matron, seeing me in my ACUs, Army Combat Uniform, pick up right away that’s there’s something different about this morning. I put my son on the bus and tell them I’m going away. The driver asks, “yeah, but your not going over, are you?”
I shake my head and give them my one word answer, “Afghanistan.”
Football Greats Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell Host Angels and Heroes -- [PR Newswire - Beth]
Steelers star Franco Harris is hosting a golf tournament fundraiser for Soldiers’ Angels in Tampa (site of the Super Bowl) this week. He’s great guy and strong supporter of the troops, as he’s proving here. Milbloggers Chuck Z, Toby Nunn and Andi Hurley are among those representing SA at the event. Here’s an early report from a press release going out at 0430 Eastern (Friday):
2009 Grid Iron Golf Tournament in Tampa Spotlights Soldiers’ Angels
Led by football greats Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell, the 2009 Grid Iron Golf Tournament in support of the troops kicked off last night with the Immaculate Reception & Dinner at Timpano Italian Chophouse in Tampa. Military support non-profit Soldiers' Angels is this year’s beneficiary of an event that has been conducted concurrent with each Super Bowl since 1997 and has resulted in over $180,000 raised for a variety of charitable causes. The golf tournament itself is underway today at the renowned Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tampa, Florida.
Body Armor Recalled -- [Threats Watch]
Over 18 months ago there was controversy over the procurement of body armor for our troops. Then, as now, the argument was over testing results between Dragon Skin Body Armor and the armor supplied by Pinnacle Armor. Except now,
It All Compounds -- [The Unlikely Short-Timer]
Reveille. TAPS. Taps just played. Last time I heard Taps? Burying friends. It isn't much of a Good Night to me. So Sorry, big army. I get it,there are all these traditions and whatnot. But has anyone ever stopped to think about how old and archaic some of these are?
Tradition...
...We're getting new guys almost every week it seems. Phasing us short-timers out with cherries. And that's great. But these cherries, I WANT them to know certain things. I WANT them to know NOT to let people get within 30 meter of you. I want them to NOT be a picture on the wall with KIA (date) stamped on it.
Public Affairs Killers... -- [My Point of View - training to go to Iraq]
After just about four months of training at College Station and here at Fort Dix, we're finally finished with our pre-mobilization training and are gearing up for a flight to the Middle East.
Yesterday was our last training event and we went out with lots of bangs...shooting to be exact. We had to participate in a base firing exercise which is basically a scenario where our camp or base is getting attacked and we have to defend. Now, if that scenario was real, that means the crap REALLY hit the fan. If public affairs Soldiers had to race to defend after the MPs and the QRF had their shot...let's say we would do well.
US heroes General Petraeus and US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger will be honored at the Super Bowl this weekend -- [Sports Illustrated] HT: Gateway Pundit
US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully'' Sullenberger and the crew from Flight 1549 will be honored by the NFL before the Super Bowl.
...Also being honored is Gen. David Petraeus, who heads the U.S. Central Command.
Deployed Dad Surprises Kindergartner Son -- [You Served]
I absolutely LOVE these stories. They always bring a tear to my eye as I see the look of joy and happiness in these kids’ faces.
DAYTON — Gabriel Hurles was so engrossed in the cupcakes his mom brought to class for his sixth birthday Wednesday that he didn’t notice the enormous wrapped box that came in shortly after.
Baylor Crowd Roars As President Bush & Laura Bush Announced at Ball Game (Video) -- [Gateway Pundit]
President Bush and Laura Bush made their first public appearance at a Baylor women's basketball game since he left office last week.
The Crowd Roared for the Texas Couple:
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
