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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 various 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.Refresh for updates.
Bloody day in Iraq as U.S. forces' withdrawal approaches -- [Aswat Al Iraq]
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: As Iraq gears up for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from urban areas by the end of June, a number of Iraqi...
US hands over Sadr City base to Iraq -- [AFP]
The US army handed over a base in the Baghdad neighbourhood of Sadr City, once a bastion for anti-US insurgents, to Iraqi forces on Saturday as the deadline nears for its pullout from Iraq's cities.
..."Today this base returns to its true owner," said US Major General Daniel Bolger, the commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division.
..."US troops will continue to provide support our Iraqi security partners, as requested, under the articles of the Security Agreement," Master Sergeant Nicholas Conner told AFP earlier.
Iraq Receives First of Four Naval Ships -- [MEMRI Blog]
The commander of the Iraqi naval forces in Basra, Maj.-Gen. Muhammad Jawad, announced that the Iraqi navy has received the first naval vessel, Fatah, to protect Iraq's territorial waters. The vessel is one of four being built in Italy. The vessel carries a machine gun but has no platform for firing missiles.
Rhetorical Question -- [Mongo's Montreaux - in Iraq]
This question is unanswerable, at least until the smoke clears--literally. To what extent has a free and democratic Iraq (as fragile and tenuous as it is right now) influenced the Iranian people's uprising subsequent to their fixed, sham elections?
Remarkable security success vs. deteriorating services in Missan -- [Aswat al-Iraq]
One year after the launch of Operation Bashaer al-Salam in Missan, many officials and residents of the southern province have highlighted the improvement in the security situation, but lamented the decline in the quality and quantity of services in the province.
I'm a Noncommissioned Officer... -- [Blogs Over Baghdad - in Iraq]
"No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers." These are the first two sentences of three long paragraphs that make up the Army's NCO Creed. Although they seem to be only words, I believe they are much more. They are the touchstone and core of many NCOs' experience in the U.S. Army. I know they are for me. Since being deployed, however, I've noticed some NCOs may not hold this belief. It seems ...
Rebel Rouser -- [The Intrepid Reporter - in Iraq]
Yes folks.... The IR back again with the latest and greatest from Iraq... but in this case, Iraq takes a sideline. My dad, as those of you know, cashed in this past month, and truthfully, it's been a bitch for the ole Intrepid Reporter to have much to say... those who know me have been in shock, and many have emailed me asking "What the fuck?"... well I'm here to tell you, the verbal abuse I had was directly influenced by the Old Man, and in his passing, I just have had one hell of a time being able to write. Call it the "Death of my Muse/Father."
Several Things - The Heat -- [Downrange 46 - in Iraq]
You may have heard the saying, "the dog days of Summer", in reference to those hottest days in summer when the sun's heat sinks into the very soul of your body causing an almost uncontrollable desire to simply sit and do nothing - like a bloodhound on the porch of a dilapidated wood-slat house in a holler of the West Virginia hills. Do you know that feeling? Well...
Father's Day -- [My Point of View - in Iraq]
Today is Father's Day. Here, however, it feels like any other day. Hot. 118 degrees by lunch. There are probably a lot of dads back home BBQing, relaxing, and such. Some are getting the special treatment from their spouses, hugs and kisses from daughters... Came in a little late today...it being Sunday. I noticed on the way to work that if you look carefully, ...
Orange Day -- [Ramblings from a painter - in Iraq]
A couple of days ago we had a dust storm blow in. "Storm" isn't really the right word, since there weren't any high winds or rain. Rather, we had this thick fog of orange dust that settled in. It was like a light touch of snow, except it was orange, and it was dust, and it got everywhere. It even came into my little hooch through the air conditioner and coated the whole room with a fine powder. So after work,
The Adventure Continues -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
Quite some time ago, after much discussion, the Mister and I decided to part ways after this deployment. No hard feelings, etc etc.
This was a personal decision, and is not, directly, the subject of this post.
However,...
A Personal Touch in Taliban Fight -- [Washington Post]
..."All of you please call me Michael," he began. "I am the commander of this area."
Harrison told the elders that he didn't expect them to fight the Taliban. "I am just asking you to tell us if you see someone who doesn't belong in your village," he said, passing out a business card with his cellphone number. "There is no reason for children to be killed by bombs." The Barabat elders seemed reluctant to place their trust in Harrison. A year earlier, a U.S. airstrike had killed three Afghans living about a mile from Barabat. Village residents insisted the people who were killed weren't involved in the insurgency. Six months ago U.S. soldiers shot a man across the river from Barabat. Neither incident occurred while Harrison was in the province. But they were his problems now.
"Michael is different from the other Americans. He behaves like an Afghan," said Shah Jan, the provincial sub-governor, coming to Harrison's defense. "We are very happy with him."
Rockets hit US base in Afghanistan, 2 troops dead -- [My Way / AP]
A rare rocket attack on the main U.S. base in Afghanistan early Sunday killed two U.S. troops and wounded six other Americans, including two civilians, officials said.
First female Shura in Wardak -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
It may not sound earth-shattering to us, but this is very important news. For centuries women have generally never been permitted to attend shuras, which are meetings of community elders like our town councils. And in areas under Taliban influence, women not wearing burkas and girls attending school are subject to gruesomely violent intimidation tactics.
Marines Take the Fight to the Enemy in Now Zad -- [Captain's Journal]
NOW ZAD, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - U.S. Marines maneuver through a wall to conduct site exploitation after a precision aerial attack during a combat operation in the abandoned village of Now Zad, Helmand Province
Senior Al Qaeda and Afghan Taliban leaders meet with Baitullah -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Senior al Qaeda and Afghan Taliban leaders are reported to have met with Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud to advise him to move his group's operations into Afghanistan and halt attacks against the Pakistani state. Several meetings were said to have been held last week after an 11-man delegation of al Qaeda and Taliban heavy hitters arrived in Waziristan to deliver a request from Mullah Omar
Into Afghanya Valley -- [Afghanistan My Last Tour: Mission Day 5 - in Afghanistan]
Another early rise at 0430 hours. I woke up at 0330 hours due to the prayer music being blared over the loudspeakers. Blueberry Pop Tart and Famous Amos chocolate bit cookies for breakfast....yum...yum. Not necessarily the breakfast of champions, but it will suffice until I can chow down an MRE at lunch time. Prior to the trip I stocked up with snacks from our DFAC. All of my snacks got crushed from the bouncy ride and backpacks being tossed around. Nonetheless, I still ate my crumbled snacks. Five days and no shower, only quick wipe downs with a wash cloth and bottled water.
Day 6 of Medical Mission -- [Afghanistan My Last Tour - in Afghanistan]
Everyone was exhausted last night and went to bed early. I stayed awake until 1130 pm perched on my cot writing my memos. Around 0330 hrs a pack of stray dogs were barking incessantly. Then around 0415 hours the Mullah started broadcasting his sermon and prayer music. I lay in my cot and struggled to go back to sleep. The French were revving up for a patrol and 20 minutes later
Somali Gov't to Neighbors: Invade Us, Please -- [War is Boring]
Fighting has spiked again, in Mogadishu. President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's regime, in a panic, has cried help. "We have, as a parliament, decided to ask the regional governments -- like Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti -- as well as the international community to intervene militarily in Somalia within 24 hours to help the Somali nation," parliament speaker Sheik Adam Mohamed Nor said.
Iranian Hero & Leading Activist Ahmad Batebi On Obama: "His Lack of Response Will Not Be Regarded Kindly" (Audio-Video) -- [Gateway Pundit]
Courageous Iranian student activist Ahmad Betebi was sentenced to death by the evil regime in Iran after the student protests of 1999. He was severely tortured for years in the notorious Evin Prison in Iran. Last year Ahmad Batebi arrived safely in the United States. During a break from prison, Batebi fled Iran traveling through a free Iraq to Austria and finally arriving in Washington DC.
Tonight I had the great honor of interviewing one of the great Iranians of our time, Ahmad Batebi. The interview took 30 minutes. I broke it down into 4 clips. They are all posted below.
Iran Admits Possible Discrepancy in 3 Million Votes -- [NY Times]
Locked in a continuing bitter contest Monday with Iranians who say the presidential elections were rigged, the authorities here acknowledged that the number of votes cast in 50 cities exceeded the actual number of voters ...
The Danger of Hijacked Rallies -- [niacINsight - National Iranian American Council]
State-run TV in Iran is showing demonstrations in other countries such as the US, however with some serious editing. They are not broadcasting the majority of people standing and shouting in solidarity with people in Iran. Rather, they show images of demonstrators who shout, "Death to the Islamic Republic,"
Iran Updates - June 22 -- [niacINsight - National Iranian American Council]
...Ghashghavi has accused the European countries and the United States of supporting the "agitators" instead of inviting the people of Iran to participate in democratic processes and emphasizing the rule of law.
Southern Philippines -- [Michael Yon]
Small teams of American troops are spread across many locations in the southern Philippines. Each team works side-by-side with Filipino counterparts. The jobs vary. Navy SEALs and Special Boat Teams often support the AFP (Armed Forces Philippines) on actual operations. I have been briefed on some of these operations
McCain favors boarding NKorean ship -- [AP]
Sen. John McCain says the U.S. should board a North Korean ship it is tracking if hard evidence shows it is carrying missiles or other cargo in violation of U.N. resolutions.
Mustafa Abul-Yazeed: al-Qaeda Seeks Pakistani Nukes -- [Jawa Report]
And what does he want to do with them? He wants to nuke the US of course.
NPR interviews Benjamin Patton- The grandson of Gen Patton -- [Soldiers' Angels Network]
Guest Host Alison Stewart speaks with Benjamin Patton, grandson of the famous WWII general. Did you know that Ben Patton's FATHER was also a decorated general? He fought in the Vietnam and Korean wars, and sent audio "postcards," like this one, back to his family in the States.
A Letter of Thanks to All of You Who Have "Adopted" A Soldier -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
I am a soldier deployed to central Afghanistan and I wanted to tell you how very much your support means to all of us fighting over here. I know that you write out of the goodness of your heart, many of you writing countless letters, which often go unanswered. You write and mail packages and pray for these fine young soldiers, the best our country has to offer, often in harm's way each and every day. I know that it might get a bit discouraging sometimes, sending letters and emails and packages into the "big black hole of Afghanistan and Iraq" and you must wonder sometimes if you are making a difference. Well that is why I am writing this...to tell you that you are!
Submit Recipes for Soldiers' Angels Cookbook -- [Soldiers Angels LA]
The first Soldiers' Angels cookbook, Angel Delights Cookies Cookbook has been a best seller and fund raiser for Soldiers' Angels, so it is time for SECOND EDITION. Please send recipe submissions in ...
Groton Woman's Club marks 100th Quilt made for Landstuhl patients -- [Soldiers Angels Germany]
The Groton Woman's Club recently celebrated 90 years (!!) of continuous service to their community. Every five years they put together a play about the club's activities, and I was very touched and honored to learn from our POC Susan Slade that the Blankets of Hope project for Landstuhl hospital was part of this year's play.
And in another exciting milestone, the shipment of quilts pictured in the photo above contain the 100th quilt made with love and hope for our wounded warriors.
Who is at War and Who Is Not? -- [OPFOR]
I don't have all the facts, nor do I have all the names, but I have it on good authority, that an Army Official who is the designated Army Representative to meet the remains at Dover Air Force Base was told, by the Operations Wing Commander, that instead of landing his helicopter at Dover he would have to land at the Regional Airport about twenty miles away and then drive to Dover to meet an Air Force C17 carrying the remains of two Army Soldiers. Why was this request made? Because Dover Air Force Base is having an Air Show this weekend, and the arrival of the Helicopter would disrupt the events at the Air Show. Earlier the same Operations Wing Commander attempted to have the C17 diverted to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey because it would interfere with the Air Show; apparently someone thought maybe there was something wrong with this.
Father's Day -- [In Iraq Now (at 56) - home]
Father's Day has been my favorite holiday (or whatever it is) for more than a decade now. It's early in the summer so school is out but summer camps haven't started yet. I spend most of the day with my kids. This Father's Day I was with my family
Blog regulation at the FTC -- [Hot Air - Ed Morrissey]
Unfortunately, the effort to regulate blogs in the Obama administration will come from the Federal Trade Commission, as the FTC announced over the weekend:
...This is the equivalent of using a bazooka to kill a fly. If the trade and consumer issues in the US are resolved to the point where the FTC's biggest problem is bloggers recommending books and DVDs to their readers, they've just made the argument for their dissolution.
Blabbing About David Rohde's Abduction -- [Registan]
Howard Kurtz on the media silence over David Rohde's abduction: "After the Italian news agency Adnkronos International reported the kidnapping, it was sporadically mentioned by such blogs as Little Green Footballs, the Jawa Report and Dan Cleary, Political Insomniac. Michael Yon, a former Green Beret, said from Thailand that he 'sat on it' for months and in March 'just did a small item because it was pretty much out there' online. 'There's no way I would've done that if I thought it increased his jeopardy.' Keller said the Times contacted such bloggers, and in each case, 'they took it down,' as Yon did." Well, no they did not: Little Green Footballs, Michael Yon, Dan Cleary, and the Jawa Report all have posts about Rohde, dated between November and March.
White House Changes the Terms of a Campaign Pledge About Posting Bills Online -- [New York Times]
During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised that once a bill was passed by Congress, the White House would post it online for five days before he signed it. -- "When there's a bill that ends
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