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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.
Iraq's Premier Maliki Says He Plans to Thank US for Sacrifices -- [Wall Street Journal]
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki struck a conciliatory tone ahead of his trip to Washington, talking about his gratitude for US sacrifices in Iraq, and offering to negotiate a settlement between Iraq's federal government and the country's Kurdish enclave as tensions heighten between the two. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal as he prepared for a visit to the US on July 21, Mr. Maliki said he planned to thank America for its shared sacrifice with the Iraqi people in the tumultuous post-Saddam Hussein years since the US-led invasion in 2003. "We have [achieved] a combined victory against terrorism, and there have been sacrifices from both sides that brought fruitful results and democracy to Iraq," Mr. Maliki said.
The Future of Iraq, Part III -- [Michael Totten]
...American soldiers have since withdrawn from most of Iraq's urban areas. We'll have a better idea soon enough whether the optimists or the pessimists turn out to be right.
"On the surface everyone will tell you Sunnis, Shias, we don't care, we're all Iraqis," Sergeant Pennartz continued. "But talk to them for a while and they'll tell you what they really think. Do you know what those Shias did? Et cetera. Some Sunnis say Shias were never in Iraq until the Iran-Iraq war. Some are totally ignorant and say they'll never live next to Shias. It's worse among the older generations, like back in the States."
I joined Lieutenant Eric Kuylman and his men on a foot patrol in Adhamiyah. Our convoy of Humvees parked near a traffic circle and we stepped out to talk to people who lived in the neighborhood.
US releases Iranian Qods Force agents -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
The US military recently released five Iranian Qods Force agents who had posed as diplomats and were detained in northern Iraq in late 2006. The Iranian agents were released to the Iraqi government, which is expected to promptly turn them back over to Iran. In January 2007, the five Iranian agents were detained by US forces in the Kurdish city of Irbil. Iran claimed the men were part of a diplomatic mission in Irbil, and protested the arrest. The men were operating from a liaison office that did not enjoy diplomatic privileges, however. The US military accused the five Iranians of being Qods Force agents assigned to help support Shia terror groups inside Iraq. "The five detainees are connected to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard - Qods Force (IRGC-QF), an organization known for providing funds, weapons, improvised explosive device technology and training to extremist groups attempting to destabilize the Government of Iraq and attack Coalition forces"
Betraying America's Soldiers: Iranian War Criminals Go Free -- [American Thinker]
...A few months later Qais Qazali, Laith Qazali and Ali Mussa Daqduq were captured, along with documents that confirmed they were agents of Iran responsible for organizing and directing terror cells in Iraq. Hundreds of US servicemen and women and thousands of innocent Iraqis died horribly because of them. What these Iranians did were war crimes, from the killing of civilians to the execution of prisoners. They likely took part in operations themselves; in fact the attackers in Karbala were so expertly disguised as American soldiers their equipment and vehicles were very likely supplied directly by Iran.
On the Ground: Detainee Transfer, Renaming Ceremonies Mark Progress -- [Defense Link
..."Today we are witnessing a transition that does not divide us, but further unifies us in our combined vision to protect and serve the Iraqi people and specifically the people of Samarra," he said. "This ceremony is recognition of a new mission for the battalion. The battalion is now focused on reconstruction and support to local government, not combat operations in the city."
Signs" of the Security Agreement -- [MNF-I]
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq-- Residents of Kirkuk city can expect to see a new addition to the U.S. military vehicles that sometimes drive through their city. Since the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraqi cities, in accordance with the Security Agreement, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, has begun adding signs reading "Iraqi partnership provincial approved convoy. Thank you for your patience and support" to the sides of their vehicles.
More Vids With Iraqi Kids -- [Sour Swinger - in Iraq]
Another round of videos. This time with more personal interactions of me with the kids. There's a couple cute ones here, a couple demonstrating the gathering phenomena, and one that a child took himself. Once again thank you to my step mom for taking the time to upload these...
Enough With the Dust and Heat Already -- [Down Range 46 - in Iraq]
...On the day I took this picture of the temperature the temp in the shade was 122, the temperature in direct sunlight was 126. When the dust comes in it can drop 10 - 15 degrees. I know, that still makes the temp in the low 100s, but it feels good. Heat is all relative here.
Girl with no Future -- [Michael Yon - in Afghanistan]
It's not the troops; it's not the economy; it's not that it's mountainous and landlocked like Austria and Switzerland. It's the society. I write these words from Ghor province, and it's like the Jurassic Park in Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Nangahar ... keep going. A person can tool around in towns like Kabul, Jalalabad or Mazar-i-Sharif and build up hopes, but to extrapolate beyond the tangible is folly. Iraq is 1,000 years more advanced than Afghanistan. Nepal is far more connected to and cognizant of the outside world.
Truck Blast in Afghanistan Leaves at Least 24 Dead -- [New York Times]
A huge truck explosion Thursday killed 24 people, including 16 children, in a town south of Kabul, local officials said, and Afghan news media reported that a district along the border with Pakistan had fallen to the Taliban. The truck had overturned several hours before and the children, ages 8 to 12, had stopped on their way to school to watch police officers investigate the crash when the truck exploded, according to the provincial governor. The vehicle, loaded with firewood, had been headed toward Kabul before it rolled into a ditch, and it was unclear if insurgents had originally planned to detonate the explosives in the capital or elsewhere...
Commander to Seek Expansion of Afghan Forces, Officials Say -- [WaPo]
Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the newly arrived top commander in Afghanistan, has concluded that Afghan security forces will have to expand far beyond currently planned levels if President Obama's strategy for winning the war there is to succeed, according to senior military officials. Such an expansion would require additional billions beyond the $7.5 billion the administration has budgeted
Insurgents begin to feel the pinch of British and American ops -- [Helmand Blog - Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
As the British-led Operation Panther's Claw and US-led Operation River Liberty pushed on across tough terrain, strewn with IEDs, Governor Mangal reassured the Afghan people that very definite progress was being made: "The places that were underneath the insurgents are now with the government. We can now look to the future and reconstruction projects, where the people can have a say in rebuilding their own villages."
Life with the Marines in Helmand -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
...U.S. Marines from the 2nd MEB, 1st Battalion 5th Marines sleep in their fighting holes inside a compound where they stayed for the night, in the Nawa district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, Wednesday July 8, 2009. Photo: AP.
So. How was your day?
On the Frontlines -- [ABC News]
Nigthline goes on patrol in Afghanistan
Winning this war with education -- [Afghanistan My Last Tour - in Afghanistan]
...I keep reflecting back on the words of a brave 8-year-old boy I met during my travels. He risked his life just to talk to me. The Taliban threatened to cut off anyone's head and parade it around the village if they gave information to the Americans. It's as if he was destined to deliver his message to me. For his age, he was pretty direct with his delivery and it caught me off guard. He said, "Some people in my village support the Americans, but most of them support the Taliban out of fear."
Where is the Afghan National Army? -- [The Captain's Journal]
General Nicholson asks what is apparently the popular and salient question. Where is the Afghan National Army?
Here is the latest DoD report to Congress on Afghanistan, and a graph of ANA readiness. The following description attends the pictorial metric.
The Afghan Army And The Missing Sergeants -- [Strategy Page]
Coalition forces continue to face massive challenges in creating a modern, dependable, loyal Afghan army. It's also becoming evident, and frustrating, that the magnitude of the task is greater than it was in Iraq. That's because Afghanistan and Iraq have different military traditions and histories that have made it easier to build stable security forces in Iraq.
Ramrod Q's of the week -- [Desert Bound - in Afghanistan]
So, I'm opening up my blog to any questions you might have about FOB Ramrod, the surrounding area, the 1-12th Infantry Regiment or just about daily life in general. I have to take a quick trip up to Kandahar AirField for a few days, but I'll answer any questions while I'm away. I know a lot of Soldiers families and friends are keeping up with this blog; and they just might have some questions about this place that I haven't thought to cover.
Afghans' Attitude Will Be Measure of Success, Vice Chairman Says -- [Defense Link]
A key measurement of success in Afghanistan will be the attitude of Afghans affected by U.S.-led operations, the military's second-ranking military officer said.
VIDEO: UK, US and Afghan commanders unite as Taliban flee -- [Ministry of Defense]
As the British-led Operation Panther's Claw and US-led Operation River Liberty continue across Helmand the Commanders of British, American and Afghan Forces have joined the Provincial Governor to promise the people of Afghanistan that they would prevail against the insurgents.
Dangerous Delusions -- [Strategy Page]
The U.S. and Russia have agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals from the current target of 2,200 warheads each, to 1,500-1,675, within the next seven years. There will also be a reduction of "delivery systems" (silos, SSBNs, heavy bombers), which was promptly criticized in the U.S. because of heavy use of the bombers for delivering non-nuclear weapons. But there are plenty of fighter-bombers to do this, although at a greater cost per bomb dropped.
There was no deal made to limit Russian high tech weapons sales to Iran in return for the U.S.
CRACKDOWN IN IRAN- Police Clash With Protesters On 18th of Tir Anniversary (Video) -- [Gateway Pundit]
Today is the 10 Year Anniversary of The Iranian Student Protests of July, 1999 also known as 18th of Tir and the Kuye Daneshgah Disaster.
The regime launched a preemptive war against the protesters.
The regime promised to crack down on protests today on this anniversary of the 1999 student uprising.
Democracy vs. Obama and the Dictators: PJTV Reports From Tegucigalpa, Honduras -- [PJTV]
Watchdog group: Dozens of active-duty troops found on neo-Nazi site -- [Stars and Stripes]
It is the Facebook for the fascist set, and the typical online profiles of its members reveal expected tastes. ...On the newsaxon.org website, which Potok termed "a racist version of Facebook run by the National Socialist Movement," many participants list their branch of service, base location and hometown on colorful pages festooned with Nazi art and Confederate battle flags. Some say they have served or will soon be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Several include pictures of themselves in camouflage combat uniforms.
They Walk Among Us -- [Greyhawk]
Every base/post newspaper has an at least once a week "blotter" section that lists the names of the small (but unacceptable!) percentage of the population busted for one infraction or another (many unique to the military, others not) that week, along side stories of those getting medals and other recognition for achievement, courage, or a job well done. The vast majority never made the paper at all.
Some had blogs (I swear, it's true!) Some uploaded pictures of themselves to "Hot or Not". Others had pictures of themselves crawling drunk in the streets on their MySpace page. I know the last two for certain because they proudly showed me. (Bad judgement, says I - but at least they weren't in uniform, though I've heard of others who were...)
I don't know if I ever met any Nazis or not.
Keeping the Military Free of Hate Groups -- [BlackFive - Grim]
...The Raw Story asks "Gays not welcome; White Supremacists 'OK'"? The truth is the opposite of that, though the Stripes article is written in a way that may be confusing.
I don't share Stripes' view that this is conflicting information; I suspect, rather, that the people they interviewed thought they were answering different questions.
... if a particular servicemember is thought to be a member of a racist organization, that is a question for his unit, just as disciplinary measures normally are. If it is suspected that a racist organization has a plot to infiltrate the ranks, that is a service-wide issue that needs to be handled at higher levels, because both military and civilian law may need to be brought to bear
Obama's books objectionable -- [MSNBC]
Inmate who joined al-Qaida is denied request to read the works
Cyber-Terrorism and How We Should Respond -- [ABC News]
When does a cyber attack by another nation cross the line and become an official act of war? I suspect that I wasn't the only person who asked himself that question this week -- and I hope that some of those people were at the highest levels of the federal government.
SKorea says attackers used IP address in 5 nations -- [AP]
South Korean and American officials have said they believe North Korea was behind the attacks, but none of the blocked Internet Protocol addresses -- the Web equivalent of a street address or phone number -- were for computers in North Korea.
The addresses point to the computers that distributed the virus that triggered so-called denial of service attacks in which floods of computers try to connect to a single site at the same time, overwhelming the server. They were in Austria, Georgia, Germany, South Korea and the U.S., an official from the state-run Korea Communications Commission said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media on the record.
Al Qaeda-Linked American Terrorist Condemns, Mocks Obama in New Audio Tape -- [Fox News]
An American who left the United States to join an Al Qaeda-linked group in Somalia is strongly condemning President Obama's efforts to seek "a new beginning" with the Muslim world
Face of Defense: Soldier Honored for Valor, Recalls Ambush -- [Castle Argghhh!]
Well Done, Specialist Hutchinson. From the anecdotal evidence of my friends who have been deployed from the Army Reserve, you beat the odds and the sometimes not-so-subtle preconceptions of the Regulars.And that's a Regular talking.By Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class William Selby Special to American Forces Press Service and Castle Argghhh! WASHINGTON, July 9, 2009 - The fifth Army Reserve soldier to earn the Silver Star since the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001 spoke about his experience in a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable July 6.
Hate Group SPLC to smear troops in Congress -- [This Ain't Hell]
On the heels of the Salon rush job report on racists in the military, the Southern Poverty Law Center is up to it's old tricks again. They've determined that the military is rife with racists (they found 40 out of how many people serving?) so they're marching their hate-filled asses to Congress today to tattle according to Stars and Stripes;
The Protection Racket -- [Greyhawk]
...or: "How the 'Helping Families Save Their Homes Act' screws the Troops"
...military families now won't be forced to vacate until their lease expires, therefore their move may be delayed a bit - but they will no longer be reimbursed for the expenses of that move because it's due to a normal lease expiration - not a foreclosure action. They'll still have to move - maybe with a bit more advance notice but no reduction in hassles - only once again they'll be the ones writing the checks.
PTSD: a Marine vet on cure vs. management -- [FP - Tom Ricks]
I am posting this interesting note from a Marine veteran with his permission. I think there is something to consider here about his report of going through PTSD and coming out smarter, calmer and happier:
Regarding your new post on PTSD I'm glad that you posted the great link and, on a purely confidential basis, I believe the fairly common idea (certainly on the shrink side) that "PTSD...cannot be cured, only managed", may turn out to be a pile of horse manure in the long run. How society defines its illnesses has a huge impact on their treatment. ...
More Soldiers Commit Suicide Under Obama -- [Gateway Pundit]
Remember how the state-run media would pound George W. Bush every few months over soldier suicides to score political points?
The state-run media didn't tell you that more soldiers committed suicide during the Clinton years than during the Bush years:
On Courage and Soldier Suicide -- [P.J. Tobia]
In January 2009, the number of soldiers who committed suicide was greater than the number killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. In that month, 24 soldiers took their own lives, compared with just 4 in January 2008. Soldier suicides have reached a greater number than any time in the last 30 years.
The Army is killing itself.
...But one soldier has come out of the closet with his PTSD struggle. CJ, a blogger at "A Soldier's Perspective," wrote an incredibly moving essay about the battle that still rages within him, long after his combat service ended.
The Afghan Shakedown -- [ABC News]
An Army official from Chicago was given a military medal for valor while pulling off a Chicago-style bribery scheme in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is about 7,000 miles from Chicago. At the bull's eye in the war on terror, it is the last place you would expect to hear about contractor bribes and graft - the kind we usually associate with City Hall, not a foreign battlefield. But the I-Team has learned that the officer behind those schemes was given the army's Bronze Star, even as the corruption investigation is said to have been underway.
...But West's fellow soldiers question whether he was entitled to the Bronze Star and whether it should be taken back.
Dishonor -- [Miserable Donuts]
I just happened to have been in the same Task Force as this admitted criminal. For the first 5 months in country, I was the Task Force XO, and he was the S-4. Really, I was an XO in name only, as my real responsibilities were dealing with the massive influx and departure of thousands of troops through BAF. I clashed with West many times, and thought very little of him - but never got into a position to do anything substantive about him.
Ban on tobacco urged in military -- [USA TODAY]
Pentagon health experts are urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to ban the use of tobacco by troops and end its sale on military property, a change that could dramatically alter a culture intertwined with smoking.
Premier U.S. Fighter Jet Has Major Shortcomings -- [WaPo]
...Sensitive information about troubles with the nation's foremost air-defense fighter is emerging in the midst of a fight between the Obama administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress over whether the program should be halted next year at 187 planes, far short of what the Air Force and the F-22's contractors around the country had anticipated.
"It is a disgrace that you can fly a plane [an average of] only 1.7 hours before it gets a critical failure" that jeopardizes success of the aircraft's mission, said a Defense Department critic of the plane who is not authorized to speak on the record.
Local Soldiers with 679th Movement Control Team Return from Deployment -- [News Blaze]
...The nation had just finished celebrating the anniversary of America's freedom and these Soldiers had a hand in maintaining that civil liberty.
The 679th MCT, which is out-processing here, recently returned from a one-year deployment to Iraq where they were responsible for the planning, routing, scheduling, controlling, coordination, and in-transit visibility of personnel, units, equipment, and supplies in the Joint Base Balad area of operations.
SM's homecoming -- [This Ain't Hell...]
Today's heart warming moment is some pictures of our own Sporkmaster's homecoming from his tour in Iraq.
Air Force combat camera team discusses role of media in military -- [Air Force News]
The media has played a major role in every American military conflict, from the use of newspapers and pamphlets to stoke the American Revolution to embedded journalists in the Middle East.
But a story often lost in the mix is that of the military journalists; those men and women in uniform whose weapon of choice isn't an M4 carbine with a laser sight, but a D3 camera with a 17 to 200 mm lens.
New Social Media Study: Facebook Trumps Other Social Media as Most Valuable. -- [PR Web (press release)]
Stamford, CT (PRWEB) July 10, 2009 -- Facebook far exceeds the other major social networking sites in popularity and value, according to a new social media
Lies Wide Shut -- [Hot Air]
all eight accusers coyly refuse to say exactly what the CIA is supposed to have misled them about; they just allow the nation to draw the "obvious," but not necessarily accurate, conclusion.
...Meanwhile, Pelosi herself is busy ducking questions and pretending she had no knowledge of the leaked letters and didn't orchestrate them to save her own shaky reputation and increasingly untenable tenure as Squeaker of the House:
Watch Who You're Calling a Liar -- [NewsWeek]
Panetta orders internal probe of secret spy program after some members of Congress say CIA misled them.
...The political storm over allegations that the CIA "misled" Congress has so far overshadowed what may be a significant political development: President Obama again appears to be siding with the CIA in resisting demands by human-rights groups and liberal Democrats in Congress for closer scrutiny of covert programs.
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