Dawn Patrol 09/09/09

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.

AFGHANISTAN

'We're pinned down:' 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush -- [McClatchy News]
We walked into a trap, a killing zone of relentless gunfire and rocket barrages from Afghan insurgents hidden in the mountainsides and in a fortress-like village where women and children were replenishing their ammunition.

The enemy has figured us out -- [Bouhammer]
...I realize some Americans may read this with awe and disgust that our Sons and Daughters could be left out like this flapping in the breeze, but so is the life of our embedded army and police trainers since 2003. Since 2003 the National Guard has been been mentoring Afghan Army Forces. Starting in 2007 we started mentoring the Afghan Police also, to include the Border Police with no increase in forces. In teams of 5-15 Americans with Afghan units numbering up to the several hundred. All with little to no support from higher HQ and always counting on the good graces of active duty units that may be located nearby.

Airborne EMTs Shave Seconds to Save Lives in Afghanistan -- [Danger Room - Noah Shachtman - in Afghanistan]
After they helped save the soldier's life, the rescue team was pissed. Yeah, they were able to roll out from their plywood hooch, jump on their helicopters, fly to the middle of minefield, do a quick medical and security assessment, get the soldier on a stretcher, and bring the guy into a military trauma center - all in less than half an hour. But the members of the team, part of the Air Force's 55th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, couldn't believe the save had taken that long. If they were really on their game, they figured, they could've cut that time by five, ten minutes, maybe more. "I'm gonna take a lot of heat for this one," said Staff Sergeant Scott Dowd. "That was dogsh*t. We could've gone a lot faster. That was dogsh*t on me."
As the war in Afghanistan intensifies, the pressure on military rescue teams is mounting.

This wasn't supposed to happen -- [Flit]
"U.S. commanders, citing new rules to avoid civilian casualties, rejected repeated calls to unleash artillery rounds at attackers dug into the slopes and tree lines -- despite being told repeatedly that they weren't near the village.
"'We are pinned down. We are running low on ammo. We have no air. We've lost today,' Marine Maj. Kevin Williams, 37, said through his translator to his Afghan counterpart, responding to the latter's repeated demands for helicopters."
That translator was among the KIA, along with 4 Americans and 8 ANSF. God rest them all.

NATO commandos free NYT reporter -- [LWJ - Threat Matrix]
The New York Times attempted to suppress reporting of Farrell's kidnapping. Local Afghan newspapers, as well as by DPA, the German wire service, reported on the kidnapping, but did not name Farrell. Farrell's kidnapping was reported here at Threat Matrix.
Last weekend The New York Times requested the report of Farrell's kidnapping be removed from Threat Matrix. We did not honor the request.
The New York Times was able to successfully suppress media reports of reporter David Rohde's kidnapping for more than seven months. The newspaper was even successful in getting Wikipedia to suppress the reports of Rohde's kidnapping

Reporter freed, captivity reported -- [Greyhawk]
NY Times: Seized Times Reporter Is Freed in Afghan Raid That Kills Aide
Stephen Farrell, whose captivity Western media refused to acknowledge, was rescued today by men whose deaths must be photographed and displayed worldwide to show Americans the true cost of war.
Farrell told the times "he had been "extracted" by a commando raid carried out by "a lot of soldiers" in a fierce firefight with his captors."
...Even in reporting the rescue of a reporter whose captivity they'd helped cover up they couldn't resist announcing the death of one of the rescuers before the families had been notified. I guess they know a "scoop" when they see one; it's been repeated, with credit to the AP, in every other report on this story - including the New York Times.

BBC Podcast -- [This Ain't Hell...]
Here's the Podcast of the debate Uncle Jimbo and I had with some fellows from across the pond. Podcast We come in about 25 minutes into the broadcast.
I guess what really made me angry was when Jimbo made the point that AP had proven themselves a dishonest broker in the information business when they released the picture of LCPL Joshua Bernard against his family's wishes. The interviewer declared Jimbo's point moot by proclaiming that they'd already talked about that on Monday. WTF?
And one of the bangers and mash aficionados said that Farrell didn't expect to be rescued so that somehow made him better than the military who hadn't bothered to tell leaky-ass New York Times they were going to rescue him. Another WTF?

On air: Should soldiers risk their lives for journalists? -- [World Have Your Say]
Should soldiers rescue journalists who find themselves kidnapped or endangered in a warzone?
Stephen Farrell wasn't 'embedded' - attached to a particular army unit. He and his follow journalist had gone of their own volition, and under their own steam to Kunduz where they were investigating an air strike on two hijcked fuel tankers.
Most people would agree that journalists serving in war zones serve a very useful purpose. They risk their lives to bring the truth of war to those of us who want to know what goes on, but can't go there ourselves. But when things go awry, should soldiers be risking their lives to pick up the pieces?
Many people posting on this discussion forum say no.

Another New York Times Reporter Freed in Afghanistan -- [Patterico's Pontifications]
I wondered before about a media double-standard in comparing the months of secrecy the media afforded the Rohde abduction with the immediate coverage about the capture of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, an American soldier whose story the BBC and other media published within days.
Is there a double-standard that leads the media to protect their own reporters when they are taken hostage, but not others? I'm not the only one asking that question:

Excellent News -- [Registan]
Steve Farrell, a New York Times reporter who had been abducted while covering the bombing incident at Kunduz, has been rescued. His interpreter, tragically, died, along with an unknown number of civilians. Apparently his rescue was the result of an Afghan-led effort, and ended in a brutal firefight.

Insurgent suicide attack causes civilian casualties in Helmand Province -- [DVIDS]
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (September 9) - At least two Afghan civilians were killed and several International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel and Afghan civilians were injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest near the entrance to Camp Bastion today.

Firepower Trumps 'Soft Power' in This Afghan Town -- [Danger Room - Noah Shachtman - in Afghanistan]
Any fight against insurgents is going to involve some shooting, of course; there are guerrillas who can't be reconciled, and militants who won't be pushed out by mere public pressure. But Meador is using a very different tactic. He's deliberately sending his Marines out to provoke fights with the Taliban, in order to keep the militants off-balance - and give some of the pro-government villages a chance to rebuild. "I call it the eye gouge," Meador says. "To keep the good areas here relatively calm, you have to go to the enemy and punch him in the chest, punch him in the face."

US Learned Its Lesson, Won't Abandon Afghanistan, Gates Says -- [Washington Post]
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview broadcast this week that the United States would not repeat the mistake of abandoning Afghanistan, vowing that "both Afghanistan and Pakistan can count on us for the long term." In his first interview with the al-Jazeera television network, Gates said the United States made a "serious strategic mistake" by turning its focus away from Afghanistan after Soviet occupation forces were defeated there two decades ago. "As soon as the Soviets left Afghanistan, we turned our backs on Afghanistan and we did not cultivate our relationship with the Pakistanis properly," he said, noting that US decisions at the time sparked doubts about Americans' commitment to the region.

ISAF Commander Appoints Board to Lead Investigation into Kunduz Air Strike -- [ISAF]
ISAF Commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal has appointed Maj. Gen. C.S. Sullivan to lead the Joint Investigation Board conducting a formal investigation into the Sept. 3 air strike in Kunduz.

Quick response - and otherwise -- [Greyhawk]
...I had to read this twice to make sure I understood it: "Regardless of whether most of those killed in the bombing were civilians or Taliban fighters, there was genuine shock among many Germans that one of their military commanders could have been responsible for an attack that killed so many people."

What "Protecting the People" Actually Means. -- [Registan]
I have a new essay up at World Politics Review, examining what it means to get serious about "protecting the people" of Afghanistan. It's risky, difficult work, but not impossible.
Instead, Gen. McChrystal should replace the huge FOBs with smaller community outposts spread through villages and town centers. One lesson that should be imported from Iraq,

Angela Merkel on Defensive After Afghan Tanker Attack Blunder by German Forces -- [The Times]
It was the end of Germany's "Don't Mention the War" election campaign. In an impassioned parliamentary session yesterday Angela Merkel, the Chancellor, was forced to fight off her critics and try to persuade a sceptical nation that German troops should stay in Afghanistan. The bombardment of two fuel trucks, hijacked by Taleban geuerrillas last Friday, led to the death of over 59 people. Many were likely to have been civilians from a nearby village wanting to siphon petrol from the containers.

A Rock and a Hard Place -- [This Ain't Hell...]
In talking to Jonn and others in the secret cabal last week, there was a ton of discussion about this:
A Swedish charity has accused American troops of storming through a hospital in Afghanistan, breaking down doors and tying up staff. The U.S. military says it is investigating.
...The only reason I am weighing in is that I have been to that hospital, or rather, been outside it. Back in late 2004 I was part of a group that went to meet a woman who was involved with the Hospital. I don't even remember what we were doing there, it was outside my lane. But, the CO and I and a few others went to talk to this woman. Only we had to go through a local elder to get to her, and when we showed up she was pissed, and waved us on. We would later meet her down the road....

Massoud Day -- [Doc H's International Adventure - in Afghanistan]
9 September is a National Holiday in Afghanistan. It is dedicated in the memory of Ahmad Shah Massoud. Massoud Day (roz e Massoud) is the only National Holiday dedicated to one person. He is remembered as the most charismatic and effective leader of the mujahideen during the struggle against Soviet occupation and control. He was an articulate man who served as a rally point and focus for the western press during the Afghan-Soviet war. ...Massoud warned European and other Western leaders of the dangers of the Taliban, to no avail.

Afghanistan's Version of Cook County? -- [Outside the Wire - JD Johannes - in Afghanistan]
UPDATE: Afghanistan's Electoral Complaint Commission has ordered an audit/recount in response to "Clear and convincing evidence of fraud."
In the lore of American elections, Cook county, Illinois looms large. Cook county, according the legends, if not in fact, always reported the returns of elections last--despite being in the City of Chicago. Rural backwaters and the suburbs would report the returns and then after every other vote was counted, Cook county would report returns giving the winning margin to whatever candidate the machine favored.
I have a concern that Afghanistan's version of Cook county is in the provinces of Farah, Nimroz, Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Khost and Paktika.
What causes this concern of mine...

US to Karzai: Accept Vote Recount -- [Washington Times]
The Obama administration, debating whether to send thousands more US troops to Afghanistan, has intensified pressure on Afghan President Hamid Karzai not to declare victory and to agree to a partial recount of votes in an election tainted by massive fraud. Administration officials said the US ambassador to Kabul, Karl Eikenberry, pressed Mr. Karzai in meetings Monday and Tuesday to allow the fraud investigation to play out before claiming publicly that he has been re-elected. An Afghan-run election commission said that with more than 90 percent of the votes counted, Mr. Karzai had 54 percent, enough to avoid a runoff. At the same time, the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) - an independent body with the power to investigate and nullify fraudulent votes - ordered a recount at hundreds of polling stations where it said it had found "clear and convincing evidence of fraud" during the Aug. 20 election.

IRAQ

Senior U.S. Official: Iraq Is Embarrassed -- [MEMRI Blog]
A U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, told the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that Iraq's demand for an international tribunal "reflects a real embarrassment about the sad and painful terrorist attacks."

Iraqi Government Uses Satellites to Identify Infiltrators From Syria -- [MEMRI Blog]
The Iraqi government, with the help of the U.S. government, will use advanced technology and satellites to identify cross-border infiltrators into Iraq from Syria.

Attacks Muddle American Plans to Draw Down in Iraq -- [New York Times]
In the worst day of violence against American soldiers in Iraq since combat troops moved out of the cities this year, two bombings left four Americans dead, underscoring the dangers troops here still face even as they prepare for their exit from this country. The American military provided little detail about the attacks, saying only that one soldier was killed in a roadside bombing in southern Baghdad and that three more were killed in another roadside bombing in northern Iraq. While the American presence here has been greatly diminished, with Iraqis and Americans rarely conducting joint patrols and Iraqis eager to appear in control of their own security, there are still thousands of American soldiers working as advisers inside cities and towns across Iraq.

Four American Soldiers Killed in Iraq -- [Voice of America]
The US military says four American soldiers have been killed in roadside bombings in Iraq. A military statement says three of the soldiers died in an attack in northern Iraq Tuesday. Earlier in the day, another soldier was killed when a bomb hit a US patrol in southern Baghdad. Monthly death tolls for US troops have fallen sharply this year, as forces shift to a mainly support and training role in accordance with a security pact that took effect January 1. US troops pulled out of Iraqi urban centers in July of this year.

September 11 Ceremony -- [In Iraq Now (at 56) - in Iraq]
Now I may or may not actually talk about my reaction to 9-11 and joining the Army years later, because they may shorten the program or my talk may not pass review. I'll post it after the event whether I give the talk or not.
...Just when I forget that 30% of America believes 9-11 was an inside job, someone pops out his view that there was indeed a conspiracy.

Awards write ups take their toll... -- [Castra Praetoria - in Iraq]
As we prepare for our return, award write ups become a focus of effort for the company. When it is time to do awards, a number of things happen:

Restored water plant serves millions -- [MNF-I]
Some citizens of Basrah lived without clean, running water for cooking and hygiene. Following a recent inspection of the Hartha Water Treatment Plant here, the 17th Fires Brigade aimed to change that

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

A law against "idiots" interfering in world affairs by visiting failed states or their vicinity? -- [MoStFab]
The French foreign ministry is proposing a new law (at this stage it is a projet de loi) part of which is about giving the French state the opportunity to make people who get into trouble in danger zones around the world liable for their actions - should this become law, they may have to pay back all or a part of the costs of their rescue, should the French state demand that (in the Bloomberg article they call this a "stupidity tax"). Rescuing citizens in trouble after travelling into dangerous areas despite proper warning against this is something the French had to do on three occasions off the coast of Somalia in the past two years.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Al-Qaeda Targeting Germany for 'Next 9/11' - Within Weeks -- [Israel News]
Jihadists close to al-Qaeda explicitly warned in new communications that Germany will be the target of the next 9/11-scale terrorist attack. The timing of the strike, they say, will be within the next few weeks.

Former CIA Agent's Eight Years Hunting bin Laden in Pakistani Badlands -- [The Times]
Art Keller, a blond, blue-eyed CIA agent, sits inside a decrepit building deep inside al-Qaeda territory, staring at his computer screen. He is forbidden by his Pakistani minders from venturing out into the badlands of Waziristan to help to find and kill the world's most wanted man. He is sick and exhausted, and suffering from food poisoning. Back home in the US his father is dying of cancer. The plumbing is basic, the heat intense - the generator has failed again. He pores over cables looking for any scrap of information - an intercepted phone call, an aerial photograph - that might finally end the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

The greatest threat -- [SWJ - Robert Haddick]
What is the greatest threat to U.S. security? The greatest threat to U.S. security is something that would upset the usefulness of the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE), the consolidated U.S. government database of terrorist suspects around the world. The government uses that database to establish watch lists, no-fly lists, screen visa applicants at U.S. consulates, conduct surveillance, coordinate investigations with foreign and local partners, etc. It was the lack of such a database and its applications that permitted 9/11 to happen. Today, the TIDE database and the activities it supports is the U.S. government's most important counterterrorism tool.

Terrorists Shift Focus to Hotels and 'Soft' Targets, Study Says -- [AP]
Terrorists are aiming for hotels and other easier-to-hit targets as security measures at military and government facilities continue to improve, said a global intelligence company. Al Qaeda is changing from a centralized organization with global goals to regional "franchises" with more parochial aims and strong grass-roots support, according to a report Tuesday from STRATFOR. These smaller cells get less training and less money, so they set their sights lower. That doesn't mean they aren't dangerous, "particularly if they are attempting to prove their value or if they are able to link up with someone who is highly tactically skilled," the report said.

Al Qaeda Mole in New York UN Headquarters? -- [Jawa Report]
A Canadian diplomat who was held hostage by al Qaeda's North African affiliate believes he was betrayed. Robert Fowler, who was taken hostage by al Qaeda in the Islmic Maghreb, believes the circumstances leading to his capture is evidence that someone with knowledge of his diplomatic mission gave that information to the terrorist network.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

A letter from Afghanistan -- [Soldiers Angels LA - Greta]
Update: There are over 1200 deployed heroes waiting to be adopted by you, your office or your group. Please consider adopting a hero today. A letter a week and 1-2 small packages a month is all it takes. Go to Soldiers' Angels for all the information.

Generosity of total strangers -- [Afghanistan My Last Tour - in Afghanistan]
From Liisa, SMSgt Temple's wife: Rex is safely back from his mission but the camp has no Internet access right now. But I know he has a couple of really great stories to tell in the next few days from this latest mission. While he was away, I checked his in-coming e-mails and was amazed by how many total strangers across the country are signing up to help with his school supplies campaign for Afghan children. The response has been wonderful and we have so far people promising to collect supplies all over Central Florida and in California, Mississippi, Georgia, Washington (State - not DC) and South Carolina. There is one particular family that deserves a major "thank you."

Connecting With People Who "Get It" -- [SpouseBuzz - Andi]
If you're not a member of military.com, you should be. Over ten million people are! Registration is free and there are numerous benefits. You can find friends, make friends, find job postings and get career advice, find information on duty stations, receive special discounts and much, much more. This is probably a good time to remind you that you can sign up to receive the Family and Spouse Newsletter, a great newsletter which compiles the best news and items of interest to military spouses families twice monthly, and sends it straight to your inbox.
Military.com has revamped their community offerings to include fresh, creative ways to connect with even more people who understand the unique military experience.

Marines LtCol David Odom re: Spirit of America support in Afghanistan -- [SoA]
Following our initial SoA - 3/8 & SPMAGTF-A meeting in 29 Palms,CA; we established email as the primary method for requesting support from SoA to the mission in southern Afghanistan.
...Upon getting oriented in the early fall, we sent a "wish list" of items to SoA that would enable "snap-Humanitarian Assistance (Snap-HA)" in support of our mission. The intent was to utilize SoA resources to provide items that would 1) better enable and professionalize the ANP ; and 2)provide our Marines with a variety of goods that good be distributed to local Afghans (usually through the local Afghan gov't as this further enables the perception and reality of the Afghan gov't providing for the people; and also for general distribution during both motorized and foot patrols in the populated areas).

MILITARY

Military spends $10M to build Web sites aimed at squelching anti-US messages -- [Network World]
Can a series of customized Web sites written in specific, strategic foreign languages actually influence how the world perceives our government's policies? And by-the-way help fight the war on terror? Sounds like a stretch but that is indeed the goal of the project known as the Trans Regional Web Initiative.
General Dynamics Information Technology said it was awarded a $10.1 million contract to start the project the officials hope would quell any anti-US communications out on the Web. Specifically the project requires "the capability to posture for rapid, on-order global dissemination of Web-based influence products and tools in support of strategic and long-term US Government goals and objectives."

A More Exclusive Club -- [Strategy Page]
Two years ago, the U.S. Army National Guard (NG) had fixed its recruiting problems and restored itself to its authorized strength of 358,000. But now the National Guard has been ordered to cut its strength nine percent. At the same time, the recession, and fewer NG units being sent overseas, has brought even more business for recruiters. The NG has long been seen as a good part time job, and these days, any kind of job, in some parts of the country, is a good job. So now the NG recruiters have been ordered to take a lot fewer people and be a lot more picky.

This Gig Sucks -- [Strategy Page]
One of the less discussed reasons for flawed, over-budget and behind schedule new weapons is that defense industries are no longer considered sexy. Young engineers and scientists would rather work on consumer electronics, or Internet based companies, than design and build new warships, missiles or weapons in general. NASA is having an equally difficult time because space operations are not nearly as attractive as they used to be. Moreover, many of those enthusiastic baby boomer (born between 1946-64) engineers are starting to retire. And there are few people with equal skills to replace them.

WELCOME HOME

Home At Last...Camp Patriot? -- [Sour Swinger - in Iraq/Kuwait]
The fresh Pennsylvania air. The green grass. Seeing family for a first time in 8 months. Delta company finally has come back and is relaxing in their homes. Done with deployment...finally. Wish I could say the same. Meanwhile, back in Kuwait I find myself on the worst detail ever. With me are over 200 soldiers from the rest of the 56th SBCT. Our mission, wash all the vehicles in order to clear customs before sending them back to the states. Before I continue with my Kuwait talk, I'd like to mention more about Delta's reunion with family but since I wasn't there, I don't anything to say.

160 soldiers back home -- [Honolulu Star-Bulletin]
The last welcome-home ceremony is expected to take place in November after Maj. Gen. Robert Caslen turns over the command of Task Force Lightning to Maj. ...

Local Soldiers Coming Home From Afghanistan This Week -- [WIFR]
More than a hundred stateline soldiers will be greeted with a heroes welcome home when they return from a year-long mission in Afghanistan later this week.

Another round of Strykers returns to Fort Wainwright -- [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]
Children position their handmade "Welcome Home" signs. Moms prop babies on their hips, ready to greet husbands with a free arm. Within minutes the electric ...

MILBLOGGING

Pentagon Keeps Wary Watch as Troops Blog -- [NY Times]
There are two sides to the military's foray into the freewheeling world of the interactive Web. At the highest echelons of the Pentagon, civilian officials and four-star generals are newly hailing the power of social networking to make members of the American military more empathetic, entice recruits and shape public opinion on the war.
...The Web, however, is a big place. And the many thousands of troops who use blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to communicate with the outside world are not always in tune with the Pentagon's official voice. Policing their daily flood of posts, videos and photographs is virtually impossible -- but that has not stopped some in the military from trying.
...Still, even as they consider restricting the troops' access to social media, the most senior Pentagon officials have clearly come to view Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogging as crucial elements of their public information operations.

THE MEDIA

Trust squandered for a photo -- [Armed and Curious]
I learned long ago the old saying that where you stand on an issue relates directly to where you sit. I am an Army officer with 4 combat tours and now serve as a public affairs officer. A big part of the job of a PAO is to serve as the liaison between the media and our military units. With that perspective the AP decision to publish the photo of the dying Marine last week was a foolish mistake with second and third order effects that won't be seen in Washington or the Pulitzer Prize committee room.
...On the military side passions have been high seeing the whole episode as a betrayal of our service men and women and their families. To make matters worse, the photo is being used by anti-war activists and even jihadist websites to trumpet the failure of our mission and in many cases celebrate the death of one of our own. Yet another one of those pesky second and third order effects I mentioned above.

Media Covered Up 2nd NYT Captive -- [Sweetness&Light]
Lest we forget, The Times and the rest of our media masters flat out refuse to honor the requests of other military families who request that their the capture of their sons not be reported.
Indeed, the Associated Press would not even refrain from publishing the photograph of a dying Marine, even after being begged by his relatives and the Secretary Of Defense, Mr. Gates himself.
Just as the New York Times delighted in showing in publishing a video and photos of a us soldier dying back in January 2007.
But when it's one of their own (who are usually only there to hurt our troops and their mission) no effort is spared to suppress the news.
The Times even bragged about their months long collaboration with Wikipedia to keep news of Mr. Rohde's kidnapping out of Wikipedia's pages.
But any secret that can hurt our soldiers or our national security in general gets front page above the fold treatment from the Treason Times.
And speaking of gross hypocrisy:

POLITICS

Carl Dix and IVAW's Communist connections -- [This Ain't Hell...]
Carl Dix was a soldier in the US Army until he refused to go to Vietnam. After a stint in jail, he came out and joined the Black Workers Congress (remember Darnell Stephens Summers? Links here and here.) From the Black Workers Congress, Dix went to the Revolutionary Communist Party which was co-founded by his friend Bob Avakian. Here's Avakian a few days ago

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)