IRAQ

2 U. S. copters collide in Baghdad -- [Buffalo News]
Two U. S. helicopters collided Saturday while landing at a base in Baghdad, killing one Iraqi soldier and injuring four people, including two Americans, the military said. It was the second American helicopter crash in two weeks.
The U. S. military said hostile fire did not appear to be the cause.
Also Saturday, the military said U. S. troops killed an al- Qaida in Iraq leader suspected of masterminding one of the deadliest attacks in Baghdad, several other recent bombings and the 2006 videotaped killing of a Russian official.

IED Failed To Blow Up On US Humvee

Iraq, confiscated footage

Going For The Head -- [Strategy Page]
n the past two months, Iraqi and U.S. forces have captured at least 30 members of Iranian group Kataib Hezbollah. This gang specializes in smuggling weapons and military equipment from Iran into Iraq, and then distributing it to pro-Iranian Shia groups. As police and army personnel take control of Shia towns and neighborhoods formerly dominated by Shia militias, it's possible to get information from locals who oppose violent groups.

A Lioness on the Prowl -- [3MAW - in Iraq]
Lance Cpl. Melissa Tugwell is a 23-year-old, Lake Charles, LA-native. She is a combat correspondent with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).
...After completing training, I was assigned to a security checkpoint in Karma, Iraq, with fellow lioness Seaman Christina Follmer. We fell under the supervision of the infantry staff noncommissioned officers of Weapons Platoon, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines.
I’ve found that our mission as lionesses is different than the mission carried out by the first female Marines who manned security check points in Iraq.

Ladies of the 191 Update -- [Ladies of Liberty - in Iraq] HT: MaryAnnWe are down to the double digits, looking at some 80 days or so left in country. The days go by slow at times, but for the most part this deployment has flown by. Ramadan is over. Ramadan is the time for Muslims to fast and focus on God. They fast during daylight hours (no water and food), they don't go on dates, drink, smoke, eat candy, etc. It is a time for them to pray and become closer to God. After the 30 days of Ramadan, they have a 4-day celebration, called EID. It is time for feasting, celebration, dancing, music, carnivals, presents, new clothes, etc. It is a joyous time right now all over Baghdad.

Kirkuk -- [Up Country Iraq - in Iraq]
Over the past couple of weeks I made my way up to Tamim Province to the north of my location. The most well known city up there is the city of Kirkuk. Tamim Province is a mixed province of Arabs and Kurds, yet despite the mixed population, it is also one of the most stable provinces in the northern region, not counting the three provinces that are officially in the Kurdish region.
...Many people refer to Tamim as Kirkuk province, and I noticed that some newspapers do that as well. As most of you have probably heard, the Iraqi Parliament has passed the provincial election law, setting provincial elections for January 2009. These elections are likely to bring greater Sunni representation to the Iraqi parliament since Sunnis are unlikely to boycott the elections as they did in 2005. The original intent of the election law was to include a question on the future of Tamim province. Kurds would like to see...

Day 104. Baghdad -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
We were awakened to gunfire all around our camp this morning. No one got hurt. It was celebratory fire, like the 4th of July, to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

It’s a Long Story -- [The War on Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
For those of you who are not in the military, walking in front of a formation is considered disrespectful. But walking BETWEEN a leader and his formation is an act of disrespect that I have never seen in my 14 year career. And by the manner that SFC Rocksalt was walking, he did it intentionally.
“Hey Sergeant Rocksalt,” I shout. “How ‘bout next time you walk behind my formation!”
He turns around: “How ‘bout next time you shut the fuck up!”

Tonight would have been perfect if... -- [Photography, Software, and Sand - in Iraq]
...In addition to the temperature, I was walking with a buddy of mine here on the compound and came across the spot where two brick walls blocked out all the lights and the nighttime sky suddenly became clear. I couldve easily spent the night there looking up, not just because I enjoy stargazing but because aside from my time in Thailand I'd never seen some of these stars before -- the southern sky is totally different from the northern sky and I'm just starting to see both

Comedy with a Message

Comedy with a message, thats what the cast members of the television show "Mud House" brought to the Iraqis, live, at the Al Kut Touristic Hotel. Though laughter filled the air of Al Kut, the message to be heard by all was one of self government and sovereignty for Iraq.

One Unit, One Fight... -- [Collabman's Thoughts - son in Iraq]
Despite already having served 15 years of service to country, Staff Sgt. Brian Pritchett, with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, re-enlisted indefinitely two months ago. Now, following in his father’s footsteps, Spc. Bobby Pritchett, a driver with 3rd Squadron, 2SCR, is doing the same.

Warrior Cops Train New Iraqi Police -- [American Ranger]
The following article discusses the invaluable assistance that American police officers are providing to the new Iraqi police. I am also a cop and I will return to my police department in February. I am extraordinarily proud that my fellow law enforcement officers are willing to enter the world of war to make a difference, just as they are willing to put their lives on the line back here in the States.

AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN

NATO Captures Senior taliban leader -- [Jawa Report]
NATO forces in Afghanistan have captured a senior taliban leader, without even firing a shot. I guess the taliban leader wasn't anxious to find out if there are 72 brown eyed virgins waiting for him on the other side.

War in Afghanistan cannot be won, British commander Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith warns -- [Telegraph]
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith said the British public should not expect "a decisive military victory" and that he believed groups of insurgents would still be at large after troops pulled out.
In June, he claimed that British forces had reached a "tipping point" against a weakened Taliban after their leadership was "decapitated".
But on Sunday the army officer said it was time to lower expectations and focus on reducing the conflict to a level which could be managed by the Afghan army.

British Cmdr. in Afghanistan: war on terror can not be won -- [Al Jazeera]

Victory Impossible! -- [Jules Crittenden]
That’s the lede in this Times of London article quoting a Brit general re Afghanistan, whose troops have been bloodied fighting a Taliban that seems endlessly capable of replenishing itself despite heavy losses. Damn, that sounds familiar. That’s what they used to say about Iraq. Though when you get into it, that isn’t exactly what he’s saying: Don’t give up. More troops, more counterinsurgency, cut political deals, divide and conquer.

On Negotiating with the Taliban -- [Captain's Journal]
This comment at the Small Wars Journal Blog by a British officer reminds us again of the myth that has sprung up around the narrative of Anbar.
… dialogue with Afghan tribes/groupings that provided the ‘freedom’ for them to accept localised security responsibility. Given the nature of some of these local forces it was this aspect of our tactical activity that I recall being the subject of friction between the Brit and US chains of command. Slightly ironic when one considers the subsequent endorsement of the ‘awakening’ in Al An bar and Baghdad. Clearly this latter course of action was driven by our own limited means and was fraught with risk. However, compromise is, I submit, an enduring tenet of COIN.
The irony is only apparent, and belongs to the realm of myth-telling concerning the U.S. experience in the Anbar Province.

Afghanistan begins registering voters for 2009 election -- [Reuters]
Afghanistan began registering voters on Monday for elections due next year that will test support for President Hamid Karzai and democracy itself which is threatened by a virulent Taliban insurgency in which thousands have died.

Like fingers of a hand: Four Soldiers, Sailor secure safe passage in Afghanistan -- [John of Argghhh!]
Afghanistan (Oct. 4, 2008) — “Stay alert and stay vigilant,” shouted a chiseled-face Soldier during a pre-convoy briefing at Camp Eggers, Afghanistan, today. Staff Sgt. Carlos Padilla was one of five service members charged with securing the safe passage of troops from Camp Eggers to Bagram Air Field.
Like the fingers on a hand, each member of the five-man team is paramount to today’s mission,

Sorry, all -- [Cheese's Milblog - in Afghanistan]
It's been an interesting few weeks, and my whole company is counting down the days until we get out of here.
It's funny...last deployment I didn't even realize that it was time to go home until we were moving out of Bayji and back to Tikrit...this time we started counting down at 80 days! The routine that we're stuck in here is enough to drive anyone crazy and as it stands right now, we spend less than three days out of every nine-day rotation living out of our rooms. That isn't as much of a bid deal now that I live in a glorified closet, but it's still nice to see "home" every now and again.

Provincial Reconstruction in Afghanistan -- [SWJ]
The conflict in Afghanistan has been running now for more than six years but, after some early successes, the situation appears to have developed into a classic insurgency with the prospect of it becoming a long-term commitment for the coalition forces. Since taking the lead of the UN established International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in 2003, NATO has pinned a lot of its hopes on the ability of its multi-agency Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) to deliver stabilization to the country. The PRTs try to bring together the three strands of security, governance, and development through the contribution made by the military, political and economic elements of the teams. This paper considers how NATO is tackling the particular difficulties of managing the PRTs, and how it is attempting to harmonise the potentially disparate aims of their three separate dimensions.
...In the conclusion some of the current problems that the coalition faces in Afghanistan are identified, and the specific areas where the lessons from CORDS might be helpful are discussed.

Peace Under Friendly Fire -- [NY Times]
AS civilian casualties mount, American and NATO forces in Afghanistan are facing an erosion of their public legitimacy. The Taliban and Al Qaeda are exploiting this distrust, aiming to transform it into a popular rage against the Afghan government and its foreign allies. Unless the insurgents are denied propaganda tools — in particular, the growing number of images of dead women and children — no number of additional troops will bring success to the American-led mission.

Pakistan has poor track record reporting deaths of senior terrorist leaders -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Reports indicate a senior al Qaeda or Taliban leader may have been killed in the Oct. 2 cross-border strike, but Pakistani sources must be treated with skepticism based on past performance.

U.S. to allies: Fight in Afghanistan or write check -- [Reuters]
The United States has asked Japan and NATO allies who have refused to send troops to Afghanistan to pay the estimated $17 billion needed to build up the Afghan army, according to U.S. defense officials.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Iran Friday Sermon: U.S. Economic Woes 'Divine Punishment' -- [MEMRI Blog]
'The Unhappier They [Americans] Become, The Happier We Get'; 'Americans Should Wait To Be Slapped In The Face By Islam, Muslims, And The Islamic Revolution'; Since
Interim Tehran Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said today in his sermon that Iran's enemies have targeted its economy in vain hopes of countering the Islamic Republic.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Al-Qaida: US economic crisis equals Muslim victory -- [AP]
An American member of al-Qaida pointed to economic troubles in the United States as proof that "the enemies of Islam" face defeat, in an English-language video released Saturday.
In a half hour video message, California-native Adam Gadahn urged Pakistanis to unite against their government and U.S. forces, and taunted Americans over their economic crisis, relating it to their military interventions.

Adam Gadahn resurfaces in new al Qaeda tape -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Al Qaeda's American spokesman was rumored killed in a January airstrike that killed Abu Laith al Libi. Gadahn references the US "economic meltdown."

Security, Surveillance and Satellites -- [ThreatsWatch]
Last week as part of the Continuing Resolution that funds the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security through March 2009, Congress provided partial funding for the first phase of a controversial satellite surveillance program run by the National Applications Office

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Personal Attachments, Before and After Combat -- [A Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
...Our returning soldiers and veterans can begin to readjust to the psychological trauma they have received during combat. Especially the ones who have developed strong attachments within a group they identify and interact with regularly. They will need to seek others who have experinced similar situations so as to lessen the internal pain of severing the ties of blood brothers back in the battlefield. The soldier or veteran did not choose for these bonds with family members to be broken, it was a matter of necessity for their survival.
Family understanding and involvement has an integral impact on our returning troops successful reintegration back into society.

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Acute Lung Rescue Team: The "Delta Force of military medicine" -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Here's more from Steve Mraz on Landstuhl's special lung team mentioned here. Although the vast majority of critical patients can be safely medevaced from theater by the highly specialized personnel of the Critical Care Transport Team, there are exceptions. That's when this team goes into action...

Best Charity in America -- [Neptunus Lex]
Do you remember Senior Chief Tommy Valentine? Navy SEAL veteran of multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq? Got a workout named after him. Earned the Silver Star, and Bronze Star (twice).
...The Navy Special Warfare Foundation - certified by the Independent Charities of America as a “Best Charity in America” - is giving us that opportunity. On November 8, 2008. On board Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. It’s Navy for Navy, with MWR all in, and the hopes of at least covering the administrative costs so that something comes back to the foundation, and the families.
They’re looking for individual and corporate donations. Tax exempt, of course. A chance to tell the family of Senior Chief Valentine, and the families of too many heroes like him, how much we value what they’ve done for us.

Jobs for Veterans -- [Soldiers’ Angels Louisiana - Greta]
Helmets to Hardhats is to commended for their great work in Louisiana.

Naomi Wolf Freaking Out the Puget Sound With Lies About the Military -- [LT Nixon]
The radio segment is absolutely painful to listen to. The normally liberal NPR station in the normally liberal town of Seattle isn't even buying this nonsense, as evidenced by the radio host laughing when Naomi Wolf says "Everything I've predicted has come true!". She then calls 3ID the "blackshirts", criticizes police for having a "Rovian S&M fetish" for their riot gear, and somehow the Mayor of NYC is involved in all these fascist shenanigans, which veers sharply into LaRouche territory. An ex-military recruiter calls in and cites the last time an American was killed by the military was in the 90s, which was the result of Clinton stationing Marines on the border in the misguided drug war.

MILITARY/MILITARY LIFE

The Battlebook III: A Guide for Spouses in Leadership Roles -- [From my position... On the way! ]
Today's military serves a Nation at War. The Battle Book III: A Guide for Spouses in Leadership Roles offers a wealth of information and resources that address the tough requirements of our times.
This handbook represents the caring work of spouses of students of the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) Class of 2005 and was recently updated by the USAWC student spouses of the Class of 2007.
It is designed to help Families learn about the military and better understand the Soldier's mission.

On this date in history…
-- [Strike - Hold!]
6 October 1973: The Yom Kippur War (also known as The October War) began as Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on the holiest day of the Jewish year. All this month, in honour of the 35th Anniversary of this conflict, I will be posting a series of relevant articles.
6 october 1981: President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, who did much to bring peace between Israel and her Arab neighbour states, was assassinated in Cairo by...

MCAS Miramar Airshow and the people I worked with -- [Doc in the Box]
Part of being attached to Third Marine Air Wing for a corpsman is the annual airshow work drive, last year, we ran a food booth. This year, we actually did medical coverage and I was the LPO (leading petty officer) for the Mini-ambulances on the east side of the flight line.

Pentagon Seeks $57 Billion More in 2010, Jonas Says (Update1) -- [Bloomberg]
Oct. 2 -- The U.S. military wants an increase of $57 billion in fiscal 2010, about 13.5 percent more than this year's budget of $514.3 billion, according to the Pentagon's outgoing comptroller.
The White House hasn't approved the request and Pentagon officials will make a strong case for it, Tina Jonas said.
...``Just how big a boost this would be also depends on what happens'' with emergency wartime supplemental budgets, Kosiak said.
The senior foreign policy adviser for Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama, Richard Danzig, said Obama believes emergency wartime funding measures are ``an unfortunate mode of budgeting.

WELCOME HOME

Troops return to California with good news -- [Los Angeles Times]
The troops came home to a joyous welcome from family members. It was a night for good news: the troops are confident that the US is winning the war.

Homecoming -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]

Posted on LiveLeak by an Airman with the title: "My Dogs greeting me after returning from 14 months in Iraq".

817th thanked for service in ceremony -- [In-Forum, ND]
On Sunday at the Jamestown Civic Center amid hundreds of supporters and well-wishers, the 817th received its official welcome home. To honor the guardsmen

MILBLOGGING

English Student Reflects on Military Blogs, War -- [milblogging.com]
Before this class I never really never thought about the soldiers involved in this mess. I mean, I knew there were citizens over in Iraq carrying out a madman’s wishes, but I never really connected the implications of this. I knew people were dying there almost on a daily basis, but I never had a face to correlate with the number. In this way the milblog has opened my eyes to a whole new but strikingly similar culture.
The thing that I noticed from the beginning about these soldiers is how amazingly similar they are to the average, everyday, mainland American. They play video games, they write, they joke, surf the net, etc. In a big way this is a wakeup call for me. Seeing how similar these people are to me caused me to question, “What if I was in the army?” I never thought about this before because I always thought that it took a different, disconnected sort of person to join the army, but that is not the case.

Milblogging Tip: How to expand your Military Blog to Podcasting -- [milblogging.com]
If you’re interested or have questions about getting into podcasting, I’d recommend contacting Military Blogger CJ of A Soldier’s Perspective and You Served. He’s been hosting a weekly radio show on BlogTalkRadio discussing military topics. You can also check out BlogTalkRadio’s About page to learn more how their service works.

THE MEDIA

LA Times Won't Release Video of Obama Publically Praising Former PLO Operative & Jew Hater -- [Gateway Pundit]
Not only does Barack Obama's church of 20 years support Hamas and Hezbollah but Barack Obama also has a long close friendship and financial association with suspected former PLO operative and Israel hater Rashid Khalidi.
...The LA Times may not release the video of Obama praising a good friend and former PLO operative but they did publish an attack on John McCain's military service today.
Barack Obama was never in the military, of course.

Newsweek: Palin Too Common, Too Stupid to be Vice President, She's 'Dangerous' -- [NewsBusters]
Newsweek's John Meacham thinks that Governor Sarah Palin is too much a commoner and too stupid to be allowed to become vice president of the United States of America and apparently his employer agrees with him. The October 13 cover of Newsweek features a close up photo of the Governor with the headline "She's One of the Folks (And that's the problem)," and Meacham writes the accompanying cover story.

POLITICS

Racism rears its ugly head -- [Greyhawk]
Barack Obama has assured his supporters that Republicans will attack him because he's black.
The AP has found an example of just that - headline: AP: Palin's Ayers Attack "Racially Tinged".
...Let me abbreviate why the AP feels Palin's attack is racist: "Anyone who holds a different opinion ('not like us') than Barack Obama on anything is a racist."
See your future?

Barack Obama's Association with Former PLO Operative Khalidi

Obama doesn't weed out illegal cash, GOP says -- [Reuters]
The Republican Party on Sunday said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama had not done enough to screen out illegal campaign contributions and asked U.S. election officials to look into the matter.
Citing news reports, the Republican National Committee said Obama had accepted contributions from foreigners and taken more than the $2,300 maximum from donors who give in small increments. The Obama campaign denied the charges.
The RNC said it will ask the Federal Election Commission to examine Obama records in detail to determine the extent of the problem.

Why He’s Voting for McCain/Palin

Exclusive: Obama to hit McCain on Keating Five -- [Politico]
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Monday will launch a multimedia campaign to draw attention to the involvement of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the “Keating Five” savings-and-loan scandal of 1989-91, which blemished McCain's public image and set him on his course as a self-styled reformer.

Ex-officials misled by pro-Obama video -- [Jerusalem Post]
A video released by the Jewish Council for Education & Research which appeared to show several retired senior IDF and Mossad officials supporting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has proven to be misleading, with a number of officials

A timeline. -- [One's Marine View - in Iraq]
After watching the VP debate, one major issue I paid attention to because, I’ve lived in it was the Iraq AND Afghanistan issues. Granted I think the candidates did a great job. However, you cannot establish a black and white time line to a troop withdrawal.

Interview with Pete Hegseth: Update on VFF -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo]
VFF has a long-term viability, not strictly a short-term play leading into the elections. While Pete heavily reiterates that getting issues addressed now in the media is important, it's primarily because the DEBATE on these issues are at the forefront during and election cycle. Pete says that they will remain quite relevant far beyond Nov 4th, as they will also address support for GWOT going forward,...

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

IRAQ

Iraq civilian, U.S. troop deaths fall in September -- [Reuters]
The number of civilians killed in Iraq last month more than halved to 359 compared to a year ago, Iraqi government figures showed, and the number of U.S. troops killed in action also ...

"Security Incidents Had Declined To Levels Not Seen In Four-And-A-Half Years"

As this graph shows, the secuity situion in Iraq continues to improve in a dramatic way ... (Click to enlarge)

Cholera, Elections and Security Turnover -- [HILLAS' HISTORIES - in Iraq]
It has been a busy time in Babil the last two weeks. The cholera outbreak, which was heavily concentrated in Babil, appears to have stabilized. On September 24, the Iraqi Council of Representatives (Parliament) passed legislation paving the way for holding provincial elections no later than January 31.

Iraq 'needs a common vision' for the future -- [Gulf News]
Recently General David Petraeus handed over the command of the multinational forces in Iraq to General Raymond Odierno. While there has been a remarkable decline in the violence in Iraq over the last few months, the peace process in the war-ravaged nation is still believed to be very fragile.
...Gulf News: How fragile is the peace situation in Iraq? Are we going to witness a collapse of the current situation in the near future?

Iraqi Police discover stockpile; largest find to date -- [Regimental Combat Team 5 - in Iraq]
HADITHA, Iraq - Almost 9,000 pieces of ordnance lined the recently excavated trenches. Iraqi Police officers and Marines smiled and congratulated each other on preventing such a large explosive-remnants-of-war (ERW) stockpile from falling into the...

My Head Hurts -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
I treat a lot of headaches. That seems to be the chief complaint of our local Iraqi staff, but they describe it in such debilitating terms that it often makes me suspicious.
...The truth is that I found many Iraqis to be attention seeking. All they want is someone to listen to their near-death complaint, give them something that looks like medicine and they're merrily on their way. I'm not sure what the cultural reason is for this.

So what's your day job? -- [IN- Iraq - Jim Foley in Iraq]
(Lt. Erich Almonte briefing his platoon before a mission in Samarra.)
"I get to work on the Samarra court system," Almonte said with an almost boyish enthusiasm. When his company, the 2nd/327th, first got here, (around Nov. of 2007), there were no judges, no courts. It was a corrupt pay to release system, he said. Not to mention that Samarra was a very dangerous place for U.S. forces.
With Almonte's help, Charlie company has been able to convince the province to assign Iraqi judges to Samarra, and over 339 prisoners who had never been tried in an Iraqi court, have been released.

Lifestyles of the Rich and FOBulous -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]

Cpl. Stephen McGinnis follows up his barbershop vlog by showing us how Marines at Camp Ramadi are living. He shows his room, the showers, and bathrooms.

Day 103. Chicken -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
Today I went to the range. I got a new combat optic, the ACOG. It has a mild magnification, making farther targets easier to see and it needs no batteries to create the red dot aim point. I had already boresighted it with a laser device so I was pretty close already. Then I blew off a few rounds just for fun. After all, what is the point of having unlimited ammunition if you don't use a little now and then?

Day 101. Being There -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
We released some more prisoners. During the release procedure, we ask around and see if anyone has a good reason to keep the guy locked up. Sometimes they do. This time, we discovered that there was another outstanding warrant for one of the guys we were releasing. So instead, we just transferred him to Iraqi police custody.

Boots on the Ground -- [Brad's Excellent Adventure - in Kuwait]
We got into Ali Al Salem on Saturday evening, too late for a flight. As I scanned in (the military ID now has a bar code which makes it much easier to process in and out of places), a soldier read off of a sheet and told me “I-10”. I had heard him tell this to the two people in front of me, but had no idea what it meant. So I asked him “What does ‘I-10’ mean?”. He said “that’s your tent.”. Ahh, I see – we aren’t getting out tonight. So after the briefing I went and found my tent (rows A-R, columns 1-13, 12 beds per tent, you do the math…). They don’t have linen here, so I showered and changed underwear, and slept on the bare mattress in my pants and t-shirt with a towel for a blanket.

In A Time Of War -- [Acute Politics]
If you want to know what pre-surge Iraq looked like, if you want to understand why soldiers volunteer for multiple tours, and conversely, if you want to understand why those same soldiers serve their time and leave, you should read this book.

AFGHANISTAN / PAKISTAN

Compounds -- [Michael Yon - in Afghanistan]
Some days ago I visited the bazaar at Jalalabad, and took a bunch of colorful photographs and met many friendly people. Walking through Jalalabad, one could almost forget there was a war. But for the most part, this war is today being fought not in the cities, but the villages and small family compounds where most Afghanis live.
...In Afghanistan, the cities are mostly won (for now), despite terrorist attacks that are often planned and supplied from militants in Pakistan. For instance, I am today in Mazar i Sharif and have been going all over the city for several days with zero dramas. I will not hesitate to walk on the street or go to restaurants. The people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. In places like Jalalabad and Mazar i Sharif, it’s easy to see why so many foreigners, including Americans, tend to like Afghans.

New center speeds Afghan army's growth -- [Stay in Touch - in Iraq]
A new organization is improving the ability of the Afghan National Army to move capable forces from its training center to the operational commands.
...“The ANA was faced with tremendous problems when it came to fielding new units down range,” said Lt. Col. Jesse Edwards, senior mentor and team chief for the center. “The CFC was built to address system challenges that were preventing the ANA from growing capable units at a critical time in Afghanistan’s development.”

Badlands -- [Military Times - Michelle Tan /M. Scott Mahaskey - in Afghanistan]
Scott and I are now in Shah Joy, southeast Afghanistan, with Team Nomad, which is charged with mentoring the district’s Afghan police.
This is an unforgiving place, surrounded by mountain ranges accessible only through dry, hard packed dirt roads. The villages we visited today with the Afghan police were isolated and desolate, poor and humble, primitive and yet potentially dangerous.
As we made our way to these villages, we knew we were being watched. Radio chatter proved Taliban fighters were watching our every move. It was disconcerting, for sure, but what is even more troubling is, as any soldier ever deployed here or Iraq knows, the enemy could be anywhere.

Smell that? Its hitting the fan -- [Bouhammer.com]
Since the first of this year I have been saying over and over that 2008 would be the worst year ever in violence for Afghanistan and its coalition partners. It did not take a glass ball or a Dionne Warwick psychic to figure this out. Every year since 2005 had gotten worse and worse with the number of US deaths in Afghanistan.

Changes -- [Strategy Page]
Banditry has always been a big problem in Afghanistan. There has never been an effective national police force, and army operations merely caused the bandits to scatter back to their villages. The basic problem is that there is not one Afghanistan, but hundreds. Each tribe and warlord has its own army which polices its neighborhood.

General David McKiernan, Commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, speaks with reporters at the Pentagon on 1 October 2008.

Afghanistan Must Be Viewed Through Regional Prism, General Says - Gerry J. Gilmore -- [Defense Link]
NATO’s top military commander in Afghanistan said today he is “cautiously optimistic” regarding recent Pakistani military efforts to rein in insurgent activity in areas near the border with Afghanistan.
The Pakistani leadership now appears to be acting against terrorist sanctuaries located in the country’s remote federally administered tribal area, Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, told Pentagon reporters.

Commander in Afghanistan Wants More Troops. -- [Washington Post]
The new top US commander in Afghanistan said yesterday that more American troops are urgently required to combat a worsening insurgency, but he stated emphatically that no Iraq-style "surge" of forces will end the conflict there. "Afghanistan is not Iraq," said Gen. David D. McKiernan, who led ground forces during the 2003 Iraq invasion and took over four months ago as head of the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan.

British Envoy Says Mission in Afghanistan is Doomed, According to Leaked Memo -- [The Times]
Britain’s Ambassador to Afghanistan has stoked opposition to the allied operation there by reportedly saying that the campaign against the Taleban insurgents would fail and that the best hope was to install an acceptable dictator in Kabul.

Suicide bomber targets chief of Pakistani Pashtun political party -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Five were killed after a suicide bomber detonated in the home of the leader of the Awami National Party during Eid celebrations.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Russia says NATO bases in Ukraine, Georgia would be major threat -- [RIA Novosti]
NATO bases in Ukraine and Georgia, if deployed, would threaten Russia’s strategic military and economic infrastructure, the Russian Security Council secretary said. In an interview published in the Izvestia newspaper Wednesday, Nikolai Patrushev described the U.S. and NATO policy of increasing their military presence in Eastern Europe as seeking strategic military superiority over Russia.

A Warning from Eastern Europe -- [Michael Totten]
In August, while covering the Russian-Georgian war in the South Caucasus, I sat down with Dr. Mátyás Eörsi, Deputy Floor Leader of the Hungarian Liberal Party and President of the Liberal Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He has been particularly concerned with Georgia’s troubles for some time now, and he flew from his native Hungary to Tbilisi as quickly as he could as soon as the fighting broke out.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Al-Qaida's Foreign Fighters Shift Focus from Iraq to Pakistan and Afghanistan -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated Arabic-language biographies of foreign fighters—particularly those from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait—which appear to document a shift in focus away from the jihad in Iraq and towards the growing conflict in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The biographies include the story of “Abu Ubaidah al-Najdi”, a 25-year old Saudi medical student who spent six months fighting in northern Iraq before leaving and “heading for Afghanistan”

al Qaida + Pirates = Jihad on the High Seas -- [Jawa Report]
Al Qaida has claimed responsibility for the increased pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia this year. So far this year there have been around 60 attacks against cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden, in 2007 there was 13. The islamic pirates are currently holding up to 300 crewmen hostage and 14 cargo ships for ransom.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Someone You Should Know- SFC Colin Fitts -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo]
Today Dave and I spoke with a good friend of his who just got out of the hospital at Landstuhl where they were taking some shrapnel out of his face. He and Dave reminisce about the good old days back in 2004 when Fitts caught three rounds and kept on trucking. He is nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross, which he richly deserves.

Christmas at Landstuhl 2008 -- [Soldiers Angels Germany]
The motto of Landstuhl Hospital is "Selfless Service" and that is truly what the staff here do.
There is no better time to acknowledge the efforts of these "selfless" Medical Warriors than during the holidays.

Soldier Charity Faces Closure: Corporate Donations Dry Up -- [A Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
Booksforsoldiers.com has sent thousands of care packages to our troops deployed outside the US since March 2003. But Booksforsoldiers.com is in dire financial need now, and may close. The site must raise $22,000 by October 31 or it will stop taking new requests on December 1, finish filling remaining care package requests for the holidays, and cease operations December 31.

Willamette National Cemetery Vandalized -- [Flag Gazer]
This beautiful place has suddenly become yet another Military Cemetery defiled by the the greedy and the disrespectful. Recently and on three different occassions, vandals, called ‘metal thieves’ by law enforcement, went into the cemetery and stripped the copper gutters, downspouts and roofing from the shelters used during burials. Additionally, brass name plates and metal urns have been stolen.

Green Party Loser Think Natl Guard Killed 5,000 in New Orleans -- [C.H.U.D. Busters]
Despite significant press releases and news coverage about the heroic National Guard response to the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, Green Party presidential candidate, Cynthia McKinney, has chosen to bring the crazy about how she remembered events. Citing the reliable source of a friend's son's recollection, she states that 5000 stiffs with bullet wounds in the head have been processed into some super secret "Pentagon Computer". The bodies were dumped into the swamp, presumably to be delicious snacks for Republican alligators.

THE MEDIA

Lions and tigers and soldiers oh my! -- [Castle Argghhh]
...This comes up in the context of the recent meltdown of Glenn Greenwald at Salon and John Cole's rather less breathless reaction over at Balloon Juice, not to mention the *koff* what passes for analysis over at Daily Kos, All stemming from a badly written (or, perhaps, poorly interviewed) Army Times article. In the blogger's defense, they didn't know just how significant an error of data conflation was made by the author of the article, Gina Cavallaro. Shows how important it is for us to get our details right, though, eh campers?

The Truth About The Army's Homeland "Deployments" -- [A Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
I've gotten emails from many sources, including my father, about the decision to "deploy" Army units and assign a brigade to Northern Command. The unit will be known as the Consequence Management Response Force (CCMRF). The Army Times is the main instigator in spreading the news about this, but I've seen it on other blogs and news sources (I get Google News alerts anytime "Army" is mentioned). According to the Army Times,

Anatomy of a Biased Headline: Part III -- [NewsBusters]
Today’s version of our exercise, in which we dissect the media’s attempts at interjecting bias into a simple headline, may stun some of you.
The shocking aspect? The Washington Post didn’t partake in the liberal doctoring of the headline. Let’s take a look…
The Pentagon just released a report entitled ‘Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq,’ which highlights a decline in violence in the country in 2008.

Poll: 41% Say Iraq War Succeeding, 48% Say Will Get Even Better -- [NewsBusters]
Granted the focus of today's news is overwhelmingly on the bailout and the presidential race, but there is also big news on how Americans are now seeing the war effort. The pendulum has swung from despair to hopeful belief and this is important news that impinges on the elections.

Media Aired Dubious Anti-Israel Video, Not ‘Even-Handed’ to Expose Palestinian Hoaxes Only -- [NewsBusters]
It was eight years ago this week that France 2 TV introduced the world to Mohammed al-Dura, the Palestinian boy who was allegedly shot and killed during a gunfight between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen, in a video whose authenticity has increasingly been called into question years after it inspired anti-Semitic violence around the world. The American news media not only highlighted the story -- as the ABC, CBS and NBC evening and morning newscasts aired the video at least 28 times between September 30, 2000, and June 30, 2003

POLITICS

Battle buddies -- [Foreign and Domestic]
While my unit was training for Iraq in 2005, each of the soldiers in my squad was responsible for memorizing the name of a soldier who had been killed in Iraq. Name, age, hometown, and when they were killed. This was their 'battle buddy in the sky'.
When you screw up in the Army, you do pushups. In my squad, when you did pushups you did one extra one for your battle buddy.

Vets for Freedom ad: “Skipped” -- [Hot Air - Ed Morrissey]
Send to a Friend | printer-friendly Vets for Freedom has a new ad attacking Barack Obama for his lack of attention to Iraq as well as his record of missing votes. However, VFF has more of a problem with the votes Obama managed to cast, as the ad shows:

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

IRAQ

For U.S. and Sunni Allies, a Turning Point -- [WaPo - Letters]
BAGHDAD -- First Lt. Justin John, 6-foot-4 and built like a linebacker, plopped down on a sofa in front of Ibrahim Suleiman al-Zoubaidi, one of the leaders of the mainly Sunni armed groups that have helped the U.S. military quell violence in Iraq since last year.

Odierno Ready For New Post-Surge Mission -- [CBS News]
"You're targeted as the heavy-handed general. Back then, the charge was that your tactics helped fan the insurgency," Stahl pointed out.
"I think that that depiction is grossly exaggerated. But what I would say is first off, the area I was in was a very complex area. I was in the center of Saddam Hussein's Iraq. I was where he was from. But don't get me wrong. We made some mistakes," Odierno replied.
...I don't want to exaggerate, but he became somewhat of a hero. It has to be a little daunting," Stahl said.
"It's not uncomfortable for me to be here and feel that I have to, you know, live up to General Petraeus. I mean, I feel like I was also part of the success and part of the improvement that we made," Odierno replied.

“There Are 17 Marines Who Are Amputees Fighting In Iraq” -- [Pat Dollard] HT: Castle Argghhh
...Today, there are 17 Marines who are amputees fighting in Iraq. I am certain that there are as many soldiers doing the same for the Army. Recently, I received a widely distributed email from Col (Dr.) Brett Wyrick. He was a trauma surgeon at Balad Air Base in Iraq. He wrote: “If I ever hear (anyone) griping and complaining, I jump into them pretty quickly, now. Most people over here have nothing to gripe about compared to Marines. Marines are different. They have a different outlook on life ". .

A Study in Irregular Warfare -- [SWJ - William S. McCallister]
Iraq’s mainly Shia central government appears intent on limiting the power of the U.S. military backed Sons of Iraq (SOI) and its approximately 100,000 armed security volunteers. The SOI has been credited by the Coalition Forces for helping turn the tide against al-Qaeda in Iraq and are as of this writing remains on the U.S. military pay roll in return for providing security in local neighborhoods throughout the country. The Maliki government initially consented to Coalition Forces recommendation to integrate approximately 20% of these fighters, many of which are former insurgents, into the state’s security forces and to assist in providing vocational training for the remainder. But the Maliki government has begun to hedge on its promise

Ironhorse Report 64

US, Iraq step up operations against Iranian terror groups -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
US forces detained five members of the Hezbollah Brigades in Baghdad on Saturday as part of a renewed push to blunt the return of Iranian-backed Shia terror groups reentering Iraq. The Iraqi and US military have stepped up operations against the Special Groups over the past two weeks. Iraqi and US forces killed two Special Groups fighters and captured 107 since Sept. 16.

American and Iraqi Christians Join Together - [NY Times]
BAGHDAD — Amid grave fears for the future of Iraq’s dwindling Christian community, a group of American military chaplains and lay preachers met with Iraqi Christians at the Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad. It was a rare encounter for the Iraqis, many of whom have had family members killed, kidnapped and threatened in anti-Christian attacks since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003, but who came in through the Green Zone checkpoints to sing and pray with their American fellow Christians.

Iraq signs billion-dollar power deals with GE, Siemens -- [Iraq Updates]
Iraq has signed preliminary deals worth billions of dollars with General Electric Co and Siemens for equipment to almost double electricity generation capacity, an energy official said on Saturday.

Iraq And The Calendar -- [Washington Post]
The White House is still hoping to wrap up a long-term strategic agreement with Iraq before year's end, but Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki offered a hint at some of the political difficulties in a little-noticed interview with Iraqi journalists earlier this month.

Dear Iraqi Friends -- [NY Times - THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN]
From: President George W. Bush
To: President Jalal Talabani of Iraq, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashadani
...For the past two years, there has been a debate in this country over whether to set a deadline for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. It seemed as if the resolution of that debate depended on who won the coming election. That is no longer the case. A deadline is coming.

Bully -- [Zen Traveller - in Iraq]
Driving out of the compound yesterday I watched in horror as a young Iraqi man raised a 2-foot piece of black rubber hose above his head and violently brought it down onto one the the street dogs that populate the neighborhood. If the dog hadn't leaped out of the way he certainly would have hit the dog. The man stood there and laughed as he raised the hose again for another try.

Exile! -- [The Left Captain - in Iraq]
The rumors of this being the end of the world are true. Everyone here joked that I was stuck for a good two weeks once I got off the helo. Today was my theoretical departure day but there is no flight scheduled. I've already settled into a sustainable rhythm, so it doesn't really matter how long I'm here. I have what I need: books, my laptop, a comfortable place to sleep, food, a small gym. I've seen a few patients which justifies my visit, but there really isn't much work for me to do

Sniper Mujahidin

Another Change for CPT G -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
As this deployment continues, I am beginning to realize that nothing comes easy for CPT G. It seems that as soon as some order is put into place or he is told of some change, something completely different ends up happening. For example, just a few weeks ago I posted that CPT G was becoming a “fobbit” and would be placed in charge of Information Operations. That all changed a few days after I posted “Attention Please.”
Basically, after only ten days of regular showers, normal sleep patterns, and three meals a day, CPT G was told he would become a PL again.

Golden Hour... -- [Collabman's Thoughts - son in Iraq]
Evening...again...It has been a while since I have blogged twice in one day. However, the work of combat medics with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment's evacuation platoon is more than worthy of another blog. The combat medics for the 2nd SCR highlighted in this article face challenges well beyond their job. I am humbled by their efforts and so very glad to have them in the fight...especially during that golden hour when they first reach a warrior who has been wounded. See what you think...Here is a tip of the hat to these brave women who would tell you..."just doing my job." - well done! Enjoy...

AFGHANISTAN /PAKISTAN

Taliban Conscripting Sons In Pakistan -- [ThreatsWatch - Steve Schippert]
A Frontier Corps officer in the tribal region in Pakistan says that the Taliban has conscripted sons in the region, threatening families if they refuse to submit their male children. On Friday, a Pakistani military commander accused insurgents of forced

Locals Join Fight Against Taliban

Pakistan's military has launched a major offensive against Taliban and al Qaeda militants in tribal areas. Some 1,000 militants have been killed in Bajaur region in the last month. Alex Crawford reports from the area where locals have joined the fight.

Another Al Qaeda Last Stand -- [Strategy Page]
September 29, 2008: The Taliban and their al Qaeda allies have been fighting a large, and losing, battle against the army in the Pakistani region of Bajaur (right on the Afghan border). The fighting has been going on for a month now, and the terrorists have lost about a thousand dead, while the army has lost only 27 dead. The large disparity in losses is largely due to the Pakistani use of air power (bombers and helicopters) and artillery.

173rd's Dragon Platoon in Afghanistan HT: MaryAnn

British Operations in Helmand Afghanistan -- [SWJ - Dr. Daniel Marston]
I’m going to try to provide an overview of British operations, called HERRICK, in Helmand (HLD) province, Afghanistan, over the last couple of years. The situation in southern Afghanistan (RC South) is widely considered to be worsening, with the Taliban controlling entire districts and launching major attacks. The British, along with the rest of our allies, have faced heavy criticism for their prosecution of the war in the south. I will look at how the British have adapted to changing conditions, and their understanding and application of COIN principles.

4 LANCS Patrol Kabul

Territorial Army soldiers from 4th Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (4 LANCS)in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Commanding presence -- [Daily Gazette - Lt. Col. Paul Fanning]
The commanding general of the 42nd Infantry Division (Rainbow) came to Afghanistan on Sept. 25 and 26 to visit deployed members of his command serving in Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII. Brig. Gen. Paul Genereux was accompanied by division Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Fearnside to see members of the New York National Guard’s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which falls under the command of the 42nd Infantry Division back in New York.

Taliban kills top Afghan female police officer -- [CBC News]
Sep 28, 2008 ... The most senior female police officer in Afghanistan was killed Sunday in a shooting in Kandahar city

Michael Yon Needs Our Help and We Need Michael Yon! -- [From Cow Pastures to Kosovo]
I've recently been in email and IM contact with Michael Yon. Michael is currently in Afghanistan but not for much longer. He's planning a trip back to Iraq. He has hopes of returning to Afghanistan for several months after Iraq but will not be able to do so unless he gets some SERIOUS financial backing and SOON! Here's part of an IM conversation I had with Michael a couple of days ago:

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

TRINITY (part 1) -- [Eject! Eject! Eject!]
...the United States stands astride the world as the most economically, militarily and culturally powerful force history has yet revealed.
Why?
Well, one reason is because here in America, a practically broke 19 year old kid can be the President of a Corporation, that's why. Of course some of these fail. Most of them fail, spectacularly fail, flaming wreckage, oh-the-humanity failures. I've had many of these, personally. More will no doubt come. It's easy to succeed in a country that lets you fail this often and this easily. The ingredients for greatness, goodness, success, happiness and prosperity are not hard to find, and yet so much of the world is a political and economic disaster.
Again: why?
Because folks, it ain't the ingredients. It's the recipe.

Somali Pirates: Under the Eyes of the U.S. Navy -- [EagleSpeak]
U.S. Navy photos showing pirate boats around Fainna and pirates on board the captured ship. Click on the photos to enlarge.
UPDATE: Pirates reduce ransom demand and one crewman has died as set out

Editorial in Saudi Daily Attacks the U.S. Administration, Supports the Gulf-Turkey Strategic Alliance To Counter the Iranian Threat -- [MEMRI]
Iran's Arrogant Stance Stems from "The Foolish American Policy"
"In light of Iran's recent threats against the security of the Gulf states, and its [warnings about] the impending disasters, perdition, and [other] terrible calamities that will befall the Arab Gulf states, whose policy is characterized by moderation and conciliation, it was inevitable that these countries should seek a strategic ally to counterbalance Iran's rising power. [This] was inevitable, since Teheran has been using increasingly aggressive and extremist language in its political discourse, arming itself, and provoking the world in its attempt to obtain a nuclear bomb. "The new strategic situation, which has brought Iran to this arrogant stance, stemmed from the foolish American policy, which eliminated Iraq from the strategic regional power equation, and turned it into a torn country, beset by bitter conflict, and - at the very least - into a pro-Iranian state. Teheran has even [gone so far as to] threaten Washington with an attack on the allies of the American forces in Iraq!"

Al-Jazeera Host Dr. Faisal Al-Qassem: The Cold War is Back, What a Relief; Egyptian Liberal Kamal Ghobrial: Despite the Arabs' Hopes, No Cold War -- [MEMRI]
On August 23, 2008, Al-Jazeera host Faisal Al-Qassem wrote: "The dominant mood of the Arab public is one of relief now that relations between America and Russia have come to a head, in accordance with the principle of one people's misfortunes being another people's gain.
"Without a doubt, many Arabs always hoped that what the late Russian president Boris Yeltsin called the 'cold peace' between Russia and the West would turn into a new cold war. How could it be otherwise, given that our lives were many times better in the days of the Cold War than they are now under the unipolar hegemony [of the U.S.]?
"You can't blame the Arabs for their elation at Russia's return to the international stage

Bush Sends His Negotiator For Talks In North Korea -- [New York Times]
The Bush administration is dispatching its chief North Korea negotiator, Christopher Hill, to Pyongyang this week in a last-ditch effort to rescue what the White House had hoped would be a singular foreign policy achievement: an accord leading to the country’s nuclear disarmament.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

The Ayers-Weatherman Terrorist Attack as It Might Have Happened -- [PJM - Bob Owens]
"Just some guy in the neighborhood" who almost blew up the Fort Dix NCO Club.
...The attack planned on Fort Dix was an entirely different animal, as authorities carefully sifting through the rubble would eventually discover.
Four 12″ pipe-bombs stuffed with dynamite, using roof nails as shrapnel designed to add lethality to the blast, were recovered in the remains of the basement bomb factory. So were more than 50 sticks of dynamite, some of it fused in eight-stick bundles that could level entire buildings. Had these bombs not detonated hours before in a Greenwich Village basement, the attack imagined above could have easily come to pass. In fact, the terror attack described above would have used less than half of the bombs built by Bill Ayer’s Weathermen.

Osama, Zawahiri to be tried in Pakistan if captured -- [Flopping Aces]
Mmmmm, yeeeeeeeeeeah. Somehow I don’t see that happening under GWB or McCain or even under Obama. GWB’d likely pay or do anything to get him to the US. McCain as well. Obama’d be forced to do anything/pay anything to get them to the US for a fair trial. Besides, I don’t think Pakistan’s govt wants to deal with the blowback from executing people commonly seen as heroes in their own country.

U.S. Urged To Go On Offense In Cyberwar -- [Washington Times]
The United States needs to do more to develop an offensive cyberwar capability rather than just focus on defending its networks from attack, says the chairman of the House cybersecurity subcommittee.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

"Mama, they brought me back to life!" -- [Soldiers' Angel Germany]
From yesterday's Stryker Brigade News, this amazing story:
On Feb. 8, 2008, Hixon, a Soldier with 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, was driving his Stryker through streets in Iraq when it was struck by a 500-pound improvised explosive device.
The IED ripped through the cab of the vehicle, killing four of the five Soldiers riding inside. Hixon, left dangling upside down in the twisted remains of the Stryker, was the only one left alive.
Two hours later, he was freed and on his way to Balad.

Bane Support Raffle -- [Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
As you know, we're trying to help raise money to send to fallen blogger Bane's family to help pay for funeral and hospital expenses. Bane was in the hospital before passing away on Monday. To help raise the funds and keep from just asking for money, I thought it would be fun to auction the now famous "Paratroopers of Blackfive" shirt I had made for the 2008 Milblog Conference.

What is success? -- [SouseBuzz - AWTM]
I was reading an article this morning on the success of reintegration, reunion, and the transition of Military families.
How does one measure "sucess in reintegration?"

VA to Raise Traumatic Brain Injury Benefits -- [MilBlogs - Soldier's Mom]
VA to Raise Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Benefits
The Dept. of Veterans Affairs announced last week changes to its schedule for rating disabilities for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the "signature wound" of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marine's Widow Hits Visa Snag. -- [Stars&Stripes]
The phone call devastated Robin Ferschke, the mother of a Marine killed in Iraq.
Her Okinawan daughter-in-law, six months pregnant with the couple’s child, tearfully called earlier this week and said she was having problems getting a residency visa to live in the United States. . . .

Starbucks in Afghanistan? Well, Thanks to the Patron's of the Starbucks in Southaven -- [From Cow Pastures to Kosovo]
Several of the Starbucks stores in the Memphis metro area are having drives to collect coffee for the 6/4 CAV currently deployed to northeastern Afghanistan. I received an email today with photos of the first shipment being repacked for delivery out to the remote firebases and outposts. Many thanks to the store manager, Dana, and all of the patrons of the Starbucks in Southaven, MS who donated for this particular shipment

MILITARY

Summary of FY09 Defense Authorization Act -- [Some Soldier's Mom]
Active Duty Issues
- Pay Raise: 3.9% pay raise effective Jan 1, 2009
- End Strength: Army +7K USMC +5K Navy -2.8K USAF -12.5K (did not restore previously proposed cut for USAF, even though SecDef has stated that the planned USAF cut will not be imposed)

VOIP Vanquishes The Cards -- [Strategy Page]
September 27, 2008: The U.S. of phone cards (to pay for telephone calls home) in Iraq has fallen from 12 million minutes (at about 20 cents a minute) a month last Fall, to about half that now. The main reason for this has been the introduction of high-speed internet at military bases. This was made possible by the construction of high speed internet links into Iraq, where the there was very little access until Saddam was overthrown in 2003.

Soldiers in Combat Develop a Powerful Attachment to one Another -- [Soldier's Perspective - Roman General]
The question about will a soldier seek out help when they are losing sleep and exhibiting signs of PTSD. Probably not if they are still in the military, because the military has a deep ingrained belief that PTSD is a weakness.

Children in Battle? -- [MilBlogs - Greyhawk]
...John S. D. Eisenhower: "Presidential Children Don’t Belong in Battle"
Personally I think we should put an age limit on military service - say, 18 years old - to ensure that no children are ever sent to battle. As I understand the author, who spent part of his childhood as a major in the Korean war (presumably commanding younger, less experienced children), this exemption should only apply to candidates.
For those who think that's too exclusionary:

Punishing Bad Generals -- [Strateguy Page]
September 29, 2008: Eight U.S. Air Force and Army generals have been punished for a shipping error two years ago. The error sent four electronic components for nuclear warheads to Taiwan (where they were expecting some helicopter batteries.) None of the generals (ranging in rank from one to three star) lost their jobs, but this black mark on their records will hurt their promotion prospects (badly) and possibly the size of their pension.

MILBLOGGING

Back in Iraq -- [Another Adventure - in Iraq]
I'm home from leave. I had to shut down my blog until I completed a briefing, something I couldn't do from Minnesota. I'm not sure if I will be able to repost my preveous blogs.

Defense establishment opens arms to military bloggers
...He, like most milbloggers, is unabashedly pro-military and supports the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said his bias — "to counter all the negativity" and "expose the successes of the war" — is known to all who read his blog.
But Grisham said he is no tool for the Army, and he is sensitive to his blog’s being labeled as propaganda, as some have suggested.
"I don’t shy away when the Army screws up," he said.
As an example, he said, the Army provided a one-star general and sergeant major in April to talk to milbloggers about the scandal erupting over deplorable conditions at a Fort Bragg barracks for young soldiers. Grisham said the leaders received a number of "pointed questions" by bloggers who "all know how barracks life is and how it works."
"Initially it was probably a rude awakening," Grisham said. "We didn’t give them a f

WELCOME HOME

Come Safely Home -- [Matel - in Iraq]
My year is finished. I have accomplished all that I will and I have come safely home. So … how did we do?

Reunions delayed for soldiers returning from Iraq -- [Indianapolis Star]
"It's no longer just about a welcome-home ceremony; it's not so simple as that," said Belinda Ireland, a counselor with the Guard's family programs division ...

Soldier's welcome -- [Record-Searchlight]
"You get off the airplane and they put you in an airport hangar, and there are a lot of 'Welcome Home' banners up and there are news crews,"

THE MEDIA

'Fight the Smears' Website Admits Obama was Kenyan Citizen: Where's the MSM? -- [Newsbusters]
Following the controversy over the authenticity of Barack Obama's birth certificate can be a bit confusing with all its detailed analysis. Your humble correspondent will leave that up to the experts. However, in response to the charge that Barack Obama is not an American citizen, Obama's Fight the Smears website, quoting FactCheck.Org, has made a bombshell admission...Barack Obama was once a citizen of Kenya. You read that right, Obama had Kenyan citizenship until 1982.

POLITICS

A Tale of Two Bracelets -- [Greyhawk]
I wish this wasn't a story - but it is.
...Regarding Barack Obama: According to the father, Tracy Jopek wrote to the Senator: “She had asked him not to wear the bracelet.”

Soldier's mother 'ecstatic' about Obama's bracelet -- [AP/Boston Globe]
...Jopek criticized Internet reports suggesting Obama, D-Ill., exploited her son for political purposes.
"I don't understand how people can take that and turn it into some garbage on the Internet," she said.
Jopek acknowledged e-mailing the Obama campaign in February asking that the presidential candidate not mention her son in speeches or debates. But she said Obama's mention on Friday was appropriate because he was responding after Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, said a soldier's mother gave him a bracelet.

Shocking Video Unearthed Democrats in their own words Covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Scam that caused our Economic Crisis

The catalyst that caused the economic collapse -- [ROFA Six]
I continue to be amazed at the number of people who blame George Bush and his administration for the housing collapse and economic crisis. This administration did not cause this collapse. But there is no doubt that it's legacy will be a greater economic disaster story that has yet to be written. The "economic bailout" promises only greater pain for our economy.

Documents Reveal Obama's Close Ties to Terrorist -- [Gateway Pundit]
Of course this connection has been reported here several times but it looks like there's finally a crack in the media wall of silence surrounding Barack Obama and his close terrorist friends.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

A Special Message from Barack Obama's Teleprompter -- [Iowahawk]

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

Mr. Newman was political but he was not a hack, he put his money where his mouth was.

Newman has given money to various children’s charities and health centres, to a group that helps the homeless become self-reliant, to refugee groups, to humane societies and animal hospitals and to all manner of educational outlets. He co-sponsors the PEN/Newman’s Own First Amendment Award, a $25,000 reward designed to recognize those who protect the U,S. First Amendment as it applies to the written word.

What you may not know about Paul Newman. He was a Navy vet, decorated with the American Area Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. More here

There are however, other types of cancers in Hollywood that may not kill you but they do eat away at you. Hollywood's evasive attempt to depict our military.

David Botti, a former Marine, reporting for Newsweek, deployed for a five month tour in Iraq during the invasion of 2003 and recently returned as an embed has his thoughts here.

Big Tobacco speaks of another type of cancer and it can be deadly. It's also his Birthday so wish him well while he blows the candles out on his sandy cake.

While Big Tobacco talks of "the convoys feed the cancer", CPT Lynch of Annex B speaks of escorting a convoy one night.

Sandgram speaks of the cancers in Afghanistan, but victory in a cure is slowing but surely becoming evident. More evidence here.

There are cancers of all types everywhere, and ignoring them won't make them go away. Fortunately some folks have the courage to explore.

IRAQ

Iraq Political Progress -- [WSJ]
For some better news this week, turn the channel to Iraq. The Parliament in Baghdad just undid the biggest political knot in the country. Wednesday's deal to hold provincial elections opens the way for former insurgents and their supporters, mainly Sunni Arabs, to join the democratic process in Iraq. That in turn should help consolidate the stunning security gains of the past year.

Sons Of Iraq Transfer

Former Sons of Iraq transferring into the Iraqi army and how it helps the country.

Not so open -- [Abu Muqawama]
The first two Iraqi elections in 2005 were run under a "closed list (CL)" system. In this system, voters voted not for individual candidates but for lists--coalitions of parties--which were then allocated a number of seats proportional to their votes. ...In practice, however, many voters ended up not having access to these lists and thus had very little information about the leaders they elected.
The CL system has since been criticized by Iraqis and outsiders alike for multiple reasons. First, it severed the link between the voter and his elected representative and awarded a dominant role to the political party bosses who, rather than the voters, actually chose the representatives. This selection, unsurprisingly, tended to be based on patronage and loyalty and willingness to toe the line rather than competence or ability to represent constituents.

Local elections and moving goal posts -- [Armed and Curious - in Iraq]
Lost in the lunacy that is the economic train wreck unfolding yesterday was the news that the Iraqi parliament overwhelmingly passed the provincial elections law after finding a compromise on the issue of how to handle Kirkuk. With the law finally passing they have set the stage for elections to occur at the local and provincial level in late January. This is a very important event in a number of ways. Most importantly is, as Tip O'Neil famously stated, "all politics is local" and frankly it hasn't been in Iraq. The national parliament was elected based on party slates so the people voted for a party and not a person. With a certain percentage of the vote the parties got that many seats and there is no answering to a constituency or angry voters. Many of them haven't visited their home towns since returning from exile in the last five years

Rebuilding Iraq: Babil Province - SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS PALPABLE BUT FRAGILE -- [Hillas' Histories - in Iraq]
I arrived in Al-Hillah in the beginning of March 2008, and the changes since then have been notable. The gains in security during that time are reflected in an improved quality of life for the province's citizens. Babil -- the most populous (1.6 million) province in the south central region -- is the keystone for the south central region. The U.S. maintains a Regional Embassy Office (REO ) in Al-Hillah, one of four in Iraq (together with Basrah, Kirkuk and Erbil). Babil is largely located between the Tirgris and Euphrates and has been Iraq's breadbasket as well as an industrial center. The northern part of the province lies within the so-called "Triangle of Death," south of Baghdad. This was a Sunni area lying on the Sunni/Shia fault line and the stage in which active fighting was still taking place until early 2008.

Confiscated Terrorist Video Showing Failed IED Attacks Against US Marines In Iraq -- [avrage poet - in Iraq]

This footage has been confiscated by Marines when they raided a terrorist house and killed 6 and arrested 20 terrorists From "Anssar Alsunna Group" and confiscated about 500 mortar rounds and rockets in Alanbar Province, and my fiance Cpt Ali got a copy of the video and told me to upload it on LL, for more info please contact Cpt Ali because he was with the Marines while they raided that terrorist

Why the Surge Worked -- [Matel - in Iraq]
I read a great article today about why the surge worked. Many of the opinions I read are from those who don’t know. This is different. Please follow the link to the original. It is based on an interview with General Jack Keane. Below is my block quote summary. It is mostly from the article.

Almost Out -- [Matel - in Iraq]
...It is quieter in Baghdad now, or maybe that is just my impression. It may be because whenever I have been here before it has been part of some kind of conference, so there were always other transients around. I have the luxury of a “wet” trailer (i.e. one with a bathroom) but I sort of miss Al Asad. With its Marines and its austerity, Al Asad is like Sparta. Baghdad is more like Babylon.
Frem og tilbake er like langt, but it really does make a difference which way you are going. Last year when I was going into Iraq, I was a little fearful and apprehensive but excited. Now that I am going out, I feel satisfied that my part of the job is done but still vaguely apprehensive.

Silence -- [ ...feeling of absurdity... - in Iraq]
There is an odd state of silence after an operation in which more than 10 Al Qaeda insurgents and supporters were detained in our little section of central Diyala Province. The local nationals no longer ignore the Strykers as they drive by, but now look on with fear, respect, hatred, or appreciation. Either way, they look at us knowing that we can directly effect their lives in either a positive or negetive way - depending on whose side they are on.

Driving In The Dark: Another long, strange trip -- [Annex B - in Iraq]
I just returned from a trip up north the Anaconda. Anaconda is one of the super bases here in Iraq. that I wrote about it earlier this summer. I had to attend an Intel meeting so I decided to go there by the Saber Squadron's preferred means on transportation: a convoy.
One of the reasons I went was to go on one of our convoy escorts. Its one of our regular missions and it’s our biggest one

Suspicious Minds -- [Strategy Page]
In the most violent parts of Iraq, terrorist activity is down over 80 percent from 2007. But that's still 3-4 incidents a day in Baghdad. Most of this violence is gunfire, or an RPG or grenade, not bombs. There appear to be only a few bomb making cells still operational. Much of the American military activity is dedicated to tracking down and shutting down these cells. It is assumed that the terrorists will be true to their vows to fight to the death.

Rocks in a Hard Place - Episode 15 -- [royalairforce]

a shooter and a spotter. It requires a lot of patience and a lot so skill. ... RAFLife Royal Air Force Snipers Squadron ...

B*N*S*N1 -- [MNF-I]
More than 3,000 Iraqis, including 58 women, joined the ranks of the Kirkuk province’s police force during a graduation ceremony held Tuesday at the Kirkuk Police Academy.
Referring to the unprecedented number of graduates, Maj. Gen. Jamal Thaker Baker, the Kirkuk provincial police chief, hailed the moment as “an historic event for the people of the Kirkuk province.”

Welcome to Democracy -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
Today was a first. I witnessed a non-violent protest outside one of the Iraqi ministries; eighty or so people with signs and banners in Arabic protesting the forced eviction from "their" homes. Well, they're really not "their" homes, but more accurately the homes that these people are squatting in, the owners having been displaced, are now returning and want their houses back. The government is forcibly evicting the squatters.

Iraqi Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Calls For Law To Protect Journalists -- [MEMRI Blog]
Iraqi deputy parliamentary speaker Arif Tayfur has called for a law protecting Iraqi journalists and restoring rights that have been stripped from them.

Day 96. Sight Seeing -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
We recently did a little sight seeing. We got to look at the ruins of Babylon. Or as the locals call it "Babil". We had to get special permission to see it because the person in charge does not like American soldiers on the property. In any case, here is what we saw.

AFGHANISTAN /PAKISTAN

A feel good story that the press won’t pick up… -- [The SandGram - in Afghansitan]
I think that victory over here can be measured by small battles as we pursue to improve the lives of the Afghan’s. If you step back and look at how business has been done here, it’s an overwhelming feeling as you are fighting hundreds of years of instilled behavior that is totally foreign to what we believe to be right and wrong in a modern western society. They base a lot of their laws on tribal traditions, a bit on the Koran and “this is how it’s always been done” which brings me to this next story.

Afghanistan Can Wait -- [Strategy Page]
Although American commanders and politicians are calling for more troops in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army believes maintaining morale is more important than reinforcing Afghanistan right away. So three more combat brigades won't arrive there for another 6-9 months. That's so troops back from Iraq will get at least a year at their home bases before heading for Afghanistan.

New 'Unity' to Fight Taliban

The continuing fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan will now be led by a change in the existing command structure.
General McKiernon, a US commander, will now command both the US and Nato forces who are currently based in Afghanistan.

Hello, and welcome -- [Sgt Trevor Skeggs - Eoyal Commando - in Afghansitan]
I have been asked to write this blog whilst deployed on Op Herrick 9 in Afghanistan. Not only do I see it as a great opportunity to stay in touch with those back home but to also give those in Plymouth who aren’t aware of what my Regiment does a great chance to find out. Over the next 6 months I hope that those of you who read this will get to know not only me and my close colleagues, but also gain an understanding of what it is we are trying to achieve in Helmand province Afghanistan.

A letter from Afghanistan, from a hero -- [BlackFive - Maj Pain]
How do we really know what is going on in Iraq or Afghanistan? This solder gives his thoughts, in a letter that was recently published in the Crescent City (California) Triplicate, and I quote

Marines host ‘shura’ to address Afghan needs -- [Bouhammer]
...Since deploying here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, has focused its efforts on bringing peace and prosperity to the Afghan people. Organizing and working with local Afghans on various civil military operations projects is one of many tools used by civil affairs Marines to strengthen relations with local residents.
“The people think highly of the Afghan National Army; they want to support the government, and they want the Taliban out,” said Maj. Mark DeVito, team leader, 3rd Civil Affairs Group, TF 2/7, and San Diego, Calif., native. “As a community, they need to determine what affects the most people.

New Militant Outfit Threatens U.S. Facilitators In Pakistan -- [MEMRI Blog]
The website of Pakistani daily The News reports that Fidayeen-e-Islam, a little-known group that claimed responsibility for the truck bomb attack at the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad, has threatened to target individuals working for the U.S.

U.S. says Pakistan shot at U.S. copters in Afghanistan -- [Reuters]
Two NATO helicopters fired upon by Pakistani forces on Thursday were U.S. military aircraft operating inside Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.
"They were U.S. helicopters," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters at a briefing. "The flight path of the helicopters at no point took them over Pakistan."

Navy Engineer

Navy engineers having success with reconstruction efforts in Southern Afghanistan.

Whatzis? -- [Michael Yon - in Afghanistan]
...Jalalabad is mostly safe, and I felt no threats walking the backstreets and the crowded bazaar, save for one time my danger bell chimed. There was a young man wearing a black shawal kameez with a bandage on his head and one eye puffed closed. He gave a long hard look with his one good eye, and I stared back. But the other thousands of people I saw either seemed to ignore me or were overtly friendly. I felt safe. When I travel in northern India, if someone says “hello” in an urban environment, I am immediately suspicious about what’s coming next. Yet here in Jalalabad, dozens after dozens of people said hello, or gave a thumbs up, and that was it. Sometimes we shook hands and they just said goodbye and walked away smiling

French and NATO Intentionally Deceiving the Public -- [Michael Yon - in Afghanistan]
NATO and the French military continue to deny that a secret report exists concerning the loss of ten French soldiers last month in Afghanistan. For the record, I have no intention of publishing any part of the secret report. Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper heavily cited the report, and I merely confirmed that the report does in fact exist, that the newspaper article accurately reflected the contents of the report, and warned that if NATO and the French military maintained their position that the report was either inaccurate or nonexistent, they might find themselves contradicted by its publication. More importantly, the document was handed to me with zero expectation that I would keep it secret. In fact, there seemed to be an expectation that I might publish something, though I did keep it secret, other than to verify the Globe and Mail story

To Prove A Lie; But Why? -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure]
Not to suppress the truth, but I respectfully disagree; with the comments, that is. To his credit, Mr. Yon did not break the news after reading the French AAR, while he did describe the Globe and Mail story as accurate in its depiction of the facts. There is no sense in denying the factuality once it has been leaked.
...there is a developing microburst over French/NATO denials of the leaked AAR's as an official document. Noises are being made about this issue begging a leak of the document to prove the denial to be a denial in fact.
Whoa.
For those of you who don't know, AAR's contain certain information about the operation it describes; including what went right and what went wrong and how to do it better. We in the military realm, when we get ahold of the other guy's AAR refer to it by another moniker entirely.
We call it intel.
...I have nothing but respect for Michael Yon. His writing is riveting, and he can tell the stories of soldiers in combat like few others I have read.
...I have written before about the issue of telling the truth, and I thoroughly agree with Michael Yon in his call for truthfulness from NATO, ISAF, and the U.S. Army. However, one must balance that with a reasonable assessment of the need to disclose certain information. What is the value of revealing intelligence in the name of truth?

All Eyes on Bajour -- [A Battlefield Tourist]
The analysis coming out of media outlets in the US and Pakistan say the ongoing, all-out battle in Bajour Agency, Pakistan, could very well be the crux of the Pakistani army’s fight against that country’s Islamic militantcy.
The fight is so important to all parties involved that the Taliban are moving forces from Afghanistan to reinforce fighters in Bajour, particularly from Kunar Province. To the Pakistani government, and the Americans closely watching, the fight for Bajour may be the tipping point where either the Pakistani Army or the militants will gain strength, or lose clout, across Pakistan’s entire tribal agency.

Peace Day in Afghanistan -- [Miserable Donuts - in Iraq]
"It's crazy, but apparently the Taliban sent out an email saying they were going to abide by it if we were, and we definitely are," he said.
"It's a great day to show Afghans exactly what peace is like and how their everyday life would be if they just booted out the bad guys."

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Russia May Launch Nuclear Cooperation With Venezuela -- [Fox News]
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says relations with Latin America will be a foreign policy priority for the Russian government.
Putin, who is meeting with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, says Russia is willing to discuss further military contacts with Venezuela and help it develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Chavez said during Thursday's meeting that close ties between Venezuela and Russia would strengthen a multi-polar world.

Syria Conducts Large Military Exercise.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Al Qaeda-linked suspects emerge in Islamabad Marriott attacks -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Qari Saifullah Akhtar, the leader of the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, and Qari Mohammad Zafar, the leader of the Laskhar-e-Jhangvi, are thought to be behind the devastating Sept. 20 bombing.

Al-Qaeda man feared hiding in Tanzania -- [Jawa Report]
Word out of Tanzania today that security forces are on high alert after reports Al Qaeda leader Fazul Abdallah Mohamed has entered the country.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing -- [Hooah Wife]
Another weekly surf of the web for news by and about Soldiers Angels
Here’s a new Angel at Everything is going to be all right Welcome! and ‘Happy Angeling’:)
And Soldiers Angels get a Thank You from Balad CASF Medic to all Angels over at Soldiers Angels Germany
From the Victorville,CA Daily Press, a story about Quilters Honor Soldiers

A Request from Bagram -- [Castle Argghhh! - FbL]
This arrived in the mailbox at Soldiers' Angels this morning: a note and a request from the "forgotten war," where winter is setting in...

Secretary of the Army visits Landstuhl -- [Sol