New Blogger

[John Noonan]

We've got a new blogger over at OPFOR, a Marine captain who has just finished his fourth(!) deployment.

Drop in and welcome him!

We were trying to find him a blogging handle, and he said "let's keep it simple, just register me as 'Capt B'." I chortled.

Note to the real Capt. B: You can rest easy sir, your namesake is secure.

RE: (Not an ) Average 1LT

[Dadmanly]

At the risk of giving ammunition to a certain troll who frequents MILBLOGS, I have to say I’m beginning to budge on my previous view on troop levels in Iraq.

I’m not entirely convinced that more troops earlier would have substantially improved outcomes or diminished violence, but I find it hard to argue with the logic of an “on-the-ground” military observer, one with no axe to grind, no book to sell, and no objection to the war’s genesis.

First Lieutenant (1LT) Pete Hegseth, as credited by the Opinion Journal, “served as an infantry platoon leader and civil-military operations officer in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division.”

Critics who use any passing call from disgruntled Generals or other booksellers or partisan opportunists invariably argue disingenuously. On record against the war, they echo calls for more troops, or to impose a draft. They do so to gain political advantage in the hopes of making victory less certain, and hype dimming prospects to to reinvigorate the fight but to hasten the surrender.

Not so 1LT Hegseth:

I volunteered to serve in Iraq because I believe in our mission there. I share the president's conviction about the Iraq war--we can and must win, for the Iraqi people, for the future of our country and for peace-loving people everywhere. But I'm frustrated. America is fighting with a hand tied behind its back. Soldiers have all the equipment we need--armored humvees, body armor for every body part, superior technology, etc.--but we simply do not have enough troops in Iraq, and we need them now.

1LT Hegseth saw first hand the Iraqi “man-on-the-street” reaction to continued violence. Contrary to what war critics often misreport, most Iraqis will tolerate the presence of American troops, and even welcome them warmly if they perceive US presence as reducing or preventing violence. This forms the basis for 1LT Hegseth’s warning:

I also understand calling for more troops is contrary to conventional thinking inside government and the military. Supporters of the current approach argue sending more troops would further inflame anti-American sentiment, incite more violence and retard independent progress. My experience suggests otherwise. American troops are tolerated, even welcomed when they effectively provide security; but their presence is cursed when it does not accompany progress. Violence persists not because American troops are present, but because our presence is futile. Many local leaders asked us, "How come the most powerful country in the world cannot defeat local criminals and thugs?" They suggested our failure was part of a larger conspiracy to keep the Iraqi people suffering.

I fear that 1LT Hegseth correctly diagnoses the present situation. I don’t agree that this has been the case since the Coalition first toppling the Hussein regime and its brutal oppressions, but I think it may be the case now.

(Further commentary over at Dadmanly.)

Someone you should know about

[Lex]

If you haven't heard of him already:

Chris Adlesperger, Marine Private First Class, MOH nominee. Hero.

On Nov. 10, 2004, in 30 minutes of close combat, Marine Pfc. Christopher Adlesperger, a soft-spoken, religious young man who loved poetry and art, attacked an enemy stronghold in Fallouja, Iraq, and killed at least 11 insurgents.

He killed them with his M-16 and with his grenade launcher. He killed them at such close range he could hear the blood gurgling in their mouths and noses.

He killed insurgents who were heavily armed and probably high on drugs — and who had just killed his close friend, Lance Cpl. Erick Hodges.

He protected two wounded squad members from attack and saved innumerable Marines.

When it was over, Adlesperger’s face had been bloodied by shrapnel and he had bullet holes in the sleeve and collar of his uniform. He refused to be evacuated until Hodges’ body was recovered.

“It was a tremendous bit of fighting,” said Col. Patrick Malay, the battalion commander. “He was a quiet kid, but he was remarkable. He was one tough bastard.”

A Call for Help

[Andi]

You know what to do.

We have been supporting the Evacuation hospital at Balad, Iraq for several months. Now we've made contact with the Main Hospital there. This is the largest military hospital in all of Iraq, and they need our help.

Be sure to read Balad: First Step of a long Journey Home http://soldiersangelsgermany.blogspot.com/2006/09/balad-first-step-of-long-journey-home.html

Here are some requests I've received just in the past week:

I work in the front line ER smack dab in the middle of the Sunni triangle and we barely have time to breathe. Not only do we take care of our fellow soldiers but we take care of anyone that comes into our ER via Blackhawk, ambulance, Humvee or being carried on the shoulder of their battle buddy. –Senior Airman Darenda S.

I work in the hospital here and see many, many Soldiers and Marines wounded. We see as many as 13 new patients a day! I want to help do some thing for them, because when they get to us, the field medics have cut their uniforms off to get to the wounds. Where I am stationed, there is little to buy at the PX for them, so maybe you could help me out.

Thank you for our support, there are a lot of people who don't agree with our mission or with this war on terror and it's so nice to receive thanks and praise for what we do. It also makes me proud to be an American and proud to be supporting this mission. –Airman First Class Naomi H.

We have a Physical Therapy clinic, Optometry, Urology here. We are the only facility in Iraq that deals with Brain and Neuro injuries. We have the best brain surgeons in the Military. – Senior Airman Shannon G.

Just standard size pillows and pillow cases are fine, color doesn't matter the troops seem to like the super hero characters...LMAO! We get them and they either leave with the troops when they are flown out or get ruined and have to be thrown in bio hazard. So we go through sheets, pillows and cases a lot. Bath Towels any colors, we use those so the soldiers can take showers here. – Senior Airman Shannon G.

Here's what they need most right now:
Bath Towels - New, any color, unwashed
Fitted and Regular Sheets – New, unwashed, twin sized, any color - (even super hero)!
Pillows – New - Standard sized with pillow cases – New, unwashed, any color

If you can help with any of these items, please PM me or email me at rogerfg22 at yahoo.com

Roger
Tactical Medical Support Director
Soldier's Angels

Return of the Russian WIG?

[Eagle1]

Remember that bad boy?

Russia is making noises about revisiting their Wing in Ground program as noted here.

Back to the future?

What does the average 1LT think...

[CDR Salamander]

If he is writing in OpinionJournal, it is worth a read. Sure, it is the whole "do we have enough troops..." line of thought - but this guy seems to be asking in a very honest way - from the first person. Though 1LT Hegseth isn't your standard issue 1LT.

Even the security situation inside the city improved. Previous summers in Samarra had been extremely violent, but the summer of 2006 was different. Days passed without a significant attack inside the city. Less than 150 Americans, along with Iraqi counterparts, controlled a town of over 120,000 Sunni Arabs through targeted raids and sniper operations. One local insurgent even begged city leaders for amnesty in exchange for good conduct. Our unit killed or captured hundreds of insurgents, knocking the wind out of the local insurgency--but never crushing it.

I believe, as the president noted, that "the safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad." Why then do we have just enough troops in Iraq not to lose? Most of the people I've spoken with since coming home--those both for and against the war--believe we must finish the job in Iraq. Americans understand a defeat in Iraq would have horrible consequences for America and its allies for decades to come. America has the capacity to win and the will to support a winning strategy.

Why then are we pursuing a bare minimum approach?

Sensitivity Training in Iraq

[Andi]

Not everyone is happy about it.

While many U.S. troops in Iraq are bracing for an increase in terrorist attacks coinciding with the Islamic holy month, other soldiers, including officers, are cringing at new requirements that include "sensitivity classes" on how to "understand Ramadan and the Islamic culture," reports Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

"I am disturbed by a trend here that is occurring as we serve here in Iraq," one Army major told the premium online intelligence newsletter edited by the founder of WND. "I am a Christian and so are most soldiers here, as they would probably identify with that religion if not practice it."

He tells the story of one of his men, performing the duty of guarding civilian Iraqis working on a U.S. military base. When it was time for lunch, the soldier was told he could not eat because the Army wanted to be sensitive to the fasting Iraqis.

"I understand the concept," said the officer. "But isn't that forcing us to learn about Islam and even practice its principles? Who cares if Muslims want to fast. We don't force a guy not to eat. This is the equivalent of forcing our soldiers to practice Ramadan fasting."

There has been no fast from terrorist violence in Iraq this Ramadan.

The Anti-Victory Heroes in Prime Time

[Andi]

You may want to tune into Hannity & Colmes (FOXNews) NOW (9:05 p.m. EST). The previews look interesting. An old FBI undercover survelliance tape of Cut-N-Run Murtha, and a Cindy Sheehan book-signing gone bad. Looks to be an action-packed hour...

The Pendleton Eight

[Andi]

The redheads are raising money for the families of the Pendleton Eight. Click here for info on how you can help.