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Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. If you're a blogger, you can join the conversation. If you link to any of these stories, add a link to the Dawn Patrol too and your trackback will be added to the list. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
Petraeus previews report in letter to troops -- [Intel Dump]
Today, Gen. David Petraeus published a letter to all Multi-National Forces Iraq (MNFI) personnel which previews his testimony to Congress next week. He takes the tack that many of us expected in his letter — progress is good in some areas, bad in others, and we're a long way from victory. He highlights the good news on the security front while candidly acknowledging the lack of progress on the political front. Here are a couple of quotes:
The Ghosts of Anbar: Part IV of IV -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
The Host Nation Doing Something Tolerably Is Normally Better than Us Doing It Well
1-154. It is just as important to consider who performs an operation as to assess how well it is done. Where the United States is supporting a host nation, long-term success requires establishing viable HN leaders and institutions that can carry on without significant U.S. support. The longer that process takes, the more U.S. public support will wane and the more the local populace will question the legitimacy of their own forces and government. … T.E. Lawrence made a similar observation while leading the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire in 1917: “Do not try to do too much with your own hands.
Ramadan, Up-Ticks, and Stage Left Exits -- [Desert Flier - in Iraq]
Ramadan, the holiest month of Islam, is upon us. Following a lunar calendar that varies slightly from year to year, Ramadan, the ninth lunar cycle month, will begin around September 12th this year. Consistently over the past few years, the preceeding period and Ramadan have been markers of significant insurgent activity and concentrated attacks on Coalition units.
"We like you!" (UPDATED) -- [INDC Journal - in Iraq]
I've attended a Fallujah City Council meeting, a recruiting day for the "Fallujah Protectors" (neighborhood watch), the establishment of the city's last police precinct and a meeting of "muktars," traditional cultural leaders of specific neighborhoods who work with Marines to improve infrastructure. Tomorrow, my CAG unit will distribute food bags downtown. Almost none of this access or interaction was possible in January, and the cooperation with American personnel is widespread and animated.
The surreality of the change can be summed up by this afternoon. I sat chit-chatting in a downtown precinct with Iraqi cops and newly-minted neighborhood watchmen, junior security officials drawn from the same labor pool that previously drove the insurgency. As was the case last visit, the Iraqis assume that I'm an Arab when they first see me, and express amused fascination when they discover I'm American.
The Anti-Iraq -- [Acute Politics - in Iraq]
The coffee franchise Green Beans has carved out a foothold in the Middle East over the last few years. Several months ago, a Green Beans opened up in Ramadi; the deck outside has become a nightly oasis of sorts for like-minded individuals across the post.
Some of Bravo company is there almost every night; I'm there every night that I'm in Ramadi. Other people drop in occasionally- some from other companies in the task force, some from other units. There are a few shadowy figures that come and chat now and then- they are happy to talk, and we are happy for the company.
Surge is working, but that is only half of the story -- [Redstate - Hooah Mac]
Promoted by AE because this first-hand narrative of the last year in Iraq complements Jeff's work as a refreshing alternative to conventional wisdom of the armchair variety.
This is one of the updates I promised you all now that I am home and safe and sound.
Where Am I? -- [Dude, where's the beach?]
Two weeks ago I was tasked by my Commander to escort one Iraqi Air Force Major General, and two IqAF Colonels into, and throughout, the U.S. No kidding, I've spent the last two weeks touring Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, and now Alabama with three Iraqi Officers. Trust me, its been the most difficult/rewarding duty assignment I've ever been on, but there's a reason I was 'tasked' to go on this trip. I was at the bottom of the totem pole.
... We met up with a bunch of 4 stars, 3 stars, 2 star Generals, Contractors, and 'Yes Men', all the while touring aircraft and helo factories to look at the systems the IqAF has ordered from companies here in the U.S. Remember, I'm nothing but an underpaid arms dealer out here in Iraq, setting up the IqAF and buying them weapons systems and gear to help fight the terrorists who are tearing Iraq apart.
The Warrior Scholar -- [The Captain’s Journal]
...Handling such situations as presented to the Marines in Anbar at the moment requires greater managerial skill than most state-side executives will ever be required to exercise in their entire careers. The successful field grade officer in counterinsurgency must be an anthropologist, psychologist, theologian, manager, tactician, logistician, arbiter, lawyer and politician. He must exemplify the warrior poet … in a different era.
Operation Lightning Hammer II launched in Iraq’s North -- [The Long War Journal]
Multinational Forces Iraq and Iraqi Security Forces have launched a major offensive operation in Iraq’s northern provinces on September 5. Called Operation Lightning Hammer II, the offensive is aimed at al Qaeda’s network in Salahadin, Ninewa, Diyala, and Kirkuk provinces.
In Iraq, everything before the fall of Saddam Huseein seems to have faded from collective memory, but in Ramadi, the Anbari capital of one of Iraq’s most important provinces, the general agreement was that an organized race in the streets of the city had not taken place for nearly a decade.
The Ramadi Run -- [Matt Sanchez]
Ramadi was the focal point in the once infamous Sunni Triangle. Marines from the 1/6 and 3/7 out of Camp Lejeune and 29 Palms fought up and down the streets that were now a flag spangled race route. The Northwest bridge was the starting point, but the year before it was also prohibited territory as it provides no cover from possible sniper fire. A Marine set off the starting flare.
Down the memory hole: Transcript of Schumer’s surge speech rewrites knock on U.S. troops; Video: Ralph Peters on Schumer — “He’s a liar” -- [Hot Air]
Follow the link to see how he rephrased that on the Senate floor. If you want to check S&L’s work, click the image below and fast forward to about 2:40. Two possibilities: either Schumer delivered the line as prepared and is now trying to rewrite the speech after the fact to hide the evidence or else the transcript reflects the version that was prepared for delivery and Schumer reworked the line on the floor to make it more damning of the military. Either way, we have a discrepancy between the official version and the actual version of a key passage to which he clearly paid some attention. Why?
DoD Operational Update Briefing with Maj. Gen. Sherlock from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington Va -- [Defense Link]
GEN. SHERLOCK: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for being here today. I have a few opening comments and then I would like to take your questions.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Felix and in response to requests from the government of Nicaragua via the State Department, the U.S. Southern Command has dispatched an assessment team from Honduras to assist the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Office with assessing damage from the storm and with evaluating the relief efforts in the areas affected by the storm. Additionally, SOUTHCOM has a variety of assets in the region which are available and standing by to assist if needed.
Mail Call -- [Castle Argghhh! - CW4BillT - in Afghanistan]
In the Op Area: Convoy bombings are becoming more frequent up north (Miranshah, Rawalpindi, Peshwar) and drive-by shootings of troops and security personnel are on the increase in Quetta, Baluchistan. The 19 troops captured in the Mehsud/Betani tribal areas were freed. The Taliban opened a regional office -- literally -- in Saam. The Mehsud tribe is almost evenly divided between pro-Taliban and we-think-you-idiots-will-get-us-all-killed factions. Currently, the elders are of the latter opinion, and elders wield major clout in Pak socety, tribal or urban. Meanwhile, 150 troops left stranded by a flood in the Khar region have been surrounded by militants and presumed captured -- four militiamen kidnapped from a checkpoint on 6 July were released yesterday.
Signs Show That Syria Is Ramping Up For a Major Conflict -- [Gateway Pundit]
Syria said that it fired on Israeli planes today.
The Syrian government reported that Israeli aircraft dropped "munitions" inside Syria overnight- AP.
Reuters misreported the incident (with an anti-Israeli slant):
Bin Laden Plans to Release New Video -- [Town Hall]
The first new images of Osama bin Laden in nearly three years will be released ahead of the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, al-Qaida's media arm announced, a move that would end the terror mastermind's longest period without a message.
The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday it had no credible information warning of an imminent threat to the United States, and analysts noted that al-Qaida tends to mark the Sept. 11 anniversary with a slew of messages.
Intel Agents Have Bin Laden Tape Transcript, Say He’s Alive -- [Pat Dollard]
The Blotter: Intelligence sources tell ABC News they believe the expected video message from Osama bin Laden is authentic, recently produced and evidence the al Qaeda leader is still alive. U.S. authorities now say they have a transcript which they say is aimed at potential suicide bombers who he urges to carry out missions against the West. The jihadist Web site announced the tape with a banner, ...
Is Belgium Appeasing the Jihadists? -- [PJM]
Belgium's anti-terror watchdog Jean-Claude Delepière isn't worried following the arrests of Muslims plotting terror attacks in Germany and Denmark: "Belgium is careful to avoid any aggressive attitude that may provoke negative reactions from Muslims." PJM contributor Paul Belien asks why officials like Delepière can openly link Islam and terror - but when anti-jihadists do the same, they are called racist.
http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/09/europe_and_terror.php
A Marine's Lament -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
CPL Mark Finelli thinks our troops are idiots and that we need the WWII style draft (not the "elite friendly" Vietnam style one). Miss Ladybug disagrees with that assessment. Check out her post and weigh in on the issue.
ACLU Depictions -- [Dadmanly]
(Coming soon to a theater near you. No doubt.)
Dan Riehl referenced a pending lawsuit to be filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) by way of making a cautionary rejoinder to Bob Owens recent defense of our troops. Riehl also linked to a report on the ACLU lawsuit published by Time Magazine, as well as the ACLU press release, and full text excerpts of military prosecutions and investigations of soldiers who were alleged to have committed criminal acts while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. More on the ACLU’s press release and documentary “evidence” below.
Zogby poll: 42% of Democrats think Bush either caused 9/11 or let it happen -- [Hot Air]
I guess we should be grateful it’s not a clear majority, eh? You can thank the turds at 9/11 Truth for commissioning the poll; SLC spotted it earlier and has since been digesting the numbers. Spend some time with the data, paying special attention to question 402 starting on page 5 of the PDF. The results run on for several pages as Zogby breaks it down by age, region, religious belief, even gun ownership. The data for party affiliation comes on page 8. Here’s the most interesting bit, though, which I’ve taken the liberty of screencapping and highlighting. Click for large size:
Senator Joseph Lieberman Calls Chuck Schumer Anti-Surge Comments An Insult To The Troops -- [Hugh Hewitt - Duane R. Patterson ]
Posted by: Duane R. Patterson at 11:43 PM
Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman joined Hugh Hewitt earlier this afternoon, and Hugh played for him the offending comments from fellow Senator Chuck Schumer on the floor of the Senate yesterday. Here is the audio of that segment, and here is the full transcript. Senator Lieberman was very clear in his reaction.
GI Film Festival AAR -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
By all accounts, GI Film Festival 2007 was a huge success! The program was first-rate. And the festival earned worldwide press coverage from CBS, NBC, Fox, The Pentagon Channel, WMAL, the AP, The Washington Post, and Variety, to name just a few media outlets.
Be sure to check out their updated website, www.gifilmfestival.com, to view their official festival video, which will give you all of the highlights from last year’s event. I like the Gary Senise video.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
I've been reading The Glorious Cause, the second part of Jeff Shaara's two volume novelization of the American Revolution. By coincidence, just read this passage yesterday - a discussion of Washington's thoughts at one point during a battle as he hears complaints from a junior officer.
He dreaded the aftermath of any battle, had been trough this before, small men striking out with rumor and their pens at those who had done the work with musket and sword. It was the nature of war, and the nature of men who brought more ambition to the battle than ability.Not sure if that's sourced from a Washington quote or not, but I doubt there's ever been a commander in history who hasn't felt exactly that way at one time or another.
I took note of both Mrs. Greyhawk's and Chapomatic's comments on the imminent American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit targeting the US Military.
In her post, Mrs. G. linked to Stop the ACLU, which echoes Riehl’s cautionary note. Stop the ACLU included some feedback from some who have read through the ACLU allegations, and found them predictable, consistent with anti-war propaganda, and often mischaracterized. Credibility and validity indicators, both “D” val.
Chapomatic noted a related Glenn Reynolds post and suggested that the intent of allegations and accusations aren’t necessarily to achieve punishment, and surely not justice:
Oh by the way that series of accusations, of which you have heard? Nothing was proved. No wrongdoing was indicated. The accused were free to go, after their careers and reputations were ruined.A “troubling pattern” of behavior by the ACLU, I’d say.That's more effective than shooting someone in wartime--not only is one guy off the field, but so are many more comrades, and the chilling effect will kill more and render others unable to shoot the right person at the right time.
via CS Monitor
On the Republican side, Sen. John Warner (R) of Virginia stunned many of his colleagues when he called for a drawdown of at least 5,000 US forces by Christmas to send a "sharp and clear message" to the Iraqi government and throughout the region.
There are currently 5 Combat Brigades plus a Combat Aviation Brigade in Northern Iraq.
viaArmy Times
The division will be based at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, north of Baghdad, where it will replace 25th Infantry Division headquarters as the command and control element for Multi-National Division-North. Major components of the division will include the newly organized 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.; 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.; and 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
It would seem the new Division HQ going to Northern Iraq is only planning on having 4 Combat Brigades.
First rule of politics...find a parade and get in front of it.
Apropos of the ACLU's ten thousand page j'accuse (which certainly indicates how they've been spending their time, and their focus these days)...
Instapundit is in the middle of reading a book about law and terror. The post is worth reading. Reynolds points out this little tidbit:
In my two years in the government, I witnessed top officials and bureaucrats in the White House and throughout the administration openly worrying that investigators acting with the benefit of hindsight in a different political environment would impose criminal penalties on heat-of-battle judgment calls. These men and women did not believe they were breaking the law, and indeed they took extraordinary steps to ensure that they didn't. But they worried nonetheless because they would be judged in an atmosphere different from when they acted, because the criminal investigative process is mysterious and scary, because lawyers' fees can cause devastating financial losses, and because an investigation can produce reputation-ruining dishonor and possibly end one's career, even if you emerge "innocent."Why, then, do they even come close to the legal line? Why risk reputation, fortune, and perhaps liberty? Why not play it safe? Many counterterrorism officials did play it safe before 9/11, when the criminalization of war and intelligence contributed to the paralyzing risk aversion that pervaded the White House and the intelligence community. The 9/11 attacks, however, made playing it safe no longer feasible. . . .
Oh by the way that series of accusations, of which you have heard? Nothing was proved. No wrongdoing was indicated. The accused were free to go, after their careers and reputations were ruined.
That's more effective than shooting someone in wartime--not only is one guy off the field, but so are many more comrades, and the chilling effect will kill more and render others unable to shoot the right person at the right time.
So maybe this public affairs thing is useful: the guy running PRT Khowst in Afghanistan is getting some face time with the press along with the governor. Good.
A little more about this at my place.
Anyone who's ever worked with nuclear warheads knows all the controls that go into making sure they're in the right place at the right time. Well, it turns out that there are still ways to screw the pooch that you'd never think of. From Military Times:
A B-52 bomber mistakenly loaded with five nuclear warheads flew from Minot Air Force Base, N.D, to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on Aug. 30, resulting in an Air Force-wide investigation, according to three officers who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the incident.
The B-52 was loaded with Advanced Cruise Missiles, part of a Defense Department effort to decommission 400 of the ACMs. But the nuclear warheads should have been removed at Minot before being transported to Barksdale, the officers said. The missiles were mounted onto the pylons of the bomber’s wings.
Advanced Cruise Missiles carry a W80-1 warhead with a yield of 5 to 150 kilotons and are specifically designed for delivery by B-52 strategic bombers.
Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Ed Thomas said the transfer was safely conducted and the weapons were in Air Force custody and control at all times.
However, the mistake was not discovered until the B-52 landed at Barskdale, which left the warheads unaccounted for during the approximately 3 1/2 hour flight between the two bases, the officers said.
The Fourth Rail has officially moved to The Long War Journal, Public Multimedia.
Public Multimedia Inc. (PMI) is a nonprofit media organization whose mission is to provide original and accurate reporting and analysis of The Long War (also known as the Global War on Terror). This is accomplished through its programs of embedded reporters, news and news aggregation, podcasts, and other multimedia formats. you can support this organization thru here
Badgers Forward has a great slide show with lots of photos of Team Badger Soldiers.
"The die-in will be led by an Honor Guard of Iraq Veterans Against the War who will simulate a 21-Gun Salute before taps is played to initiate the die-in."
Well, my oh my, isn't this the same group of douchebags who just last month were accusing those same troops of committing atrocities in Iraq?
The answer, my friends, is blowin' in the wind.
So this bill (STOP Act - H.R. 268) was referred to the house in January, 2007 then gets referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel in February, 2007. What exactly that means I'm unsure.
Where's Army Lawyer when you need him.
I'd like to know when will the bill pass into federal law There's been no action since, that I can find. Let's get this ball rolling.
While we're at it can we put this blood sucking site out of business. They believe they're above the law.
Selling these three shirts is illegal in five states and may soon be illegal nationwide. With your support, we will continue to sell these shirts in all 50 states until the troops come home or they throw us in jail, whichever comes first.
UPDATE: Thanks Jacki (email)
Guess the law does not mean much is Arizona
Further, U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake said the law's ban on advertising items with dead soldiers' names may not apply to Frazier because individual names can't be discerned on photos of shirts displayed on his online Web page.
Whether the names can be seen (which they plainly can) or not should not have been the issue. The issue is that these names are on the products they are selling for profit.
One flaw I see in this law is this line:
2. The use of a soldier's name, portrait or picture for noncommercial purposes, including any news, public affairs or sports broadcast or account.
This is ridicules. That would ban all news reports of death, notes of heroism, tributes. This line should be removed.
Correction: (I need glasses) There's a small line hidden in the text that states: "C. This section does not apply to the following:" ...so line 2. is good , Thanks for pointing out my oversite SM.
Gold Star families shouldn't have to deal with this.
Meanwhile, a motley crew of antiwar groups, including Iraq Veterans Against The War, CODEPINK, ANSWER, and MoveOn.org, are organizing a week of demonstrations in Washington beginning September 15. The "mobilization" will be kicked off with a "Die-In," sponsored primarily by ANSWER and Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). As they explain, "IVAW is asking that participants in the Die-In/Funeral select the name of one of the almost 4,000 soldiers who have been killed in Iraq. You can select a family member, friend or someone from your city, town or state. Please bring a photograph of that person and a sign with his/her name on September 15." Needless to say, the protesters who will be appropriating the names of soldiers and Marines killed in action have no intention of asking the permission of their families. But why should the families think their loved ones' sacrifices are being exploited in an unbelievably offensive way? After all, as one organizer explains, "The die-in will be led by an Honor Guard of Iraq Veterans Against the War who will simulate a 21-Gun Salute before taps is played to initiate the die-in."
There are no words.
I just went to my wife and said: "Look, it's going to be a while before I can get deployed, but when I do, and if I don't come back, and one of these [expletive deleted] tries to do something like this connected with my name, please use some money from my death benefit to make these people uncomfortable and unpleasant. More than once."
Update: Oh yeah. Check this out. Remember that one guy who got all up in a SGT's grill about being in uniform? I wonder how huffy he'll get at this:
IVAW will be leading the next big march in Washington being organized by the ANSWER Coalition. The event will start September 15th at noon with a rally at Lafayette Park in front of the White House with a rally. After the rally, we will march to the Capitol with an IVAW honor guard simulating a 21-gun salute to initiate a mass die-in. We will have up to 3800 veterans surrounding us in uniform simulating the American cost of this war, and invite all civilian participants to die-in around us to simulate the Iraqi casualties. If you are planning to come to DC for any part of the rally and week of direct action, please call me (505) 470-1917 or email me adam@ivaw.org so I can compile a comprehensive list. I can also help you find lodging and answer other questions you may have.
You stay classy, IVAW.
Just listen to the HOORAHS.
A great comment at LGF which highlights something different than other Presidents:
How many times did Roosevelt visit the front lines in WWII?
Zero.
How many times did Wilson visit troops in the trenches in the Ardennes?
Zero.
How many times did Johnson go to Vietnam?
Zero.
How many times did Clinton go to Bosnia?
Zero, Nada
How many times has Bush visited the troops in Iraq?
3
On September 2, sixty three years ago, this submarine got involved in the lives of two Presidents of the United States, not to mention many other lives.
As set out here.
We have been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan for a few years (6 to be precise) although others have been at war with us for far longer... So the Army upped its bonus to attract candidates to their branch... $20,000 if they would agree to go to training sooner rather than later. It worked.
According to this story
Since the bonus was unveiled in July, more than 6,200 recruits have signed up to begin basic training before Oct. 1, a move that boosts end-of-fiscal year recruiting numbers, Army officials said.
Like my sons, there is a class of our young citizenry that knows the risks and choose to serve anyway. They enlist and re-enlist not because we are at war, but in spite of it.
Despite the possibility of being sent to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, those opting for the Army bonus seem to have already made up their minds to join the military -- they just haven't settled on which branch to join, Feltner said.
Of course, the AP can't help themselves with such backhanded comments as
Bored with life on his family's South Carolina horse farm...
and
"People are calling here saying $20,000 is more than they've made in the past two years,"
and
The Army's offer stands out to many in a state where the unemployment level is fourth highest in the country, at 5.9 percent in July, up from 5.5 percent in June. It was 6.2 percent in July a year ago.
On the other hand, in addition to noting that these young men and women would have joined anyway (it's not about the money) they (Surprise!) also actually left in the article complimentary points:
Sgt. John Tate, another recruiter in the Lexington office, said the Army's job options, not just the bonuses, play a big role in recruiting.
And perhaps in answer to that senator and his advice to stay in school so you're not stuck somewhere, there's this
Plus, the bonus comes on top of other benefits, such college tuition assistance, and medical and dental care."There's not a job out there that they can enter with zero experience, that will help them pay for college," Feltner said.
Alas, no mention of patriotism or love of country, sense of duty... (sigh). Might have been asking too much of the AP.
I do love the big finish:
One female recruit who signed up recently opted to become a paralegal with a subspecialty in airborne parachutist training."She wanted to jump out of planes, but she also wanted inside, office work," Tate said.
That's what I call having your cake... [You go, girl!!]
Something there is among certain elements of the left that gets weak kneed at the notion of Bu$hitler's legions of myrmidons finally coming to their senses and Flipping On The Man. It serves to explain how the New Republic fell for the Scott Thomas Beauchamp diaries, and perhaps explains the tone of breathless, schoolyard tattletaling in this dKos diary entry. Whoever the diarist's correspondent is, s/he clearly knows a bit of the inside lingo but still manages to get details glaringly wrong in a way that coincidentally serves to reinforce the Kossack's prejudices, garnering over a thousand comments when I first looked in this morning.
It's not that there's any one thing wrong in the post, which purports to tell the inside story of an upcoming US naval attack on Iran, but rather the accumulation of many, many little things that aren't quite right.
What? You guys would rather talk about serious meeeelitary stuff? Pffffff.
I'll take a Peter Gabriel with a gorilla on sticks over anything you jokers can throw at me. Go ahead, try and top it.
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