News and Personal dispatches from the front lines.
In their own words:
LT Nixon: Iraq News 28 Feb - The Good: Millions are in Karbala for the Arba'een pilgrimage. For those that think life was great under Saddam's "secular" tyranny of genocide should heed this quote from the AFP: "Under Saddam, those who went to Karbala were killed or had their legs shot so they could not walk again." It should be noted that sectarian strife was not a Cheney conspiracy to gain greater control of oil fields as some on the far-left have mentioned. There is talk about the Sadr trend turning the Mahdi Army into some kind of cultural/humanitarian organization. While Mr. Sadr's people aren't going to be waving American flags anytime soon, this is a welcome change of behavior from the violence preceding the ceasefire in August '07. (READ MORE)
Yellowhammering Afghanistan: Warming up, dressing down - The thaw is here, finally! After one of the worst winters in modern memory, Ghazni and the rest of Afghanistan are ridding themselves of the snow with the help of Mother Nature and some beautiful days. Days are getting up into the 40s and nights are staying at or above the teens. This is my new definition of "warming up." It's amazing how that has changed compared to what I once considered "warm" in Alabama. And, yes, as you can see I have returned to walking to the shower wearing only my underwear, which means I am no longer having to get dressed just to take a shower. You can blame my wife for this picture, it was her idea. (While I'm thankful my wife still has an interest in seeing me nearly naked, I am genuinely sorry to inflict this image on the rest of you.) (READ MORE)
Jason's Iraq Vacation: So close, yet so far - Seriously. I feel like I am in quicksand and just cant get out of this trap. Leap year - just my luck. That extra day is like an entire other month has been tacked onto the deployment. Who invented leap year, anyway? What is its purpose? In any event, I cant complain. Some of my IRR brethren have been royally screwed by the plethora of bad leaders here. Me? I am still on schedule. If a schedule really exists. (READ MORE)
That Krazy Korean: Failure - To say that I’m pissed would be a gross exaggeration, although I’m not really sure how to express my frustration without sounding like I’m whining. Let’s instead say that my leadership is failing me and the rest of us in their decision making and they lack the professionalism to try and fix the situation in a logical and just manner. To publicly go into specific details would be in violation of military regulations, so I’ll try to be vague as possible. The old adage that goes, “Screw up, move up” applies in this situation. Show that you are incompetent and the leadership will just push you off to an easier task so that you don’t screw anything up. They’ll turn a blind eye to your abuse of privileges and they’ll even reward you with an above average evaluation, an award that you don’t deserve and they will send you home early from a combat zone to boot. That should teach you a lesson! (READ MORE)
Eighty Deuce on the Loose in Iraq: I'm going CRAZZZZZYY!!! - Ok so this is just going to be a quick update post since I am getting ready to head out and probably will be away from the computers for a little bit. But know that the next time I am able to get on and post, that I will most likely be on my journey out of this country already! :) The past couple days have brought some big changes. There were a few incidents around here, that have cause our upper level chain of command to get all Nazified with some stupid rules. They probably wouldn't be so bad if it wern't for the fact that I stay back for a few days from going to the outpost with my platoon as a part of an agreement with my Plt Sgt since I'm doing the 'left seat right seat rides' I talked about in the last post. Well now this origionally seemed like a good idea to me. A few days back, all by myself, do whatever I want. (READ MORE)
Doc in the Box: Have I said thank you? - As usual, I’ve had a team of great people sending me care packages and they are being welcomed with open arms. Thank you, specially Soldiers Angels! Sorry with the slackness of my blogging, the other half of my team has a rather high tempo look on life and likes that in the work environment. Believe me, my time spent here has been more productive then most periods in my life and I’m known for working my butt off for a project. I’m a little worn out but it’s a good worn out. Hopefully the end product is as good as the work I’m putting into it. I’m actually doing something that takes advantage of my 4 trips out here at all levels with the typing of this SOP. With each page I type, I open up another can of worms and questions that I have to answer. (READ MORE)
M&M's Home Blog: The Greatest Question Ever - Part of my job involves creating funding packages for projects so that they can be approved and money can be released to support the project. This includes determining an estimated cost for the project, and in the case of something I'm currently working, I needed to call a vendor in the US to get estimates on some parts. I call the corporate headquarters, and the operator transferred me to the company's government representative. And then the phone call became interesting. I gave the woman my name and told her that I was serving with the US Army in Baghdad, Iraq and was looking for some estimates on parts. We spoke for about five minutes, and I gave her my email address so that a salesperson could contact me. She asked, "And where are you located again?" I told her again that I was in Iraq, and her next question blew me away. (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda operations; two killed, 15 detained - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 15 suspects Wednesday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern and central Iraq. During an operation Wednesday afternoon in Mosul, Coalition forces killed two wanted terrorists involved in foreign terrorist facilitation and conducting attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces. Coalition forces confirmed the location of the wanted individuals and directed a precision helicopter strike, killing two terrorists and destroying their vehicle. (READ MORE)
Escalation of force results in death of Iraqi - DIYALA, Iraq – An Iraqi citizen was killed during an escalation incident Feb. 27 in the al-Muqdadiyah area of Diyala. The Iraqi citizen was approaching Coalition forces on foot wearing a bulky jacket with his hands in his pockets. The CF patrol enacted security measures to prevent the civilian from approaching them. A search of the man was conducted, but no weapon was found. Coalition forces were not injured during the incident. (READ MORE)
MND-N Soldiers increase protection at Balad mosque - BAGHDAD – At the request of the Imam of the Balad Shrine Mosque, soldiers of 2nd platoon, 164th Military Police Company, 728th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade and Multi National Division – North visited the mosque Feb. 24 to increase force protection measures. The idea is to prevent future attacks on the mosque. The soldiers were the first Coalition forces to visit the mosque. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers detain, question suspect in SOI murders - BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldiers questioned a “person of interest” Feb. 25 after a Sons of Iraq leader and his son were found murdered in the Mechanix neighborhood of Rashid District Feb. 24. Following a report of the murders, soldiers of Company E, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, found the bodies of the local SOI leader and his son in the SOI headquarters building in Mechanix. The victims had their hands tied behind their backs and had multiple gunshot wounds. (READ MORE)
Iraqi security forces, U.S. Special Operations forces detain nine suspected terrorists in separate operations - BAGHDAD – Iraqi security forces, with U.S. Special Operations forces advising, detained nine suspected terrorists in separate operations Feb. 24 and Feb. 25. In Al Hawad, south of Mosul, soldiers from 2nd Iraqi Army Division detained five suspected members of a terrorist cell Feb. 24. The suspects are believed to be responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. According to intelligence reports, they are also allegedly involved in a campaign to intimidate Iraqi citizens. (READ MORE)
Helicopter Air Assaults: Putting Ground Forces on Target - CAMP STRIKER — Rather than moving Soldiers on the ground through difficult terrain sometimes littered with improvised explosive devices (IED), many infantry units in the rural areas south of Baghdad opt to use helicopters to reach their targets. “Air assaults extend the abilities of the ground units,” said Capt. Joshua Karkalik, commander of Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. “A lot of times the purpose of an air assault is the element of surprise, or the target is not reachable by ground either because of the terrain or because of IEDs,” Karkalik said. (READ MORE)
Soldiers Give Backpacks to School Children - FOB KALSU — If you were to walk down the streets of Jurf as Sahkr during a school day, you would see a large number of children walking to and from school. One thing you would not see is many children carrying school bags. Seeing the need, Soldiers of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, recently distributed school bags to students in the area. First Sgt. Wayne Lawrence, from Carsville, Mo., first sergeant for Company A; Staff Sgt. Michael Navarro, from Clifton, N.J., a squad leader in 2nd Platoon, Co. A; and Spc. William Johnson, from Bellevue, Wash., a medic with 2nd Platoon, handed out school bags to children near the Tharir primary school in Snadeej. (READ MORE)
Soldiers Make Presence Known in Khanassa - FOB HAMMER — Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, visited the village of Kesra in southern Khanassa to meet with local leaders, Feb. 24. Soldiers and leaders, including the commander of the 1-15th Inf. Regt., Lt. Col. Jack Marr, from Minneapolis, visited the village to discuss how Coalition forces can support the area’s humanitarian and security needs. “We have only done air assault missions in the area in the past,” said Maj. John Cushing, from Rochester, Mich., the 1-15 Inf. Regt. operations officer. “No one has been there for the reasons we were today. They had not seen Coalition forces driving during the day since 2006.” (READ MORE)
MPs, Dogs Sniff out Explosives in Mosul, Deny Enemy of Supplies - MOSUL — U.S. military police in northern Iraq are developing new tactics in an attempt to counter insurgent violence in the Ninewah provincial capital city of Mosul. In February, the 552nd Military Police Company, based out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, working with military canine handlers, began conducting a series of random traffic searches in downtown Mosul for vehicles transporting explosives. “If we get detection dogs and start actively seeking them out, it denies the enemy the capability of bringing them out,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ford, platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, speaking of the explosive materials often used by insurgents to create improvised bombs in houses and roadways. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Bagram military police donate smiles - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces provide necessary public facilities, like schools and health clinics, to develop Afghanistan, but sometimes it isn’t the new building or improved medical care; it’s simply a smile, handshake or friendly greeting that makes a difference in people’s lives. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Joe Gotshall and several members of the 724th Military Police Battalion regularly visit the Egyptian Hospital here to meet with Afghan patients and share a few snippets of conversation and sometimes a stuffed animal, or coloring book and crayons. (READ MORE)
More than 300 receive medical, humanitarian assistance - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – More than 300 Afghans received medical treatment and humanitarian aid from the Afghan National Police and Coalition forces in the Arghandab District of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. “I have been two days without food, and this aid that you brought us today is very helpful,” said Gul Mohammad, a local who received aid. This mission was in response to a visit in early February by the Afghan National Army. (READ MORE)
MPs pass weapons knowledge to Afghan counterparts - FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, Afghanistan – The basic fundamentals of using weapons is taught to every Soldier going through basic training until all functions from safety to proper operation become second nature. Military Policemen from the 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, dedicated two weeks teaching this discipline to members of the Afghan National Police in Logar Province. “We don’t really have a whole lot of time to teach them more specific functions, but we do try to instill at least the basic points of weapons marksmanship,” said Spc. Justin Goggans, a 508th STB military policeman. (READ MORE)
Weapons Turn-In at Shinwar Jirga, Nangahar Province - In early February, over 100 weapons were turned in to the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) representatives in Shinwar District, Nangahar Province during a Jirga. The Jirga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jirga) was centered around the DIAG program. The tribal elders of the area had collected weapons and turned them into the DIAG through the Afghan National Police and the sub-governor of the district. The DIAG regional advisor, Nazmas Jugbery was there as well. (READ MORE)
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