News and Personal dispatches from the front lines.
In their own words:
Iraq: The Purgatorium: Through A Heat Stroke Darkly - The countdown should have already begun but ol' Suspect here doesn't give two squirts of piss about how long we have left. Not til the last mission is over, then it's time to count days. Until then, it's just the same freakshow every day. The boys all strap on their fancy high tech super soldier gear, oppressive body armor and an assortment of pads and doohickeys, and plop down on the benches in the Stryker. Prepare your nightvision. Click. Good to go. The truck transports us to another nowhere neighborhood in a nowhere town of a nowhere country that makes big news and the ramp drops, and all of it is very familiar. Very. (READ MORE)
Kaboom: A Soldier's War Journal: A Soundtrack to War: Volume II - Heat in the triple digits, an old, tired war, and increasing frustrations regarding a largely unseen enemy equals … new music offerings. Compliments of the best educated and most stratified Army in the history of the world, by way of the Suck. WARNING: EXPLICIT. Reality curses. Gravediggers Mix Tape, Volume II - SFC Big Country: “Welcome to the Jungle,” by Guns N’ Roses. This song opens up Volume II not just because my platoon sergeant has a gigantic flag as tribute to GnR in our room. Although it helps. So does the truth that the jungle is the ideal analogy for our current operating environment- with just a slapdash of we’re in the desert, Charlie don’t surf or car-bomb irony. (READ MORE)
Yellowhammering Afghanistan: Michaela's hugs - Of my two daughters, Michaela acts the most like me. She's the youngest child as was I. She has a tendency to get into trouble, as I did. She seems to like to test the limits, something I always did as a child. It's easy to focus on the repercussions of that behavior - the less-than-glowing conduct reports at school, the frustration her actions cause her mother, her teachers, others. But I have to admit I really like her spunk. She is fearless. She has courage. She loves life. This girl just wants to have fun. She has a sweet streak a mile wide. Unfortunately (READ MORE)
Omar: Are Sadr and Al-Qaeda Teaming Up in Iraq? - A few days ago, there were two suspiciously coordinated statements emerging from Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr made open-war threats followed immediately by a similar threat from al-Qaeda. As they say, there is usually no smoke without fire. Respected Iraqi writer and lawyer Suleiman Hakim (a prominent writer regularly published on the leading Iraqi politics and culture website Kitabat ) reported on April 11th -more than a week before Sadr and Abu Ayyub made their threats- about serious negotiations taking place between Sadr’s movement and a leader of the Islamic army group. (READ MORE)
The Satirist at War: Paved Roads part II - When my Commander told me I’d have an opportunity to do a bit of traveling with a Platoon, I was very enthusiastic. Going on patrols, no matter how limited (and the patrols I lead are very limited, owing to local circumstances I’m not at liberty to disclose due to OPSEC), is great fun, and helps move the time along nicely. At this advanced stage, 12 months into our deployment, one can’t help but be hyper-aware of the clock, and the calendar. So, while leading patrols was going to be something that entailed a good bit of extra work on my part (something I detest), the payoff—to wake up one morning, filthy, exhausted, but one month closer to redeployment—looked well worth the sacrifice. Having made my decision, and acutely aware that any time one balks at an opportunity, one is rightly branded a coward, naysayer, or worse, I enthusiastically said: “count me in!” (READ MORE)
All Quiet on the Southwest Asian Front: Same Old Same Old - Woken up again at 0450 by yet another rocket attack. Oh good, they hadn't shot at us in three days, and I was starting to worry they didn't love us anymore. Eleven days to our return to the World. Counting hours. Packing like mad. Sent two TAT boxes and two completely stuffed duffels in the shipping container yesterday. Won't see them for two months, but now its down to just what I'm actually carrying home. Operations have been shut down for our unit, so now all my time goes to doing Customs inspections of all the gear going home. So far the only contraband I've found is one private with a cheap butterfly knife. No go. However, the inspections to involve an inordinate amount of standing around in the sun, which is extra fun now that summer is pouncing on Baghdad and the temperatures are regularly cresting above 100F every morning. (READ MORE)
Bill Roggio: US, Iraqi troops killed 41 Mahdi Army fighters in Baghdad clashes - US and Iraqi troops continue to battle the Mahdi Army in Baghdad. Forty-one Mahdi Army fighters were killed in recent clashes in Baghdad and Hussaniyah. Twenty-two were killed in a single engagement as they attack a checkpoint in Baghdad. Most of the Mahdi Army fighters were killed as they attacked checkpoints and patrols during a sandstorm in Baghdad. Mahdi Army fighters used the sandstorm to take advantage of the lack of air cover to attack US and Iraqi positions in eastern and northeastern Baghdad. Helicopters, fighters and unmanned aerial vehicles were grounded due to lack of visibility. (READ MORE)
Matt Dupee: President Karzai escapes assassination bid, parliamentarian killed - Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped a barrage of automatic gunfire and mortar shells fired on a ceremony he attended in Kabul. State-run television captured the pandemonium showing hundreds of visiting dignitaries, soldiers, and journalists running for cover after the gun fire began. In all, 11 people suffered serious wounds, including two military policemen. A local Shiite cleric and small child died in the attack. Two parliamentarians seated 65-feet from Karzai’s position slumped over in their chairs after being hit in the back by gunfire. The two wounded parliamentarians have been identified as Muhammad Daud Zazai and Fazel Rahman Samkanai, both legislators from Paktia province, according to a fellow parliamentarian who spoke to the New York Times. (READ MORE)
LT. Nixon: Iraq News (28 April) - The Good: U.S. forces are seriously pushing utilities, services, and humanitarian aid in Sadr City in an effort to wrest the district of Baghdad from militia control. This coincides with the offensive to take out militia thugs, 38 of whom were killed in fierce fighting yesterday amidst a Hades-like sandstorm that resulted in steel rain on the Green Zone. Vice President Hashimi and Prime Minister Maliki are finalizing political arrangements for the Iraqi Accordance Front's return to the Iraqi cabinet. Three members of the dangerous insurgent group, Ansar al-Sunnah, have been detained in Western Mosul by Iraqi Security Forces. (READ MORE)
CW4BillT: A Dissertation on Getting It Right - I'm now working with my second group of IqAF helicopter pilots -- evidently, I didn't scare the first group that badly one single bit. These guys were evidently well-briefed before they came up here from Taji, because they opened the door to our office, looked around grinning and said, "Good morning!", made a beeline for yours truly and promptly introduced themselves. I saw two familiar squadron patches, so I've got a good idea who described me to them... After the initial sim period (our sims are visual, non-motion, so there's a whale of a cognitive disconnect between what your eyes tell your brain and what the seat of your pants conveys), we were decompressing. (READ MORE)
Yellowhammering Afghanistan: Grateful goodbye - A few days ago, I mentioned I was handing off the humanitarian assistance duties to Staff Sgt. Ollerenshaw and hoped you would continue to support him and the efforts to reach out to the Afghan people as well as you had supported me. I'm pleased that as I prepare to leave Ghazni, I'm already seeing you respond. We have had truckload after truckload of packages come in from some familiar friends like Operation: Show Our Love, SALUTE, Widow's Might Ministry and others. I leave here satisfied that this good work we started will continue. I thank you all for keeping the Afghan people in your hearts and pray that you will continue to do so. (READ MORE)
Back but still writing:
Greyhawk: The Battle For Basra - A look back at media coverage of the British capture of Basra in the spring of 2003. This post is not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional expansion will occur as time permits. The day before the invasion, the British role was explained in general terms: “The British army is ‘much better equipped, much more capable and integrated’ into the American war plans than in the 1991 Gulf war, says General Sir Roger Wheeler, former head of the army. In a symbolic move not seen since the sec ond world war, up to 2,000 US marines are expected to be commanded by the British in a joint operation to take the key southern Iraqi city of Basra.” (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Bodies of 2 Iraqi Policeman found in Tikrit - TIKRIT, Iraq – The bodies of two off-duty Iraqi Policemen were discovered in Tikrit, April 27. The two policemen were reportedly off-duty traveling in a privately-owned vehicle when they were fired upon by another vehicle. It is believed that the recent rash of attacks targeting Iraqi Police will continue due to their increased effectiveness and cooperation with Coalition forces. (READ MORE)
ISF detain 2 suspected weapons smugglers, kill 3 Special Groups criminals in separate operations - BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two suspected weapons smugglers and killed three Special Groups criminals April 25 - 26. In the Jazeera Desert, Iraqi Special Operations Forces conducted an operation to disrupt insurgent activities and illegal smuggling in the area. During the operation, two suspected weapons smugglers were detained. (READ MORE)
IA soldiers detain 6 suspected insurgents - BAGHDAD – Soldiers with 3rd Iraqi Army Division, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained six suspected insurgents in Bulayj April 27. The Iraqi Army soldiers conducted an operation to disrupt insurgent networks operating in the area. Six suspected insurgents, who are reported to have openly threatened the local populace during an insurgent show of force “parade” in Bulayj, were detained. (READ MORE)
Iraqi Army and MND-B Soldiers kill 22 enemy repelling attack against ISF checkpoint in northeast Baghdad - BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers engaged and killed 22 criminals attacking an Iraqi Security Force Checkpoint April 27, in northeastern Baghdad. At approximately 6:35 p.m., 11th Iraqi Army Division and MND-B Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were attacked by a large group of criminals engaging with small-arms fire while manning a security checkpoint. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers kill 16 criminals in separate engagements - BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers engaged and killed 16 criminals in separate engagements in Baghdad April 27. At approximately 8:30 a.m. an aerial weapons team killed one criminal in northeastern Baghdad after he attacked Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, with small-arms fire. (READ MORE)
Tips lead to separate cache finds - BAGHDAD – Separate tips led Multi-National Division – Center Soldiers to weapons caches in Mahmudiyah, about 20 miles south of Baghdad, and near Patrol Base Warrior’s Keep April 26. A citizen arrived at PB Warrior’s Keep and led Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to a cache in a field. It consisted of six mortar rounds of different types and a bag of ball bearings; all of which could have been used to make improvised explosive devices. (READ MORE)
Iraqi Army finds munitions cache - BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers discovered a large cache containing mortars, rockets and improvised explosive device-making materials northwest of Yusufiyah, April 26. The cache contained 87 60 mm mortars, eight 155 mm rounds, and eight Katusha rockets with one Katusha rocket launcher, 16 handmade IEDs, seven artillery fuses, a 60 mm tube, 8 feet of detonation cord and two bags of homemade explosives. (READ MORE)
Suicide bomber kills 1 Iraqi civilian, wounds 8 Iraqi traffic policemen - BAGHDAD – A woman wearing a suicide vest was traveling in a taxi in the Rusafa district of eastern Baghdad when she detonated the vest at approximately 12:20 p.m. April 27. The blast killed one local citizen, wounded eight traffic police and destroyed three Iraqi Police motorcycles. Initial reports indicate the criminal observed the Iraqi Police on motorcycles and triggered the device. (READ MORE)
27 detained, bomb-making materials destroyed in Coalition operations - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained 27 suspected terrorists during operations Sunday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks around the country. Coalition forces conducted two operations east of Samarra targeting associates of a known AQI facilitator who is a liaison with senior terrorist leaders. Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists and discovered weapons and a building wired to explode. (READ MORE)
Construction Improves Sayafiyah - FOB KALSU — Construction on numerous community buildings in Sayafiyah is nearing completion. A health clinic, middle school, elementary school and community center will be completed by the end of April. The Sayafiyah Health Clinic will be fully-furnished, funded and controlled by the Mahmudiyah Qada. A local contractor is also finishing the work on the Sayafiyah Community Center. The center has been completely renovated with the addition of two administrative rooms and four new restrooms. (READ MORE)
Sons of Iraq Find Weapons - FOB KALSU — Members of the Sons of Iraq (SoI) turned over a weapons cache to Coalition forces south of Baghdad, April 25. The SoI members reported finding the cache, which consisted of (47) 57-mm projectiles, two propane tanks filled with homemade explosives and one rocket, at the Maskar Bunker Complex in Arab Jabour. Projectiles like those recovered have been used in the recent past to make pressure-plate improvised explosive devices, said Capt. William Lyles, assistant operations officer for 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. (READ MORE)
Iraqi Army Takes Control of Sa’id Abdullah Corridor - FOB MAHMUDIYAH — In an effort to deal a blow to al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) west of Mahmudiyah, the 2nd battalion, 25th brigade, 6th Iraqi Army (IA) Division established permanent battle positions in the Sa’id Abdullah Corridor (SAC), April 24. “Until only a few short weeks ago, this road was an area where American and Iraqi Soldiers only went expecting a fight,” said Capt. Dennis Call, from Albuquerque, N.M., leader of 4th Platoon, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “In the past, we did a number of air assault raids, dismount patrols – always on the edge, knowing the history of the area.” (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Airborne Soldier awarded Bronze Star for Valor - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — A Bronze Star with “V” device for valor was awarded to Army Sgt. Ryan P. Inabnet, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 1-91 Cavalry Squadron, at Fire Base Naray, Kunar province, April 24. Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, CJTF-101 deputy commanding general for operations, awarded the medal to Inabnet and presented him with a coin for excellence. (READ MORE)
A dozen insurgents killed, dozen more wounded in failed Kunar attack - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (April 28. 2008) – A dozen insurgents were killed and a dozen more were wounded during a failed attack, Sunday, on Afghan National Army and U.S. bases in Kunar province’s Korengal Valley. An estimated 30 to 40 insurgents attacked five bases in the Korengal valley with small-arms fire, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and indirect fire. (READ MORE)
ANSF, CF disrupt suicide bomb, IED cell in Bati Kowt - ALALABAD, Afghanistan (April 28, 2008) – Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces, conducted an operation in Bati Kowt District, Nangarhar province, April 27. The target of the operation was a known suicide bomb and IED facilitator. The combined force came under machine-gun fire as they cleared the objective, and was able to eliminate the threat. (READ MORE)
Private First Class Andrew F. Bluhm - PFC Bluhm was the gunner on the platoon leader’s truck as his platoon served as the QRF for B Troop. The QRF was called to evacuate three casualties when the patrol received fire from the north. PFC Bluhm returned highly effective suppressive fire, until his MK19 malfunctioned. He immediately transitioned to the M249 SAW and continued to suppress and destroy the enemy. (READ MORE)
Commandos initiated through operation - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (April 27, 2008) – Afghan National Army Commando students captured an insurgent and thwarted an insurgent attack, in Kapisa province, April 21. Members of the newly minted 207th Commando Kandak performed a number of night-time air assault missions, resulting in the capture of one insurgent, numerous small weapons caches and IED materials. (READ MORE)
CF treat Afghans near Tag Ab during medical outreach - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Several hundred citizens from a village near Tag Ab Valley, Kapisa province, swarmed a makeshift hospital hosted by Task Force Gladiator servicemembers, April 19, during a village medical outreach. The event’s primary goal was to connect Afghans living near Tag Ab to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan through humanitarian-aid operations, with the assistance of village elders and Afghan National Police. (READ MORE)
Coalition, Anti-Afghanistan forces clash in Kapisa - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (April 27, 2008) – Coalition forces engaged Anti-Afghan forces in the Tag Ab District of Kapisa province, Saturday, resulting in the death of several AAF militants. Coalition forces conducted a search of several compounds in the Tag Ab District in an effort to disrupt AAF IED activities. Coalition forces’ search also targeted a Taliban militant known to have facilitated both Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device attacks and attacks against Afghan government and Coalition forces by foreign fighters. (READ MORE)
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