News and Personal dispatches from the front lines.
In their own words:
Dr. iRack: A Better Life and Rising Expectations in Basra - After a ragged start, a fierce fight, and a truce brokered by Iran, the Iraqi Army re-took Basra. In the ensuing weeks, a city of fear has been replaced by the initial signs of hope. People are on the streets, lovers stroll in public without fear of being targeted, more women feel free to discard their headscarves (if they want too), and music can be heard again. Iraqi Army and police checkpoints dot the city to provide security, Sadr offices have been taken over, his posters have been trashed, and his militia has faded away. Maliki's popularity is on the rise. Fact or fiction? A little of both. A good piece in the WaPo today details this renaissance: (READ MORE)
One Marine's View: IRAQ IN THE NEWS........NAAAAA C'MON - Iraq in the news? Cant be, no say it isn’t so, are we still in Iraq , Is there a war on??? WAKE UP PEOPLE!! The Washington Post has actually done a story about success. I bet they are all looking at one another going crap, were gonna get fired for doing this…..Washington Post Sunday, June 1, 2008; Page B06 “The Iraqi Upturn - Don't look now, but the U.S.-backed government and army may be winning the war. THERE'S BEEN a relative lull in news coverage and debate about Iraq in recent weeks -- which is odd, because May could turn out to have been one of the most important months of the war.” (READ MORE)
Iraq: The Purgatorium: The Grand Fucking Finale - Kuwait. Nightmare of customs. Waiting. Sleep deprivation. True sand. Dangling freedom right in front of us. One flight after another. Layovers. Sitting in a bus in the middle of nowhere in Kuwait. Popping Unisoms and watching flight attendants disappear before your eyes. Next time they open, everyone else is eating. Everyone but you, as you wipe a thick sticky streak of saliva off your cheek. You wake up in Ireland, just long enough to smoke a cigarette and catch another briefing. You wake up in Bangor. By the time we got to our destination, no one even seemed that excited. Only a little. I always imagined that the plane would be fucking INSANE as we were landing, like a riot of very pleased Joes that no one could contain. (READ MORE)
IraqPundit: Cole's Competition - There appears to be no shortage of academics who present themselves as experts on Iraq when they know absolutely nothing about the country. By now we all know that Juan Cole is at the top of the that list. Today we can add Monica Duffy Toft of Harvard. This expert argues that Iraq's conflict is all about religion -- and never mentions oil. Not even once! The whole thing is about Islam, according to this professor. Then she goes into some truly absurd statements about the faith. Perhaps someone at Harvard should suggest that she visit the scholars at Al Azhar. Islam is the center of the Iraq war, she says: (READ MORE)
Doc in the Box: My brain has stopped adding words together - I’ve hit the slump of the deployment along with many of the Marines and Sailors that I work the only difference is this is the first time that the slump has shut down my writing cold. I would put an idea on paper and try to expand on it and would end up having monosyllable conversations with myself. As painful as it is to have a conversation with one of those people, it’s worse to read it. I did a two blog post a while back ago called Twilight of the Deployment (take one and take two) and I can’t really improve on either of them with this block filling up my head just to note that my unit is in that period of time. The Dear John’s or Jane’s have started trickling in one party, here or there is shocked and can’t believe it’s happening to them. It’s that season of the deployment, between the middle till right before we get home. I’ve been here before and most of the Staff NCO’s I work with are on their second or third marriage, it’s the junior guys that worry me. (READ MORE)
Charlie Foxtrot: Greetings from Afghanistan - Greetings to all from Afghanistan. I am settling in for my months of task and toil, after a trip which was at times both exasperating and thrilling. With the hours that I will be keeping during my service here, I hope I will have the time to keep my blogging up. At least I have access to Blogger this time, even if the connection is fairly slow. In the mean time, enjoy a snapshot from my first convoy across this ancient land.... (READ MORE)
IN-iraq: Indiana soldiers secure one of Iraq’s biggest money makers (part 1) - Bayji Oil Refinery (BOR), Iraq - It produces more oil than any other refinery in Iraq. A handful of Indiana soldiers from Higher Headquarters Company of the 1st/327th Infantry live under the flaming tower that burns off excess gas. They help police a refinery operation that yields millions in liquid currency 24-hours a day. And there are plenty of people besides the Iraqi government who would like to take their cut from an operation that serves eight provinces and ships heavy fuel to three other nations. “If Iraq could stop all corruption, within five years this could be a wealthy nation,” said Sgt. Brian Taylor, 27, of Greenwood IN. In an attempt to stem the tide, soldiers have set up a system of cameras that can actually zoom in on the bribes changing hands. If they catch it on camera, they try to nab the suspects and hand them and the bribe money to the Iraqi Army who also has a contingency guarding the BOR. (READ MORE)
Cheese's Milblog: Posting again...from someone else's computer, unfortunately. - The prognosis for my computer is not good, but hopefully the good people at Everex will take my warranty to the next level and send me the parts that I need...I'm not too optimistic about that, however. In the meantime, missions go on. The people from the landfill still remain one of our priorities and we have been able to provide them with medical support and additional food, water and clothing. There is still much to be done, as there is one boy there that is in need of either a wheelchair or surgery...I'll post a video of him soon. We've been patrolling quite a bit, and have been able to meet even more people in the Kabul area. (READ MORE)
Matt Dupee: Coalition and Taliban vie for control of southwestern Afghanistan in Farah province - The southwestern province of Farah has borne the brunt of the Taliban’s southwestern expansion since the insurgency rebounded in 2006. Initially, the Taliban launched attacks on Farah and Nimroz from their various strongholds in neighboring Helmand province, but they have since established footholds inside Farah itself where they can recruit, coordinate, and launch attacks. Farah province has become the Taliban’s epicenter for terrorist operations in southwestern Afghanistan and is now the linchpin to its version of a “western front”. The village of Shaiban in the Bala Baluk district is “the most dangerous stronghold of the Taliban in western Farah province,” according to a report filed by the Jamestown Foundation in November. Mustafa Kazemi, a political adviser and resident of Nimroz province, backed up these claims and confirmed Bala Baluk’s stature as a Taliban bastion in a recent conversation with The Long War Journal. (READ MORE)
David Wood: Afghanistan: The all-but-forgotten war - It's a cause for celebration that American casualties in Iraq last month reached their lowest level since the war began five years ago. Nineteen U.S. servicemen and women lost their lives, according to the most accurate count, and our hearts go out to their families. There is no similar good news from Afghanistan. There, U.S. and other casualties are rising, and U.S. officials are not hopeful about any quick turn-around. But the numbers are small, Afghanistan is far away, and the war there doesn't seem to draw the passions that Iraq once did. For instance, no seems bothered that a report required from the Pentagon by Congress, detailing the situation there after seven years of war, is nowhere in sight. (READ MORE)
1st Marine Logistics Group: U.S. military and Iraqis in Baghdadi complete new way to cross Euphrates - BAGHDADI, Iraq (May 27, 2008) – In the small community of Baghdadi, service members and local Iraqis worked together to finish the Baghdadi Bridge, and a new way of crossing the Euphrates River is now open to traffic. Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Iraqis worked together to complete the 301-meter bridge May 22, making it the longest floating bridge in Iraq, said Capt. Douglas R. Cunningham, company commander for Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “I didn’t think the bridge would be so big until we got all the pieces together,” said Lance Cpl. Joshua S. Hardin, metal worker, from Lawrenceburg, Ky., with Maintenance Company, CLB-6, 1st MLG. (READ MORE)
Back but still writing:
Afghan & Military Blog: How I grew up in 10 Seconds - How I grew up in 10 seconds- PART 1 It all started on a sunny morning in late April, 2008. The PMT (Police Mentoring Team) I am assigned to was on a convey for a leaders meeting in the town of Tez Nawa, Afghanistan. My truck established the security point at the south end of the town by the school. As we set up our position the other trucks rolled up north. We were there no more than 5 minutes when “Contact, RPGs!!” came over the radio. I could hear RPG and small arms fire coming from the hill about a klick (1 kilometer) away. This went on sporadically for about1 hour. I was then called up by our OIC to go up the hill as there was a wounded ANA soldier on the hill who needed treatment. On the way up I made sure that my 9mm (pistol) had a round in the chamber and checked my medical bag for what I might need for the wounded. (READ MORE)
Greyhawk: Exodus (I) - Continuing a series begun here. Through the duration of the war in Iraq I've identified key indicators of important trends in the conflict on this web site. These indicators take the form of discrete events of variable duration, the trends are larger scale and longer term, and generally identifiable to the observer only as a series of events. This story from May, 2008 is of an event: “BAGHDAD — I came back to Baghdad last week. First, it is important to mention the main cause that made me leave everything behind and go to Syria. By the end of 2006 my neighborhood had become an unbearable place. No one could continue there. It was without any simple services, from bakery shops to the hospital and physicians. They all closed their doors and left.” (READ MORE)
That Krazy Korean: Work - Today was the first day back to work at my job...my civilian job that is. Lots of new faces from the 140 folks they've hired since I've been gone, not to mention the absence of a lot of good colleges due to retirement or just moving onto something different. It's amazing how much changes in a year and a half. Speaking of changes, I don't have my old job back like I thought I would. I'm doing "special projects", which is a politically correct way of telling someone that they are the "bitch-boy" until they figure out what job to throw you in. This would normally infuriate me, but I think I left a lot of angst back in Iraq. Instead, I was happy that they had employment for me, that I was getting paid for said employment and that my new job as "doer of things no one wants to do" did not involve body armor or mortars. God bless America! (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Two wanted men detained for links to al-Qaeda bombing networks - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured two wanted men believed to be tied to al-Qaeda in Iraq bombing networks and detained five additional suspected terrorists Tuesday. One wanted man, captured with four associates in Mosul, is allegedly a security leader for al-Qaeda in Iraq and is suspected of coordinating bombings against Iraqi Police. (READ MORE)
Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader and five associates - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader and five associates Tuesday in al-Kut, about 150 km southeast of Baghdad. Acting on intelligence tips, Coalition forces closed in on the presumed residence of an individual suspected of being one of the top criminal leaders in al-Kut. The man has been identified as involved in the murdering of Iraqis and attacking of Coalition forces. (READ MORE)
ISF, MND-B Soldiers engage criminals, take weapons off streets - BAGHDAD –Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers killed four militants and seized a number of weapons during operations in Baghdad June 2. At approximately 5 a.m. in the Risalah area of Rashid, Iraqi National Policemen from the 5th Brigade, 2nd NP Division found 18 AK-47s, a 60 mm mortar round, 4,840 PKC rounds and a radio. (READ MORE)
MND-N Soldiers detain criminals, uncover caches in separate operations - TIKRIT, Iraq – Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assualt), conducted multiple operations in the Salah ad-Din Province over the weekend, resulting in the capturing of individuals suspected of insurgent activity, the uncovering of weapons,and ammunition caches and foiling of improvised explosive device emplacements. (READ MORE)
Iraqi National Police gain respect of villagers - MOSUL, Iraq – The residents of Yarimjah, a neighborhood in southern Mosul, were apprehensive when the Iraqi National Police arrived at 4 a.m. May 24. They had heard many rumors about the National Police from neighbors and television. What the neighborhood residents experienced was unexpected. The 2nd Battalion, 6th National Police Brigade, under the command of Col. Fasial Majed Muhsen moved into the area with exemplary discipline and courtesy. (READ MORE)
Iraqi source leads Soldiers to massive cache west of Samarra - TIKRIT, Iraq – An Iraqi source-driven search in the al-Jazeera Desert west of the city of Samarra led Soldiers to an underground storage room containing thousands of pounds of weapons and munitions, June 2. Earlier in the day, the Soldiers received information from local Iraqi Security Forces of a large quantity of weapons and munitions located within a 40-ft. well in the desert near the city. (READ MORE)
ISF, Coalition forces destroy ton of weapons (Karbala) - FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces destroyed a large weapons cache containing approximately 2,400 pounds of munitions May 28 in Karbala province. The cache was discovered by a former mayor of Husayniyah, who alerted the Karbala Iraqi Police. The IPs recovered the cache buried in 11 water storage tanks and various boxes May 20 in Husayniyah. (READ MORE)
10th Mountain Division assumes MND-C mission - CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – A bright red and white flag with the words “Climb to Glory” now flies above Multi-National Division - Center headquarters, symbolizing the transfer of authority from the 3rd Infantry Division to the 10th Mountain Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom June 1. (READ MORE)
U.S. General Expresses Optimism About Baghdad Operations - BAGHDAD — The U.S. two-star general responsible for operations in Baghdad expressed optimism about the current state of anti-insurgent efforts in and around Iraq’s capital city. Tactically, “the situation I see ourselves in here right now - it’s encouraging,” Army Maj. Gen. Jeffery W. Hammond, commander of Multinational Division Baghdad and the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division, told Pentagon reporters during a satellite-carried news conference June 2 from his Baghdad headquarters. (READ MORE)
Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers Bring Aid to Village - BAGHDAD — The line extended out the gate and around the corner, and it disappeared up the narrow street as residents of Dehna, a village west of Baghdad, lined up waiting for aid May 29. The mood was the same at every point in the line: excitement, relief and gratitude. Whether it was a woman there for her family or one of the scores of children waiting for a free toy and maybe some candy, all were grateful to the soldiers who brought them help and hope. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
ANSF, Coalition find, dispose of IED in Helmand - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (June 02, 2008) – Coalition forces deactivated an IED found by Afghan National Security Forces west of Gereshk District center, Helmand province May 28. The IED was packed with more than 50 pounds of explosives. The ANSF turned over the IED to Coalition forces to be deactivated and properly disposed of. (READ MORE)
Progress stems from key Afghan meeting - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (June 2, 2008) — Parliament Leaders, Village Elders and other government officials attend a meeting at the Governor’s Compound in the district of Mahmood Raqi, located in the Kapisa province, Afghanistan, to discuss recent issues that have arisen with construction contractors, May 29. The meeting was held in the Revenue Building, and the first speaker was the governor of Kapisa, Governor Abubaker. (READ MORE)
Better Afghan, Coalition cooperation stems from meeting - FORWARD OPERATING BASE GHAZNI, Afghanistan (June 2, 2008) – Top Afghan government officials met with representatives from the Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army and Coalition forces, to discuss security issues, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan, May 14. In addition to security, finances and development were also covered in the meeting. (READ MORE)
Afghan women heard at med. Engagement - PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (June 2, 2008) -- During a medical engagement in the remote village of Dah Khawak, Afghanistan, Thursday, forty-eight burqa-clad women found their voices as they were treated by female healthcare providers; some for the first time. Each appointment started out the same. A local Afghan woman came into the woman’s clinic, which was actually the sleeping area of a local family’s mud home, removed the all-concealing blue burqa and sat down in front of a female healthcare provider. (READ MORE)
Several militants killed in Uruzgan province - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (May 24, 2008) – Afghan National Security Forces assisted by U.S. Special Forces killed several militants with a combination of small arms fire and precision air strikes after they attacked a Coalition base in the Uruzgan province June 1. Several militants, divided into 6 groups, attacked a checkpoint near the base with small arms and rocket propelled grenades. The militants then consolidated into 2 groups and attacked the perimeter of the base. (READ MORE)
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