News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
In their own words:
A Battlefield Tourist: US Carrier Moving to Support Troops in Afghanistan - In an effort to bolster its firepower in Afghanistan, the US military said July 7th, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is now in position to do just that. The news, first reported by NBC and now being reported by CNN, is a continuing sign of US military forces ratcheting up involvement in Afghanistan. The Abraham Lincoln, which had been supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, will be based in the Gulf of Oman where its F-18A fighter/bombers will have access to southern Afghanistan, and beyond, via overflights of Pakistan. The move follows remarks last week by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates showing great concern over the rise in violence seven years into the Afghan war. (READ MORE)
Courage Without Fear: Desert Nights, American Days - In the deserts of Kuwait and Southern Iraq, the nights come quick. It’s as if you can watch the sun go down in a mater of minutes. It’s a quiet peaceful time. There may be trucks in the motor pool prepping for missions, and the constant drone of the camp generators in the background, but while watching the sunset on the front porch of the Squadron headquarters, all is quiet. There’s a war going on, but not right there, not on my front porch. When the night comes, the temperatures cool some, but not enough, at least not this time of year. Sometimes, when I can break from the Squadron Headquarters, the sounds of metal on metal and the glow of the maintenance tent draw me out to see the troops. Like the Cavalry of old, skilled tradesmen are working through the night to make sure our horses are properly shoed and feed. They must work swiftly and smartly as the night doesn’t last long. (READ MORE)
Fearless 1st Marines’ blog: Clinics, schools and communication help rural Iraqis reconstruct - FALLUJAH, Iraq (July 3, 2008) – Albu Hawa, a small sub-tribe south of Fallujah resides in a farmland district that lines the Euphrates River. Only a year ago, it was a rural battlespace with daily violence that harbored al-Qaeda terrorists. Known as one of the last strongholds for al-Qaeda, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines performed operations during last year’s deployment to rid Albu Hawa of terrorist activity. This year, the battalion has returned to the area and witnessed the progress of this farmland community from when it was plagued with everyday violence. Now with terrorism on the brink of defeat, Iraqi Police have developed a strong presence in Albu Hawa and the area is dramatically safer for the citizens. (READ MORE)
Kaboom: A Soldier's War Journal: Calling All Kaboom Readers... - Those of you who have been following LT G from the beginning know that the Gravediggers have been very fortunate with regards to physical danger. There have been a few close calls and definitely situations that will have a lasting impact on the men for the rest of their lives. All things considered, they have been pretty lucky. After nearly seven months in Iraq, the Gravediggers’ luck had a momentary lapse. I regret to inform you that one of the Gravediggers is in dire need of prayers, thoughts, and support. On June 22, PV2 Hotwheels had an accident. The Gravediggers had returned from a mission and PV2 Hotwheels was refueling a generator. A fire ignited and he was engulfed in flames. Thankfully, two fellow Gravediggers and a terp came to PV2 Hotwheels’ rescue, putting out the flames as quickly as possible. It should be noted that PV2 Hotwheels followed the appropriate safety precautions and had on the necessary protection. The accident was a fluke. (READ MORE)
Bill Roggio: Uzbeks presence in Pakistan's tribal areas reignites intra-Taliban conflict - A several-year-old intra-Taliban conflict between two South Waziristan warlords has flared up again. Mullah Nazir has teamed up with Mullah Gul Bahadar to oppose Baitullah Mehsud’s support of Uzbek extremists in the tribal areas. Nazir, a Taliban commander in South Waziristan and a chieftain in the Ahmedzai Wazir tribe, and Bahadar, a Taliban commander in North Waziristan and a leader in the Utmanzai Wazir tribe, have been given permission to join forces against Baitullah Mehsud to stop him from attempting to “re-impose Uzbek militants” on the tribes. Nazir and Bahadar’s union was approved by an Ahmedzai Wazir tribal council consisting of more than 500 tribal leaders. (READ MORE)
Nathan Webster: Rising hopes in Tarmiyah tempered by recent violent past - TARMIYAH, IRAQ: Not much lingers of this youth center’s former role in the city of Tarmiyah. An entrance to the building, now bracketed by T-wall barriers and a weapon’s clearing barrel, shows an old mural of children at play. Refurbished and rededicated in August 2006, the youth center was a source of Army civil affairs pride before grim setbacks six months later. Now, in 2008, the center has become a Joint Security Station (JSS), manned by US soldiers with Iraqi Army and police operating from a new police station next door. A company of US infantrymen use this place as their residence and headquarters. (READ MORE)
Matel-in-Iraq: Perceptions of Iraq - My ePRT is on the edge of the world. I realized this as we flew low to Baghdad in the Blackwater helicopter on the way to Baghdad. Marine Air flies higher and straighter, so I don't see as much, but there is not much to see anyway on my usual Western Anbar travels, just shades of dusty brown. As we flew toward Bagdad, I saw farm lands that were wider than a football field's distance from the river. Some of the land looked very green and rich. How different would my impression of Iraq have been if I had been somewhere else but Western Anbar? I went to Baghdad for the team leader conference. The thirty-one PRTs in Iraq represent vastly different human and natural terrains. Each of us sees part of the situation. It is good to try to bring us together to discuss the bigger picture. (READ MORE)
Sarah Hoss: COMING HOME!!!!! - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Hi everyone!! I leave this weekend!! I will be stopping in Germany for a few days and then heading to the states! I can't wait! It has been too long since I did anything NORMAL....Here are a few photos of how I spent my 4th of July! (READ MORE)
Up Country Iraq: Land of Palaces - Hello everyone, Hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer. It’s hard to believe that it is already a week into July. Everyone has heard the stories of Saddam and his palaces that he had built around Iraq. I had the opportunity to see a few of these palaces over the past couple of weeks. Some of these palaces have holes where ceilings used to be, courtesy of the US Air Force, but most others are still in tact. While the palaces make good pictures and are built with marble floors and chandeliers, when you actually take a close look at the workmanship, it reminds you that this is Iraq. The palaces do stand out among the common houses in the surrounding villages, particularly up here in Tikrit. I spent some time down in Baghdad attending a biometrics conference and collecting information on Army Space Support Teams. (READ MORE)
Zen Traveller: Oberserving Change - I’m heading home in a day or so, my short time here in Iraq has come to an end, causing me to become slightly reflective of those things that have recently changed. Over the past months: The security situation has vastly improved, to the point where violence is the exception and not the norm. Daily explosions and gunfire that could be heard throughout Baghdad is now a rarity. Today automatic weapons are fired less in anger and more to celebrate local weddings and soccer victories. The streets are full of pedestrians going about their daily business; children happily walk to school, the shelves of neighborhood shops are full of goods, and kids peddle refreshments to gridlocked motorists. The road to the airport is undergoing a face-lift; painted murals adorn concrete blastwalls, new bright and shinny guard rails, palm trees, irrigation, and new hope-filled billboards. They still haven’t fixed the heavily pot-holed road though. (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Thousands of Shi’a partake in mass observance in Samarra, Balad - SAMARRA, Iraq – For the first time since 2003, Shi’a Muslims participated in a mass pilgrimage to the holy city of Samarra July 7. A mass celebration was held in honor of the former Shi’a Supreme Islamic Iraqi leader, Imam Sayyid Baqir al-Sadr. Thousands made the pilgrimage to Samarra to show their respect for the anniversary of Baqir’s death on this date 28 years ago. (READ MORE)
CF find weapons caches in cemetery south of Baqubah - TIKRIT, Iraq – Coalition force Soldiers found two weapons caches in a Christian cemetery south of Baqubah, Iraq, July 7. The caches, together, consisted of two rocket launchers, rockets, seven rifle grenades, three AK-47’s with magazines and multiple other devices used to make improvised explosive devices. (READ MORE)
IED attacks Iraqi civilians in Diyala Province - DIYALA, Iraq – Four Iraqi civilians were killed July 8 when an improvised explosive device detonated during a funeral procession in the town of Azia, Diyala Province. Twelve Iraqi civilians and one Iraqi Police officer were injured in the attack. “The targeting of a funeral procession demonstrates the total lack of respect for the families already suffering from their loss,” said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, spokesperson for Multi-National Division-North. (READ MORE)
Coalition forces give Bayji citizens opportunity to reconcile - BAYJI, Iraq – Criminals who wish to reject violence and rejoin their communities have been given an amnesty period, ending on July 10, during which they may make their pledge to stop fighting at the local joint coordination center. With this pledge comes the opportunity to cease being targets of Iraqi Security and Coalition forces. ISF and CF will continue searching for those responsible for criminal activity in the area unless they choose to reconcile before July 10. (READ MORE)
Two injured during IRAM attack on JSS Ur - BAGHDAD – A U.S. Soldier and an interpreter working with Coalition forces received minor injuries when eight explosions went off in the vicinity of Joint Security Station Ur in northeast Baghdad at approximately 1 p.m. July 8. The explosions were caused by an Improvised Rocket Assisted Mortar attack against CF working to help the people of Iraq establish security, essential services and improve the quality of life. (READ MORE)
NPs, MND-B Soldiers confiscate weapons, detain 2 suspected criminals in Rashid - BAGHDAD – Iraqi National Police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers confiscated weapons and detained two suspected criminals July 7 – 8 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. Police from the 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division and Soldiers from the 64th Armor Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted clearing operations and confiscated 75 AK-47 assault rifles at approximately 7:45 p.m. July 7 in the Bayaa community of southern Baghdad. (READ MORE)
Iraqi Police Deliver Food to Zuwarijat - FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA — Iraqi Police distributed bulk food products to citizens of the Zuwarijat district of al Kut as part of an outreach program to increase confidence in Iraqi Security Forces July 3. Supplies distributed at the event included rice, packets of noodles, canned goods and shelf-stable milk. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Civilians injured in Konar province attack - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 8, 2008) — Four Afghan civilians were injured yesterday when militants attacked an International Security Assistance Force base in Naray District, Konar Province. Militants attacked the base with small-arms fire, mortars and rockets over a period of four hours during the evening. The four injured civilians suffered shrapnel wounds and were treated at ISAF medical facilities on the base. (READ MORE)
Civil Affairs teams bring security, development in Konar province - KONAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (July 4, 2008) - Capt. Roman Skaskiw, 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, is responsible for the five southern Konar districts of the province, which are Narang, Nurgul, Sarkani, Khas Konar and Chowkay districts. Although these districts differ in the quality of governance and development, they all suffer from a lack of security, power and infrastructure. (READ MORE)
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