News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
In their own words:
A Major's Perspective: Why they Re-Enlist, or Why We Serve? - I read this story in the NY Times a couple of days ago, but with all that was going on I wasn't able to get to it; but I think this is very important. The title of the article states, "Why they re-enlist." I believe that the more correct byline would be, "Why They Serve." All of us have different reasons why we came in the military in the first place. Some are more defined after time in the service and time deployed in a combat zone, but I don't think that they change. If anything they become more defined and more important after time served in the military. I know for myself, with every year that has gone by, my reasons for first raising my hand and taking the oath of a commissioned officer have not changed; but rather become stronger and more concreted in my heart. The quotes that best summed everything up I think were from SPC Charlie Harris from Atlanta, GA. (READ MORE)
1st Marine Logistics Group: Here I Am at TQ: A Chaplain's Account of Life in Iraq - Thursday, 19 June 2008 (Happy Juneteenth) This has been a very “moving’ month – plus. In early May, less than a week after returning from Camp Fallujah, when we lost our four CLB-1 Marines, RPC Dennis Abeling and I went back for the memorial service. That was a moving event. On the stage, there were four memorial stands – sets of boots with down turned rifles, helmet on top and dog tags dangling – with a poster sized picture of the deceased. Chaplains are expected to provide spiritually focused words of comfort at the memorial service. Commanding Officers typically provide appropriate words of honor for their fallen Marines, sharing the difficulty for a leader to lose any of his personnel yet encouraging all to “stay in the fight and accomplish the mission,” as a tribute to the fallen. (READ MORE)
A Battlefield Tourist: US Pulls Out of Wanat; Base in Nuristan Not First to be Breached There - Leaving behind a handful of weapons for the Afghan security forces, paratroopers with Chosen Company, 2/503 have withdrawn from the area of Want, Nuristan Province, as they prepare to leave the country for a planned rotation. As the Americans pulled out, Afghan forces withdrew to Kunar Province allowing militant fighters to move back into a town that will go down in history as one of the deadliest for US troops in this central Asian country. Military officials say the move does not mean security will be abandoned in Wanat, noting that Afghan forces will continue to operate in the region as will coalition air missions. An Afghan operation in the area July 15 killed seven militants. (READ MORE)
Cheese's Milblog: As you can see, I'm back on my A-game - I can't believe how much a little flexorall can help. Looking at all of the pictures I have on here, you'd think that all I do is hang out with the Afghan youth, so I figured I'd explain a little tactic we use here. Whenever the Lt is getting swarmed by the little buggers so much that he can't do his job, we bust out the cameras to distract them. If there's anything that the Afghan-lits love...well, it's John Cena and pens...but getting pictures taken is a close third. We're starting to have some fun with the missions now. Instead of sitting on mountain tops waiting until it's time to head back, we found out how much fun it can be to punt soccer balls to the kids in the foothill villages. (READ MORE)
Bill Roggio: Three Taliban commanders killed in Kandahar - Coalition and Afghan forces killed three Taliban commanders in the restive southern province of Kandahar over the past week. But while the military has shown prowess at knocking off extremist leaders, the Taliban have expanded their control in Kandahar as Canadian force draw back to populated districts, according to reports from the southern province. The International Security Assistance Force reported it killed a senior Taliban political and military leader know as Mullah Mahmoud during an airstrike Kandahar's Khakrez district on July 9. Mahmoud was among "several key insurgent commanders ... meeting to regroup their forces and plan further attacks against the Arghandab district and Kandahar city," ISAF reported. Afghan commandos called in an airstrike after setting up observation post near the meeting. (READ MORE)
Bill Murray: Iraqi Army attempts to halt voter registration attacks as Iraq prepares for fall election - When Iraqi Army Brigadier General Noor Aldeen visited his old secondary school in northern Mosul this week, he had little time to reminisce about placing first in spelling and arithmetic. His former school in the neighborhood of Al Nomaniya is an election registration site for upcoming regional elections in October, making it a popular place for a terrorist attack in the coming weeks. Almost all of the 57 registration sites in Iraq’s third-largest city are at primary and secondary schools -- they are well-known locations to locals and Iraqi schools have summer break at the same time as in the US -- but not all schools are well protected against attacks. "Today, we’re looking at force protection," said Aldeen, the commander of the 8th Brigade of the country’s Mosul-based 2nd Division during a tour of five schools. (READ MORE)
Paul Fanning: Faces of dedication and courage - Several positive things have happened here at Camp Phoenix over the last week worth noting. We had a USO visit that included an actor from the TV show "Heroes," a New York Giant and a New Orleans Saint football player, two Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders and the commissioner of the NFL. My public affairs teammates went out with our Security Force team to a nearby village to help inoculate sheep and provided some medical treatment for poor children. I got the chance to go along with another part of our command and visited the Afghan presidential compound in the heart of Kabul. I set up a phone interview with a young infantry soldier from Rochester with his hometown newspaper. (READ MORE)
Fearless 1st Marines’ blog: Fostering relationships for a brighter future - MUDIQ, Iraq (July 7, 2008) – The transition of authority in the al Anbar Province from Coalition forces to the Iraqi government is a priority in the province. However, this cannot be accomplished without the trust and support of the Iraqi people. To strengthen their relationship with local Iraqis, Marines of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, conducted a combined medical engagement here July 6. “The people need to see our presence – know we are here to help them,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. McDonald, a corpsman with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines. (READ MORE)
IN-iraq: Fallen soldier a leader, mentor - I only knew Sergeant First Class Steven J. Chevalier, 35, of Flint Michigan for about a week. I didn’t know what kind of man he was in the States. I didn't know what kind of father he was to his two daughters. I caught a glimpse of what kind of soldier he was in Iraq. I went up to Samarra to cover Charlie company of the 2nd/327th Infantry stationed at Patrol Base Olsen. Samarra was notorious for insurgents and Olsen for characters who fit the patrol base's quirky structure, a former casino or a “s--- hole” as some called it. SFC Chevalier, or “Chevy” as he was known, wore tinted ballistic glasses and carried a posture of a sergeant used to being listened to. I tried to stay out of his way. But he was 3rd Squad's platoon leader so he was pretty much everywhere. It was apparent from the beginning he was a stickler, he was in charge, he was easy to anger and always coaching younger soldiers. (READ MORE)
Manrymission: Aski Mosul Visit - Mike Miller and I went to Aski Mosul yesterday to visit an ongoing project to repair a drinking water drinking plant. Aski Mosul is a small town northwest of Mosul on the Tigris River. Yesterday’s trip took two hours to get to the site. We spent about 15 minutes on the site. Then we took about 1 1/2 hours to get back to FOB Marez. Trips like that can be very frustrating especially when you see that the contractor hasn’t made any progress since the last visit. This project started in November 2005 and was supposed to last 6 months. Almost 3 years later, we expect the contractor to finish sometime early next month. I’m sure you’re wondering why it has taken so long. So am I! Throughout the life of this contract, there has been a lot of interference by the provincial government. Representatives from the water department have directed the contractor to change pieces of work without getting the proper approvals from our contracting office. (READ MORE)
One Marine's View: A Plan to kill everyone - An interesting story on Fox News: FALLUJAH -- A sign on the door leading out of India Company’s Combat Operations Center says “Have a Plan to Kill Everyone You Meet.” For a fraction of second I thought it might be some kind of joke. But I was with the Marine Corps in Fallujah, and it wasn’t a joke. I asked Captain Stewart Glenn if he could explain and perhaps elaborate a bit on what, exactly, that sign is about. “It’s pretty straightforward,” he said rather bluntly. “It means exactly what it says.” Welcome to counterinsurgency. A sign outside Lieutenant Nathan Bibler’s Joint Security Station in the slums of Fallujah makes the point a little more clearly, and delicately. “Look at everyone as though they are trying to kill you, but you cannot treat them that way.” (READ MORE)
The Satirist at War: Say Goodbye to Afghanistan - To all my friends and family who supported me and the other Sky Soldiers through this long ordeal away from the country and culture we hold dear: Thank you. I'm coming home. To "G.S.," the guy on the top floor of my apartment building who won't allow satellite t.v. and always calls the Carbs on us when we throw weekend parties and play the music too loud: uh-oh! Guess who's coming home? (READ MORE)
Big Tobacco: The Best of Both Worlds - I wrote this while smoking an El Rey del Mundo. Three AM. Fumbling in the dark. I rotate out of my cot and find my socks by the light of my smart phone. I have to pee. I check my email on my smart phone as I pull on my socks. The Prettiest Rose in NATO sent me an email with the newest French translation of my blog. "You should be a writer," she says. This is the fourth person in three weeks to e-mail me saying that I should consider being more than a grunt who blogs. She suggests that I should write professionally. Write professionally? Like as a job? I had a real job once. Software code used to stream from my fingertips as easily as swear words flow from my mouth now. I used to drink $4.00 lattes. I commuted while listening to NPR. I read milblogs happy that the other guy was in the sandbox instead of me. (READ MORE)
Sgt Hook: Checking In - Just a quick check in to let everyone know all is well. Busy as hell, but well. R&R leave was incredible and couldn’t have come at a better time. It has been full throttle since I’ve returned and I apologize for not getting on here more to write. Honestly, I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to as we fight through these final 5 months of the deployment. The days are hovering around 120 degrees at its hottest but the missions continue. Your Soldiers are doing a phenomenal job and you can be proud of their efforts and positive spirit. We’ve had some hard times in the unit but the resolve and dedication of the troops has carried us through. I owe a more detailed update and will try my damndest to get something up here in the near future. Thanks to all for the prayers and support. I am eternally grateful for both. Sgt Hook out. (READ MORE)
Vince's Experiences in Iraq: Banjo and the Colonel - This photo cracked me up!! Below are Vince's comments. I have to wonder what the folks over think about the Colonel with his stuffed lion ;-) "Banjo and the Colonel are at the Hadditha Hospital in Western Iraq. Banjo was hoping to see some children but the type of visit was focused on the project. We will be constructing a new wing in place of one that was destroyed by a vehicle bomb several years ago. The project will also install additional equipment like a modern X-Ray machine." (READ MORE)
Back and still writing:
Army of Dude: From Nation Building To Net Roots - It's a strange concept to me, being home ten months, yet I left for Iraq more than two years ago. To put that into perspective, I got on that big, beautiful plane as a clueless twenty year old. This week, I'll be turning 23. These days, I have a less deadly (and therefore less exciting) job in a warehouse. A regular 9-5 until I wait for school to start. I was always a quiet guy, never really the kind to strike up a conversation with someone I didn't know well. Introverted as all get out. Lately, I feel that personality trait rearing its head again. I thought it was gone; anyone from my platoon can tell you that I absolutely loved to debate anyone and anything with my partner in crime, Steve. (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Al-Qaeda finance, foreign terrorist networks degraded - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists, including three wanted men, during operations around the country targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq’s financial and foreign terrorist networks Thursday. During a precision operation in Hit, about 150 kilometers west of Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a man allegedly working with AQI to bring foreign terrorists into the country. Closer to the city, Coalition forces captured a wanted man and one additional suspect in Karmah. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers seize multiple caches in Baghdad - BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seized weapons caches in Baghdad July 15. At approximately 4:30 p.m., Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division found seven 155 mm artillery rounds, 26 120 mm mortars, two PG-7 machine guns, a PG-9 machine gun, a 57 mm rocket, a 2.75 inch rocket warhead, a five-gallon can of UBE explosive material, 22 100 mm mortars and 26 82 mm mortars north of Baghdad. (READ MORE)
ISOF detain suspected AQI leader - BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in Fallujah July 15. The suspect, detained on a Ministry of Justice warrant, is reportedly in charge of three AQI emirs overseeing approximately 200 terrorists. He is also accused of smuggling and storing chemicals and mortars used in attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces, and is said to order the emplacement of improvised explosive devices. (READ MORE)
Ministry of Interior opens ID, weapons card facility - Baghdad – The Ministry of Interior opened its new state of the art identification and weapons card facility Tuesday, representing another significant step for improving security in Iraq. The new facility can produce up to 1,500 employee ID cards and 500 weapons cards daily and is critical in supporting the Ministry of Interior’s unprecedented growth which is expected to top 420,000 employees by the end of 2008. (READ MORE)
ISF detain two suspected Special Groups criminals in central Iraq - BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces detained two suspected Special Groups criminals in separate operations in central Iraq July 15. In the Sadr City district of Baghdad, the Baghdad National Emergency Response Unit detained a Special Groups criminal on a warrant issued by the Ministry of Interior. The individual is suspected of killings and attacks against Iraqi Security and Coalition forces with improvised explosive devices, explosively formed projectiles and small-arms fire. (READ MORE)
Baghdad bombing cell hit hard by Coalition operations - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces disrupted a bombing cell and degraded al-Qaeda’s leadership network, detaining 16 suspected terrorists during operations in two major Iraqi cities Wednesday. A man associated with a car-bombing cell operating in Baghdad led Coalition forces to its alleged leader, three subordinate leaders and five additional suspected cell members in the city. The alleged leader is reportedly an expert in constructing car bombs. (READ MORE)
15 killed in Tal Afar VBIED attack - TIKRIT, Iraq – Al-Qaeda in Iraq conducted a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack killing 15 civilians in Tal Afar July 16. Ninety-five civilians and three Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics team members were also wounded in the attack. The wounded were transported to a local medical facility for treatment. “This is another example of the brutality of an enemy on the run,” said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, spokesperson for Multi-National Division-North. (READ MORE)
SoI members lead MND-N Soldiers to cache west of Samarra - SAMARRA, Iraq – Sons of Iraq members led Multi-National Division – North Soldiers from the 327th Infantry Regiment to a weapons cache in the Jazeera Desert area of the Salah ad Din province west of Samarra July 15. The cache consisted of 54 90 mm mortar rounds, seven 60 mm mortar rounds, three 57 mm rounds, four 120 mm artillery rounds and numerous small-arms munitions. (READ MORE)
Al-Quibla Power Substation improves power grid (Basra) - BASRA – Dozens of religious leaders, Basra Council members, the British Consul General, Nigel Haywood and a large group of local media gathered for the official opening of the al-Quibla power substation during a ribbon cutting ceremony July 15. The $3.29 million project provided 26 jobs for Iraqis. The power grid upgrade now provides 12 consistent daily hours of power to some 4,000 homes, according to engineer Hadi Saleh. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers seize cache in New Baghdad - BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers confiscated several weapons in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad July 16. Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), seized 16 AK-47 rifles during clearance operations, which were turned over to the Iraqi National Police. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers detain known Special Groups leader (Baghdad) - BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained a known Special Groups leader July 15 during Operation Raider Nor’easter in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. At approximately 9:15 a.m., Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division detained a known Special Groups criminal leader during an operation in the Bayaa community. The criminal is known for his use of explosively formed projectiles. The patrol brought the suspect to a Coalition forces base for processing. (READ MORE)
Fostering Relationships for the Future - MUDIQ — The transition of authority in the al Anbar province from coalition forces to the Iraqi government is a priority in the province. However, this cannot be accomplished without the trust and support of the Iraqi people. To strengthen their relationship with local Iraqis, Marines of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, conducted a combined medical engagement recently. (READ MORE)
National Historic Site Hit by Insurgent’s Indirect Fire - COB ADDER — Insurgent mortar fire struck the Great Ziggurat of Ur, a national historic site, twice July 14. The 4,000 year-old historical site was considered a dwelling place for the gods in ancient Mesopotamia. No structural damage has being reported at this time. There were no deaths or injuries reported during the attack. The incident is under investigation. (READ MORE)
Same City, Different Outlook in Ramadi - RAMADI — A mostly Sunni city with about 500,000 residents, Ramadi was considered to be one of the most violent cities in the world during the early part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, locals are out shopping at the city’s bustling marketplace, known as the souk. Children are playing soccer in fields, and students are walking mostly worry-free to and from the province’s local college, al Anbar University. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Several militants killed in Kandahar province - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 16, 2008) — Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, killed several militants in Shah Wali District, Kandahar province July 15. While on patrol, the combined force was engaged by militants with small-arms fire and mortars from multiple directions. The Coalition unit returned fire and forced the militants into fortified positions where they were killed by precision air strikes. (READ MORE)
Sevendust performs for Bagram service members - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 15, 2008) – Modern-rock band Sevendust put on a performance like no other for service members stationed at Bagram Air Field July 12 at the final stop on their first USO tour. Although the band was not known for playing an acoustic set, they still managed to put out a diverse sound that left rock fans wanting more. “I just got done watching Sevendust in concert,” said Army Sgt. Mark Decker, B Company, 101st Airborne Division Special Troop Battalion. (READ MORE)
Coalition forces disrupt Taliban operations in Wardak province - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 8, 2008) – A targeted militant was killed and two militants were detained Monday during a Coalition forces operation to disrupt Taliban operations in Wardak province. Coalition forces searched several compounds in Sayad Abad District targeting a militant leader that has smuggle munitions and conduct IED attacks against Afghan and Coalition forces in the area. (READ MORE)
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