News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
In their own words:
From the "Stan: Insurgents use children as human shields - Just received this information via a press release from the 24th MEU public affairs officer. FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Insurgents used two children as shields while they tried to place improvised explosive devices in a road traveled by civilian and military personnel here Saturday.Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment were conducting counter IED operations along a route in Golestan to ensure the safe passage of a resupply ground convoy when they saw four insurgents trying to emplace an IED in the road. Initially the Marines observed four adults and two children in a truck full of burlap sacks and shovels. The adults began digging holes. Once the insurgents took the burlap sacks out of the truck, the Marines were able to see what was in the sacks and that the holes being dug in the road were for IEDs. (READ MORE)
Fearless 1st Marines’ blog: Irrigation canal supports Ramadi farmers - RAMADI, Iraq –Marines with Civil Affairs Team 3, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, assessed a new irrigation system being built in an open expanse of farmland in the Sophia area of Ramadi, Iraq, Oct. 8. The new system is one of six being built to improve the quality of life for many local farmers and civilians living in Ramadi. Each system will enhance farmers’ ability to raise crops and animals, helping to boost the local economy. “The biggest benefit of irrigation is farmers have water available to grow crops and feed their animals and family,” said Staff Sgt. Ben J. Lund, a 34-year-old assistant team leader from North Lake, Wis., with Team 3. (READ MORE)
Bill Roggio: Taliban kill 15 troops in Swat ambush - The Taliban conducted a deadly ambush on a paramilitary convoy in the district of Swat in Pakistan's violent Northwest Frontier Province. Fifteen troops were killed and six are still missing after a roadside bomb attack and battle in the Kabal region, police told Reuters. "After the exchange of fire that lasted for several hours, more than 20 troops went missing but today we found 15 dead bodies at the site," a police officer in Kabal told Reuters. Five Taliban and three civilians were also reported killed in the firefight. The ambush is the latest in heavy fighting in Swat over the past week. On Oct. 16, four policemen were killed and 16 were wounded after a suicide bomber rammed into a police station in Mangura city. The government responded by pounding a suspected Taliban training camp in the Peochar Valley with airstrikes on Oct. 20. Twenty-five Taliban and 22 civilians were reported killed. (READ MORE)
Peace and War Times: First Days in Kuwait - We arrived in Kuwait, on Oct 12 at 3:30 AM; first stop after getting out of the airplane was outside the airport, where we picked up water and rest for about 30 minutes. Then we traveled for about 2 hours on the highway from which the only things you can see was sand, fuel tanks and buildings. Tire and hungry, we arrived to one of many military camps in Kuwait. We formed up and got ready for more briefings, then drove to our barracks. The barracks is nothing but a huge tent that holds up to 70 people, with air conditioner filled with army foldable beds ready to be use. Alone with bags and equipment, we were very cramp up into this tent with barely space to walk thru. The weather it’s hot but not quite compare to Iraq as other say. Even on its 90F still was hot enough to suffocate into it. It’s like walking towards a blow dryer while on hot setting. (READ MORE)
Soldier's Mom: One year later: remembering an Owens Valley son - One year after the news that Cpl. Wayne Marshall Geiger died in combat in Iraq began to spread across the Owens Valley like a cold autumn storm, the pain and heartache is still evident, especially among the young soldier’s family, friends and community members in Lone Pine. With the one-year anniversary of Geiger’s untimely death also comes the chance for residents to reflect back on the life cut tragically short, the ultimate sacrifice this young man made in the name of country, honor and freedom and its impact on every community in the Eastern Sierra. Today, perhaps, also marks an occasion to celebrate Wayne Geiger as one of Inyo County’s best and brightest, and to once again pay our respects to the family that raised him so well. (READ MORE)
The War on Big Tobacco: Oh, That Way Madness Lies; Let Me Shun That - I smoked a store-bought el-cheepo that was sent by my loving in-laws while I composed this. I open my eyes. Another day. I look at my clock. It’s 1800 and I have to be at the BDOC (read the Glossary) by 1900. Fuck. Not enough time to go running. I have to do it in the morning when I’m tired. Hell, I can’t even believe I’m complaining about this, especially when people on the convoys are driving for 20 hours nonstop. Twelve hour shifts leave me with little time to do anything but sleep. The BDOC is my life. I work there, I eat there. I write there. I smoke there. I have become one with the BDOC. The spaghetti cord of the handset wraps its way into my heart. I write bad poetry on the SIGACTS board. I might as well; nothing else ever graces its glossy white surface. Red Expo marker/You and I yearn for your use/Yet Tampa is green/ Convoy Commander/Wave as you leave the wire/Fobbit I remain I pick up my rifle and pistol. (READ MORE)
Back and still writing:
Bouhammer: Spread the Word: A cowardice act by a reporter - Nick Meo was an embed journalist from the UK who was recently in the Khandahar area embedded with PMT and ETT mentors of TF Phoenix. I have been alerted to some terrible articles he wrote about that experience. Articles full of lies, slander and twisted truths. Articles that pump his own ego and try to make him seem more than he is, but at the same time show him as a coward by jumping on a medevac helicopter to leave the combat area rather than ride back, and he was not even wounded. Please feel free to try emailing him at nick.meo@telegraph.co.uk, or you can try emailing the newspaper at telegraphenquiries@telegraph.co.uk if the address for Nick does not work. Let them know what you think of his lies, twisting of the truth to make it feel worse and his utter dis-respect for the American soldiers that protected him. You can also make an international call to 0800 316 6977 and let them know how you feel. (READ MORE)
Bill and Bob's Excellent Adventure: Nir Rosen And The Temple (Mosque) Of Doom - Nir Rosen's newest tome in Rolling Stone is all the rage. The first reference to it was from a good friend of this blog, and then a reference on Abu Muqawama. Of course, the title gives away a bit of the theme of the article; but Muqawama described it as a "must read," so I did. I did not share his enthusiasm. While Dave Dilegge panned Rosen's article due to an objection to journalists embedding with insurgents, my disappointment was with the content. In reading it, I wondered what Abu Muqawama would have found attractive about it, and further wondered about the esteem in which AM seemed to hold Rosen himself. Being unfamiliar with Rosen, I decided to look into his writings. I found that this article was consistent with his previous work. I must say that Rosen has nerve. He also showed courage in not screaming like a little girl as he nearly suffered the result of extremely poor judgment. (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Latest draft of the U.S.-Iraq security agreement - Below is the latest draft of the U.S.-Iraq security agreement, which the Iraqi government today said needed changes and further negotiations with the Americans. The Times has the story here. Time is running out for the sides to replace the current U.N. legal cover by the end of the year with a status of forces agreement. Failure to reach a deal would be viewed as a diplomatic setback for the Americans. (READ MORE)
Iraqi soldiers complete first-ever convoy live-fire event - TAJI, Iraq – The new General Transportation Regiment conducted the first ever live-fire convoy exercise in Iraq here, Oct. 21. With fingers on the triggers, Iraqi Army Soldiers of the GTR were taught to say “I love you, baby,” in English to control the length of their fire burst - six to nine rounds at a time. The Soldiers used live ammunition to shoot at multiple targets at distances up to 400 meters while riding on their moving convoys. (READ MORE)
US, Iraq partner on $15 million police academy project - Erbil, Iraq— - The Erbil Police Academy was turned over to the Government of Iraq Oct. 15 as a result of the partnership between U.S. and Iraqi government entities’ working together for a common goal. “This project is an example of the successful partnership between the Kurdistan Ministry of Interior, the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team [CPATT] in Erbil, and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers,” said Gary York, resident engineer at the USACE Erbil Resident Office. “The training provided at the new academy will help stabilize the security for not only the Kurdistan region, but all of Iraq.” (READ MORE)
U.S., Iraqi leaders partner on major Iraqi-funded project - Baghdad, Iraq – Construction is scheduled to begin on new piers and a seawall at Umm Qasr, in the Al Basrah Province of Southern Iraq, at the end of 2008. Leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division, the Iraqi Navy, Iraq Ministry of Defense, contractors and support staff met Oct. 16, to discuss the new conceptual design for the construction of the first Foreign Military Sales project for USACE in Iraq. (READ MORE)
Ministry of Interior graduates 407 community police officers in new program to build trust - Baghdad – The Ministry of Interior graduated 407 community police officers Monday in Baghdad from the first such course to be held. The new community policing program puts newly trained community relations police officers in every police station and other governmental offices to strengthen the Iraqi Police’s ties and communication with local communities. (READ MORE)
Georgians bring OIF mission to close - FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – The remaining 30 soldiers of Georgia’s 1st Infantry Brigade cased their colors during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Delta Oct. 20. “For the time they’ve been here, tasks were completed fully and well,” said Capt. Mzia Sutaberidze, 1st Georgian Bde., logistics officer and officer-in-charge of the remaining contingency. She said from her position she couldn’t assess the whole brigade, but that she was proud of her section’s humanitarian aid efforts. (READ MORE)
Kazakhstan looks back during EOM ceremony - FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Soldiers from the Kazakhstan contingency to Iraq reflected on their accomplishments and lessons learned during an end-of-mission ceremony at Forward Operating Base Delta Oct. 20, marking the end of their support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since deploying to Wasit province in March 2003. “Since the first day, (our) soldiers have been meritoriously carrying out their mission,” said Lt. Gen. Bulat Sembinov, Kazakhstan Deputy Minister of Defense. (READ MORE)
Coalition forces apprehend alleged AQI bomb cell leader - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces continued to target al-Qaeda in Iraq’s bomb network Tuesday afternoon, capturing one wanted man in Tikrit, about 160 km north of Baghdad. Ground forces caught the suspected terrorist after intelligence reports suggested he was an AQI car bomb and improvised explosive device cell leader. The man, who is believed to have ties to regional AQI leaders, surrendered himself to Coalition forces during the operation. (READ MORE)
Security level allows 1000s to view soccer match in Samara - SAMARRA, Iraq – Thousands of spectators filled the stands at the Samarra Sports Complex to witness a soccer match between club teams from Samarra and Baghdad Oct. 19. As a show of the level of security the city is now experiencing, thousands were able to gather and watch as Football Club Samarra defeated Football Club Baghdad Student Union 3-1. (READ MORE)
Weapons cache discovered, four detained in Mosul - MOSUL, Iraq — The Iraqi Army detained four suspects after discovering a weapons cache inside a building during a patrol in Mosul in the Ninewah Province, Oct. 21. The cache consisted of 144 rocket propelled grenade warheads, an AK-47 rifle and a revolver. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers donate school supplies, soccer balls to Iraqi school - FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Falar Masoor, headmaster of the Najan Al Musuri School received more than 30 boxes full of school supplies from Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and bags of soccer balls from the Kick for Nick Foundation, in remembrance of Pfc. Nick Madaras who was killed by an improvised explosive device in September of 2006. (READ MORE)
Iraqi Army Gives Back to Students - CAMP STRIKER — The 23rd Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army (IA) Division handed out gift bags to students from the Sanadid school in Shakeriyah and the al Fatoh elementary school in Al Fatoh, Oct. 19. “It is always a good thing when the children receive gifts, they enjoy seeing the Iraqi Army Soldiers come through the school,” said Soad Ahmed Jasaim, Sanadid school assistant headmaster. (READ MORE)
Chairman Says Now Is Time for Iraq to Act on Status Agreement - ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT — Iraq is running out of time to approve a status of forces agreement that will let U.S. forces remain in the country past Dec. 31, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday. Though the Iraqi security forces have made significant progress, “they will not be ready to provide for their own security by 31 December,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said. (READ MORE)
Working Together Toward Success - CAMP ECHO — Iraqi Soldiers, Police and U.S. Soldiers who live and work together at the Joint Security Station in Diwaniya are dedicated to one goal: a self-sustaining and independently secure Iraq. In the short time since the arrival of the 4th Infantry Division’s Company C, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, the unit’s Soldiers said, they have conducted training and daily missions that keep the Iraqi security forces in the forefront and the U.S. Soldiers providing assistance when needed. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Coalition airstrike kills 9 Afghan troops - KABUL, Afghanistan: The Afghan authorities said on Wednesday that an airstrike by coalition forces killed nine Afghan Army soldiers overnight in what the United States-led coalition said may have been "a case of mistaken identity on both sides." (READ MORE)
35 Taliban killed, nine others die in allied air strike - ABOUT 35 Taliban militants and three police were killed when 100 insurgents attacked a district centre in southern Afghanistan. Heavy fighting started yesterday and lasted into early Wednesday after the rebels launched the attack in troubled Uruzgan province, police chief Juma Gul Hemat said. (READ MORE)
15 Pak Security Personnel Killed In Clashes With Taliban - More than 15 Pakistani security personnel were killed when Taliban militants ambushed their convoy with bombs and rockets in the restive northwestern Swat valley, media reports said. The convoy of six paramilitary and police vehicles carrying supplies was attacked late Tuesday night with a roadside remote-controlled bomb at Sarsenay, 30 km from Swat's main city Mingora, local residents said Wednesday. (READ MORE)
Afghan police kill 35 militants - Kabul, Oct 22 (Xinhua) Afghan police forces with air support from the international troops drove back a Taliban assault on southern Afghan province of Uruzgan killing 35 militants, Juma Gul Humat, the provincial police said Wednesday. (READ MORE)
Taliban order mobile networks shutdown in Ghazni to prevent tracking of fighters -Ghazni, Oct 22 : The Taliban in Afghanistan have reportedly directed the five mobile phone operators to shut their networks during the day time, as, they, say the mobile signals help the Afghan security agencies in tracking their fighters. (READ MORE)
No comments:
Post a Comment