News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
In their own words:
Afghanistan Shrugged: On Fence Sitting and Operating in the Fringe - Most people in Afghanistan operate in the gray area, the fringe of being one side or the other. They're hedging their bets. As an American it's hard for me to understand this, the choice seems pretty clear, help us and free your country or help them and take your chances. It's confusing to me and at times infuriating. However, it's not that clear to the people that we encounter. There's a saying that the Afghans have, you can't buy an Afghan's loyalty but you can rent it. Often times its dependent upon who's there at the moment, us or the Taliban. The locals will wait on the sideline and see who's winning. Our main effort as ETTs is to ensure that the ANA provide the security required for the people to carry on a normal life. Normal is a relative term and doesn't resemble what we think it does. (READ MORE)
Annex B: TAJI and the Fun Haters - I’ve mentioned Taji a number of times. Here are just a few things about it. Taji is a Coalition Force (CF) base that is north of Baghdad. Taji is huge. Right now it is one of the larger CF bases in the country both in size and occupants. Tenants there are Iraqi Security forces, Air Force (U.S. and Iraqi), U.S. Army, civilians and the list goes on. There is an air strip, several dining facilities, housing for thousands and they are building a new prison for Iraq. There is lots of activity going on there. When we do eventually leave Iraq Taji will once again be a huge hub of Iraqi military and security force activity. Infant Taji: You may recall that when the CF (Coalition Forces) entered Baghdad in 2003 the Iraqi military basically dissolved. They just quit fighting and went away. Well, Taji was a huge Iraqi military base at the time and it fell into CF hands. Of course we blew a few things up before we went in but basically we went in and took it over. (READ MORE)
Bad Dogs and Such: The future of Iraq - ...is in excellent hands. Those would be, of course, my hands.
In their own words:
Afghanistan Shrugged: On Fence Sitting and Operating in the Fringe - Most people in Afghanistan operate in the gray area, the fringe of being one side or the other. They're hedging their bets. As an American it's hard for me to understand this, the choice seems pretty clear, help us and free your country or help them and take your chances. It's confusing to me and at times infuriating. However, it's not that clear to the people that we encounter. There's a saying that the Afghans have, you can't buy an Afghan's loyalty but you can rent it. Often times its dependent upon who's there at the moment, us or the Taliban. The locals will wait on the sideline and see who's winning. Our main effort as ETTs is to ensure that the ANA provide the security required for the people to carry on a normal life. Normal is a relative term and doesn't resemble what we think it does. (READ MORE)
Annex B: TAJI and the Fun Haters - I’ve mentioned Taji a number of times. Here are just a few things about it. Taji is a Coalition Force (CF) base that is north of Baghdad. Taji is huge. Right now it is one of the larger CF bases in the country both in size and occupants. Tenants there are Iraqi Security forces, Air Force (U.S. and Iraqi), U.S. Army, civilians and the list goes on. There is an air strip, several dining facilities, housing for thousands and they are building a new prison for Iraq. There is lots of activity going on there. When we do eventually leave Iraq Taji will once again be a huge hub of Iraqi military and security force activity. Infant Taji: You may recall that when the CF (Coalition Forces) entered Baghdad in 2003 the Iraqi military basically dissolved. They just quit fighting and went away. Well, Taji was a huge Iraqi military base at the time and it fell into CF hands. Of course we blew a few things up before we went in but basically we went in and took it over. (READ MORE)
Bad Dogs and Such: The future of Iraq - ...is in excellent hands. Those would be, of course, my hands.
Yeah. That's Your Author, with a cigarette in one hand and an Iraqi child in the other. And, yes, if you look closely, that Iraqi child is carrying a gun. Yes, it's a real gun, a .25 of some sort. And no - it wasn't loaded. I swear, sometimes this is the weirdest place on earth. I am certain that the fact they arm children for special occasions (this picture was taken at a grand opening for a training program) means something, but I can't figure out what it is. (READ MORE)
Bill and Bob's Excellent Adventure: The Internal Conversation - What follows is an expanded version of a response to a question that was raised in an NCO forum on Army Knowledge Online, an officially-sponsored channel of communication within the Army. The internal conversation with ourselves on this issue has reached the NCO ranks, as well it should. The discussion of our ability to readjust to a conventional conflict is a background conversation that the Army is having with itself. Part of the discussion has been the Gentile V. Nagl debate concerning this issue. While the Army has been involved in a LIC (Low Intensity Conflict) for the past few years in both Afghanistan and Iraq, we have struggled with it. COIN operations are complex and the difference between very effective and ineffective COIN operations are hard to define subjectively. Has the Army truly reconfigured itself as a COIN-centered LIC force, or has it been doing the mission that it has been given while still keeping in its heart of hearts a yearning for the HIC (High Intensity Conflict?) (READ MORE)
Station Commando: Random Thoughts - I had the privilege of visiting one of the main shindigs here and as is the customary Army way there are the invaluable reflective belts EVERYWHERE! As I was walking around I was reminded of when the new PT uniform came out. As some of my friends and I were reviewing these new uniforms someone commented on the fact that it includes reflective material on it. A comment was made about the fact that the uniform was being pitched as precluding the need for a reflective belt due to the reflective material. It's just funny and very Army like that despite the presence of reflective material we still wear reflective belts with the PT uniform. I am convinced that if the Army had a PT uniform with a yellow reflective stripe across it or even if the whole stinking thing was made of luminescent material we would still be wearing that stupid reflective belt. Maybe it's a conspiracy? (READ MORE)
Dena Yllescas: Bili going down, down, down! - Today there is not alot to report. So, let me give you some updates on his labs. The GREAT news is his bili is now 8.9!! :) A little less than 2 weeks ago it was as high as 32! So, his liver is doing what it needs to do. YEAH PRAYERS!!! His other labs are holding steady. His white blood cell count did go up slightly to 20. The nurse said this is to be expected with his fungal infection and the surgeries he has. He feels that the antibiotics he's on will work but it will take awhile. So let's keep praying that the antibiotics will zap the infections!!!! Rob's been holding steady too. He's been able to tell me the last 2 nights with a blink of his eyes that he is pain so I've been able to notify the nurse so they can increase his pain meds. I'm so glad he can do this now so we aren't just guessing. (READ MORE)
Embrace the Suck: Herding Ferrets, And I Have Underwear Now... - Monday, November 24, 2008 1453 hrs. Two things happened today. First thing in the morning we had another airdrop of water and supplies. Fun for me given the fact that I just got off the towers and had to move directly into gunning for this mission. Always good to be behind a fully automatic weapon with no sleep. So it goes. Luckily for us, this airdrop was actually on time. I have a feeling that the Air Force takes its cues from O'Hare and really doesn't concern itself that much with time and deadlines and little inconveniences like that. Miraculously, they were not only on time today, they were early. Which threw everyone off. So we ran out there and cordoned off the area and waited for the boxes to begin falling from the sky. And it did. Only real problem was it also seemed like Afghani children were falling from the sky as well. Hundreds of them. It was amazing. (READ MORE)
Fobbits need ice cream too: Victory in Iraq day? - So yesterday was apparently Victory in Iraq day. I guess we didn't get the memo. Stars and Stripes (deployed newspaper propaganda) has the names of dead people in it everyday, so I'm not sure how we achieved victory when people are still dying. Did al-Qaeda sign a treaty? Did all the foreign jihadists go home? Have major combat operations stopped for the second time? People are still walking the beat right now in full kit with mags in condition red; it's not over yet. All of my gear is turned in now except for a few things. I still have my gas mask, my 9mm pistol with 30rds of ammo, my side armor plates and my vest itself. Everything is clean and my vest looks really nice after a couple spins in the washing machine; a year of blood, oil, sand, mud and gun lube gone in a few hours. (READ MORE)
The Intrepid Reporter: Oh Wow man.... Like WOW! - OK ladies and gents of the studio viewing audience... I'm in Baghdad and my brain is somewhere in the Matrix, and I'm sure somewhere in there I went completely friggin bonkers... either that or I'm sitting in a padded cell somewhere waiting in a haze for the docs to come in and either dose me with my next med or to complete the lobotomy... I'll explain as we go... OK... when last we left the Intrepid Reporter of Baghdad Fame, he was overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and yes, even the smells of Baghdad. To whit, 2 out of the 3 things have changed, and 1 hasn't. I'll give you a hint... back in the day, ('04 to '05) Lil Country and I used to begin the day with the following scene: (READ MORE)
IraqPundit: Obama's Kurdish Challenge - WaPosays that with the U.S.-Iraq security agreement, Bush gives Obama “flexibility in fulfilling his campaign promise to bring the troops home.” Okay, fine: The deal, approved last week by Iraq's cabinet, was a “win” for Obama. But as always, WaPo missed the real story. In the penultimate graph, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is quoted as saying: “Turning the security of Baghdad over in that requirement . . . will be a big challenge," he said. "The other [area] that is clearly not secure up north is Mosul. And we continue to be in a pretty tough fight up in Mosul." Why Mosul? Well, al-Qaeda terrorists have been squeezed into that area. (READ MORE)
Bill Roggio: US forces capture 14 Iraqi Shia terrorists in Baghdad - US forces have stepped up operations against the Iranian-backed Shia terror groups operating in Baghdad after a relative lull in November. Fourteen operatives from the League of the Righteous and the Hezbollah Brigades were captured in Baghdad during raids today. Coalition forces - likely the hunter-killer teams from Task Force 88 - captured eight members of the League of the Righteous (Asaib Ahl al Haq) during two operations in Baghdad's Adhamiyah and New Baghdad districts early Sunday morning. Six Hezbollah Brigades operatives were captured during two operations inside Adhamiyah. (READ MORE)
Pink's War: On The Road Again - I was enjoying my morning smoke when a girl from my office came out there. "Hey, Pink, I was told to tell you that you need to pack your stuff and wait, you're moving today" "When?" "I don't know, just sometime today." Great, this means it could be 5 minutes from now or 5 hours from now. I don't even know if I have enough time to take a shower. But, I have everything packed but my laptop and now I sit and not so patiently wait. This is good news, it means I can finally unpack all my shit and I no longer have to live out of duffel bags and a black box. I can't wait! I went and woke up Carter and told him the news. "You can't leave me, I'm going to go crazy without you!" "I know, I'm going to miss you like nobody's business. I'll e-mail tons and you be safe on your way home." "I'm still not sure how I'm going to explain you to my wife." "Tell her to shut the fuck up and deal with it, you're just on loan to her until I get back to the states." (READ MORE)
Up Country Iraq: Task Force Iron - Hello everyone, I realize that I prematurely offered a wish for a Happy Thanksgiving in my last post. We’ll just count that as a practice run for the real thing. This past week I participated in my final mission of this deployment as I ventured out with the local Police Transition Team (PTT) one final time. That was a good opportunity to see the progress, if any, that was being made with the Iraqi Police (IP). We went to two small towns during that patrol – Wynot and Owja. Both are south of Tikrit, and Owja is where Saddam Hussein was actually born and it is where he and his sons (or what was left of them) are buried today. As you can imagine, there is still some hard feelings towards Americans in those parts. (READ MORE)
Big Tobacco: To Sleep, Perchance to Dream - I did not smoke while composing this. Boom. Boom. Boom. The knocking comes at me in my slumber, shaking me awake. I open one eye and stumble out of bed. I look at my watch. It’s 1230. I went to bed at 1000 but my insomnia kept me awake until about 1200. Whoever is knocking better have a damn good reason. My trailer better be on fire. I open the door and see a private from my company. “First sergeant wants to see you,” the private says. “Now?” I ask. “Er… I think so.” “Fine.” I shut the door and change into my PT gear. As I pull on my shorts, fear suddenly overtakes me. The commander is pissed off at my blog. No, no. It isn’t possible. I’ve covered my tracks pretty well. I don’t discuss operational details of the mission. I don’t disrespect the chain of command. Hell, I like my chain of command. Why on earth would someone want to take me down? (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Iraqi lawmaker wins in fight over Israel visit - Iraqi lawmakers, who have become enraged with fellow parliament member Mithal Alusi for his visits to Israel, now have another reason to be angry with the fiery politician. Alusi hired Iraq's leading constitutional lawyer to fight the legislature's attempt to punish him for visiting the Jewish state, and today, he won. (READ MORE)
IA visits Tal Zallat neighborhood, provides food, clothing to residents - MOSUL, Iraq – The Iraqi Army visited residents of the Tal Zallat neighborhood to distribute food and clothing and establish a better rapport with the residents Nov. 21. During the visit, the soldiers provided residents with winter clothing, school supplies and food. The Iraqi Security Forces have been conducting these types of events throughout the city and neighboring villages to assist the people with their immediate needs. (READ MORE)
ISF captures a suspected terrorist in Mosul raid - MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces captured a suspected terrorist in Mosul Nov. 22, bringing the number of terrorists captured this week to 31. During an ISF-led intelligence-driven raid at approximately 10 p.m., Iraqi Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd IA Division, and Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, captured a suspected terrorist in the Al Intisar neighborhood and took the individual into custody. (READ MORE)
Terrorist networks degraded with capture of 18 individuals - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured five suspected terrorists and detained 13 additional suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq around the country Sunday and Monday. One suspected terrorist was captured during an operation Sunday in Baghdad. The targeted terrorist is believed to be a media operations leader. (READ MORE)
New brigade ready to fight the enemies of Iraq - BESMAYA, Iraq – The dust storm that swept through the Besmaya Range Combat Training Center could not stop the newest Iraqi Army brigade from graduating Nov. 20. Nearly 1,800 members from the 45th Brigade, 11th Infantry Division completed 21 days of Unit Set Fielding, providing them with the skills and equipment they need to perform their missions. (READ MORE)
Iraqi villagers anticipate clean water for first time - Thi Qar Province, Iraq — Families in a small village north of Nasiriyah are anxiously awaiting the completion of a water treatment facility that will provide them a local source of clean drinking water for the first time ever. Approximately 1500 residents live in the Al Shofa neighborhood, which will be served by the new 50-cubic-meter-per-hour facility. Dozens of Iraqis have been involved on the construction crew for the nearly $350,000 project that includes 4 kilometers of a water distribution network. (READ MORE)
IA soldiers seize large weapons caches in Sadr City - BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers seized two large weapons caches in Baghdad’s Sadr City district Nov. 20. An Iraqi citizen provided a tip that led soldiers to one of the caches. IA soldiers serving with 1st Battalion, 44th Brigade, 11th Iraq Army Division, found a cache at approximately noon buried by the side of a road. A second cache was discovered by IA Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 44th Bde., 11th IA Div. (READ MORE)
Abu Ghraib Governance Center Opens - BAGHDAD — For years, the western Baghdad District of Abu Ghraib has been synonymous with violence and unrest. Tales of prisoner abuse, convoy ambushes and Soldiers missing in action were associated with the small Baghdad suburb. With the security situation becoming more stable in Baghdad and the surrounding areas, and the Iraqi security forces assuming more security responsibility each week, efforts to improve and revitalize areas such as Abu Ghraib are now starting to move forward. (READ MORE)
Troops in Iraq Capture 42 Suspected Terrorists, Seize Weapons - WASHINGTON — Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 42 suspected terrorists and seized weapons caches during recent operations across Iraq, military officials said. In two separate operations in Baghdad yesterday, troops captured eight suspected members of an insurgent network. Military officials said the network, known as Asaib Ahl al-Haq, engages in roadside bombings, kidnappings and sectarian killings. (READ MORE)
Soldiers Provide Iraqi Children with Donated School Supplies, Backpacks - BAGHDAD — Students of the Al Kifah Girls School in the Rusafa District of Baghdad received much needed school supplies, toys and clothing, Nov. 18, from Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers. Lt. Col. Carlton Fisher, chaplain, 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, Awatef Fadel, the school principal, and Mohamed Abd Al Rahman, mayor of Rusafa, coordinated the school supply donation. The entire 926th Engineer Brigade Family Readiness Group and families had a hand in organizing the Al Kifah School donation. (READ MORE)
Salman Pak Kindergarten School Refurbished, Opened for Students - BAGHDAD — Wurwood Kindergarten School officially reopened its doors Nov. 21 in the Rasheed neighborhood of Salman Pak after a two-month-long refurbishing period. The school has 350 students enrolled, ages 4 to 5 years old, and six class rooms. Prior to the refurbishment, the school could only hold 60 students. The school employs eight teachers, a director and an assistant. (READ MORE)
U.S. Marine Facilitates Toy Donation to Iraqi School Children - SATTACK — Iraqi security force (ISF) and Marine efforts have facilitated a continued lull in violence and increased the opportunity for an Iraqi infrastructure in al Anbar province. Lance Cpl. Roger Burda, a 25-year-old scout sniper from Daytona, Fla., with Regimental Combat Team 1, and other Marines in the unit took advantage of the area’s stability recently, visiting the Sattack Elementary School to spend time with Iraqi children. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Marines ready to 'crush the enemies of Afghanistan' - If they can get approval from the national chain of command, the Marines would like to send more than 15,000 combat troops to Afghanistan. "We want to expand our footprint and crush the enemies of Afghanistan," Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland, commanding general of Marine Force Central Command, last week told Marines already deployed to Afghanistan. (READ MORE)
28 Talibans killed in Afghanistan - KABUL: US-led forces in Afghanistan said Sunday they had killed an Afghan civilian in a battle that also left two militants dead, as 26 other Taliban-linked rebels were reported killed in separate clashes. (READ MORE)
ADB Gives Afghanistan $30 Million To Rebuild Agriculture - MANILA (AFP)--The Asian Development Bank, or ADB, said Monday it is extending a grant of $30 million to help rebuild Afghanistan's livestock and agriculture sectors after years of war and drought. (READ MORE)
Taliban not talking peace - Amid continuing reports of a renewed initiative to hold peace talks with the Taliban over Afghanistan, and confusion over the Taliban's position, the Taliban leadership decided to outline its stance, and chose Mullah Mohammad Hasan Rahmani to speak with Asia Times Online. (READ MORE)
UNSC fact finding mission arrives in Afghanistan - Kabul, Nov 24 (Xinhua) A UN Security Council fact finding mission has arrived in Kabul to assess the situation in the war-battered country, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement Monday. (READ MORE)
Bill and Bob's Excellent Adventure: The Internal Conversation - What follows is an expanded version of a response to a question that was raised in an NCO forum on Army Knowledge Online, an officially-sponsored channel of communication within the Army. The internal conversation with ourselves on this issue has reached the NCO ranks, as well it should. The discussion of our ability to readjust to a conventional conflict is a background conversation that the Army is having with itself. Part of the discussion has been the Gentile V. Nagl debate concerning this issue. While the Army has been involved in a LIC (Low Intensity Conflict) for the past few years in both Afghanistan and Iraq, we have struggled with it. COIN operations are complex and the difference between very effective and ineffective COIN operations are hard to define subjectively. Has the Army truly reconfigured itself as a COIN-centered LIC force, or has it been doing the mission that it has been given while still keeping in its heart of hearts a yearning for the HIC (High Intensity Conflict?) (READ MORE)
Station Commando: Random Thoughts - I had the privilege of visiting one of the main shindigs here and as is the customary Army way there are the invaluable reflective belts EVERYWHERE! As I was walking around I was reminded of when the new PT uniform came out. As some of my friends and I were reviewing these new uniforms someone commented on the fact that it includes reflective material on it. A comment was made about the fact that the uniform was being pitched as precluding the need for a reflective belt due to the reflective material. It's just funny and very Army like that despite the presence of reflective material we still wear reflective belts with the PT uniform. I am convinced that if the Army had a PT uniform with a yellow reflective stripe across it or even if the whole stinking thing was made of luminescent material we would still be wearing that stupid reflective belt. Maybe it's a conspiracy? (READ MORE)
Dena Yllescas: Bili going down, down, down! - Today there is not alot to report. So, let me give you some updates on his labs. The GREAT news is his bili is now 8.9!! :) A little less than 2 weeks ago it was as high as 32! So, his liver is doing what it needs to do. YEAH PRAYERS!!! His other labs are holding steady. His white blood cell count did go up slightly to 20. The nurse said this is to be expected with his fungal infection and the surgeries he has. He feels that the antibiotics he's on will work but it will take awhile. So let's keep praying that the antibiotics will zap the infections!!!! Rob's been holding steady too. He's been able to tell me the last 2 nights with a blink of his eyes that he is pain so I've been able to notify the nurse so they can increase his pain meds. I'm so glad he can do this now so we aren't just guessing. (READ MORE)
Embrace the Suck: Herding Ferrets, And I Have Underwear Now... - Monday, November 24, 2008 1453 hrs. Two things happened today. First thing in the morning we had another airdrop of water and supplies. Fun for me given the fact that I just got off the towers and had to move directly into gunning for this mission. Always good to be behind a fully automatic weapon with no sleep. So it goes. Luckily for us, this airdrop was actually on time. I have a feeling that the Air Force takes its cues from O'Hare and really doesn't concern itself that much with time and deadlines and little inconveniences like that. Miraculously, they were not only on time today, they were early. Which threw everyone off. So we ran out there and cordoned off the area and waited for the boxes to begin falling from the sky. And it did. Only real problem was it also seemed like Afghani children were falling from the sky as well. Hundreds of them. It was amazing. (READ MORE)
Fobbits need ice cream too: Victory in Iraq day? - So yesterday was apparently Victory in Iraq day. I guess we didn't get the memo. Stars and Stripes (deployed newspaper propaganda) has the names of dead people in it everyday, so I'm not sure how we achieved victory when people are still dying. Did al-Qaeda sign a treaty? Did all the foreign jihadists go home? Have major combat operations stopped for the second time? People are still walking the beat right now in full kit with mags in condition red; it's not over yet. All of my gear is turned in now except for a few things. I still have my gas mask, my 9mm pistol with 30rds of ammo, my side armor plates and my vest itself. Everything is clean and my vest looks really nice after a couple spins in the washing machine; a year of blood, oil, sand, mud and gun lube gone in a few hours. (READ MORE)
The Intrepid Reporter: Oh Wow man.... Like WOW! - OK ladies and gents of the studio viewing audience... I'm in Baghdad and my brain is somewhere in the Matrix, and I'm sure somewhere in there I went completely friggin bonkers... either that or I'm sitting in a padded cell somewhere waiting in a haze for the docs to come in and either dose me with my next med or to complete the lobotomy... I'll explain as we go... OK... when last we left the Intrepid Reporter of Baghdad Fame, he was overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and yes, even the smells of Baghdad. To whit, 2 out of the 3 things have changed, and 1 hasn't. I'll give you a hint... back in the day, ('04 to '05) Lil Country and I used to begin the day with the following scene: (READ MORE)
IraqPundit: Obama's Kurdish Challenge - WaPosays that with the U.S.-Iraq security agreement, Bush gives Obama “flexibility in fulfilling his campaign promise to bring the troops home.” Okay, fine: The deal, approved last week by Iraq's cabinet, was a “win” for Obama. But as always, WaPo missed the real story. In the penultimate graph, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is quoted as saying: “Turning the security of Baghdad over in that requirement . . . will be a big challenge," he said. "The other [area] that is clearly not secure up north is Mosul. And we continue to be in a pretty tough fight up in Mosul." Why Mosul? Well, al-Qaeda terrorists have been squeezed into that area. (READ MORE)
Bill Roggio: US forces capture 14 Iraqi Shia terrorists in Baghdad - US forces have stepped up operations against the Iranian-backed Shia terror groups operating in Baghdad after a relative lull in November. Fourteen operatives from the League of the Righteous and the Hezbollah Brigades were captured in Baghdad during raids today. Coalition forces - likely the hunter-killer teams from Task Force 88 - captured eight members of the League of the Righteous (Asaib Ahl al Haq) during two operations in Baghdad's Adhamiyah and New Baghdad districts early Sunday morning. Six Hezbollah Brigades operatives were captured during two operations inside Adhamiyah. (READ MORE)
Pink's War: On The Road Again - I was enjoying my morning smoke when a girl from my office came out there. "Hey, Pink, I was told to tell you that you need to pack your stuff and wait, you're moving today" "When?" "I don't know, just sometime today." Great, this means it could be 5 minutes from now or 5 hours from now. I don't even know if I have enough time to take a shower. But, I have everything packed but my laptop and now I sit and not so patiently wait. This is good news, it means I can finally unpack all my shit and I no longer have to live out of duffel bags and a black box. I can't wait! I went and woke up Carter and told him the news. "You can't leave me, I'm going to go crazy without you!" "I know, I'm going to miss you like nobody's business. I'll e-mail tons and you be safe on your way home." "I'm still not sure how I'm going to explain you to my wife." "Tell her to shut the fuck up and deal with it, you're just on loan to her until I get back to the states." (READ MORE)
Up Country Iraq: Task Force Iron - Hello everyone, I realize that I prematurely offered a wish for a Happy Thanksgiving in my last post. We’ll just count that as a practice run for the real thing. This past week I participated in my final mission of this deployment as I ventured out with the local Police Transition Team (PTT) one final time. That was a good opportunity to see the progress, if any, that was being made with the Iraqi Police (IP). We went to two small towns during that patrol – Wynot and Owja. Both are south of Tikrit, and Owja is where Saddam Hussein was actually born and it is where he and his sons (or what was left of them) are buried today. As you can imagine, there is still some hard feelings towards Americans in those parts. (READ MORE)
Big Tobacco: To Sleep, Perchance to Dream - I did not smoke while composing this. Boom. Boom. Boom. The knocking comes at me in my slumber, shaking me awake. I open one eye and stumble out of bed. I look at my watch. It’s 1230. I went to bed at 1000 but my insomnia kept me awake until about 1200. Whoever is knocking better have a damn good reason. My trailer better be on fire. I open the door and see a private from my company. “First sergeant wants to see you,” the private says. “Now?” I ask. “Er… I think so.” “Fine.” I shut the door and change into my PT gear. As I pull on my shorts, fear suddenly overtakes me. The commander is pissed off at my blog. No, no. It isn’t possible. I’ve covered my tracks pretty well. I don’t discuss operational details of the mission. I don’t disrespect the chain of command. Hell, I like my chain of command. Why on earth would someone want to take me down? (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Iraqi lawmaker wins in fight over Israel visit - Iraqi lawmakers, who have become enraged with fellow parliament member Mithal Alusi for his visits to Israel, now have another reason to be angry with the fiery politician. Alusi hired Iraq's leading constitutional lawyer to fight the legislature's attempt to punish him for visiting the Jewish state, and today, he won. (READ MORE)
IA visits Tal Zallat neighborhood, provides food, clothing to residents - MOSUL, Iraq – The Iraqi Army visited residents of the Tal Zallat neighborhood to distribute food and clothing and establish a better rapport with the residents Nov. 21. During the visit, the soldiers provided residents with winter clothing, school supplies and food. The Iraqi Security Forces have been conducting these types of events throughout the city and neighboring villages to assist the people with their immediate needs. (READ MORE)
ISF captures a suspected terrorist in Mosul raid - MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces captured a suspected terrorist in Mosul Nov. 22, bringing the number of terrorists captured this week to 31. During an ISF-led intelligence-driven raid at approximately 10 p.m., Iraqi Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd IA Division, and Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, captured a suspected terrorist in the Al Intisar neighborhood and took the individual into custody. (READ MORE)
Terrorist networks degraded with capture of 18 individuals - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured five suspected terrorists and detained 13 additional suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq around the country Sunday and Monday. One suspected terrorist was captured during an operation Sunday in Baghdad. The targeted terrorist is believed to be a media operations leader. (READ MORE)
New brigade ready to fight the enemies of Iraq - BESMAYA, Iraq – The dust storm that swept through the Besmaya Range Combat Training Center could not stop the newest Iraqi Army brigade from graduating Nov. 20. Nearly 1,800 members from the 45th Brigade, 11th Infantry Division completed 21 days of Unit Set Fielding, providing them with the skills and equipment they need to perform their missions. (READ MORE)
Iraqi villagers anticipate clean water for first time - Thi Qar Province, Iraq — Families in a small village north of Nasiriyah are anxiously awaiting the completion of a water treatment facility that will provide them a local source of clean drinking water for the first time ever. Approximately 1500 residents live in the Al Shofa neighborhood, which will be served by the new 50-cubic-meter-per-hour facility. Dozens of Iraqis have been involved on the construction crew for the nearly $350,000 project that includes 4 kilometers of a water distribution network. (READ MORE)
IA soldiers seize large weapons caches in Sadr City - BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers seized two large weapons caches in Baghdad’s Sadr City district Nov. 20. An Iraqi citizen provided a tip that led soldiers to one of the caches. IA soldiers serving with 1st Battalion, 44th Brigade, 11th Iraq Army Division, found a cache at approximately noon buried by the side of a road. A second cache was discovered by IA Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 44th Bde., 11th IA Div. (READ MORE)
Abu Ghraib Governance Center Opens - BAGHDAD — For years, the western Baghdad District of Abu Ghraib has been synonymous with violence and unrest. Tales of prisoner abuse, convoy ambushes and Soldiers missing in action were associated with the small Baghdad suburb. With the security situation becoming more stable in Baghdad and the surrounding areas, and the Iraqi security forces assuming more security responsibility each week, efforts to improve and revitalize areas such as Abu Ghraib are now starting to move forward. (READ MORE)
Troops in Iraq Capture 42 Suspected Terrorists, Seize Weapons - WASHINGTON — Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 42 suspected terrorists and seized weapons caches during recent operations across Iraq, military officials said. In two separate operations in Baghdad yesterday, troops captured eight suspected members of an insurgent network. Military officials said the network, known as Asaib Ahl al-Haq, engages in roadside bombings, kidnappings and sectarian killings. (READ MORE)
Soldiers Provide Iraqi Children with Donated School Supplies, Backpacks - BAGHDAD — Students of the Al Kifah Girls School in the Rusafa District of Baghdad received much needed school supplies, toys and clothing, Nov. 18, from Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers. Lt. Col. Carlton Fisher, chaplain, 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, Awatef Fadel, the school principal, and Mohamed Abd Al Rahman, mayor of Rusafa, coordinated the school supply donation. The entire 926th Engineer Brigade Family Readiness Group and families had a hand in organizing the Al Kifah School donation. (READ MORE)
Salman Pak Kindergarten School Refurbished, Opened for Students - BAGHDAD — Wurwood Kindergarten School officially reopened its doors Nov. 21 in the Rasheed neighborhood of Salman Pak after a two-month-long refurbishing period. The school has 350 students enrolled, ages 4 to 5 years old, and six class rooms. Prior to the refurbishment, the school could only hold 60 students. The school employs eight teachers, a director and an assistant. (READ MORE)
U.S. Marine Facilitates Toy Donation to Iraqi School Children - SATTACK — Iraqi security force (ISF) and Marine efforts have facilitated a continued lull in violence and increased the opportunity for an Iraqi infrastructure in al Anbar province. Lance Cpl. Roger Burda, a 25-year-old scout sniper from Daytona, Fla., with Regimental Combat Team 1, and other Marines in the unit took advantage of the area’s stability recently, visiting the Sattack Elementary School to spend time with Iraqi children. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Marines ready to 'crush the enemies of Afghanistan' - If they can get approval from the national chain of command, the Marines would like to send more than 15,000 combat troops to Afghanistan. "We want to expand our footprint and crush the enemies of Afghanistan," Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland, commanding general of Marine Force Central Command, last week told Marines already deployed to Afghanistan. (READ MORE)
28 Talibans killed in Afghanistan - KABUL: US-led forces in Afghanistan said Sunday they had killed an Afghan civilian in a battle that also left two militants dead, as 26 other Taliban-linked rebels were reported killed in separate clashes. (READ MORE)
ADB Gives Afghanistan $30 Million To Rebuild Agriculture - MANILA (AFP)--The Asian Development Bank, or ADB, said Monday it is extending a grant of $30 million to help rebuild Afghanistan's livestock and agriculture sectors after years of war and drought. (READ MORE)
Taliban not talking peace - Amid continuing reports of a renewed initiative to hold peace talks with the Taliban over Afghanistan, and confusion over the Taliban's position, the Taliban leadership decided to outline its stance, and chose Mullah Mohammad Hasan Rahmani to speak with Asia Times Online. (READ MORE)
UNSC fact finding mission arrives in Afghanistan - Kabul, Nov 24 (Xinhua) A UN Security Council fact finding mission has arrived in Kabul to assess the situation in the war-battered country, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement Monday. (READ MORE)
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