This is good

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Jan. 16, 2008) — Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 17 suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in northern Iraq.
In Bi'aj, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the network in the western region of Mosul. Reports indicate the wanted individual is a direct associate of numerous terrorist leaders, to include the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri. The suspect allegedly has a history of terrorist activity that originated in Baghdad, and is believed to have been recently appointed to a leadership position in the region after the previous terrorist leader was killed.

Cpl Sean Stokes

Thanks Blackfive

Stokes will awarded the Silver Star posthumously. It took this long to award him the Silver Star because he had gone AWOL and had a drug test come back positive for marijuana. The Corps had flagged him and so he was not going to be promoted or awarded - even after three tours in Iraq. He cared about the appreciation of his brothers - he continued on for them. Corporal Stokes knew that he would never earn the appreciation of the Marine Corps. To some, this fact makes his actions more remarkable. To us, this fact makes us thankful that such men lived.

Read on here

More Here

The Corps did good here took a guy who they should have booted gave him a chance and he was a lion. I marvel everyday at men like this.

Oh lions

Remote-controlled explosives strapped to two mentally retarded women detonated in a coordinated attack on pet bazaars Friday, police and Iraqi officials said, killing at least 73 people in the deadliest day since theU.S. sent 30,000 extra troops to the capital this spring.

This is the lowest for of life that I can think of. They are using children and women with downs syndrome to make their attacks for them because they are to much of cowards to do it themselves. No they cannot hit a hardened target they hit a bazaar how many soldiers did this kill ZERO!!

Oh how brave they are.

I spit on them.

Things go Boom to the Rolling Stones

This is Sick

Yes we have women in the military and they serve proudly and have taken lives and laid down their own but this is different. From MEMRI. Now the lions of islum are wanting to use more women for suicide operations. Why because they are not scrutinized as much as men, are not searched because we don't want to offend their muslim sensabilities. Hey guess what I don't want my princesses to blow themselves up.

Over at the Asian Times

A little piece by Tom Englhardt about the use of U.S. Airpower. He compares the recent air attacks to the Nazi's bombing of Guernica during the Spainish civil war. He then goes on to compare pilots that fly the Predator UAVs to terrorist hiding behind women and children. So I went to find out more about this guy and guess where he teaches.

Tom Engelhardt created and runs the Tomdispatch.com website, a project of The Nation Institute where he is a Fellow. He is the author of a highly praised history of American triumphalism in the Cold War, The End of Victory Culture, and of a novel, The Last Days of Publishing, as well as a collection of his Tomdispatch interviews, Mission Unaccomplished. Each spring he is a Teaching Fellow at the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley.

We wonder why the world doesn't like us well we got slubs out there insinuating without any basis in fact that we committed a massacre in Arab Jabor. Other than soldiers entered smoldering orchards. He then bemoans the fact that no reporter has gone and looked. Well good sir why dont you strap on and get your media credentials and march your happy self over there.

More on the Diggers

HOMECOMING FOR MIDDLE EAST TASK FORCE COMMAND The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Honourable Mr Warren Snowdon, MP, today joined the Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, AM, RAN and the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations, Air Vice Marshal Gregory Evans, AM, DSC, in welcoming home Commander Task Force 158 staff from the Middle East Area of Operations.Commodore Allan du Toit and his team of 30 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel were deployed for more than four months and Mr Snowdon said it was heart warming to see them reunited with their families and friends. “I am extremely proud of the professionalism and commitment shown by the personnel of TF158. I thank them and their families for the sacrifices they have made in the service of their country.” Task Force 158 is part of multi-national force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, and facilitate self-government.“The Australian-led team was responsible for maintaining security in Iraqi territorial waters, which is vital for Iraq’s economy and for global security. The service men and women of TF158 have worked hard to safe guard Iraq’s critical offshore infrastructure, and to assist in the development of Iraqi maritime forces,” Mr Snowdon said.Command of TF158 is rotated between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, and Commodore Allan du Toit was the third Australian to hold the position.Commodore du Toit said his team made a number of significant achievements, not least of which was overseeing the safe loading of over 100 tankers, or approximately $17 billion US dollars worth of oil exports, at the two Iraqi Oil Terminals.“My team also trained and certified the Iraqi Marine Force as being mission ready for the vital task of point defence of the Iraqi Oil Terminals and boarding and inspecting oil tankers and support craft. “TF158 also oversaw the transfer of responsibility for the Khawr Abd Allah waterway to the Iraqi Navy,” Commodore du Toit said.Commodore du Toit said he is proud of the meaningful contribution made by his very capable team in an internationally significant operation.

hmm I have to ponder this

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2008 – NATO experienced military success in Afghanistan in 2007, and the Taliban is resorting to terrorist tactics because its conventional efforts have failed, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters today.
conducts a news conference with French Defense Minister Herve Morin during Morin's first visit to the Pentagon as defense minister, Speaking at a joint news conference with French Defense Minister Herve Morin, Gates responded to a reporter’s question about assertions that NATO’s efforts in Afghanistan have fallen short. “My view is that militarily, NATO has had a very successful year in 2007,” Gates replied. “The Taliban is occupying no territory in Afghanistan on a continuing basis.”

I agree that when ever the Talib rise up in force we pound them to dust. However it is winter and they are offering persistant attacks to cause casualities and keep the populace on edge. Lets see what happens this spring and also what happens in Pakistan. Also I wonder why we dont fly night interdiction missons over know poppy smuggeling routes and at least monitor that.

We got us a pretty good sized fish

No one is saying who launched this airstrike but really who cares this guy is toast. A trainer and suicide boming facilitator even though he never had the stones to strap one on himself.

Read more here

This makes me feel a little better

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 18 suspects today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.

Note: Hiding behind women and children that is brave real brave. Of course also trying to be able to cry American massacre...

OH HELL NO

SAN FRANCISCO – The City of Berkeley, California has passed two resolutions attacking the United States Marine Corps, calling the Marines, “uninvited and unwelcome intruders in the city.”
The Berkeley City Council voted to condemn the Marines on Tuesday night (January 29th) as part of a campaign by anti-war activists to shut down a U.S. Marine Recruiting Center located in the city of Berkeley.
The votes by the Berkeley City Council were immediately condemned by Move America Forward (website: http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org), the nation’s largest grassroots pro-troop organization.
“It is disgraceful that in the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement, anti-military activists would attempt to silence the same military men and women who serve this country and give their lives to protect the free speech rights of all Americans, including these ungrateful and despicable people on the Berkeley City Council,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.
The actions by the Berkeley City Council followed continuous protests by Code Pink and other anti-military organizations that vandalized and defaced the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center in September 2007.
One of the two resolutions passed by the Berkeley City Council last night granted a parking spot in front of the Marine Recruiting Center to be used by anti-military activists to harass Marine recruiters. The anti-military activists would not need to apply for a sound permit for the next six months – allowing them free reign to disrupt the day-to-day operations by the Marines.
Move America Forward organized a counter-protest in support of the Marines last October that attracted over 400 pro-troop supporters who stood in solidarity of the Marine Recruiting Center.
“We have hundreds of thousands of military men and women serving honorably overseas to protect our freedoms. Imagine how they feel when they go to turn on the news and see that they are being stabbed in the back by shameful people here at home, it’s disgraceful!” said Catherine Moy, Executive Director of Move America Forward.

The South Asia Terrorism Portal project of the New Delhi-based Institute for Conflict Management

A simple truth in vast regions of Pakistan today is that the state has withered away. A wide array of anti-state actors is currently engaged in varying degrees of violence and subversion in an extended swathe of territory...
Year 2007 unambiguously demonstrated that the flag of extremist Islam continues to flail vigorously and violently across Pakistan, even as state agencies appear less in control, and more vulnerable. In a welter of violence, at least 3,599 persons, including 1,523 civilians, 597 security force (SF) personnel and 1,479 militants, were killed in 2007...
Pakistan's slide under Musharraf is dominated by increasing macro-imbalances, high levels of poverty, and poor human development indicators. A "record current account deficit, stagnant exports, an increasing fiscal deficit, social indicators that are still amongst the worst in Asia, an energy shortage and rising inflation with artificially-controlled prices are just a few of the challenges faced by Pakistan’s economy."

If we can continue to make ground in Iraq that will be a positive. I think however that Pakistan is going to be the hinge. I have a feeling that the Marines and Army troops going to Afghanistan are going to be very busy.

our precarious strategic position

Had an interesting conversation today. From Mr. Yon's site the sunnis in anbar are threatening to to let AQI back in and turn their guns on coalition forces unless the 13,000 members of the CLC are not put into the ISF. Sadr is threatening to not extend the mahdi army ceasefire. What this means is a serious strategic situation for our forces we are down to 250+ in Anbar against 13,000 militiamen that by the way we have been training. If the sunnis rise up again the shia's will come down like two tons of bricks and we will again be in the middle.
Then I read in the Asian Times a scary article about the Talib and AQ making strategic moves in Pakistan to cut off out supply lines and to force Pakistan into a strategic delima with the U.S./and NATO. Now that some 'militant' groups are moving from the tribal area to the cities. If the supply lines are cut or Pakistan is forced to cut the supply lines then we might be well and truly hosed.
A very scary scenario would be if the sunni's can coordinate between AQI and the AQ/Talib elements in Afghanistan and Pakistan this could turn into a world of hurt. Let us hope that
1. The Govt of Iraq makes moves to incorporate the CLCs faster and more of them.
2. Pakistan can hold it together as a country.
As I have been saying Pakistan is the lynch pin. It is where AQ/Talib forces rest, train, and also where their power base is.
Keep an eye on this as it could be scary.

Barbarians

Do Christians do this no, are Buddhists doing this no!

A mastermind pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a plot to kidnap a Muslim member of the Armed Forces from Birmingham City Center and behead him "like a pig," the Times of London reports.
Parviz Khan, 38, a charity worker who allegedly sent funds and equipment to terror organizations on the Pakistan-Afghan border, and suspected Islamic extremists belonging to his group pleaded guilty in connection with the plot.
"He was enraged by the idea that there are Muslim soldiers in the British army," said Nigel Rumfitt, of the prosecution.
According to testimony, Khan, with the help of drug dealers, had planned to kidnap a soldier and film his beheading to "cause panic and fear within the British armed forces and the wider public," Rumfitt said. He was arrested last year during counter-terrorism raids.
In addition to Khan, Basiru Gassama, 30, said he knew of the plot but did not tell anyone about it. Mohammed Irfan, 31, and Hamid Elasmar, 44, pleaded guilty to helping Khan supply the equipment.
The guilty pleas were made earlier this month but could not be reported until a trial involving two other men who pleaded innocent to the charges began Tuesday.
Khan had asked Gassama, 30, to identify a victim. But Gassama, a Gambian citizen, never came up with the details and the plan "lay dormant" after July 2006, said Rumfitt. He said Khan revived the plot in November 2006.
Gassama pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of failing to disclose details of the plot.
In addition, Amjad Mahmood, 32, pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to disclose details of Khan's plot. Zahoor Iqbal, 30, pleaded not guilty to possessing the "Encyclopedia Jihad" — a computer disk which prosecutors say could be useful to a terrorist.
Both men have also pleaded not guilty to helping Khan to supply equipment to terrorists.
The men were arrested in a series of high-profile raids in Birmingham in January 2007

The other shoe

Does it feel like the shoe is about to drop. We are winning in Iraq which is great!! However I want to know what is going on in the tribal areas of Pakistan. The folks at the Long War Journal keep a good eye out. I think the talib and AQ are going to push hard in Pakistan.

Where are the Marines not under the UN training mandate going to go. It sounds to me there is going to be some more kinetic warfare in the mountains and passes this spring.

Keep an eye out I don't think this is going to be pretty.

82nd A/B in Afghanistan

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan- The dedication and commitment to excellence shown by one deployed unit paid off this year when they became the second 82nd Airborne Division artillery battery to win the Knox Award, given yearly to the “Army’s best battery.” The award, named after Revolutionary War hero, Maj. Gen. Henry Knox, the first Chief of Artillery for the U.S. Army, was awarded to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, last month in acknowledgment of their accomplishments leading up to, and during, their current deployment in southeastern Afghanistan. “From everything we’ve been through since our crunched, pre-deployment training timeline, to our results out here in the battlefield, we’ve been doing a lot of artillery functions a lot of batteries don’t get to do,” said Army 1st Lt. Christian Throckmorton, platoon leader for 4th Platoon. “We’re actually doing the missions we’ve trained for, air assaults, calling for fire side-by-side with the infantry, and conducting many forward combat operations.” In the year prior to their deployment, Btry. B participated in three major training events: one in Florida with Joint Special Operations Command, cadet training at West Point Military Academy in New York and a rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., explained Army Capt. Mike Garry, the battery commander. Shortly before deployment, they were asked to reorganize and change certification from the 105mm M119 howitzers to the larger 155mm M198 system, in anticipation for a changing mission in Afghanistan. When they arrived however, they were required to reorganize and recertify back to the M119s, Garry said. So far, while occupying an area of over 1,000 miles encompassing four different Afghan provinces, the battery has provided fire support to four major operations for 4th BCT’s maneuver units: the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment. During these operations, Btry. B artillerymen fired over 3,000 105mm rounds and were responsible for a combined battle damage of over 100 enemy fighters. “We’ve had to establish a lot of trust with the line companies,” said Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Funk, a 4th Platoon section chief. “They’ve really gotten used to how we operate and have even fought for us to come with them at one point, when they found out that an (unfamiliar artillery unit) would be supporting them.” Providing reliable and consistent artillery support to maneuver units wasn’t the only factor that went into the award nomination process though, said Garry. “Not only have these guys been doing their jobs, and done what was asked of them, but they always exceeded the standards set for them,” he explained. Five members have been recommended for the Bronze Star and all members for the Combat Action Badge, he stated. “When standards are established, we’re required to go above that,” said Funk. “That attitude leaks over into everything we do. You can’t be lazy when you’re in the business of shooting rounds in close support of troops. Sometimes it’s tedious, but to be as accurate as we need to be, attention to detail is absolutely necessary.” Even though the battery was stood up less than a year before deploying, winning the award shows what motivated paratroopers can accomplish and they will be a model to all other 82nd artillerymen, said Garry. “Despite how new they are…Battery B has exemplified the terms agile, lethal and accurate,” he said. “We’re looking forward to providing the most timely and lethal fire support anywhere in Afghanistan throughout the rest of our time here.” Airborne artillery men from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, hold their ears while firing a 105mm howitzer at Firebase Wilderness in Paktya Province, Afghanistan. Battery B recently won the Army's prestigious Knox Award, given to the "Army's Best Battery." (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Markowski)

Dead Terrs News in Iraq

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER — Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, conducted a two-day combined operation with the Iraqi 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division and Concerned Local Citizens in Zelig, Iraq Jan. 20 and 21.
Thirteen insurgent fighters were killed, two enemy trucks destroyed and 14 improvised explosive devices were found during the combined operation, which is part of the country-wide Operation Phantom Phoenix.

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 18 suspected terrorists Sunday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.
During an operation east of Tikrit near the Hamrin Mountains Sunday, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq associate who serves as an interrogator at a terrorist prison and training camp in the region. The suspected terrorist also reportedly facilitates the purchase of weapons and the movement of fighters in the area. The targeted individual’s brother was killed during a Coalition forces operation Sep. 30 for his involvement in leading a terrorist cell responsible for running illegal checkpoints, emplacing improvised explosive devices, and kidnapping Iraq citizens in the Hamrin mountain region. During the operation, the wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained, along with 12 suspected terrorists.
In Baqubah early this morning, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in an al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide IED network operating in the Diyala province. Reports indicate the suspected terrorist is associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader killed Jan. 22 for his role in the same network. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained three suspected terrorists on site.
Farther north near Mosul today, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting an alleged associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader formerly responsible for the networks in northern Iraq.
“The barbaric nature of al-Qaeda in Iraq continues to find new depths of depravity,” said Cmdr. Scott Rye, MNF-I spokesman. “We stand committed, along with the Iraqi Security Forces and the Iraqi population, to end their terror and create a safer country.”

Notice the Barbaric nature , comment. That can be said of all mooselimb led groups look at the talib, Chechen's, hamas, hezbollah, PLO, muslim brotherhoood, CAIR, all of them Barbarians at the gates.

Iraq Today

First some very sad news. Sounds like a Big IED
Coalition Soldiers killed in IED attack (Ninewah)
Multi-National Division – North PAO
NINEWAH, Iraq – Coalition Force Soldiers were conducting a mounted patrol in Ninewah Jan. 28 when insurgents detonated an improvised explosive device, killing five Soldiers.
Insurgents attacked the other Soldiers in the patrol with small arms fire from a nearby mosque.
Iraqi Army forces and CF secured the area and returned fire on the insurgents.
The Iraqi Army entered the mosque, but the insurgents had fled the area.
“The insurgents are willing to desecrate a place of worship by using it to attack Soldiers to further their agenda,” said Maj. Margaret Kageleiry, a Task Force-Iron spokesperson.

Michael Totten

A great article by Mr. Totten between him and Michael Yon we get the real skinny on the war.

FALLUJAH – At the end of 2006 there were 3,000 Marines in Fallujah. Despite what you might expect during a surge of troops to Iraq, that number has been reduced by 90 percent. All Iraqi Army soldiers have likewise redeployed from the city. A skeleton crew of a mere 250 Marines is all that remains as the United States wraps up its final mission in what was once Iraq's most violent city.

The Diggers

Sometimes we forget we have friends out there.

Despite freezing temperatures, Australian soldiers have driven a wedge into Taliban territory by helping locals construct an Afghan Army base in Chora.
While the Dutch forces and Australian Reconstruction Task Force provide the security, and are involved in trade work and supervision, it’s the local Afghans who are contracted to do the actual building. In this environment the engineers focus on quality control & mentoring as well as bridging capability gaps such as the provision of heavy earth works.
The Reconstruction Task Force - 3 (RTF) consists of a combined arms team, located in Oruzgan Province in Southern Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper. The RTF is in partnership with the Netherlands Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and forms part of the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force. The RTF has a clearly defined role to work on reconstruction, improvement of provincial infrastructure and community based projects. The RTF also provides trade training to the local population and military engineering training to the Afghan National Army. This type of assistance is designed to benefit the people of Oruzgan Province well into the future and form building blocks of a stable and prosperous community. The RTF contains around 370 ADF personnel from predominately Queensland based units. It includes elements to provide command, security, engineering, and administrative support and is equipped with Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV), Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and armoured engineer plant equipment. Australia's contribution to ISAF is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to assist Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

This is what is posted over at the CAIR website.
What they fail to tell you is that this only applies if you are a muslim man. Since muslim women are not afforded any rights. Non-belivers should be converted, subjugated, or killed.
I think there should be new words coined for the mooselimbs:
1. Christianphobic
2. womenphobic
3. porkphobic
4. Schoolphobic
5. Buddhistphobic
6. Hinduphobic
7. funphobic

pictures Afghanistan

Picture palooza Iraq

Next Steps

OK we are doing a great job with the new 'Take, Hold, Build' strategy in Iraq. Here is my concern the Iraqi government doesn't step up and include the Sunni's who are already clamoring for a peace dividend. We will lose the momentum gained by the surge and Iraq will slip closer to anarchy which is exacly the environment AQI wants.
I know President Maliki (a Shite) is urging the Sunni bloc to rejoin the government and it would stupid not too. However there is resistence in allowing the CLCs to join the police and military in any numbers.
It is time for the Nation of Iraq to become a nation and not a bunch of tribes because as our founding fathers once said 'if we do not hang together then surely we will all hang together.'

Afghanistan

Whoever is doing the new media stuff for the 82nd AB is great another good article. Take a good look at the poll numbers pretty impressive and the most important thing is that during this operation no attacks occurred.

What a great live of thought from Iraqi Tribal Shiek

Iraqi Tribal Chief on Islamists’ Double Standard: In Saudi Arabia, People Smoke Marijuana on the Beach, Yet Islamists Come to Iraq to Blow Themselves Up

Thanks to MEMRI. TV

hmmmm makes one think doesn't it.