Milblog Wire

On the decision to disband the Iraqi Army etc.

On the decision to disband the Iraqi Army etc. CounterColumn- Jason Van Steenwyck I'm elevating this to the main page from a commenter, since I couldn't have put it any better: "The problem with all this discussion is that it skirts the political and focuses on strictly military issues, which I understand since this is a military blog, but I find the lack of the political discussion along with

Press rollback and destructive technology

CounterColumn- Jason Van Steenwyck

It occurs to me that what the pressies think of as "rollback" is really simply the natural consequence of "Google" becoming a household name.It used to be that primary sources were not reasonably available on the Web. Even if you were inclined to do some digging, you had to go to the library. And even then, only a few urban libraries and university libraries had full collections.So when some reporter reported X, and X was false, the news consumer had no recourse, no way of efficiently fact-checking the reporter.

Reporters, on the other hand, often had access to clipping services (old school) and more recently, the Nexis/Lexis or Factiva databases, or their own in-house research departments to track things down. As a result, newsies got used to being thought of as authorities. As credible.Unfortunately, there's little evidence to suggest that such a reputation was EVER warranted. With the advent of Google, the playing field was suddenly leveled.

The entire article at CounterColumn

From the Milblog Wire

Get Up Stand Up

Get Up Stand Up- TF Boggs

The battle raging the past few months concerning free speech (i.e. Muhammad cartoons) has gotten me thinking about what things are worth fighting for. Should we battle Islamic extremism in the world today? Should we fight for freedom of speech? Should we fight for freedom to be spread across the world to places that are unaccustomed to it? Should we fight to stop the production of nuclear weapons in countries like Iran? What exactly should we do as the sole superpower in the world today? Do we have an obligation, or even just a good reason, to fight for these things or should we just build a big fence around America and keep everything at bay for as long as we can?

I do not have the answers for all of these questions but I do believe in a few generalities that can apply to all situations. I do believe America should do what it can to promote freedom, liberty, and peace. For me this belief carries over into problems like Iran’s nuclear weapons program. For example if Iran gets a nuke then they will use it on Israel and eventually threaten other countries in order to spread their influence. A lot of America’s critics say that we are hypocritical because we have nukes but don’t want other countries to get them too. Well unlike America, Iran’s intention for their nukes would be to spread Islamic extremism instead of freedom like we want to. Relativism does not come into play here just because Iran thinks Islamic extremism is better and we think freedom and liberty are better.

The entire article at TF Boggs

From the Milblog Wire

Never Yield

Opinion
Blackfive- Matt

We should never forget the heroism of September 11th.

Never yield.

I'm going to experience United 93 tomorrow. I've been to Dachau, Auschwitz and Buchenwald. I've been to the cliffs of Point du Hoc where the Rangers climbed to begin the end of the Nazis. I've walked the battlegrounds of the Bulge, Gettysburg, Ardennes, Bunker Hill, the Alamo, and Massada. Not all places were last stands, but they certainly were places of defiance and courage. Someday, I'll make a trip out to a field in Pennsylvania...

The entire article at Blackfive

From the Milblog Wire

Analysis
Military Transformation Uplink: April 2006
by Murdoc at April 26, 2006 02:14 PM

Militaries around the world are moving to modernize and transform themselves to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Our mission is to deliver a monthly cross-section of relevant, on-target stories, news, and analysis that will help experts and interested laypeople alike stay up to speed on key military developments and issues. Stories are broken down by military category and presented as fast bullet points that orient you quickly, with accompanying links if you wish to pursue more in-depth treatments.

Some of This Month's Targets of Opportunity Include: UAV plans; killer drone swarms; WALRUS mega-blimp extict?; Russian airlift for NATO; Hydras and Hellfire; space challenges; Secret weapon: two-way radios; Nano-sensors; Fighter jets as battlefield surveillance - brilliant or dumb?; money-saving supercarriers?; Littoral Combat Ships; Missile defense updates; Energy conservation now a Pentagon issue.

The entire article at Winds of Change

From the Milblog Wire

Dawn Patrol
First Person Reporting
Dawn Patrol- Mrs Greyhawk

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs, other blogs, and the mainstream media.

IRAQ

Spas (Thank You) -- [Iraqi Future, Iraqi Hope, Iraqi Dreams - Iraqi in D.C.]
I felt it very necessary for the first blog to be the true message that every Iraqi wants to tell the American soldiers, marines, airmen, sailors, and American public. That message is simple, it is thank you. We thank you for everything that you have endured in bringing up liberation and bringing us a chance to move forward for tyranny and oppression. After the decades of misery the Iraqi people had really given up all hope that anyone would come to help them but then one day we saw those stars and stripes waving in downtown Baghdad and everyone knew what that flag represented.

A day in the life of an American Soldier. -- [American Soldier]

This will be an ongoing story of a group of soldiers serving in Iraq. The names, places and at times the events will be modified to protect identity and OPSEC.0645: The soldiers all gathered in the usual meeting spot to receive their pre-mission briefing. They called it the poop meet. SFC Goslin, the platoon sergeant took the floor and began with the days contact report. Detailing the encounters with the enemy, who got killed and who we were looking for. Some days were better than others. This particular day there were reports that the insurgency wanted to capture an American.“Bullshit!” a soldier shouted out.Subtle laughter came across the group of men. The lieutenant broke in and reminded everyone to keep their grenade battle ready. They all knew what that meant.

Another Firefight (One that Came Close to Never Being Blogged -- [Michael Fumento - journalist embed in Iraq]

I sure learned the hard way about the veracity of the Chinese expression that begins: "Be careful what you wish for . . ." We were told we might encounter the bad guys because you always "might," but by noon yesterday I would be a seasoned combat photojournalist....One brave soul, who turned out to be Sgt. Falk, risked his hide by jumping from his relatively safe position along the wall to pull me in. I yelled: "I'm okay! Go back!" But darned if he wasn't determined to rescue me! My lack of injury doesn't make him any less a hero in my book. As soon as I got to the wall I stood up all the way so everybody could see I was alright, but then another fellow apparently slipped and all eyes turned to him. But he was okay, too. He just needed water so I gave him my Camelbak water bladder to drink from, assuring him I didn't have cooties. The non-injured helping the non-injured!

REMF -- [Skull Nation in the Sandbox - in Iraq]

Well, John is back in the states. He hurt his back. Some crazy insurgent shot at him (We'll not at him but near him, many of our enemies don't aim well). So he did a double backflip with a triple gainer trying to get to cover. I hear his patrol mates held up signs giving him a decent score; 8.75, 9.25, and the Italian in the group gave him an 11 (even though we all know 10 is the best score possible)....We killed alot of bad guys this week. They are acting up and making themselves more visible.

AFGHANISTAN

Dasht-e-Margo -- [Michael Yon - journalist embed in Afghanistan]

“Desert of Death”Lashkar Gah to Camp BastionAs our bags were loaded into the Land Cruiser for the journey toward Dasht-e-Margo, the Desert of Death, a man wearing a bomb closes in. Before striking off, we again visit the PRT in Lashkar Gah, where Steve huddles with some Afghan employees. An entire British Army unit has defected, he said, with their weapons and equipment. The Afghans grow quiet, until Steve says, “And they joined the Taliban.”

U.S & Coalition forces weakness against Taliban -- [Afghan Lord - Afghani in Afghanistan]

Increasingly suicide bombing and attacks around the country especially in the southern against international and American forces made embarrassed those whom are involved in the game especially the U.S.A. This caused to an ill-considered action against rebels.Military operations against Taliban and Alqaeda are nothing else but propaganda. What got the result of the latest operations and what were the previous operation results if did the operation?Never heard the U.S military operation arrested the insurgents.

An Overview of Kabuli Housing Options -- [Notes from a Surreal Life - expat in afghanistan]

A while ago I decided to stop by Tarsian & Blinkley and buy some new clothes. Tarsian & Blinkley is a women’s clothing store run by a woman with a very good understanding of marketing. The clothes are in the Western style (Western-type designs, some with short hems and no sleeves http://www.tarsian.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=28), but with an Afghan influence, and are made by Afghan women. This allows them to market them overseas as fashion with a conscious and a bit of the exotic. In Kabul, there is no other store like it,

The entire Dawn Patrol at Mudville Gazette

From the Milblog Wire

At the Station

Fiction
At the Station- Sgt Hook

As a follow up to my No Tears In Heaven post, I offer this…

The dozen or so Soldiers were all smiles as they walked through the colorful and patriotically decorated station, having just arrived on the overnight. Stepping from the train, dressed in the standard issue desert camouflage uniform, a light layer of dust still on them, they were all caught by surprise at the welcoming that awaited them. Throngs of people lined the terminal, clapping, cheering, waving, and shouting their thanks and praise. The hand shakes and pats on the back raised the hair on the necks of some, brought tears to the eyes of others, and swelled the hearts with pride of all.

“Welcome home Soldier,” Marine Captain Mike Williams said as he shook hands, grabbing an occasional elbow with his left hand and looking deep into their eyes.

“Thank you sir,” was the general reply, barely heard over the rhythmic patriotic sounds of the military band playing nearby.

“Top McNeely is waiting for you outside with further instructions,” Captain Williams furnished before offering his hand to the next in line, “Welcome home Marine.”

“We got everybody?” First Sergeant Julian McNeely asked the group, not really expecting an answer. “OK, first of all, let me welcome you all home and I’d like to just take a minute to say how damned proud I am of each and every one of you,” he went on, feeling himself getting a little choked up. “You’ve given your all for something greater than yourselves, and that places you into a very special category that few others will ever know. I am truly honored to be standing here among you.”

First Sergeant McNeely went on to explain that just inside the pearly gates atop the hill behind him, on the right, they would find Fiddler’s Green where a sponsor awaited each one of them to help get them settled and show them around the base camp. “The sponsorship program works in this outfit,” he added flatly. “If there are no questions, grab your duffel bags and follow Corporal Sanchez.”

The entire article at Sgt Hook

From the Milblog Wire

That's It!
Opinion

CounterColumn- Jason Van Steenwyck

I was agnostic until now - actually I preached caution. But now I see no reasonable alternative.

It is time to take down Iran. Any military move must be so devastating in its impact that the Iranian industrial capacity is set back years, if not decades, across a variety of industries. I would not advocate "surgical" strikes. If there is advantage in using more firepower rather than lesser, then we should use more. We will receive no credit for restraint.

The entire piece at CounterColumn

From the Milblog Wire

Can Dana Priest got to jail too, please?
Opinion
Now, tail end of last year when the existence of SECRET CIA prisons around the world was published by the Washington Post, I had this to say about the writer herself:

She is a one woman wrecking crew doing her level best to eviscerate our
ability to conduct covert operations. The anti-W wing at CIA has used her as the
tool they needed to ensure that no tactics that wouldn't be appropriate in
Elementary School are used against the mass-murdering jihadis....

And this about her sources:

I don't know why Dana Priest feels her obligation to cripple our Intel
capabilities, but I hope we track down the disloyal worms feeding her classified
info. They could use a little Club Leavenworth time to reflect on their actions.
It is easy to sit safe and warm here where no terrorists have hit us for four
years and indulge your delicate sensibilities. But the jihadis, while severely
beaten down by the very programs she helps destroy, are still trying their
damndest to punish all of us. Whether she ever shuts her cakehole or not, those
of us able to accurately assess the threat and spineful enough to act against it
will keep trucking.

The source, Mary McCarthy, was just fired by the CIA and hopefully will soon be tried and maybe even enjoy a stay wherever the prisons were relocated to.

The entire article at madison.com

From the Milblog Wire

Demigods & Generals

Opinion
"War is too important to be left to the generals."-Georges Clemenceau

American Citizen Soldier- Buck Sargent

"Hey hey ho ho, Donald Rumsfeld’s got to go."

A coterie of retired generals have in recent weeks spoken out against the continued employment of the Secretary of Defense. And just like the campus chanters and chattering classes they echo, these Grumpy Old Men have not even bothered to elaborate on their surface critiques. For a group so disparaging of nearly every aspect of the conduct of the war, these generals sure don’t sweat the details. Here are what appear to be the most common refrains voiced by this outspoken and hardly retiring collection of flag officers:

'Too few troops to do the job'This was a common refrain throughout the reelection season, and the grand insight of former Army Chief of Staff Shinseki that he was apocryphally marginalized for by the Pentagon powers that be. Shinseki pushed for another Gulf War size force to invade Iraq, Rumsfeld a more nimble, streamlined approach. In terms of the decapitation of the Iraqi regime, the blitzkrieg approach was undoubtedly correct. Twice as many troops would mean a bigger and slower logistical tail, retarding the swiftness of the descent on Baghdad, emboldening more Iraqis to stand and fight, and thus increasing coalition casualties. The longer a war goes on, the more soldiers that will die, a constant in warfare that has not changed since the time of Sun Tzu.

The Entire Article at American Citizen Soldier

From the Milblog Wire