Good News from Iraq: 13 Jun 2007

From MNF-I, Soldiers seize, destroy bomb factory.

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers seized a bomb-making factory along with a large weapons cache while on patrol in eastern Rashid District here Monday. . . .

“This is tremendous work by our Soldiers to take more than 300 [improvised explosive devices] off the streets,” said U.S. Army Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of 4th IBCT, 1st Division.

The find consisted of one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device; 54 82mm mortars; 27 155mm artillery shells; a 500-pound bomb; 64 anti-tank mines; two 200-pound bombs; three 100-pound bombs; 30 130mm projectiles; 200 artillery boosters; 300 five-gallon cans full of nitric acid; 15 bags of anti-personnel mines consisting of 100
mines per bag and enough explosives-making material to create more than 300
IEDs. . . .

A (Baker's) Dozen Cards

I knew there had to be something good about sending 13 cards at a time. I'm just going to think about it as a baker's dozen. Ooooh! Cooookiiiieeesss! *drool*

So I have been feverish in my card writing campaign for Soldiers' Angels Germany. I bought myself a cute little tote to carry my cards with me. And yesterday I had a few minutes before an appointment, I used that time to write 3 cards. I guess I could have looked at a magazine or something in the waiting area, but I stayed in my nicely AC'd car with my NPR and wrote 3 cards of encouragement to Soldiers.

Running total: 91.

Good News from Iraq: 12 Jun 2007

From MNF-I, Iraqi troops lead security searches in Baghdad neighborhood.

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Army troops and Coalition Soldiers conducted a joint security operation in the Hor Al Bosh neighborhood of Baghdad Wednesday.

Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) teamed with Soldiers from the 2nd “Stallion” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment to perform a large Iraqi-led combined cordon and search operation, in an effort to clear the streets of extremists.

Coalition Soldiers observed the Iraqi troops as they conducted the searches. The Iraqi troops went from house to house checking for weapons caches and meeting with the people of each neighborhood. The troops handed out tip cards to locals for information on any extremists who may be operating in the area.

Coalition Soldiers only assisted the Iraqi troops when needed. . . .

Today's Reading List: 11 Jun 2007

* recommended reading

NPR, Political Struggle for Kirkuk Intensifies.

* NPR, Portrait of a Suicide Bomber. This was a very different piece of reporting. Frightening. I recommend it only as a matter of a different perspective, one that I don't hear very often.

Sunni insurgents remain willing and able to blow themselves up in crowded public places. The story of a 29-year-old man with a degree in accounting shows a suicide bomber in the making.

The Fourth Rail, Iraq Report: al Qaeda strikes the security forces.

PRI's The World, New US strategy in Iraq. #1

[Interview] with John Burns, Baghdad bureau chief for the New York Times, about a new US strategy for fighting the insurgency in Iraq. U-S commanders are apparently arming and supporting some of Iraq's sunni insurgents to fight Al Qaeda militants.

PRI's The World, New US strategy in Iraq. #2 COL Nagl discusses counterinsurgency.

US military commanders are apparently using a new strategy in Iraq. They are trying to get Sunni insurgents to turn on former Al-Qaeda allies. Arming former enemies isn't a new strategy.

NBC Nightly News, Enemies become allies in Iraq.

*WSJ's Opinion Journal, 1968 Redux: Echoes of Vietnam in Iraq--especially from the press.

Though there are valid criticisms to be made of how our military leadership conducted the [Vietnam] war for the first three years--blunders that were worsened by disingenuous or misleading briefings at headquarters in Saigon--there is no doubt that the military finally adopted effective counterinsurgency tactics and was turning the tide on the battlefield. By then however, the early mistakes and distortions of reality by both U.S. politicians and military commanders had so undermined their credibility with the press--a press that was only too willing to go with the flow of liberal sentiment here at home--as to make it all but impossible for the administration to secure funding for the war. Sound familiar?

Magic Card Monday

OK. No magic cards, but cards to Soldiers nonetheless. Maybe they contain a little healing magic. Who knows.

Anywho, I am shipping out today another 13 cards of encouragement to Soldiers' Angels Germany.

Running total: 78.

Good News from Iraq: 11 Jun 2007

I am a visual person. A map of the directions to a new location is always much more helpful than step by step textual directions. So when I came upon these maps of Iraq today, I learned a lot and have a better understanding of the "big picture".

The Iraqi Army: Taking the Lead.

Today's Reading List: 10 Jun 2007

* recommended reading

* WaPo, Military Envisions Longer Stay in Iraq: Officers Anticipate Small 'Post-Occupation' Force.

Such a long-term presence would have four major components. The centerpiece would be a reinforced mechanized infantry division of around 20,000 soldiers assigned to guarantee the security of the Iraqi government and to assist Iraqi forces or their U.S. advisers if they get into fights they can't handle.

Second, a training and advisory force of close to 10,000 troops would work with Iraqi military and police units. "I think it would be very helpful to have a force here for a period of time to continue to help the Iraqis train and continue to build their capabilities," Odierno said.

In addition, officials envision a small but significant Special Operations unit focused on fighting the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq. "I think you'll retain a very robust counterterror capability in this country for a long, long time," a Pentagon official in Iraq said.

Finally, the headquarters and logistical elements to command and supply such a force would total more than 10,000 troops, plus some civilian contractors.

Animals for Soldiers

One day a couple of weeks ago, I was bopping around the Soldiers' Angels Germany blog and saw that they could use some stuffed animals. Lo and behold, I have a bunch of stuffed animals that have been sitting in a large storage bin for years.

I used to collect Boyd's Bears, but have not done so several years now. I was thinking of shipping them to Jack Bauer's sister's kids, but I can just picture the squabbling so I am sending them to MaryAnn instead!

Here is a pic of the menagerie. I took it with my MacBook. So cute! I just love the doggie lying on his side in front. So doggie like!

33 bears, cows, cats, doggies, bunnies, and who knows what else. They all fill up a small U-Haul box.

Good News from Iraq: 10 Jun 2007

From MNF-I, New police training center promotes law, order.

Iraqi Police opened the Al Anbar Police Training Center in Al-Habbaniyah Monday.

The center is tasked with taking citizen recruits and transforming them into Iraqi Police. . . .

The new training center has the capacity to train 750 recruits through 12 courses during a 10-week training session. Some of the courses include democratic policing, the basics of crime and investigation and confronting terrorists, said Steve Ryan, an international police trainer with the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team.

The center also trains recruits in the use of firearms and defense tactics from a civilian police perspective, he said.

Trainees are also taught escalation of force from giving verbal commands to using deadly force to neutralize a threat. . . .

Good News from Iraq: 9 Jun 2007

From MNF-I, New courthouse complex takes shape. (The recovering lawyer in me is rearing her head.)

An artist’s rendering of the new Rusafa Courthouse complex that will be a 5,000-square-meter, two-story building. About 120 Iraqis are helping to build it.

BAGHDAD — A new regional courthouse is taking shape to help Baghdad enforce the rule of law.

Construction on Rusafa Courthouse got under way in November and is currently 25 percent complete. About 120 Iraqis are on the crew helping build the facility that is scheduled to open in December. The 5000-square-meter, two-story structure will serve Rusafa District and neighboring areas east of the Tigris River, benefiting more than 1 million residents. A Witness Protection Facility is also part of the complex that will house up to 200 people testifying for the prosecution.

“We’re building the Rusafa Regional Courthouse for the Ministry of Interior,” said Navy Lt. Robert Leines, who is assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “It’s a key institution in Iraq’s quest for law and order."

Happiness and Success

"Happiness and success are inner processes that we bring to life's undertakings, rather than something we get from 'out there.'" - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Everyday Wisdom for Success.

I've also gotten into a book called, "Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality." It is spirituality book by Jesuit priest Anthony de Mello. I wouldn't have expected this kind of writing from a priest, but then what do I know about priests? Uh, not much. From the back cover:

The heart of Anthony de Mello's bestselling spiritual message is awareness. Mixing Christian spirituality, Buddhist parables, Hindu breathing exercises, and psychological insight, de Mello's words of hope come together in Awareness in a grand synthesis.

In short chapters for reading in quiet moments at home or at the office, ha cajoles and challenges: We must leave this go-go-go world of illusion and become aware. And this only happens, he insists, by becomign alive to the needs and potential of others, whether at home or in the workplace.

Here, then, is a masterful book of the spirit, challenging us to wake up in every aspect of our lives.

Today's Reading List: 8 Jun 2007

* recommended reading

NPR, Diane Rehm Show, Friday News Round-Up, Hour 2. Didn't catch all of it, but the part I heard about them (the news reporters) talking about Iraq made me ill. MSM still making me sick.

The Fourth Rail, Iraq Report: The Turkish Invasion that wasn't.

* The Fourth Rail, Targeting the Iranian "Secret Cells".

Weekly Standard, Too Soon to Tell: Judgment on the progress or failure of the Baghdad Security Plan shouldn't be passed during its opening phase.

Chair Pilates

I started a new Pilates equipment class this past week. It involves using the "chair". And for having a name that seems to imply resting or reclining, it kicked my butt, well, it kicked my arms mostly. A big challenge. And that's just what I need. In fact I was doing what this person in the picture was doing and I got up too high and the pedals pushed me up and almost over the chair. Luckily, I caught myself and landed on my knees. Anyway, I thought I would introduce you to this new thing I got going on.

Good News from Iraq: 8 Jun 2007

From MNF-I, Iraqi forces take lead in operations.

In Baghdad’s Adhamiyah District, Iraqi leaders were trained by Coalition forces to take charge of the operations and patrols at the Sulikh Joint Security Station.

“We’re trying to put [the Iraqis] at the forefront as far as planning our joint patrols,” said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jesse Bowman, a platoon leader from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment.

Coalition forces observed Iraqi Army Soldiers conducting joint patrols to assess the Iraqi forces’ ability to operate independently in the Adhamiyah District.

“I think [the Iraqi forces] can pull it off,” said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Phong Tran, of 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. “If it works at the lowest level, that gives me hope that it can work on a larger scale.”

Friday Fun Fact

Jack Bauer is a wonderful husband. And for my birthday he got me this lovely necklace. So if you see someone wearing this necklace, it could be me.

And by the way, it is Tiffany. What can I say? I am spoiled!

Cards of Encouragement

I sent another envelope of cards of encouragement (shipment #5) to Soldiers' Angels Germany. You got it. I sent 13. That's about all I can fit in the envelope.

Running Total: 65

I need to get some more cards!

Today's Reading List: 7 Jun 2007

* recommending reading/viewing

NPR, Troop Surge key in Securing a Third of Baghdad.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, the commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, says since the increase of troops in Iraq nearly four months ago, U.S. forces have gotten control of one-third of Baghdad. He says that attacks by Shiite extremists are on the rise, in part due to some influence they have on Iraqi security forces. By September he hopes to have a majority of the city under control.

Military.com, Counterinsurgency Expert's Iraq Advice.

Recruit more Iraqi Soldiers and increase their divisions from 11 to 20. Dr. David Kilcullen [21 years in the Australian army was a special advisor for irregular warfare during the 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review, and remains a reserve lieutenant colonel in the Australian army], an authority on counterinsurgency, was appointed to advise the MNF-Iraq commander, Gen. David Petraeus. Dr. Kilcullen visited Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade out of Fort Drum, N.Y., to take stock of the "Commando" brigade's progress June 2 and 3.

The Fourth Rail, Featured Report from Iraq: COIN, Sheikhs and Eatin’ Goat.

In today’s COIN environment, what was accomplished with the meeting was as critical as any kinetic movement. The return of Sheikh Khamis signifies not only the improvement made in the security of the region, but more importantly, the government leaders in Ramadi and Baghdad now have a recognized spokesman for the region.

Iraq Slogger, US Troops, Former Enemy Launch Joint Patrols: One-Time Foes Team Up in Baghdad's al Qaeda-Infested Amariyah Neighborhood. (h/t TFR)

Baghdad – U.S. forces have begun conducting joint patrols with Sunni resistance fighters in the Sunni enclave of Amiriyah where a group of local leaders have banded together to fight al-Qaeda, U.S. Army officials said Tuesday.

DefenseLink, Pace Meets with Families, Extended Soldiers.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii, June 6, 2007 – Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met yesterday with some of the first soldiers and family members to be affected by the Army’s new 15-month deployments to Iraq. . . .

When troops come home, he said, they get awards and family members pretend they had nothing to do with it. “The fact of the matter is, you earned that award as much as your spouse,” he told the family members. “You serve the country as well as anyone who’s ever worn a uniform."

Pace urged the audience to ask him questions without fear of hurting his feelings or embarrassing him. He offered his signature coin to the first person to ask a question, and an aviator’s wife [our blogging gal Homefront 6] asked about incentive pay for aviators. The chairman said he would look into it and that he believed incentive pay should be the same throughout the services. . . .

NPR, 'War Czar': Iraq Surge Has Mixed Results.

Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said at his confirmation hearing that he doubts the Iraqis' capacity to make the necessary political moves to quickly calm violence and govern themselves effectively. Members of the Armed Services Committee expressed support for Lute, but several — including Republicans — expressed skepticism about the progress of the war.

* NBC Nightly News, Jihadists pose as Americans online. Video. SPC Lee Tucker's computer was stolen and his identify was being used to promote the anti-war agenda against the "weak-minded Americans". Maybe the MSM will see that they too are part of the anti-war propaganda machine based on their choice of reporting. Any chance of that? Hmmm.

Good News from Iraq: 7 Jun 2007

From MNF-I, Shoraw village committed to higher quality of life.

KIRKUK — As the desert sun dries up the sparsely vegetated, dirt fields in northern Kirkuk, the residents of Shoraw village welcome a new source of revitalizing water. Coalition Forces, Kirkuk Provincial Council members, and Shoraw village leaders celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new water project opening Thursday in Shoraw village.

The Shoraw water project provides clean water to approximately 15,000 people of Shoraw and neighboring villages. Not only does it promote the local government’s efforts toward improving the community quality of life, it symbolizes the strength and perseverance of the people in Kirkuk.

“The opening of the water project is the central nerve for everything in Shoraw, meaning that life comes back for this area,” said Sheik Habib of Shoraw. “This is the largest project done in this area. Water comes from both sides (Shoraw village and Kirkuk). They are sharing the resources.”

. . .

Letter from the Doggies

Here's yet another letter from the doggies to their daddy. They like to write a lot. They are very silly pups. Background: Moo has a couple of HUGE hot spots on her tushy that developed while I was on my mini-vacation in Chicago, and thus, she has to wear an Elizabethan collar until they've healed somewhat.

Dear Daddy,

We love you. Will you come home soon so Moo can take off this silly collar thingy? It is plastic and big and makes noise when she bumps into things. Also, mommy isn't letting us run around the yard yet. Moo got to stop taking the "anti-inflammatory" (whatever that is) pill today. She says her shoulder doesn't hurt any more. And to make matters worse, mommy syas that we need to loose some weight (like she's one to talk!) and the super yummy treats have been cut way back. Daddy, we need you to come home so that we can be treated like real doggies again! =)

Love,
Moo & Bear
& fine . . . the cat too.

P.S. This picture [on the front of the card of a bull dog with a kitten] is how we doggies want to be with the kitty. We don't understand why she's so difficult. Humphf! - M & B

Today's Reading List: 6 Jun 2007

* recommended reading

* The Fourth Rail, The Baghdad Order of Battle and the New York Times. A look at the progress of the surge in Baghdad. Putting it in context.

The Fourth Rail, Iraq Report: Targeting the tribes; Reconciliation and Raids. A lot of bad guys were killed or captured.

The Fourth Rail, Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle: June 2007 Update. On May 30, 2007, the Kurdish Regional Government went to Provincial Iraqi Control. That makes 7 of 18 provinces turned over. (Muthanna, Najaf, DhiQar and Maysan in south; Dohuk, Arbil and Sulmaniyah in the North.)

* The Weekly Standard, Misunderstanding the Surge.

There will be many difficult months to come, as our enemies attempt not only to make the strategy fail, but to convince Americans and Iraqis that it will fail. There is no guarantee that any military strategy will succeed, of course, which is why commanders should evaluate the progress of their strategy. But our new military commanders have understood the problems mentioned in the Times article for months, and they are actively working to solve them. The New York Times wrongly judges the current commanders by their predecessors' expectations. And it wrongly presents their efforts to solve legacy problems as evidence that the current effort has failed. It may be emotionally easier for some simply to convince themselves that the U.S. has already failed in Iraq. But success remains possible if we have the will to try to achieve it.

NY Times, Commanders Say Push in Baghdad Is Short of Goal. Since when is a "one-page assessment, which was provided to The New York Times and summarized reports from brigade and battalion commanders in Baghdad" sufficient to provide any analysis of what is going on in the terribly complex situation that is Iraq? Just asking. The next sentence: "The assessment offers the first comprehensive look at the progress of the effort to stabilize Baghdad with the heavy influx of additional troops." One-page = comprehensive?

* Opinion Journal (WSJ), Realists on Iraq: Democratic presidential candidates should listen to the "experts" they so often cite.

Consider Brent Scowcroft, dean of the Realist School, who openly opposed the war from the outset and was a lead skeptic of the president's democracy-building agenda. In a recent Financial Times interview, he succinctly summed up the implication of withdrawal: "The costs of staying are visible; the costs of getting out are almost never discussed. If we get out before Iraq is stable, the entire Middle East region might start to resemble Iraq today. Getting out is not a solution." . . .

If the Realists, neighboring Arab regimes, our intelligence community and some of the most knowledgeable reporters all say such a course could be disastrous, on what basis are the withdrawal advocates taking their position?

The American people are understandably frustrated with Iraq. But this does not mean they will be satisfied with politicians who support a path that could make matters much worse.

Financial Times, Scowcroft warns against Iraq pullout. In addition to the above . . .

In the meantime, the US should stay, but avoid becoming involved in Iraq’s internal conflict. “In creating a democracy we created a revolution; a social and religious revolution,” said General Scowcroft.

Yet, “in Iraq there is less than a quarter of the proportionate manpower (we used) to occupy Bosnia or Kosovo. (We should) gradually withdraw from inter-sectarian warfare. Shia versus Sunni is not a problem we can solve. The problem is it’s a zero sum game among the groups.”

Instead, he said, “we can train the army, back up the army. It’s a pretty cruel strategy, (but) I don’t think we can solve the civil war.”

National Review Online, Honesty About Iraq: How are we doing?

. . . Somehow “thousands have been killed” is never qualified as those mostly butchered and blown up by insurgents — since the loose use of the passive voice lends a general sense that somehow Americans are directly involved in, or responsible for, the killing.

Our soldiers are fighting brilliantly, and history will record they are defeating the enemy while suffering historically low casualties. But if the sacrifice of American youth is not tied — daily, hourly — to larger strategic and humanitarian goals by eloquent statesmen who believe in the mission, then cynicism follows and, with it, despair. . . .

NY Times, Delta Company on Patrol. "Delta Company" in Khadamiya, Baghdad. The lead-in: "In interviews with more than a dozen soldiers, most said they were disillusioned by the situation in Iraq." Slideshow with captions like these:

He and many of his fellow soldiers have come to believe that the Iraq war is a futile civil war.

They have come under increasing attack by roadside bombs placed near Iraqi army and police checkpoints.

Two nights earlier, they were ambushed with an improvised explosive device and one soldier was wounded.

He believes that many Iraqi Army soldiers are actually insurgents.

To Sergeant Kevin O’Flarity, left, a watershed moment was when he learned that in a fight between his unit and insurgents, among the dead were at least two Iraqi Army soldiers that American forces had helped train and arm.

Griffin understands the criticism of the Iraqi forces, but believes that the war effort must be given more time.

Gosh, I wonder why Americans feel so depressed about Iraq?