Reconciliation takes center stage across MND - Center

So the Democrats say they want to see more visible effort on Iraqi government and her people before they will pay our men and women for the work we sent them there to do? Well, check this out:

******************************
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – The number of Iraqi-led reconciliation efforts swelled over the past two weeks across Multi-National Division – Center as local Iraqi leaders seek to capitalize on an improved security situation by developing the institutions that will enable long-term stability.

With Coalition Forces and Iraqi Concerned Local Citizens working increasingly in tandem with the Iraqi Police and Army to solidify security relationships, a window has opened for local leadership to push forward business development and infrastructure repair and forge political relationships across sects and neighborhoods.

On Nov. 26, Khalif Haloos of the Sadr al Yusifiyah Nahia Governance Council hosted more than 500 sheiks from Sunni, Shi’a and Kurdish tribes. Also in attendance were Coalition Forces from the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), who were the invited guests of the Iraqis who organized the meeting. Security for this meeting, the largest of several important reconciliation gatherings in MND-C in recent days, was provided by the Iraqi Security Forces.

“This meeting was an example of Sunnis and Shias working together,” said Col. Dominic Caraccilo, commander of 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div (AASLT). “The ISF took the lead in providing security for the meeting, and we had representation from all the key players in that area. That dynamic, coming from the local level, could be an example for the national government.”

The sheiks discussed reconciliation issues, from the return of displaced families, to a pact that would allow Iraqis of all sects to travel freely through the sheiks’ territory without fear of sectarian reprisal. They also discussed restraining Iranian influence, suppressing the remaining insurgents in their territory, and ways to integrate their activities with Iraq’s central government.

On Nov. 27 [2007] at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, leaders of the Iraqi Army and Police met with elected officials and Coalition commanders to discuss security cooperation and coordination in Babil province.

Col. Michael Garret, commander of the outgoing 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, used the occasion to say goodbye to the Iraqi leaders with whom he had worked for more than a year. Working to build on those relationships now is Col. Thomas James, commander of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Although it’s early in James’ deployment, his brigade has seen many examples of local leaders taking steps to improve their community through Sunni and Shia cooperation, specifically from the Sunni sheik and the police chief in Musayyib. Both will tell you that they are Iraqis first, not Sunni or Shia, and only want what’s good for their country and citizens, James said.

Another meeting was held Dec. 1 on the other side of MND-C at Forward Operating Base Hammer, east of Baghdad. Iraqi civic and tribal leaders in attendance offered frank assessments of their needs and asked U.S. and Iraqi officials for continued support with stabilization efforts.

Col. Wayne Grigsby, commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, said after the meeting, “I’ve spent 35 months of my life in Iraq, and this is the best I’ve ever seen it.” He noted, however, that there remain opportunities to synchronize U.S. and Iraqi efforts.

Part of that direction involves parlaying improved security and cooperation among the different parties to build a stepped-up reconstruction program. Similar to the reconciliation conferences that took place, the reconstruction effort is manifesting itself across MND-C as community development projects.

On Nov. 28, the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. opened a new medical clinic in Narwhan after the project was approved by Iraq’s Ministry of Health. As a signal of its commitment to the initiative, the ministry hired three doctors to work at the facility, two of whom are female.

The following day, the 1-10th FA conducted a school bag and bottled-water drop in Sabah Nisan. School children there received 180 school bags and 3,500 cases of water, distributed by the Concerned Local Citizens.

On Nov. 26, the Al-Wehda Nahia council celebrated with Iraqi and Coalition Forces the completion of a well system in al Sadiq. The system includes water pumps, storage tanks, a generator and quarters for a caretaker. The project was a joint effort by local Iraqis and Coalition Forces.

Finally, on Nov. 28, Iraqis celebrated the graduation of a class of small businessmen from an entrepreneur training program in the Mada’in Qada. The program helps develop business skills and planning among local business owners and then provides them with micro-grants to revitalize their businesses. As part of the program, U.S. military and civilian officials assess the proposals of the Iraqi graduates and award grants of up to $10,000 to eligible candidates.
******************************

Now I want you to go to your phones and dial toll free at 1-866-340-9281 the Capitol at 1-202-224-3121 or 1-202-225-3121, and tell the Democrats to PAY OUR MEN AND WOMEN! They wanted evidence? Here it is. To continue to ignore this fact, is to ignore any and all facts they with which they disagree politically. This is outrageous, and it should not be allowed to stand. Write about it, talk about it on the radio programs, do whatever you can. Our men and women did not ask to be deployed by the same people who are now refusing to pay them so that they can make political points back home. They really, REALLY, need to stop. Thank you.

Posts I've trackbacked to at Linkfest: The Florida Masochist: Marilou Ranario, The Florida Masochist: Weekly Dolphins prediction, Wolf Pangloss: Interplanetary: Open Trackbacks thru Tuesday, Stop the ACLU: Friday Free For All, Faultline USA, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Shadowscope, Global American Discourse, Stuck On Stupid, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Trackbacks to this post (most recent tb listed first):
21. The Amboy Times: Father killed daughter for not wearing hijab.
20. The Uncooperative Blogger: The Uncooperative Radio Show! Dec. 11, 12, 13 and 14.
19. The Florida Masochist: The natives are restless.
18. The Florida Masochist: The return of Mike Keenan.
17. Faultline USA: Ilegal Aliens and Election Fraud.
16. The Florida Masochist: The Knucklehead of the Day award.
15. Planck's Constant: Christmas Hotties.
14. the so called me: Carnival of Family Life #3.
13. Right Truth: Home for the Troops (original video for Right Truth).
12. Republican National Convention Blog: Pearl Harbor Remembered.

Crap. I have to wait until I reboot the computer...AGAIN. Arghh.

11. Right Truth: Terror Symposium.
10. The Florida Masochist: A mess of his own making.
9. The Amboy Times: Presidential Candidates on Border Security.
8. The Florida Masochist: The Knuckleheads of the Day award.
7. Planck's Constant: An Infidel Asks Muslims a Question.
6. The Florida Masochist: Certainly not.
5. Woman Honor Thyself: Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas TroopS!
4. Planck's Constant: A Light Unto All the Nations.
3. The Virtuous Republic: Have You Heard about the Climate Change Performance Index Released at Bali?
2. Big Dogs Weblog: Dems Knew About Waterboarding in 2002.
1. Faultline USA: Moderate or Slippery Sliding Southern Baptists?

Source: CentCom News Release. Digg!

Whatever...

Whatever you would like to share with others, feel to do so (except porn). I just cannot get it together today to write anything. I have over 90 unanswered emails, over 4000 posts that I still have to transfer manually over to this post, and I haven't read any of my favorite sites in so long-I wonder if they'll still remember me. Have fun, and God bless each of you. (G-d bless my Jewish friends as well!)

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Friday's Open Trackback Alliance and Linkfest

Today I am just going to post some of the articles I have already written, because I do not think I shall be posting anymore about the NIE. That is, of course, unless something is said about it that is wrong, Wrong, WRONG! Here we go:

Iran's no problem, they've only be at war with us for 28 years (1st).
Is DNI trying to sabotage intelligence? (2nd)
More info on the NIE (3rd).
Tikrit Law School affiliates with Baltimore Law School.
Chaotic Confidence.
Flag-raising Marks Culmination of Airman’s Dream.
Obstacle clearing teams keep Anbar roadways safe.
Air Force firefighters teach Iraqis blaze fighting basics.
Army Mechanics Go Distance to Keep Wheels Rolling.
Paratroopers from Five Nations Jump in 'Bright Star'.

From the list of my last 10 posts, I imagine you can understand why I hate to be distracted by beauratic idiots. IMHO.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND Debbie's interview with a man who served at Pearl Harbor in the 1980's. To all of our men, women and children who have endured this unbearable era of our history, thank you for not being so selfish so that we did not lose our nation. You did well, and I thank you all for each sacrifice. God bless you.

Michelle Malkin also has a great passage for today's 66th Year Remembrance of that day of Infamy. HAT/TIP: Steve who is a commenter at Right Truth.

I hope you enjoy them. This is my regularly scheduled day for the Open Trackback Alliance. It is run by Samantha Burns, and I would like anyone who is interested in joining to just click on the symbol below for more information.

I am also linking to Linkfest's 'Linkfest Haven Oasis.' These linkfests are a fantastic aide for you to improve your readership, if you are interested. Just remember that at this site, there is no place for porn. If you want to place your cooking tips, sports scores and talk, politics, religion, international news, counterterrorism news, misc. or any such matter, it is welcomed here. Have a great weekend, and God bless you. (For my Jewish friends, G-d bless you, and Happy Hannikkah!)

Posts I've trackbacked to at Open Trackback Alliance Weekend and Linkfest: (OTA) Pirate's Cove, MacBro's Place, Blue Star Chronicles, Woman Honor Thyself, Stix Blog, CommonSenseAmerica, 123beta, The World According to Carl, and Church and State.

(Linkfest) Phastidio.net, third world county, Right Truth, Pursuing Holiness, Nuke's, Outside the Beltway, Adam's Blog, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, Big Dog's Weblog, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, High Desert Wanderer, Adeline and Hazel, Right Voices, Mac's Opinion, Stop the ACLU, MacBro's Reviews, Chuck Adkins, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Trackbacks to this post (most recent tb listed first):
17. The Florida Masochist: Weekly Dolphins prediction.
16. The Florida Masochist: Marilou Ranario.
15. The Florida Masochist: The Knuckleheads of the Day award.
14. The Florida Masochist: Just sinful.
13. Blue Star Chronicles: Filipinos Ask the United Nations to Send Angelina Jolie to Help Them.
12. Blue Star Chronicles: Gennifer Flowers is Considering Supporting Hillary in 2008.
11. Shadowscope: Shoppers return to Omaha mall.
10. The Florida Masochist: Those Florida Panthers.
9. Right Truth: Human Rights Violation and Torture under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Regime.
8. The Amboy Times: Offended, offended, and offended some more.
7. The Florida Masochist: Correspondence chess antics.
6. The Florida Masochist: Mitt Romney meet Michael Corleone.
5. Faultline USA: America’s Border and Sovereignty in Giuliani’s Han.

Darn computer went nuts on me again. I'll be right back. Arghh.

4. The Florida Masochist: The Knuckleheads of the Day award.
3. Shadowscope: Pearl Harbor Day.
2. Musings of a Mad Macedonian: A Visit to Baghdad: A Christmas Tribute to the Troops.
1. 123beta: Firefox Hack Worth A Second Mention. Digg!

More info on the NIE

Days after the initial release of the National Intelligence Estimate, there are yet more questions and articles. As I am not an 'expert' in this field, I would like to take this time to provide yet more 'expert' input.

A gentleman has left me a comment querying into the veracity of my last post. He was rather kind, while he may disagree with me, so I am going to attempt to try to satisfy his search for answers to back up my assertions. Here is his comment:

Try as I might, I couldn't find a fact to back up your assertion that the intelligence community is anti-Bush. And even if these 16 separate intelligence agencies are anti-Bush, maybe it is because they are anti-bulls#*t and pro-American.

I have decided not to post his name, because I do not wish to be unfair to him. I only wish to clear up matters.

First I have Decoding the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate on Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program, written by Prof. Gerald M. Steinberg.

While the NIE states that the U.S. intelligence community has "high confidence" that the Iranians halted their nuclear weapons program in 2003, it also states that it has only "moderate confidence" that Tehran has not restarted the program.¹ In contrast, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has said that while it is "apparently true that in 2003, Iran stopped pursuing its military nuclear program for a certain period of time," nonetheless, he adds that "in our estimation, since then it is apparently continuing with its program to produce a nuclear weapon."² [Continue reading.]

Since this is a Jewish intelligence source, I shall also introduce another. This person everyone is well familiar with, because you either like him or him. No matter. He used to work at the State Department, and he also worked at the UN.

This is what Ambassador John Bolton has to say about the NIE:

The Flaws In the Iran Report.

The real differences between the NIEs are not in the hard data but in the psychological assessment of the mullahs' motives and objectives. The current NIE freely admits to having only moderate confidence that the suspension continues and says that there are significant gaps in our intelligence and that our analysts dissent from their initial judgment on suspension. This alone should give us considerable pause. [Continue reading.]

John R. Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is the author of "Surrender Is Not an Option: Defending America at the United Nations and Abroad." He is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

There are five very important points that he makes in this Washington Post editorial. He knows intelligence. He is an expert. I suggest you read this short article.

Maybe you would like to hear from a trusted Democrat, Sen. Lieberman?

CNBC "Kudlow & Company" Interview with Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT)
Interviewer: Larry Kudlow
Subject: Iran's Nuclear Program and the National Intelligence Estimate.

MR. KUDLOW: Today's blockbuster headline from the New Intelligence Estimate says Iran stopped making nukes in 2003. But Senator Joe Lieberman, independent Democrat from Connecticut, told me that Iran is still a very dangerous place. Take a look.

(Begin videotaped interview.)

SEN. LIEBERMAN: Well, what I make of it is that there's some encouraging news in this National Intelligence Estimate, which is that the Iranians apparently have stopped one part of their nuclear weapons program. But the headline you just read shows the danger here, which is that people will reach a conclusion that all of our concern about Iran building nuclear weapons was misplaced, it's over, there's no problem. If you read this report, this intelligence report, you see that that's not true. It says very clearly Iran has both the capacity and intention to build a nuclear weapon. And in fact, they are focused now on the first, most important thing that they need to do, which is to enrich uranium. So this is not cause for complacency. There's still a lot about what Iran is doing that should concern us and encourage us to keep the economic and diplomatic pressure on them. [You must be registered to read the rest. I am not.]

Please read them all. I could not even start to summarize all the data forth coming. This is a a link to keep on eye on the ME from Irsael Intelligence, and this is a great link to gather information on Iran. After you have read the links I have provided, I rest my case. I hope this satisfatory. I do not wish to mislead anyone who may read my posts. Thank you, and have a great day.

This is my Open Trackback Alliance and Linkfest post. I hope I can finally write about something other than this NIE. Really. There is too much happening in this world to be dragged into a non-debate over beaurocratic bs. I hope everyone is having a very nice day.

Posts I've trackbacked to at Linkfest: Outside the Beltway, The Random Yak, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Chuck Adkins, CommonSenseAmerica, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Trackbacks to this post (most recent tb listed first):
9. Phastidio.net: Who’s Afraid of the Dalai Lama?
8. The Florida Masochist: We're gluttons for punishment.
7. Right Truth: Pearl Harbor and the Lessons of War and Peace. - Right Truth Exclusive.
6. Pajama Mommy » Mommy Blogger Community: Christmas Shopping For An Acquaintance.
5. The Florida Masochist: Oh Lord.
4. The Amboy Times: The Blasphemy Collection.
3. The Amboy Times: Pearl Harbor Day.
2. The Florida Masochist: The Knucklehead of the Day award.
1. Planck's Constant: Beasts for a Cause. Digg!

Is DNI trying to sabotage intelligence?

Many of the newspapers and TV Variety Shows (formerly known as newscasts) have found it their purpose in this war to sabotage all of President Bush' efforts to keep us safe every since September 11, 2001. They will not show what happened that day, but God forbid someone should shoot someone in a war! They are right there and ready with a camera, getting all their information from the nearest terrorist.

Enough about them. Let us now turn our eyes on the three people who delivered the National Intelligence Estimate. You will find it quite interesting if I were to tell you that all three of these people were against the Iraq war from the beginning, they came from the State Department, and one even believes Iran should be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon [heard on Rush Limbaugh's program], would you not?

Therefore I am going to refer you to an article written by the Wall Street Journal's Opinion Journal online:

Our own "confidence" is not heightened by the fact that the NIE's main authors include three former State Department officials with previous reputations as "hyper-partisan anti-Bush officials," according to an intelligence source. They are Tom Fingar, formerly of the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research; Vann Van Diepen, the National Intelligence Officer for WMD; and Kenneth Brill, the former U.S. Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

For a flavor of their political outlook, former Bush Administration antiproliferation official John Bolton recalls in his recent memoir that then-Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage "described Brill's efforts in Vienna, or lack thereof, as 'bull--.'" Mr. Brill was "retired" from the State Department by Colin Powell before being rehired, over considerable internal and public protest, as head of the National Counter-Proliferation Center by then-National Intelligence Director John Negroponte.

If you did not read my latest article, I specifical stated that Mr. Negroponte should have been fired in 2001 along with George Tenet for allowing the disaster of September 11, 2001 and a terrible run of the aftermath of the Afghanistan war, let alone the awful destruction to our foreign policy in Iraq.

Another odd and curious factor is that the only action I can recall (as the Journal also notes) is the invasion into Iraq. Is this the 'international' fear that scared Iran? It was enough to scare Ghadafi, so who knows. This use of force is, however, the only thing the Iranian 'government' understands. Truly. So they stopped for a minute. How do we know this? Did they say so?

Well, I think not. This was also the time when Iranian dissidents showed us where there clandestine nuclear program was being used. Yes, President Bush did punt the ball over to the useless Europeans, but he had his reasons. Not that I agree with them, but so be it. It was years later that they finally went to their sacred cow, the UN. Remember, this was after Iran demanded that the Italian inspector be banned from the team, because he could not be bought or show symathy toward the Iranian 'government'.

Which brings to the last paragraph of this article:

The larger worry here is how little we seem to have learned from our previous intelligence failures. Over the course of a decade, our intelligence services badly underestimated Saddam's nuclear ambitions, then overestimated them. Now they have done a 180-degree turn on Iran, and in such a way that will contribute to a complacency that will make it easier for Iran to build a weapon. Our intelligence services are supposed to inform the policies of elected officials, but increasingly their judgments seem to be setting policy. This is dangerous.

One thing we may all agree on that we can take away from this NIE: Intelligence does not equal common sense. Too many people claim to be intelligent, not enough of our common sense folks are working in the government...hey! Is that another indication of good sense? Hmm...

This is my contribution to Open Trackback Wednesday. Enjoy.

Posts I've trackbacked to at Linkfest: Outside the Beltway, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Right Truth, Adam's Blog, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Trackbacks to this post (most recent tb listed first):
11. Mark My Words: It's a good thing I'm registered as an independent.
10. The Amboy Times: British imam's daughter under police protection after converting to Christianity.
9. The Florida Masochist: Slaughter in Omaha.
8. The Florida Masochist: The Knucklehead of the Day award.
7. Planck's Constant: Twas the night before Hanukkah.
6. Woman Honor Thyself: ChanukaH!..Where the ReaL MeN Were.
5. Right Truth: Catching Up.
4. Mark My Words: Fred Thompson on the issues.
3. The Virtuous Republic: The Personification of Virtue.
2. 123beta: Grandfather Clocks.
1. Big Dogs Weblog: Defending Hillary. Digg!

Iran's no problem, they've only be at war with us for 28 years

I will most likely go off deep end while writing this post, because people are idiots and it's beginning to really bug me. I try to be a nice person. I try not to call people names. I try not to insult other's intelligence. So don't insult mine, okay?!

I am going to list a number of issues that the National Intelligence Estimate leaves unanswered. (Scroll down to "Key Judgments"):

1. In 1991, the CIA was not aware that Saddam Hussein was only 6 months away from completing his first nuclear weapon. They did not know this until it was discovered by the Inspectors. Mistake number 1.

2. The CIA told us that there were WMD in Iraq, specifically, George Tenet. (Here is a Foreign Missile Developments and the Ballistic Missile Threat Through 2015.)

3. The CIA told us there were no WMD. They also declared these weapons could not have left the country. Oh? What are they, psychic? I know a good psychiatrist for them!

4. Then they went back to not knowing whether or not they had WMD, but we just haven't found them yet. Could you rely on this type of information? I certainly wouldn't! Especially after there is already troops on the ground. Whether or not Saddam was playing a game to fool his neighbors, he lied. You do not lie to the USA. And for you yahoos, you do not lie to the UN. Game, set, match.

5. In 2005, the NIE declared that Iran had reconstituted its nuclear program after talks with the EU-3 plus the USA had failed. Which is it? Did they stop in 2003 like Ghadafi, or did they not?

6. The NIC consists of over 20 different intelligence agencies, some of which we will never know the names of, unlike the CIA. Yes, CIA, that is a slap in your face. How can you be clandestine when you are always showing up on the front page of the NY Times with all of your leaks?

7. From all of those agencies, only about 30 people decided which intelligence to go forward with and assess. I believe these to be intelligence people.

8. This information then goes into the hands of the State Department. Does anyone who reads this site not know how I feel about the State Dept? I want it defunded and gone. Can I make it any clearer?

Then about 3-6 take all the intel from all the agencies and determine what they are going to say. That is how we end up with crap like this. Negroponte should have been fired along Tenet in 2001. George W., I do not understand you.

9. Iran claims they are working on them. ElBeirdi (sp?) says they have the 3000 centrifuges. Russia says they have a program (which Russia is helping them build), so they ought to know!

So why did publish a 2 1/2 page summary of 187 classified report (which some of the departments do not agree with their conclusions) at this time? Could it be political? Yes. They are supposed to display facts. They are not supposed to make any conclusions. That is the job of the president. I only wish many more people would realize their place in public office, such as the Congress. When will they pay our Soldiers?

Update: And one more thing. The onus is NOT on us. It is on Iran. They, after all, have been murdering us for 28 years. When are we going to stand up to these cowards?

Today's open trackback will be dedicated to the way President Bush almost stood up to those reporters. It would be nice if he would stop using the same words over and over again. Oh well...

Posts I've trackbacked to at Linkfest: Outside the Beltway, Wake Up America, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, The Pink Flamingo, The Amboy Times, Big Dog's Weblog, Dumb Ox Daily News, Conservative Cat, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Digg!

Trackbacks to this post (most recent tb listed first):

11. The Florida Masochist: A funny way of doing business.

10. Right Truth: Can U.S. Intelligence Be Trusted???

9. The Florida Masochist: The Knucklehead of the Day award.

8. the so called me: Unnecessarily Hard to Buy Toys.

7. The Florida Masochist: Andrea Eichhorn fired.

6. The Florida Masochist: Nothing works.

5. The Amboy Times: CAIR: Free Speech Doesn’t Apply To Michael Savage.

4. Adam's Blog: Personality is the Key to the Presidency.

3. Planck's Constant: Homosexuality in Islam.

2. Diary of the Mad Pigeon: Iran's Nuclear Program in Question.

1. Mark My Words: Why I don't heart Huckabee.

Tikrit Law School affiliates with Baltimore Law School

As I was reading the Press Releases from US CentCom, I came upon this article. I read it cautiously, yet eagerly. Yes, that is hard to do. lol. Let's just say I am cautiously optimistic.

This article was written by someone at the Multi-National Division – North Public Affairs Office, and they did very well. IMHO. Here is what the article entailed:

Multi-National Division – North PAO

COB SPEICHER, Iraq – Task Force Iron Multi-National Division – North, The University of Tikrit Law School and the University of Baltimore Law School began an official affiliation via a video teleconference held at Contingency Operating Base Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq, Nov. 27. The program will culminate in six Iraqi students attending the Master of Laws program in Baltimore, Md.

The program’s overriding goal is to “develop international relations, expand the international studies program at UBLS, and to further develop the graduates of the UTLS,” according to the official statement issued by the Provincial Reconstruction Team hosting the signing.

The schools formalized the association by simultaneously signing Memorandums of Understanding during the conference. The documents state that schools will “engage in the exchange of faculty, students and academic programs for mutual benefit.”

Additionally, the document notes that the schools will “collaborate with one another to establish, support and continue … the development of the Rule of Law and Civil Society.”

The U.S. Departments of Justice and Defense will fund “six qualified individuals … who are representative of Iraqi society,” according to the MOU. These students will then return to Iraq to help in reconstruction with regards to the rule of law.

“Iraq has been exposed to continuous wars, embargo, violations to human rights and occupation, and we hope from this agreement to improve all these conditions,” said Amir Ayaash, Dean of Tikrit University School of Law. “I hope this agreement will be the first step toward building and rebuilding an inclusive and full system in order to improve rightful relationship between Iraqi and American people. Universities play (a) fundamental role in all (of) this; thanks to (the) American people and Government to take this great step.”

He added that when America built its country two centuries ago, it was based on true and sound laws, respecting human rights and that within these two centuries, “America become a super power because of its sound and rightful laws.”
**********
I find it encouraging that some Iraqis are going to learn our juris prudence. I just hope that the school they chose to perform this international relationship is not one of those Bush-bashing schools. I would hate for them to be betrayed once more.

I chose this article to be my open trackback post for today, because it is uplifting, interesting, and it is also news that you will NOT hear from the NY Times, WaPo, CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, or any of the other slew of useful idiots. Have a wonderful day.

Posts I've trackbacked to at Linkfest: Woman Honor Thyself, Outside the Beltway, Mark My Words, Right Truth, Adam's Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Chuck Adkins, Adeline and Hazel, Pursuing Holiness, third world county, DragonLady's World, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, Dumb Ox Daily News and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Trackbacks to this post (most recent tb listed first):
10. Right Truth: Something stinks about the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran.
9. The Florida Masochist: From the Silly News Desk.
8. The Florida Masochist: Speeding things up- Barely.
7. The Amboy Times: Putin Wins, Chavez loses.
6. The Florida Masochist: The Knuckleheads of the Day award.
5. Wolf Pangloss: The Gnostic Golden Compass.
4. 123beta: While I Was Away.
3. Right Voices: Harry Reid: Incompetence.
2. Wolf Pangloss: Baby Selling and Slavery.
1. Planck's Constant: Why Palestinian Children Die.
The Florida Masochist: Great job coach. Digg!

Chaotic Confidence

As I sit here watching two football games on the boob-tube and listening to one on the radio, I am also reading and posting articles that should have been posted a while back. I am so glad all this information is stored in a computer instead of my room, because oh boy! what a mess that would be!

I have read about Air Force sharpshooters, Iraqi Police recruitments, and Paratroopers from Five Nations gathered for the 'Bright Star' jump. All of these articles are exciting and give me hope for the future of America.

I have just updated the articles available to you. They are Army Mechanics Go Distance to Keep Wheels Rolling, Air Force firefighters teach Iraqis blaze fighting basics, Obstacle clearing teams keep Anbar roadways safe and Flag-raising Marks Culmination of Airman’s Dream. They are well worth reading, and they are below this post on the same site. Enjoy!

Now if only we could get our polititians to act like Americans...

So where is the chaos? Where is the confidence? I am in chaos, and God and our military is my confidence. (Mostly God, but I wanted to include our military. These fellas are doing great deeds.)

This is my Sunday Open Trackback post. Please, no porn. I'm pretty okay with any other discussion, but I will not tolerate the degradation of women. Or men, for that matter. Have a great weekend everyone.

Posts I've trackbacked to at Linkfest: The Virtuous Republic, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, Stuck On Stupid, Big Dog's Weblog, Chuck Adkins, Conservative Cat, The World According to Carl, Global American Discourse, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, Woman Honor Thyself, Perri Nelson's Website, Big Dog's Weblog, AZAMATTEROFACT, 123beta, Adam's Blog, and The World According to Carl, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Trackbacks to this post (most recent tb listed first):
6. The Florida Masochist: Great job coach.
5. The Amboy Times: Teddy Bear Teacher Pardoned.
4. The Florida Masochist: The rest of the Zapeta story.
3. The Florida Masochist: The Knucklehead of the Day award.
2. Planck's Constant: 10 Palestinians Killed for Every Israeli is intolerable.
1. Right Truth: Sunday Afternoon Reading 12/01/07.

Flag-raising Marks Culmination of Airman’s Dream

Source: DVIDSHub.

Story by Capt. Michael Meridith
Posted on 11.30.2007 at 12:27PM
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – When Chief Master Sgt. Stanley Burrows looks up at the U.S. and Afghan flags flying side-by-side in Camp Cunningham, he feels a special sense of satisfaction. The flags, which began flying around the clock for the first time today, represent the culmination of several months of effort involving Airmen volunteers from across the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing.

“I arrived here in early August and in my first couple of weeks the command chief master sergeant said there were some concerns that we were flying a smaller Afghan flag than the U.S. flag,” said Burrows, the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron manager from Herriman, Utah. “I told him that to me it was worse that we were flying the flag from a pole that was bolted to a building.”

That conversation was the spark that put Burrows into action. Within days, he had outlined a plan that would lead to the installation of two new (and much sturdier) steel flagpoles and a refurbished lighting system to allow the flags to fly 24 hours.

The first step occurred when Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Hill and Senior Airman Brian Holmes, volunteers from the 1st Expeditionary Red Horse Group, built a third concrete column to join two others already under the flagpoles. One column is inscribed with a dedication to the camp’s namesake, fallen pararescueman Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, killed in 2002 while moving wounded comrades to safety. The other column is inscribed with George Orwell’s quote: “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” [My enboldening.]

By Nov. 20, the flagpoles had arrived and were proudly carried to the site by a group of security force volunteers, said Burrows. Afterward, members of the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, including Tech. Sgt. Ken Payne, Air Force Staff Sgt. David Garcia, Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Towner, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff Walker and Airman Rob Brodrick, moved on to the next phase of the project.

After the base of the existing aluminum pole was jackhammered away, a new concrete foundation was laid on Nov. 23. Less than a week later the concrete hardened and the poles were carefully installed and secured into place with a refurbished lighting system to support them.

“It’s a bit different than the types of jobs we normally do,” said Garcia, a Houston native. “I haven’t done anything like this before but it feels good to be able to contribute something lasting to Bagram that people will look at every day.”

That sentiment was echoed by Red Horse’s Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Hill. “It’s good to know that you can walk by and say ‘I did that,’” said the New Goshen, Ind., native. “It makes you feel proud to know you were part of it.”

The final touch to the project was the addition of a full-size, all-weather Afghan flag, donated by Burrows’ wife. After months of anticipation, Burrows’ dream became a reality when both the U.S. and Afghan flags were raised on their new poles, Nov. 30[, 2007].

“I think that if we are representing the U.S. and coming here to be a partner with Afghanistan, we need to have a flag that represents them well. Like the rumble of our F-15Es (Strike Eagles), seeing both of the flags up there, flying together, reminds me of why we’re here,” concluded Burrows.

The American and Afghan flags fly side-by-side after being raised on two new flagpoles at Camp Cunningham, Nov. 30, 2007. Date Taken: November 30th, 2007Location: Bagram Airfield, AF, Photographer: Capt. Michael Meridith, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. Digg!

Obstacle clearing teams keep Anbar roadways safe

30 November 2007
By Cpl. Thomas J. Griffith
2nd Marine Logistics Group.

AL ASAD, Iraq -- Lance Cpl. Allen R. Rossi said the closer service members get to a possible land mine or improvised explosive device, the less worried they become. “You won’t feel a thing if it goes off that close,” explained the Camden, Ohio, native.

That’s why the members of the Obstacle Clearing Detachment walk a few meters ahead of everyone else. ‘Never step where we haven’t swept’ is their motto and they live by it, sweeping the dusty, trash-laden roads to ensure quick and safe passage for the convoys behind them.

The Marines of OCD, Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) embed with convoys to clear the roadways of debris, minefields or anything else that could impede the movement of vehicles and troops. “They’re basically putting themselves in harm’s way so that the convoy can move safely and isn’t slowed,” said Gunnery Sgt. Michael A. Leisure, the chief of Combat Engineer Platoon and a Parkersburg, W. Va., native.

The team also searches for improvised explosive devices and weapons caches, and when it finds them, calls in an explosive ordnance disposal team for disposal. “The main goal is to find anything before it goes off,” said Sgt. Levi A. Gundy, a detachment team leader and Keokuk, Iowa, native. “It’s hard to explain how to get comfortable with it.”

By trade, these Marines are combat engineers, a job that normally entails building structures, breaching entryways and providing security. Assignment to the clearing detachment is an additional duty that poses its own potential dangers, but Marines like Cpl. Jamison A. Elsmore, a detachment team member, said they prefer the unique challenge the OCD missions provide. “It’s one of the most important jobs out here,” explained the Plymouth, Minn., native. “Wherever anyone’s going, they’re going to need to arrive safely. We’re one of the few guys who can offer that to them.”

The hardest part of the job, according to Elsmore, is the difficulty of spotting many of the dangers they are looking for. Often times, trash lines the streets and the roads are covered with a fine sand the Marines refer to as moon dust. The small size of many of the objects they’re searching for also causes a problem. Improvised explosive devices vary in size and shape and littered roadways are ideal for concealment.

Leisure said the OCD Marines are “true professionals” and although many of the Marines are on their first deployment, they handle the tasks assigned to them without hesitation. “They’re very efficient and by the time they come (back to Iraq), they’ll be maturing corporals teaching their Marines the same things,” he said. “We like to have fun, but as soon as we cross that (entry control point), it’s game on.”

Photo - AL ASAD, Iraq – Lance Cpl. Allen R. Rossi sweeps a metal detector in search of wires, improvised explosive devices, ordnance or anything that would impede the movement of the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 15. Rossi and the other members of the Obstacle Clearing Detachment are responsible for clearing anything that would slow down a convoy. Rossi is a combat engineer and OCD team member with Combat Engineer Platoon, Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward). Rossi is a Camden, Ohio, native. Photo by Cpl. Thomas J. Griffith. Digg!

Air Force firefighters teach Iraqis blaze fighting basics

Source: Asymmetric Military.

28 November 2007
By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson
407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs.

ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Seven local Iraqi firefighters shared a momentous occasion as they graduated from the Ali Base basic firefighter skills course. The 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire and emergency services flight firefighters put on a six-day training course to train Iraqi firemen of varying experience levels, from a province in nearby An Nasiriyah.

"Our Air Force firefighters are directly supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom by helping them improve the fire services in southern Iraq," said Staff Sgt. DeRon Branch, course leader with the 407th ECES. The regional program is run in cooperation with liaisons from the Iraqi fire service.

The 80-hour Air Force curriculum was condensed into about five, four-hour blocks covering basic firefighting skills, search and rescue, live fire training, auto extrication and medical training to include CPR. Before the start of the course, students went through a vigorous Iraqi and American selection and screening process.

The first visit to the fire house included introductions and academic classroom work. But in the weeks following, the men got to put those lessons into practice. "My most memorable experience would be the eagerness each student possessed to become firefighters," Sergeant Branch said. "They were all very hard working."

"The training the men have received, we are very grateful for," said an Iraqi firefighter. "We will use our training experiences every day by training others. Now we just need the right equipment to help us, so we can better respond and save lives." The sixth and final day of training, the Iraqi firefighters went through a confidence course allowing them to apply the techniques they learned.

"Our mission is to save lives. And after all their training, they looked like they were ready to save lives too," said Staff Sgt. Dan Erickson Jr., a fire protection crew chief with the 407th ECES. The firemen were each given a certificate of training during a special graduation ceremony.

Photo - A local Iraqi firefighter operates a hose while Staff Sgt. Joshua Wilson gives advice to effectively knock out a fire during training. The 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters conduct a live-fire training exercise for the Iraqi firefighters teaching basic skills of advancing a hand line, procedures on approaching hazardous environments and performing search and rescue. Sergeant Wilson is deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder). Digg!

Army Mechanics Go Distance to Keep Wheels Rolling

Source: Victory Caucus.

27 November 2007
Spc. Micah E. Clare
4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan - A young Soldier rubbed sleep from his eyes as he stumbled into the giant machinery garage at 10 p.m., his vision flooded with harsh yellow light. He'd been working on various trucks and machines since 4 a.m., but he still had to work on one more.

Late nights are nothing new to deployed mechanics like Pfc. Carson Beaver, from the Headquarters Support Company, 864th Engineer Battalion out of Fort Lewis, Wash., whose main mission is providing "last stop" maintenance support for the continuing fight against the insurgency in Paktika Province, Afghanistan.

That night, Pfc. Beaver and his team had to fix yet another damaged Humvee returning from a late night patrol. After running some tests, they determined that the vehicle's dirt-encrusted front differential needed to be replaced. "This vehicle is a four-wheel drive, and right now, it's not driving with all four wheels," Pfc. Beaver explained, adding that the repair would take at least four to five hours, but the vehicle would be ready to roll the next morning.

"We find ourselves fixing everything from gators (small utility vehicles) to five-tons (heavy transport vehicles)," Pfc. Beaver said, lying on his back while unscrewing bolts, with several tons of metal inches above his head. "This is a very important job though, keeping units coming through here on their feet. When they come to us needing something fixed, they know we're reliable and they'll be able to continue on their mission."

"Missions would cease without proper vehicle maintenance because everyone relies so heavily on them out here," explained Lt. Alex Faber, an HSC motor officer. "We're a last-stop repair shop for units traveling into southern Paktika. Whether we're just providing them with some parts or staying up all night to repair a broken vehicle, we'll support anyone who comes through here."

Because of the incredibly rough terrain and lack of paved roads these vehicles drive on on a daily basis, they take an unimaginable beating. Sometimes the team faces problems they don't have any idea how to fix at first, which requires a brainstorm for newer Soldiers, even after their extensive schooling, Lt. Faber said.

"I tell every one of my new guys, unless you've fixed something out here, it's like you're doing it for the first time," he said. "Sometimes it comes right down to pulling out the manual and taking it step by step, by the numbers. Our worst job was restoring a vehicle that had been submerged in water for an extended period of time. It took us over 30 straight hours to completely replace the front end with one from another broken vehicle."

When the team finally completes a repair, the only way to find out whether it works or not is to start it back up and take it for a test drive. "You spend all this time fixing something, and you hope it works," said Pfc. Beaver as they finished replacing the Humvee's differential around 2 a.m. "If not, you get right back to work. That's the real job."

"We work 12 hours days mostly," said Sgt. Emmanuel Lamsangam. "But we've learned sometimes that when we're completely exhausted and not getting anywhere, we have to pack it up and start fresh in the morning. If it's a mission priority though, we get it done. It just takes a lot of coffee."

During those 12 hours, bloodied knuckles, grease stains, oil spills and many other unpleasant things are commonplace, said Spc. Rodolfo Sombra, another HSC mechanic. "These coveralls don't always help," he said while grinning and wiping fluid spillage off his face. "It makes a shower and a good night's sleep pretty nice after a long day like this one."

Even though the mechanic teams spend a lot of time working, they still make sure to get some off time every once in a while, said Pfc. Beaver. "You still have to have fun sometimes to keep you going," he explained. "We play a lot of video games, mostly racing games. It's funny when we custom create our racing cars with ease, replacing parts in seconds that would have taken us hours in the shop to do. I wish it was always that easy."

On the few easy days they have, without the usual five to six vehicles to fix, they really clean up their work area. The large garage can become quite a wreck in the hustle to crank vehicles back to life and send them on their way, said Pfc. Beaver.

"Clean up will be tomorrow for sure," said Lt. Faber, looking around at the garage, strewn with tools and oil spills. His team had finally been able to get the Humvee on its way. His Soldiers were definitely going to be given a few extra hours of sleep that morning.

"It's a lot of work, but it's rewarding to push yourself," said Pfc. Beaver as he slipped out of his messy coveralls. "I love this job, it's the best thing I could be doing in the Army."

To mechanics like him, being a Soldier doesn't always mean being out on patrols, missions or firefights. "Having the state of mind to do whatever it takes to do your job and keep the mission going, that's what being a Soldier is all about," said Pfc. Beaver.

Photo - Mechanics from Headquarters Support Company, 864th Engineer Battalion raise a Humvee that needs repair up on jacks while determining how to fix it at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, Nov. 7. Photo by Spc. Micah E. Clare. Digg!

Paratroopers from Five Nations Jump in 'Bright Star'

This one is dedicated to The Paratrooper of Love, so it may ease the wounds of the arse-kickin' he suffered yesterday at the Army/Navy game. ;)

14 November 2007
BY Third Army Public Affairs.

CAIRO, Egypt -- U.S. and coalition forces conducted a “Friendship Jump” at Koum Asheem drop zone in Cairo Sunday as part of Exercise 'Bright Star'.

The joint-combined exercise continues through Nov. 19. It includes a computer-aided command post exercise, airborne operations, naval operations, and special forces training exercises conducted by the components of U.S. Central Command. This year’s exercise demonstrates the shift in modern warfare by focusing on technology as a battlefield enabler, USCENTCOM officials said.

The airborne operation began at 6:30 a.m. Sunday with about 200 paratroopers participating from the United States, Egypt, Kuwait, Germany, and Yemen. There was an airborne wing exchange at the conclusion of the jump. Nearly 7,100 Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors from Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Netherlands, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Yemen are participating in this year’s Bright Star exercise.

About 200 members of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry (Rainbow) Division headquarters are part of this week’s command post exercise in Egypt. The division, with supporting elements from New Hampshire, New Jersey and Minnesota, will team with members of the Egyptian Army’s 9th Armor Division command and staff to replicate a multinational senior headquarters during the battle simulation.

Bright Star is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships for U.S. and coalition forces while increasing awareness and appreciation of each participant’s culture, customs and professional military skills, according to the U.S Central Command.

Bright Star is the oldest and largest exercise in the USCENTCOM area of operations. It is a biennial joint/coalition exercise designed to increase regional involvement in pursuit of improved security and defense capabilities.

Photo - Paratroopers from five nations descend onto Koum Asheem drop zone in Egypt as part of Exercise Bright Star. Photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Buckley.

Source: Global Security. Digg!

New face of recruitment

Source: Quantico Sentry.

19 November 2007
By Cpl. Billy Hall
2nd Marine Division.

AL QA’IM, Iraq -- Droves of Iraqi men lined the streets of Ubaydi. The awakening call of roosters could be heard over the murmur of a crowd nearing 400. A conglomerate of Marines, soldiers, sailors, interpreters and Iraqi Police readied nearby at the local police station to kickoff a two-day Iraqi Police recruiting drive with the hopes of identifying 75 qualified recruits.

The district Police Transition Team, who advise, train and mentor local police, work hand in hand with the Betio Bastards of Task Force 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, and the Iraqi Police to quell the need for additional local forces in the region.

“We are looking at hiring more policemen to [cover] the eastern part of Al Qa’im, in order to establish a police station north of the Euphrates River,” said Capt. Gerardo D. Gaje Jr., the district Police Transition Team leader.

In addition to providing sufficient security for the event, the elements of the recruiting team conducted a thorough screening of each applicant that included literacy testing, medical evaluations, administrative processing, security questionnaires and a physical fitness test. “For a lot of the (recruiting team), it was their first experience with recruiting,” said Gaje. “If they did recruit, it wasn’t to this extent.”

The Police Transition Team separated the massive crowd into groups and began to systematically arrive at the literacy testing station. Interpreters circled the classroom-like setting to help the staff administer the test designed to gauge reading and writing abilities.

When the applicant successfully passed the test, they moved on to be processed with the Biometrics Automated Toolset system, which is the database used in Iraq that identifies individuals through personal information, fingerprints, photographs from various angles and iris scans. A security questionnaire was also required to ensure they have no ties to criminal activity.

The magnitude of the turnout and the unpredictable environment proved to be a tasking challenge for coalition forces. “A couple of times the power went out, so we had to reconnect our computers,” said Cpl. John Michael Markle, an intelligence analyst with Task Force 3rd Bn., 2nd Marines, who assisted with the BAT system. “Really, the hardest part was the language barrier. We had only one interpreter between three BAT stations.”

Applicants still eligible after the initial stations were then ushered on to a comprehensive medical evaluation. Navy corpsmen took vital signs, height and weight measurements and tested range of motion to determine if they were fit for duty.

“A majority of them that were in the best physical condition were the farmers and fishermen,” said Hospitalman Anthony Eromosece, a Navy corpsman with 3rd Bn., 2nd Marines, and Bronx, N.Y., native. “You can tell they’re hard working men with their bodies intact. I think a lot of (the applicants) should make it.”

The final stage of the screening, overseen by Marines and soldiers, included a physical fitness test that involved pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups and a 100-meter dash. Men, of ages ranging from 18 to their late 40s, took on a competitive mindset to prove their physical prowess. Failure to perform to a specific standard rendered an applicant ineligible for duty.

“There was frustration amongst some of the people that couldn’t pass a test, but that’s expected,” Gaje said. “It’s just the fact that everyone wants a job, and right now, being a policeman is one of the better paying jobs.”

At the conclusion of the recruiting drive, 75 qualified recruits were identified and will attend the Habbaniyah Police Training Center for an 8 to 9-week course before reporting for duty.

At a time when Iraqi Police face considerable challenges, the willingness of the local populace to take on the rigors of the job proves their determination to make a better tomorrow for Iraq.

Photo - AL QA’IM, Iraq - Seaman Anthony Eromosece, a Navy corpsman with Task Force 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, and Bronx, N.Y., native, checks the height of a potential recruit during an Iraqi Police recruiting drive conducted by the district Police Transition Team and.Task Force 3rd Bn., 2nd Marines. Navy corpsmen took vital signs, height and weight measurements and tested range of motion in order to determine if applicants were fit for duty in the Iraqi Police. Photo by: Cpl. Billy Hall. Digg!

Air Force sharpshooters help cmdrs see the future

19 November 2007
By Staff Sgt. Markus M. Maier
U.S. Central Air Forces Combat Correspondent Team.

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, IRAQ -- When servicemembers go outside the wire here, they occasionally have an extra set of eyes watching over them. Concealed, the members of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Close Precision Engagement Team observe, provide intelligence and, if necessary, neutralize threats.

The CPET consists of Air Force security forces counter-snipers whose expert marksmanship and ability to stay invisible allows them to sneak up to an enemy undetected and neutralize them if needed.

"A large part of our job here is reconnaissance for the Army and sometimes agents with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment here," said Staff Sgt. Curtis Huffman, the CPET NCO in charge. "When they have a mission outside of the wire we'll set up near that location about an hour or more before they get out there. Concealed and out of sight, we are able to observe the area and give them real time intel before they even arrive."

Through direct communication with the mission commander, the sharpshooters let the team know how many people are in the area, their exact location, if there are any weapons or if the people seem to be hiding anything. That way, the team knows exactly what to expect before arriving at the location. "Close Precision Engagement provides us with the ability to see into the future," said Special Agent Christopher Church, the OSI Det. 2410 commander. "They provide us with a situational awareness that we would not have without them. Having them watch over us during missions makes an enormous difference."

The sharpshooters' skills also help save lives during counter improvised explosive device and counter indirect fire operations. "We respond to routes that get hit by IEDs a lot, or an area that is known for launching IDFs," said Sergeant Huffman, who is deployed from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. "We'll set up somewhere concealed along that route or that area where we can watch people setting stuff up so we can get them before they can hurt our guys. We could be there from 24 to 72 hours."

CPE team members also respond to their own comrades. If security forces members on patrol or on a post perceives suspicious activities in the area, they can call on the team to come out and, using their trained eyes, optics and night vision capability, determine if there is an actual threat.

Each sniper team consists of two people, the spotter and the shooter. The spotter's responsibility is to determine things like the distance to the target, wind direction and then provide the shooter with corrections, which are adjustments on the rifle.

"Spotters do all the mathematical equations for range estimation, windage, everything from start to end," said Airman 1st Class Matt Leeper, a CPET member also deployed from Eielson AFB. "The spotter definitely has the more difficult job. Your spotter has to be quick and accurate when giving the corrections. There is no time for the shooter to think twice. Your spotter is always right."

There are approximately 350 trained sharpshooters in the Air Force. Security forces members must show exceptional marksmanship abilities and attend three weeks of training at Camp Robinson, Ark., to become a counter-sniper. "The school is physically and mentally very challenging," Airman Leeper said. "You are learning from the first day you get there."

There, students are introduced to the M-24 sniper rifle, the military version of a Remington 700. "The trigger squeeze on this weapon is a lot lighter than the M-4 and it also has a lot more kick," Airman Leeper remarked. "Your shoulder gets roughed up at school where we fire more than 100 rounds a day."

Despite being a small part of their job at Kirkuk RAB, the shooting is often the most important aspect. "Only about five percent of our job is taking that shot and the other 95 percent is intelligence gathering," he said. "But when you are in a situation where you have to neutralize a threat, you can't really think about anything except you have positive identification on that target, they have a weapon or you know they are placing an IED. You put that target in your cross hairs, you imagine it's just a blank target at your school house and you pull the trigger. You don't have time to think about anything else."

The counter-snipers accomplish many missions, but find the most rewarding to be watching over soldiers or OSI agents, they said. "This is the reason why I joined," Airman Leeper said. "When we are out there giving them info and providing cover I feel like I'm doing my job. I don't feel like I deserve a medal, nothing like that. This is what my job is, and what I joined to do. I joined to come to Iraq and I went through sniper school to be an asset to the Air Force."

Photo - Airman 1st Class Matt Leeper slowly squeezes the trigger of his M-24 sniper rifle, the military version of a Remington 700 Nov. 14 near Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq. Airman Leeper is a memeber of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Close Precision Engagement team. The CPET train as anti-sniper teams to target terrorist and insurgent snipers attacking U.S. and coalition forces in the area. Airman Leeper is deployed from the 354th Security Forces Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Angelique Perez). Digg!

4-2 Stryker Brigade expands into all of Diyala province

Source: BlackaAnthem Military News.

09 November 2007
Multi-National Division – North PAO
4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division PAO.

BAQOUBA, Iraq – The 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., is in the process of expanding its area of responsibility to include all of Diyala province, Iraq.

The brigade is taking over the area of operations currently held by 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, which has begun redeploying back to its home station at Fort Hood, Texas. 4-2 will continue to own much of its current battle space, which includes northern Baghdad province and western Diyala province.

>“Because the security situation here (northern Baghdad province) and in Diyala province has improved, we are effectively able to expand our area of influence from Baghdad up through Diyala,” explained Col. Jon Lehr, 4-2 commander.

The Stryker brigade’s new area of operations includes the strategically important city of Baqouba. Al-Qaida in Iraq considers the city of approximately 300,000 as the capitol of the Islamic State of Iraq.

This summer, 4-2 SBCT units supported successful operations to clear AQI from Baqouba, and U.S. officials now estimate that AQI has been degraded by 80 percent in the area.

“Baqouba has so much importance to the enemy, and it is critical that we hold onto Baqouba,” said Command Sgt Maj. John Troxell, 4-2 SBCT’s top noncommissioned officer, during a recon of the city Nov. 5 and 6. “We want to continue to empower Iraqi Security Forces and Concerned Local Citizens so that the threat of AQI and other insurgent groups coming back into this area are very minimal.”

Concerned Local Citizen is the term given by Coalition Forces for local nationals who are providing security in their own areas, including guarding neighborhoods and buildings and manning checkpoints. The U.S.-supported volunteers number more than 67,000 nationwide, according to military officials, and they play a crucial role in providing peace and security throughout 4-2’s expanded area of operations.

“You can’t over stress the importance of CLCs,” Lehr said. The intent is to find groups of people willing to prevent insurgent extremists from attacking local citizens, with the aim of eventually transitioning these men to legitimate institutions within the Iraqi government, turning them into Iraqi Security Forces, both police and Iraqi army. There may be certain individuals that go beyond being able to do that because there is just too much blood on their hands, but I am willing to work with any group that comes forward with true reconciliation on their mind – someone that says I am not resisting the efforts of coalition forces and the government of Iraq to make Iraq a stable, sovereign nation.”

Lehr outlined some of the new challenges that come with expanding into a new area, including increased geographic responsibility, working with Iraqi Security Forces and additional infrastructure rebuilding needs.

“When you think of operating on a piece of ground the size of Maryland, that really paints a good word picture of just the physical difficulties of expanding,” Lehr said.

“Unlike our current AO where we have very little influence over Iraqi Security Forces … we will have an entire Iraqi Army Division that we will have the ability to shape and influence, and that’s a good challenge,” Lehr continued, adding, “The third challenge is the condition of the infrastructure, meaning essential services throughout Diyala province.”

Before Baqouba and the surrounding area was cleared of insurgents this past summer, essential services were relatively austere compared to the neighboring Baghdad province in which 4-2 currently operates.

The brigade is gaining several new enablers to help with those challenges, including the State Department’s Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team, the 4-2’s Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team and essential services teams.

The brigade is also in the process of fielding new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to replace its up-armored HMMWVs. The MRAP has a V-shaped hull designed to better protect passengers against improvised explosive devices and ballistic threats.

Lehr stressed that the overall strategy of conducting successful counter-insurgency operations will not change with the expanded battle space.

“Being a counterinsurgent is akin to being a police officer and how a police officer conducts community policing,” Lehr said. “This type of fight requires different skills sets beyond tactical and technical. It requires interpersonal and conceptual skill sets, to understand that along with the lethal operations, diplomacy is what we do down to the lowest level. I think our units across the board have done exceptionally well at this.”

The expanded area of operations marks the first time that 4-2 SBCT will be together as a whole unit since before its deployment in April. Two of the brigade’s battalions, 1-38th Infantry Regiment and 2-23rd Infantry Regiment, have been attached to other units, first in Baghdad and now in Diyala.

"When you organize, equip and train as a brigade combat team and then get in combat and get pulled apart, it hurts,” Troxell said, “but when you get it back together, it feels great. I know our Soldiers are great fighters, and as a team we will be successful.”

Photo - Command Sgt. Maj. John Troxell, the top noncommissioned officer of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., speaks to Soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment Nov. 5 in Baqouba, Iraq . The brigade is in the process of expanding into Diyala province. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett. Digg!