H&I Fires* 11 Aug 07

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

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Yesterday's meeting of the Veterans and Military Affairs Advisory Council that Congresswoman Nancy Boyda has established went well. She's pulled together a broad assortment of people with relevant expertise, from retired general officers of multiple services and components to people with specific specialties in military affairs, to family members and multi-component non-commissioned officers. A decently diverse group covering the ground that the council title lists.

That said - there is room for some more representation by the enlisted ranks - and especially among the warriors of all components who have been and are fighting in the war - especially as relates to dealing with VA claims, benefits, and services. As a group we seek individual input - both good and bad, because there *is* good, in people and in services, at the VA, as well as people with an interest in being involved in data collecting and problem solving. More to follow. If you have an interest in that subject - click the email link for "the Armorer" over in the right sidebar and send me a note.

You aren't going to hear much from me about what goes on "in camera" as I made a committment to the assembled group that I'd leave my blogger shoes at the door. This is about getting things done, not scoring blog-foddder. The blog frankly got me to this place, and can have its use as a way of seeking information - but if you're reading about doings of the VMAAC in this space - it's because I've been *asked* to publish it. This looks like fun, I'm looking forward to it. -the Armorer

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When I confessed to the assembled group yesterday that I was a blogger - I also admitted that this space was #1 on Google for "I bayoneted myself" - which caused some bemused looks from a bunch of people most of whom had never really heard of a blog and who *certainly* don't know me... I bring that up not as an example of "oversharing" but to intro this - there is finally someone who perhaps has outdone me. Or, as CAPT H put it "Your accomplishment now 2nd."

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A reminder for Kansas residents flying flags today - the Governor has decreed that flags should be at half-staff today throughout the state in honor of Staff Sergeant Bachmann, a Kansas National Guardsman being buried today in Garden City. -the Armorer

On a technical note reference the above - if you're a Kansas resident and you'd like to be notified when the Governor has directed the colors to half staff - visit this page and subscribe to the email notification. -the Armorer

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A lazy, too-hot-to-work-outside Saturday Whatziss...

Oh, you'll figure out *what* soon enough - but the question isn't what is it - it's whatziss a component of?

Gotta make it something of a challenge...

Update: Hmmm. Since JMH is unhappy with the size... try this.

A real sign of the change in how wars are fought in the COE...

...the Current Operating Environment.

Let's just say, when I went through Field Artillery Officer Basic in 1980, the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course in 1985, and the Staff college in the early 90's - *this* was *not* on the curriculum. But look at what this field artillery battery commander does as a part of his duties.

'PATRIOTS' HOST SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR

By 1st Lt. Brian Cooke
2nd Bn., 32nd FA Regt.

BAGHDAD - A Multi-National Division - Baghdad unit hosted a small business seminar Aug. 1 in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Yarmouk. "Patriots" from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, have been looking for ways to stimulate economic activity in Yarmouk since the battery took control of the area in early March.

For the past several months, Capt. Jayson Morgan, the battery commander, has been telling local merchants about the small business micro-grant program run by Coalition Forces, but the process of securing a grant turned out to be too complicated for many local business owners.
The seminar, hosted by Bravo Battery in conjunction with 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Infantry Division, was held in the banquet hall of the Yarmouk Health Club.

Dr. Faleh al-Mansour, chairman of the Yarmouk Neighborhood Advisory Council, recommended the location for the seminar and assisted in publicizing the event throughout the area, along with Sheik Samir, the imam of a nearby mosque. Both community leaders attended the event to act as liaisons between the attendees and Coalition Forces.

The main purpose of the seminar was to give local business owners a guide to apply for small business micro-grants. Local entrepreneurs can apply for grants up to $2,500 to help start new businesses or expand existing ones. Loans in larger amounts also are available if the business owner applies and meets certain requirements.

To help explain the technical parts of the application process, two representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), spoke during the seminar. 1st Lt. Alex Barnett, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery's civil military officer and battalion manager of the micro-grant program, also addressed the application process.

Forty-nine men and three women attended the seminar; a number that far exceeded Morgan's expectations. The turnout is evidence of the burgeoning popularity of the micro-grant program. By the end of the seminar, three business owners already were filling out applications,
and two dozen more applications were distributed for later use.

"This is just the beginning," said Morgan after the event. "I've been getting calls all day from Iraqis about when we're having the next one. Clearly the word has gone out that today's seminar was a success."

News of the 1st Infantry Division

Miami native Sgt. Danil Ramirez, a team leader with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, talks with several children in the streets of western Baghdad July 26. Ramirez and his unit were part of a joint operation with Iraqi Security Forces to disrupt insurgent activities in the area. Photo by Spc. L.B. Edgar, 7th MPAD

A higher-res version of the photo is available here (worth it for the expression on the kid's faces).

BREAK TIME: 'DESTROYERS' CHERISH DOWNTIME AT FALCON

By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Timmons
4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. PAO

BAGHDAD - The green tent ruffled as a hot wind blew through Forward Operating Base Falcon. Soldiers of "Destroyer" hunkered down inside. They were not hiding from the wind - they were spending their downtime any way they wanted to.

For the Black Lions of Company D, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, the little "me" time they have is spent unwinding - for some it's by watching movies and for others it's playing games or just shooting the breeze.

The Soldiers patrol the West Rashid restive neighborhood of Bayaa aiming to keep the area "safe and running smoothly," said 1st Platoon Sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Kirk Reynolds, a 44-year-old native of Chipton, Iowa. When they aren't hunting for roadside bombs, murderers and other threats to Iraqi peace, the unit calls Falcon home.

Although they live in tents, the Soldiers do the best they can to make it as homey as possible.
"The Soldier makes the best of his time," said Huntington, Texas-native, 1st Sgt. Darrell Snell, the Destroyer's senior noncommissioned officer. "Because they live in tents, privacy is hard to come by, but they make do."

And they make do.

Behind 12-feet-high concrete barriers, the Destroyers live in large green tents separated into small cubicles by ponchos, poncho liners, blankets or whatever they can get to create makeshift walls that give just a little privacy. "I am getting used to it," said Cpl. Neill Hernandez, a squad leader with 1st Platoon, who lives with nine other NCOs in his tent. "Us
infantry guys aren't expected to have a lot of space. "It doesn't bother me all that much," the Houston native said. "It would be nice to have more privacy but I can do without it for a little
while." Though living in a tent for months on end would make most Americans cringe, Hernandez said he has been provided the comforts most in the States take for granted.

His small living space has enough room for a desk, on which sits a picture of him and his fiancee of two years, Keu Thi Lee; a computer with wireless Internet capability that allows him to talk online to her and play games with friends.

Though they live on cots, the Destroyers have mattresses, some with sheets other with sleeping bags. One Soldier even has his mattress festooned with a special pillow he received from home. For Sgt. Robert Savant, the pillow has special significance because it has the hand prints of his daughters Julie, 7, and Cadence, 3, painted on the front. Along with the pillow, he has a green stuffed animal his wife Lindsey gave him to accompany him on his previous deployment.

Like other Destroyers, Savant cherishes his free time, which he uses to catch up on sleep and talk to his Family. "It's very important to me to talk to my Family," he said. "They are my
life. It must have been tough living in a time when there was only letters. I guess I just joined during a time of technology." Unfortunately, the closeness of tent life can be grating at times, but Soldiers say having technology around helps ease the rigors of combat.

"It helps out a lot having Internet in the tent," Savant said. "It means the Soldier can stay in his own comfort zone and have more privacy when talking online." He added that Soldiers get by with what they have and can't worry about what it's like to live in a more robust place.
"We have to make do," he said. "We would like to live in a trailer or barracks, but we have to make do with what we have."

About the only things Soldiers love more than playing video games and talking to their Families is receiving mail. For Savant he is expecting a care package from his wife. "She is sending me a box of pictures," he said with a smile. "She sends me a couple each week."

A care package delivered to one Soldier can mean a whole bunch of goodies for the platoon, as Soldiers pass around whatever they don't need out of the packages. While watching movies and talking to their loved ones through Falcon's call center may seem mundane to most, but it brings joy to the troops until they go on their next mission.

"We have to be constantly ready," Hernandez said. "There are times when we have downtime but we may have to go out because another platoon is in trouble. The worst part of downtime is getting the word to go." On this day the Destroyers of 1st Platoon didn't get the word to go and
were able to use the hot Sunday afternoon to unwind and prepare for another day in a tough sector of Baghdad.

The Castle Flags will fly at half-staff today.

This post will remain up top all day.

At military installations, the regulations call for the post flag to be lowered to half-staff during the funeral of a veteran at an on-post cemetery. The Castle, being a digital space, well, we have a global reach, with a physical base. At the New Castle today, the flag will fly at half staff all day, in honor of a funeral being conducted at 10AM at Arlington National Cemetery, with a Denizen in attendance.

Here at the Castle, we make a point of memorializing the war dead who are from Kansas, or from units, active or reserve, based in Kansas. There is one other criteria - the death impacts a Denizen. I get all the notices from DoD, and I'm on the PAO email list for the Kansas National Guard, Fort Riley, and Fort Leavenworth.

They are so simple.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Lt. Benjamin J. Hall, 24, of Virginia, died July 31 in Asadabad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit during combat operations in Chowkay Valley, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

For more information related to this release, media may contact the Southern European Task Force public affairs office at 011-39-0444-71-7011 or 011-39-0444-71-8020.

I read it, noted it, and filed it away.

Then I got the note.

John,

Got word from my wife last night that one of our friend's sons had been killed in Afghanistan. His name was Ben Hall and is the son of John Hall, retired IN COL who I worked with at V Corps when he was the Corps IN. John called Shelly to let us know (Sara, his wife, couldn't come to the phone for obvious reasons).

I don't know when it happened and all I know is Steve Speakes is trying to re-do the GO reception schedule at Dover to meet the jet when it arrives (Steve, Ray Odierno, John and I were mutually wrapped around the TF HAWK axle and is why we know each other).

I tried registering on Army Knowledge Online but hit the wall when I tried the "Joint" route (sponsor needed). I don't know where you get your casualty notices used on Argghhh! so is there a way to discreetly get some details?

With this signature.

Thanks,

Dusty

Meet First Lieutenant Benjamin Hall (via the Washington Post):

First Lt. Benjamin John Hall followed his father nearly every step of his life. Like his father, Hall was an Eagle Scout, attended Michigan Tech and joined the Army.

Hall, 24, who grew up in Woodbridge and elsewhere, died Tuesday in Asadabad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit in Chowkay Valley, the Defense Department announced.

"He was just my hero," John Hall, a retired Army colonel who lives in Fredericksburg, said yesterday of his son. "Just the type of person he was -- giving, humble -- and he was just the type of guy people were drawn to."

You may read the whole thing by clicking here.

I don't think that says enough about Lieutenant Hall, perhaps for civilians friends and family, but not for we warriors. Dusty provides more.

John,

...I'm waiting to see if I can get some intel on Ben from the USAF folks that may have known him. Shelly wasn't too clear on what happened (probably didn't understand what the grieving mom was describing and it probably got scrambled in transmission anyway) but it sounds like he needed to reestablish lost comm and went outside the immediate defensive position to do it and got tapped. Witnesses say he was probably dead before he hit the ground--full burst of MG fire in the center of mass. The skinny is he was doing something that he'd not ask someone else to do. Kids from the unit are saving their SATCOM air time to call his mom to tell her how much he meant to them. One anecdote: those who have spoken to the family have said how surprised they've been at the level of action in country. He had been on the ground for 70 days when he died and had been fighting almost nonstop since arriving. When his guys were telling him how they'd been not being too specific about that when talking to family, he said, "Yeah, I've been telling my mom it's been pretty quiet here."

Where do we find such men?

Kids from the unit are saving their SATCOM air time to call his mom to tell her how much he meant to them.

That's all I needed to take the measure of Lieutenant Hall.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Where do we find such men and women? Look around you. There they are. Most of the time you just don't know it until you need to know it.

H&I Fires* 10 Aug 07

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

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From CAPT H, a link to a video of the world's finest military in action, over at Theo Spark, a pretty fine blog.

That prompted me to respond: "Hmmm. Mebbe we *aren't* the best military in the world... "

To which CAPT H responded:

At Royal Roads, we had an annual drill competition: march on, execute drill movements at the halt, march past in column and column of route. When the troops move off to began their first march past, the observers would quickly scanned their last position for bayonets; the FN bayonet had a stiff catch and often one would hear an unwanted clatter when executing "Shoulder Arms". In this instance, the concerned Squadron Commander checked and said: "That's good, no bayonets dropped." The cadet standing near-by replied: "Sir, they forgot to fix bayonets."

And then there was the dropped .50cal barrel on a parade in Gagetown ...

Which in turn prompted this response from me:

Well, I remember a young, nameless Second Lieutenant who demonstrated an M90 chronograph to MG Faith, then GOC 1st Armored Division. He opened with "Sir, this device is virtually soldier-proof." And promptly then demonstrated it wasn't Lieutenant-proof.

CAPT H had to have the last word, and it's the "quotation of the rotation" for those who understand that reference:

"Virtually" is a very handy word.

Indeed. -the Armorer

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CAPT H also sent this along - an old-media exec (who has a clue) pointing out the difference between MSM readers and blog readers - and why those differences exist. And makes the point that making your MSM blog just like your main product - is mostly pointless. I don't think the Newsosaur is going to get quite the bounce he got from Small Dead Animals... but hey, go spin his meter! -the Armorer

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To close out my efforts this morning - like Chuck Simmins... I hope he gets his bible back, too. -the Armorer

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Featured YouTube Smackdown video for August 10:
Islamic State of Iraq IED on RG31 - MujahideenMedia

See also, today's Jihad Videos: Open Letter to YouTube concerning our first month's results. Thanks. - Rickbert
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Kansas Residents who fly flags, take note:

Sebelius directs flags to half-staff for Staff Sgt. Bachman. Governor asks Kansans to honor fallen Guardsman

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has directed flags to be flown at half-staff throughout Kansas from sunup to sundown on Saturday, August 11, 2007, in honor of Staff Sgt. Travis S. Bachman of the Kansas National Guard who was killed in Iraq last week.

“Sgt. Bachman has made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his country. We honor that sacrifice and send our thoughts and prayers to his family,” Sebelius said.

Bachman, Garden City, enlisted with the Kansas National Guard in 1993 while still in high school. He deployed to Iraq last year with the 714th Security Force Company. Bachman is survived by his wife, Amber, three children, and his parents, Rodney and Connie Bachmann, also of Garden City.

This past July, Sebelius signed an executive order allowing for the flags of the United States and State of Kansas to be displayed at half-staff throughout the state when a member of the Kansas National Guard or Kansas Air National Guard is killed in the line of duty, or when a Kansas resident serving as a member of the United States Armed Forces is killed in the line of duty. In each instance, the date the flags will fly at half-staff will be designated by the Governor.

Since April 2003, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have claimed the lives of nine members of the Kansas National Guard and seven Kansas servicemen.

This is an outgrowth of recent changes signed into Federal law by President Bush. As our flags are already at half-staff, the Castle will run the flags up to the truck tonight, and bring them down for the evening - and repeat the process on the morrow.

Press Release from Representative Boyda's office

Press Release from Representative Boyda:

BOYDA TO HEAR FROM FORT LEAVENWORTH , MILITARY CONTRACTORS NEXT WEEK

TOPEKA, KS – Below is Congresswoman Nancy Boyda's (Kansas Second District) public schedule for August 10-15. In the coming days, Boyda will receive briefings from Fort Leavenworth personnel and from many of the base's military contractors, and she will host the inaugural meeting of her new Veterans and Military Affairs Advisory Council.

For security reasons, most of the Leavenworth events are closed to press, but Boyda will hold a press availability on Friday to discuss Congressional support for Kansas military installations.

Please call in advance to confirm times and locations as the schedule can change at the last minute.

Friday, August 10 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Visit with [Boring, deleted]

10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visit with [Boring, deleted]

2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visit with [Boring, deleted]

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit with [Not Boring!]

Veterans and Military Affairs Advisory Council – Closed to Press
Riverfront Community Center
Women’s Waiting Room
123 South Esplanade
Leavenworth , Kansas

Description: Congresswoman Boyda will host the inaugural meetings of her Veterans and Military Affairs Advisory Council. A press release will follow to formally announce the committee's membership.

You all know at least *one* member. Some of you will be surprised to find you know *two* members. I was surprised to find out one of the other names.

H&I Fires* 9 Aug 07

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

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Dr. Rusty Shackelford of My Pet Jawa sent me this link asking for some help in identifying some rockets - any of you guys got ideas? If they're Chinese, as has been suggested, the Chinese have changed their marking system - especially colors. So far, I'm drawing a blank.

Some pics of the rockets at DVIDS are useful for scale:

http://www.dvidshub.net/img_show.php?id=52887
http://www.dvidshub.net/img_show.php?id=52939
http://www.dvidshub.net/img_show.php?id=52889

I know - I shoulda done a Whatziss, but usually I like to know the answer before I do that...

Blogging, impact of - I actually personally know someone who is going to be a mover and shaker on Fred Thompson's campaign team - a relationship (but let's not overwork the meaning of that word in this context) that stems from my status as a blogger. The message went to everybody on the Dole Institute list, it's not like I'm on the inside - but I *do* know Bill. Which is kinda neat, if essentially meaningless. If I was a Powerline blogger, or Captain Ed, that would be a link I might be able to score some Good Stuff from. But that really ain't my metier.

Dear Friend of the Dole Institute:

You have heard me speak often of the need for all Americans to take a greater role in politics and their community.

Today, I am taking a leave of absence to fulfill a public service obligation. Both Sen. Dole and Chancellor Hemenway are fully and enthusiastically supportive of my decision to join Sen. Fred Thompson's presidential campaign. (You may recall I managed his first U.S. Senate campaign.)

I love my job here and will be returning. Susie and I will miss you in the coming months but look forward to seeing you soon. We have a fabulous fall schedule planned and our excellent Dole Institute team will keep the place energized.

Below is the press release from KU.

Thanks for your support of the Dole Institute.

Bill

Lastly for the nonce - the remodel, Day 3. These guys are neat and tidy. SWWBO's walk-in closet with the pocket door is framed in, some more sheet-rocking has been done, and the electrician has been busy. And since I am in meetings in places where you cannot be reached - we communicate by graffiti.

-the Armorer

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Oh! And I'm thinking I'm really glad I'm not Navy Captain Samuel J. Cox. Really glad. -the Armorer

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Featured YouTube Smackdown video for August 9:
Expedition : Part 2 - Dual Car IED - fightglobalists

I want to thank everyone who helped flag yesterday's Featured video. huz999 has been one of our worse Repeat Offenders, with 78 videos online, 21 of which we'd flagged, including yesterday's feature. I am glad to report his account has finally been closed by YouTube. Thanks to all! - Rickbert
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The "Big Project Valour-IT News" finally breaks! Good on the San Antonio Area Foundation, Circuit City - and, of course - Soldier's Angels. But - for my money - mostest bestest "Good on ya's" go to Fuzzybear Lioness, who truly is the one who made it happen - and all of you who have donated over the years - for building it to the point where it has real oomph and gravitas. -the Armorer

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Quick! Somebody check Hell for signs of frost.. Of course, that means the goalposts now get moved from tactical to political standards. - FbL

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Breaking News! SWWBO Commits! -the Armorer

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Guest blogging at Villainous Company, Lex tells a story. A story you want to read. -the Armorer

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Memorandum For: Fuzzybear Lioness

From: Nancy Pelosi.

1. Mission Accomplished! Goalposts moved.

2. Thanks for the reminder!

Grandmotherly hugs and kisses,

Yer pal,

Nan

Snerk. -the Armorer

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The Prince of Darkness on why terrorists aren't soldiers.

...no, not Robert Novak - retired General Wesley Clark.

Damian Brooks, of Babbling Brooks and The Torch, sent me a link to the NYT Op-Ed piece by the POD.

Damian said:

Where exactly does "criminal" show up in the Geneva Conventions? And isn't "unlawful" a synonym for "criminal" in any event?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this, John, if you have the time and interest to comment.

Cheers,

Damian

Here's the core (as always, you should follow the links and read the whole thing and judge for yourself, not just the excerpt):

Treating terrorists as combatants is a mistake for two reasons. First, it dignifies criminality by according terrorist killers the status of soldiers. Under the law of war, military service members receive several privileges. They are permitted to kill the enemy and are immune from prosecution for doing so. They must, however, carefully distinguish between combatant and civilian and ensure that harm to civilians is limited.

Critics have rightly pointed out that traditional categories of combatant and civilian are muddled in a struggle against terrorists. In a traditional war, combatants and civilians are relatively easy to distinguish. The 9/11 hijackers, by contrast, dressed in ordinary clothes and hid their weapons. They acted not as citizens of Saudi Arabia, an ally of America, but as members of Al Qaeda, a shadowy transnational network. And their prime targets were innocent civilians.

By treating such terrorists as combatants, however, we accord them a mark of respect and dignify their acts. And we undercut our own efforts against them in the process. Al Qaeda represents no state, nor does it carry out any of a state’s responsibilities for the welfare of its citizens. Labeling its members as combatants elevates its cause and gives Al Qaeda an undeserved status.

If we are to defeat terrorists across the globe, we must do everything possible to deny legitimacy to their aims and means, and gain legitimacy for ourselves. As a result, terrorism should be fought first with information exchanges and law enforcement, then with more effective domestic security measures. Only as a last resort should we call on the military and label such activities “war.” The formula for defeating terrorism is well known and time-proven.

I responded:

Clark chooses to ignore the salient point that motivated the whole "unlawful combatant" category.

In fact, he ignores the reason for the insertion of the term "unlawful" into the debate.

The inadequacy of the Conventions (and other Law of Land Warfare agreements) in dealing with non-state actors who act... as de-facto states. Who wish to be states, however nebulous and fuzzy their ideas on the subject are. Al-Qaeda's intent is to first re-establish the old Caliphate (a state) and then to extend it's dominion, by word and sword, until the globe is the Caliphate.

Al-Qaeda fighters *claim* to be soldiers, act as soldiers in many respects, but toss over those distinctions that the Conventions use to separate combatants from non-combatants, even as they may wish to cloak themselves in the protections afforded by the Conventions, while denying them to their opponents.

In other words, they look and act as non-combatants, until they suddenly reveal themselves to be combatants. The traditional law of land warfare actually almost allows for the essentially summary execution of people who behave like that. See "spies and saboteurs."

Clark ignores the fact that the terrs have information of a militarily useful nature, which cannot be gotten at if we accord them the normal protections due a detained civilian murderer.

Nor can we necessarily properly prosecute these people in open court because much of the evidence needed to convict has military and security concerns attached. And, as we've seen as we've let these guys go - a significant number of them "re-offend." By attaching the combatant label to them, we can, under the usages of war, detain them for the duration of the conflict.

All knotty issues, with real concerns attached, from *both* sides of the issue.

But Clark just blows all of that off as essentially irrelevant.

Oddly enough - I agree with him in most aspects, just not in his breadth and scope.

His formulation works, really... if you are aggressive in the law enforcement aspect (think IRA and Basques) up front and continually - but they fail to be useful when it gets to the point where.you.commit.the.military to the fight in significant ways - in other words, when the terrorism ceases to function at the level of criminal nuisance and reaches the level of armed conflict.

In other words - I agree with him. Until the situation is such that it truly is a war. When you get to that point, the existing rules are insufficient, as they didn't take into account non-state entities acting as sovereign entities, yet not. That's where we find ourselves, and we have to find a way to account for that.

That there is room to wiggle and for discussion, certainly. That's how the system works.

And, as evil as people wish to portray us - we've not adopted the German, Russian, or French historical solutions to the problem - nor did we ever consider them. But sometimes, listening to he rhetoric, such subtleties and distinctions are seemingly lost.

That's my take.

What's yours?

Update: Lex's take here.

Update to yesterday's update...

...in which I foretold:

And, if John's running true to form, by Friday we'll be numbah one in Google for "I impaled myself on a picture of a lance."

Geez -- *that* was fast. Googlebot's got John's proclivities nailed.

Ummmm -- so to speak...

And here's one for Consul-At-Arms:

Hanseatic Pacifist Lancers?

H&I Fires* 8 Aug 07

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

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The Assault Mower of Argghhh! (Armored Cab sold separately). Just 'cuz I knew you wanted to see that.

Featured YouTube Smackdown video for August 8:
American humvee destroyed by insurgent aka mujahideen IED - huz999.

If you're confused by that entry - we're conducting a little info operations experiment - asking you to go to You Tube and flag those videos as inappropriate. It's been working. We're getting some removed. -the Armorer

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SWORDS

Kevin sent an email:

Now as long as the machines never get self-awareness, I'm happy with that!

Wonder what Hadji thinks when the Tonka toy rolls up?

My response to Kevin was:

The real question to ask - is what are the ROE when hajj sends his grandmother or 8 year old daughter out with a plastic bag to cover the camera?

Or a stick to stick in the track?

These were Kevin's answers:

Good thought, hmmmm. I don't suppose you've mounted a speaker system on it to give instructions or warn off folks? With a lack of Arabic speakers, perhaps pre-recorded msgs that the operator can merely push a button to send?

Why not add a 'bear mace' (South Park comment) cannisters on it for non-lethal deterrence? Arrange them similar to smoke cannisters on APCs, or a spray nozzle for direct fire. That nasty CS foam comes to mind. Preferably colored to mark the perps.

A bit more forceful, but mebbe bean bag ammo for a piggybacked shotgun?

Or.... a nice, fully charged up battery of multiple tasers....

Finally...

How about a big cannister labled "Lard" (in Arabic) with a wide-spray nozzle? And/or have it shoot up and out like those old wacky water toys we had as kids. A nice umbrella pattern all around the vehicle. Let's see if the jihadis get close to it then! With my evil infidel mind, I like this one best.

I'm sure there are other non-lethal systems out there, but your point is well taken. It can't be that difficult to add something non-lethal on it.

And, the remote speaker would be a useful addition I would think, esp with the addition of a microphone in case a conversation is required.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Now, about that sub-contractor's fees....

Got any of your own?

The comments over at Wired are a hoot, too.

Peters and criminality in the Armed Forces

In this space, I've not glossed over nor ignored the instances when US military personnel have done Bad Things. In my self-appointed role as explainer or context provider - I do that, provide context, or explain what's going on that might not be clear (or is ignored) in the MSM reportage, usually in comparison with past wars and other militaries.

I haven't made the time to do any really detailed comparison pieces - which is too bad, because the anti-war types oft times seize on these events to tar the soldiery and portray them as the dregs of society - which fits neatly into their world view.

But I've asserted time and again - if you *have* to have an Army crashing through where you live, in wartime, the Anglosphere Armies are, on balance, the ones you want crashing through.

Ralph Peters took the time (hey, you can do that when you get paid to write this stuff for a living) to do a little comparing. I'll let his piece do the talking.

While crimes committed by our troops can't be condoned (and they certainly aren't), official crime statistics make it clear that we have the best-behaved military in history - one that's vastly more law-abiding than our general population.

The here-at-home numbers are readily available from public sources. So let's compare some domestic crime rates with the misdeeds of those vicious storm-troopers of ours.

In the 19-month period - over a year and a half - from Jan. 1, 2006 until the morning you read this, misbehavior by our troops resulted in a total of 59 scheduled court-martials in Iraq - 21 of them general court-martials, which are reserved for the most-serious crimes (murder, rape, robbery, assault, arson and so forth). The other 38 were special court-martials, invoked for lesser offenses, such as disciplinary infractions or petty theft.

OK: 59 trials in 19 months, among an average troop population of almost 140,000. Compare that to civilian crime statistics back home, and it's clear that any of us would welcome the chance to live among such model citizens - even though our troops are overwhelmingly within the age window where criminal behavior is most frequent.

Start with a city that Money magazine rated as "one of the 10 best places to live" in the United States: Ann Arbor, Mich. Home to a great university, the town has a population of about 113,300 - about 20,000 lower than our pre-surge troop numbers in Iraq.

In 2005 (the last year for which statistics are available), that ideal place to live recorded 1,476 crimes that, if committed by a soldier, would have required a general court-martial - plus a further 2,282 thefts and similar infractions that, depending on the details, would have been handled by either a general or a special court-martial.

Twelve months in Ann Arbor, 3,758 court-martial-equivalent trials. If all the crimes had been taken to court, which one doubts. Nineteen months in Iraq, under the complex stresses of combat? Fifty-nine court-martials. Guess that bastion of ethical liberalism in Michigan needs to go through basic training.

As always - you should read the whole thing - here at the NY Post - and draw your own conclusions, not just nod or shake your head at mine.

Update from the Edge of the Sandbox

From the front page of the “Daily Times” -- NWFP, Tuesday: At 0500, artillery supported by Cobras destroyed two fortified compounds in Daygan, North Waziristan, used as “militant” staging areas for assaults against Frontier Corps security forces. The occupants (all armed) returned fire; ten were killed and several wounded during the firefight. I presume the wounded were captured by troops supporting the op, but those details weren’t included in the report.

Collateral damage included ten (unoccupied) houses in the vicinity destroyed by "stray shells from artillery fire from...Miranshah fort" and three wounded civilians.

Four klicks south of the shelling, a thrown IED killed a soldier manning a checkpoint – the remainder of his squad killed the thrower. Two soldiers were also killed in two separate drive-bys.

A bomber hit a police station in Bannu at 2030, wounding five and “militants” launched a ground assault on an Army checkpoint in Bagh Deri as a diversion for a bomb placement. No friendly casualties and the troops defused the bomb, which had been placed against a rear wall.

The connotation of “edge” here is changing from “periphery” to “pointy”…

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I had an informal debrief / brain-picking session with the new Attack Squadron Commander which would have lasted about forty-five minutes – because of staff popping in with reports and phone calls from *his* commander, I was there for about three hours. Halfway through one call, he covered the mouthpiece and said, "I'd rather be getting shot at." About ten minutes after the phone barrage ended, he grinned, shook my hand (over here, all meetings, briefings and intrusions into same require handshakes from all concerned), grabbed his helmet and started back to the flight line.

No neat pix that I can even edit for OPSEC – sorry, the aircraft types are just *too* informative, given the present context. You guys will have to wait for a while.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Oh, all right. The power's back on and the laptop's back over 78%.

The nice thing about owning your own aircraft is that you can paint 'em in neat-o camouflage patterns, like this. Hi res, suitable for you modellers really picky about authenticity -- and OPSECed.

And, since things are getting "pointy" hereabouts, hereabouts is something pointy for John.

And, if John's running true to form, by Friday we'll be numbah one in Google for "I impaled myself on a picture of a lance."

*sigh*

"Reputable blogger" my left -- foot...

Chunuk Bair

Chunuk Bair.

That's why the Kiwi flag whips from the staff at Castle Argghhh! today. A battle in the Gallipoli campaign of the Great War.

As Kiwi and Castle Metalsmith Murray notes at his place:

In the early hours of this day in 1915 the Wellington battalion under Col William George Malone took Chunuk Bair, the highest point reached by the allied forces during the Gallipoli campaign. The previous day Malone had refused to advance up Rhododendron Ridge after the Aucklanders had just taken over three hundred casualties in 20 minutes attempting to make the attack under concentrated machinegun fire.

He made his attack under cover of darkness without casualties.

Under Malones leadership they held the crest under constant enfilade machinegun fire and repeated assaults which they threw back with bombs, bullets and the bayonet. Withdrawing from the crest didn’t occur to them. In the late afternoon when the fighting died down Malone stood up to survey the area and was killed by a shell from a Royal Navy destroyer. The claim has been made that it was “either a navy destroyer or New Zealand artillery” became popular and this has more recently morphed into “missdirected New Zealand artillery”. I’m not a fan of revisionism and my source is one of the few Wellingtons who survived Chunuk. “I saw the destroyer swing about then fire.”

That evening they were relieved but mixed troops mainly from the New Zealand Brigade under Col Meldrum. This force withstood more determined Turkish attacks all the follwing day and were finally relieved by two British battalions. The Turks threw them off 20 minutes later, routing the British who did not halt their flight untill New Zealand machineguns encourged them to stop moving down the hill.

Few if any of the Wellinton wounded left on Chunuk Bair seem to have survived the Turk reocupation. During the entire campaign just over 20 New Zealanders were taken prisoner by the Turks, all had been incapacitated by their wounds. It is resonable to expect that of 700 men a high proportion of wounded would have been alive when the hill was retaken.

Of the 700 who took and held the feature reports are conflicted as to how many survived. Multiple sources number 79 has having not been wounded but none of these list any wounded. Other sources detail 79 as having come down the hill with only 11 unwounded. Another source puts the numbers as 760 men of whom 711 became casualties.

Either way the unit was destroyed.

There's more, and you should read it - over at Murray's place, Hitting Metal With A Hammer.

On remodeling.

Compare and contrast... my sister is doing a live-in remodel, the chronicle of which I have been sharing with you. Here is installment 8 of the series.

I have a new mantra: remodeling is a self-inflicted wound. We chose to do this to ourselves. I believe we may need a therapist. Perhaps a team of them.

The trenching was done with a wet saw. That is good because it reduces, but does not eliminate, the dust. Wet saws spew mud all over everything. The workers cleaned most of it up pretty well. However, I went into the utility room to get some clean laundry and discovered that the drying rack containing my “dainties” had been sprayed as well. It was at least 10 feet from the trench. No one wants to wear a bra covered in concrete mud. It does come out in the wash, however.

There is a fine layer of gritty concrete dust all over everything in the basement. We may get it cleaned up by Labor Day if it does not clog the vacuum cleaner.

Here’s a keen observation for you: a closed door will not deter a cat from entering a room if there is a trench in the floor. Not even a fat cat.

The pipe has been laid in the trench and covered with new concrete. Today they will replace the bathroom floor and relay the carpet in the hallway.

The addition has beautiful new windows installed and they have begun to replace our old windows. They, too, will be wonderful. There are two downsides to window replacement. One is that some windows break when they are removed and we now have broken glass all around the exterior of the house. The other is that gaping hole appears when windows are removed. This allows insects to enter. We are infested with little tiny flies.

Next week they will begin to demolish the kitchen…………

Out at the New Castle, our remodel has begun.

Day One. Destruction. Notes: I drove out and took a picture.

Day Two: Construction. Notes: I drove out and took another picture. And said hello to S'mudge, who BCR refers to as "The Bonsai Smilodon." S'mudge keeps an eye on things for us.

Day Three: Well, that's today. I'll drive out and take a picture. So far the toughest nut to crack has been getting SWWBO to choose some colors for the room. She did choose her laminate flooring, which was $2K more expensive than the high quality carpet the contractor used for his estimate. So, this *is* a government job with cost overruns starting before the first prybar hit the sheetrock...

But I'll take my method over my sister's any day...

H&I Fires* 7 Aug 07

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

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Toluca Nole sends us this - on the subject of Michael Vick.

Mike D, who just qualified for government entitlement payments at midnight PST last night, sent us this - asking, "How red is your neck?" When it comes to the subject of that work-safe video, my neck glows cherry red. -the Armorer

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Oh! And we *live* for emails like this:

It is with great satisfaction that I have, and quite by accident, found your page. If only I had know it was here sooner. I will of course be sending links out to all of my fellow Redlegs. As a field Artillery Section Chief, (M-109 Paladin) I was amazed by the vast Arty knowledge located in your archives. It will take me weeks to catch up on it all. But I wanted to take a moment to be sure and say "Thanks!" There is a ton of stuff in here that I didn't even know and I've been in the field for eleven years. I believe that your site may even be toasted at the next Field Artillery punch ceremony that I attend.

Thanks Chief! And you're welcome! -the Armorer

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Featured YouTube Smackdown video for August 7:
IED large compilation. Irak war Iraq - Heriotz

Thought for the day: YouTube takes down videos uploaded from cell phones where kids are slap fighting and pulling at each other's hair in schoolyards. YouTube prefers not to take down videos of jihadis celebrating detonations of IEDs under humvees. Call me when you have that one figured out. - Rickbert
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Well Done! to the soldiers of Camp Anaconda. -the Armorer

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Via W. Thomas Smith, Jr, and National Review Online - meet Marine Corporal Zebulon "Zeb" Webberley - someone you should know. -the Armorer

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Yer all in real trouble now - I've gotten *two* head-swelling emails today. And we all know how big the Giant Waterhead Cranium of Argghhh! already is! From a gov't PAO-type:

I'll also add you to our news releases list, so you get all of our news. We talked about bloggers, and there are blogs like yours that are reputable and stand out from all blogs. If you know of other "reputable" bloggers we ought to include, please let me know. Have a good day.

They must mean Bill 'n Dusty... -the Armorer

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Kewl is creating a special edition Halo 3 Zune.
Really Kewl is giving a bunch of them to deploying soldiers ...

A group of soldiers leaving for active duty yesterday from the Baltimore Washington International airport were the first to receive the new Halo Zune devices. Working closely with the USO, a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life of service members, Microsoft contributed 300 of the new Zune players to the USO of Metropolitan Washington to be part of a special USO care package the soldiers received.

"Microsoft has been a great partner to the USO of Metropolitan Washington for several years, supporting both our U.S. soldiers and the USO's mission," says Elaine Rogers, president of the USO of Metropolitan Washington. "From Zune devices and Xbox 360 gaming consoles to new computers with the latest Windows Vista and Office software, Microsoft's technology has helped service members stay connected and entertained."

Microsoft is offering the Zune - Halo 3 Military Edition to military personnel and their families at discounted rates through military retailers, including AAFES, and Navy and Marine Corps commissaries, beginning in early August.

**Update**
A quote from one of the Microsofties who was present ...
“It was quite a sight to see a couple of hundred troops with their Zunes in the USO. They were TOTALLY psyched and totally blown away that Microsoft would do such a thing. As I said a hundred times yesterday, it is the least we could do.”

My co-workers make me very, very proud. - Barb

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Fort Riley Casualty.

FORT RILEY SOLDIER KILLED IN IRAQ

Specialist. Braden J. Long, 19, died of injuries sustained when his Humvee came under grenade attack Aug. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Long was a cavalry scout assigned to 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. His home of record is Sherman, Texas.

He entered the Army in June 2005 and began serving with the 1st Infantry Division in January 2006. This was his first deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

To date, 121 Fort Riley warriors, including an Airman have been killed while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Make a hole down there! Quarter-Cav soldier inbound to Fiddler's Green!

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Reporting out from the 'Stan.

A U.S. Army Soldier from 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment pulls security as Soldiers from his battalion search the mountains af Andar province, Afghanistan, for Taliban members and weapons caches June 6. Photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Quarterman

The pic is just for ambience - it has nothing to do with the post, other than location... larger format here, should you want it.

Our sailor from JFCOM working with NATO in the land-locked nation of Afghanistan continues his tale:

Well the first team is gone, and we are on our own. Not so bad so far, I moved out of the cramped box the two Poles and I were squeezed into, and into a slightly larger box that the last team had been in. (Pictures to follow) The mission is a little bit different than what we expected, but nothing earth shattering. Any time you step into a new job, the reality is going to be a bit different.

NATO’s overall mission is to help the Afghan government provide for its people, and either convince the bad guys to get with the program or kill them. We do that until the Afghan Police and Army are trained and equipped enough to do that themselves. Simple right? Like the old proverb, we moved from giving people fish to teaching them to fish and now are trying to help them set up a canning facility and fish fillet distribution center while repairing the roads in between and stopping the guys who think eating fish is a sin because the fish stares back at you.

Not so much going on, Friday, the Muslim Sabbath, is our day off, so I expect to sleep in and visit the bazaar for the best deals in all Afghanistan. I haven’t had much chance to interact with the population yet. Most of the support staff cooking and cleaning are local, and the traders at the bazaar, but I haven’t really been off the compound yet. I helped load a few jeeps with donated shoes for one of the local orphanages, but had to stay behind when they distributed them because of work conflicts.

People have been asking what I need. Not much really, I came pretty well prepared, and to be honest if I say anything I know some of people are going to go nuts. Stuff that’s always welcome are AA batteries (my camera eats them), Swedish fish, we drink a LOT of bottled water here, so any of those single serving crystal light packs are good to break up the monotony. Also fly paper. I’ve always believed that little bit of dirt was healthy for you but here in Afghanistan I’ve changed the “ten second rule” to the “no second rule.”

Juxtapositions...

From an email:

Subject: Definition of a Veteran............

Definition of a Veteran.

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."

That is honor, and there are way too many people on the left in this country who no longer understand it.

-Author unknown.

H/t, Bob W.

From a Congressional news release:

Subject: Legislation Allows Veterans to Salute the Flag*

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to

allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in

uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.

"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform. "Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not. "I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others."

From an editorial by Rosa Brooks in the LA Times.

The empty rhetoric of heroism is everywhere these days. You know what I mean. Pat Tillman -- the former NFL star -- is "an American hero," apparently because he volunteered for duty along with several hundred thousand other people, then had the misfortune to be accidentally shot by his own side. Every wounded service member is a "hero" too: Sen. Hillary Clinton proudly sponsored the "Heroes at Home Act of 2007," intended to improve medical care for wounded military personnel, and the Defense Department recently sponsored the "Hiring Hero