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March 22, 2008

Strange Dichotomy: Abu Graihb Was Good for US

[Kat]

...in the long run.

The short run, immediate propaganda and recruiting material for the jihadists along with the attendant deaths of Iraqis and American soldiers, was terrible and damaging.

On the other hand, ask yourself when people really started taking the idea of an "information war" seriously. What was the first major story that had milblogs, political blogs and personal blogs binding together to refute a terrible story? When did the US government actually start thinking about information warfare?

I can still remember the really horrendous Centcom website that was worse than a basic Blogger package and had all the user friendliness and packaging of an early 1994 geocities web page. It was rarely updated regularly and the videos were less than "B roll".

Rumsfield was still talking about dead enders as violence escalated. Zawahiri's letter had not yet been released (the one that talked about "half the battle field is in the media").

For others, Abu Graihb might have woke them up to the idea that the way they were fighting the war was counter-productive. Even if it took them a year or so more after the event to grasp the idea fully, it did begin a conversation, however one would wish it not to start that way. Maybe it was the only way it COULD start.

Somewhere in that calculation, it could be said that, in the long run, it may have saved American soldiers' lives by moving our discussion in the right direction and helping to change strategies and tactics.

Of course, I'm not proposing any medals for the perpetrators. A good cigar and a last meal would be more than they deserved for their part.

Discuss

.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Kat on Mar 22, 2008 | GWOT Whatever it is...

Iraq Economy: Light At the End of the Tunnel Part III

[Kat]

...all that we need is the existence of companies with materials and expertise because we have the money and fuel." - Minister of Electricity Karim Waheed

Continued follow up on FbL's great Iraq Economy Series. This is a continuing look at Iraq's electricity situation.

In response to a request, Haditha Dam. Also, great pictures of what passes for electrical wiring in Iraq. Old video, but an excellent review of Haditha and its potential. It is right now providing nearly 24/7 electricity to Ramadi and surrounding Anbar.

The fact is that Iraq's economy is growing, and large projects are underway to continue to improve the flow of electricity. Second to the Hydro-Carbon Law (development of oil infrastructure and revenue sharing), electricity effects the overall political and economic development of Iraq. While oil may bring in the money, electricity may be the gauge by which the security and future economy can be measured.

Part I: Light At the End of the Tunnel - History of Abuse and Neglect

Part II: Light At the End of the Tunnel - The Electrical Surge

Part III: Powering Iraq's Future

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

March 21, 2008

H&I Fires 20 March 2008

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...

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

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

Heh. At least it's a lot cheaper to feed...

A little more zen for the Gunner's soul...

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 18, 2008) The guided-missile destroyer USS <em>John S. McCain</em> (DDG 56) fires her five-inch gun system during a live-fire exercise. <em>McCain</em> is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 18, 2008) The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) fires her five-inch gun system during a live-fire exercise. McCain is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder

Okay, move along there! -the Armorer

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


Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Denizens on Mar 21, 2008 | General Commentary

Real life, non-celluloid heroes. Specialist Monica Brown

Meet Specialist Brown. I'd say we need more like her - except in truth, we have them. They'll be there when the call comes. They almost always are.

Real-life hero: A Soldier’s Silver Star story

080310-A-2013C-009 Army Spc. Monica Brown, a medic from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, stands over Forward Operating Base Salerno in Khost, Afghanistan. Brown is the 2nd female since World War II to win the Silver Star award for her gallant actions while in combat. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micah E. Clare)

By Army Spc. Micah E. Clare
4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Heroes are made, not born.
And a hero like Spc. Monica Brown, 19, a Lake Jackson, Texas, native is no different. She is the second female Soldier since World War II to be awarded a Silver Star for her gallant actions during combat in Afghanistan in 2007.

She was presented her Silver Star by Vice President Dick Cheney during a ceremony here March 20.
It was dusk April 25, 2007, when Brown, a medic from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, was on a routine security patrol along the rolling, rocky plains of Paktika’s isolated Jani Khail District when her convoy was attacked by insurgents.

“We’d been out on the mission for a couple of days,” said Brown, who at the time was attached to the brigade’s 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment’s Troop C. “We had just turned into a wadi (empty river bed) when our gunner yelled at us that the vehicle behind us had hit an (improvised-explosive device).”

They all looked out of their windows in time to see one of the struck vehicle’s tires flying through the field next to them. Brown had just opened her door to see what was going on when the attack began.

“I only saw the smoke from the vehicle when suddenly we started taking small-arms fire from all around us,” she said. “Our gunner starting firing back and my platoon sergeant yelled, ‘Doc! Let’s go.’”

Brown and her platoon sergeant, Staff Sgt. Jose Santos, exited their vehicle, and while under fire, ran the few hundred meters to the site of the downed Humvee.

“Everyone was already out of the burning vehicle,” she said. “But even before I got there, I could tell that two of them were injured very seriously.”

In fact, all five of the passengers who had stumbled out were burned and cut.
Two Soldiers, Spc. Stanson Smith and Spc. Larry Spray, suffered life-threatening injuries.
With help from two less-injured vehicle crewmen, Army Sgt. Zachary Tellier and Spc. Jack Bodani, Brown moved the immobile Soldiers to a relatively safe distance from the burning Humvee.

“There was pretty heavy incoming fire at this point,” she said.
“Rounds were literally missing her by inches,” said Bodani, who provided suppressive fire as Brown aided the casualties while injured. “We needed to get away from there.”

Attempting to provide proper medical care under the heavy fire became impossible, especially when the attackers stepped up efforts to kill the Soldiers.

“Another vehicle had just maneuvered to our position to shield us from the rounds now exploding in the fire from the Humvee behind us,” Brown said. “Somewhere in the mix, we started taking mortar rounds. It became a huge commotion, but all I could let myself think about were my patients.”

With the other vehicles spread out in a crescent formation, Brown and her casualties were stuck with no-where to go.

Suddenly, Santos arrived with one of the unit’s vehicles backed it up to their position, and Brown began loading the wounded Soldiers inside.

“We took off to a more secure location several hundred meters away where we were able to call in the (medical evacuation mission),” Brown said.

She then directed other combat-life-saver-qualified Soldiers to help by holding intravenous bags and assisting her in prepping the casualties for evacuation.

After what seemed like an eternity, the attackers finally began retreating and Brown was able to perform more thorough aid procedures before the MEDVAC helicopter finally arrived to transport the casualties to safety, Brown said.

Two hours after the initial attack, everything was over.
In the darkness, Brown recalled standing in a field, knee-deep in grass, her only source of light coming from her red head-light, trying to piece together the events which had just taken place.

“Looking back, it was just a blur of noise and movement,” she said. “What just happened? Did I do everything right? It was a hard thing to think about.”

Before joining the Army at the age of 17, the bright-eyed young woman said she never pictured herself being in a situation like this.

Originally wanting to be an X-ray technician, she changed her mind when she realized that by becoming a medic, she’d be in the best place to help people.

“At first, I didn’t think I could do it,” she said. “I was actually afraid of blood. When I saw my first airway-opening operation, I threw up.”

She quickly adjusted to her job, and received additional training both before and during her deployment to Afghanistan.

“I realized that everything I had done during the attack was just rote memory,” she said. “Kudos to my chain of command for that. I know with training, like I was given, any medic would have done the same in my position.”

“To say she handled herself well would be an understatement,” said Bodani, who quickly recovered from his injuries and immediately returned to work. “It was amazing to see her keep completely calm and take care of our guys with all that going on around her. Of all the medics we’ve had with us throughout the year, she was the one I trusted the most.”

Earning trust with a combat unit is not something easily earned, said Army Capt. Todd Book, Troop C’s commander at the time of the attack, but it was something Brown had taken upon herself to prove long before the Jani Khail ambush.

“Our regular medic was on leave at the time,” Book said. “We had other medics to choose from, but Brown had shown us that she was more technically proficient than any of her peers.”

Having people call her “Doc” means a lot to her because of the trust it engenders.
“When people I’ve treated come back to me later and tell me the difference I was able to make in their life is the best part of this job,” Brown said.

During her rest and recuperation in May 2007, Brown visited Spray in the hospital and met his mother.
“I almost cried,” Brown said. “Spray’s mother was so thankful and she hugged me. That was the moment that made me feel the best about what I did.”

Even though she felt proud when she was informed that she was going to receive a Silver Star, she considers her actions to be the result of effort put into her by everyone she’s worked for.

“While I’m not scared to get my hands dirty, I have to say that I never fully became a medic until I came over here and did it first-hand,” she said. “I just reacted when the time came.”

Due to her quick and selfless actions, both Smith and Spray survived their injuries.

080313-A-2013C-006 Army Spc. Monica Brown, a medic from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, takes an Afghan boy's blood at the hospital in Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan. Brown is the second female since World War II to be awarded the Silver Star for her actions in Operation Enduring Freedom XIII. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micah E. Clare)


080313-A-2013C-006 Army Spc. Monica Brown, a medic from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, takes an Afghan boy's blood at the hospital in Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan. Brown is the second female since World War II to be awarded the Silver Star for her actions in Operation Enduring Freedom XIII. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micah E. Clare)

Well done, Specialist Brown!

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Mar 21, 2008 | GWOT Whatever it is... | Observations on things Military

Annoyed black man rants...

This fella, I'm happy to say, is a friend of mine, as is his wife and their wonderfully diverse family. I swiped a huge bit of his latest rant, simply because in this America, he gets to say things I can't... He does use rougher language than I allow 'round here - so when you go read the whole thing (and you should) be prepared for that - you'll see what I mean from the edits I made.

While speaking to one of my student interns the other day he asked me what I looked for in a president. Basically I told him, nothing, not a damn thing. I don’t want my president to do a damn thing, I don’t want he or she to say anything, I want them to just occupy the space, don’t f*ck sh*t up, don’t push any red buttons or try to fix anything. I want them to vacation hard and long. Bottom line; just keep you f*cken mouth shut and try not to do anything too stupid. Is that asking too much?

For as long as I can remember I have regarded the presidency as a middle management position basically because the smarter the president tended to be the more likely they were to f*ck sh*t up. [emphasis mine!]

I don’t want my president to fix health care, I don’t want my president trying to “create” jobs. That is not what they do. I don’t want my president trying to fix race relations, or trying to cure world hunger, or spreading democracy or being the world’s f*cken police.

What about Iraq, Snoop? (sigh). Well being in Iraq and the Middle East was inevitable. Being in Iraq is a necessary evil and folks on both sides of the political divide are on the same page about how badly it got screwed up. However, to appease the monkeys on both sides of the political animal cages politicians throw out withdrawal timetables on one hand while the other growls about “finishing the job” and “keep America safe.” We are in Iraq because we needed a place to park troops – To keep a closer eye on the oil and the many nut jobs in the region.


That's not enough for you to click through on the link at the bottom? Okay - mebbe this will get you interested..

So, I’ll muddle through this as best I can, but it will no doubt seem disjointed to some. You can blame it on the lingering effects of my a$$ kicking flu or my increasing irritation with the news media and America’s new found racial enlightenment all because Barack Hussein Obama was feeling the pressure of anti-American backlash because he decided to attend a church to give him street credibility while at the same time embracing an over the top whitey-America hating Pastor. Folks maybe it is just me, being a black dude, conservative minded, independent thinking, beat of thy own drummer cranky ranting f*ck who just sees the mud and dirt all over every damn aspect of American politics.

Naw, Mr. L, you aren't alone. The rest of you? Go check out PoliticalPartyPoop for the rest of this rant!

Politics isn't always the answer. Sometimes, just let the ball roll and it'll take care of itself. But when your only tool is a hammer - all problems look like nails. That's why the Founders created the Three Branches, with the ex-officio 4th and 5th - to provide some competition. Only the 4th and 5th aren't always pulling their weight.

What do I mean? When the press let's themselves get captured by their biases (many voices! many voices! that's the impact of blogs and talk radio) and we the people (#5) won't periodically cull that herd of 535 people in DC. They've got no entitlement to the job, they've got a much-better-than-average retirement package without having to put in the years the rest of us do - send 'em home to get real jobs every now and then.

Heh. As if.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Mar 21, 2008 | Politics

Thing, Thing a Thong

Thanks *loads* for that particular ear worm, Capt JMH.

Heh.

From the responses in yesterday's comments block, I may have an untapped fiduciary resource I have not previously considered (although I *have* appeared in some -- thankfully -- short-lived ARNG recruiting commercials). BTW, Pat, if your offer still holds, I figure you owe somebody a scad of cash for all the be-thonged appearances I *haven't* made to date.

Call it an ounce of prevention. Or extortion.

Eh -- puh-tay-to, po-tah-to.

Meanwhile, back in WhatzissStan, here's another clue for you:

Nope, still not a toilet, kat

Oh, man, if that's not a dead giveaway...

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by CW4BillT on Mar 21, 2008 | GWOT Whatever it is... | Bill's Excellent Adventure | General Militaria

March 20, 2008

Counterinsurgency: Forest and Trees

UPDATE: Audio, and transcript. Also, check out COL Roper's bio: three master's degrees, one in nuclear physics.

LT G recently wrote about Counterinsurgency doctrine (COIN) from the ground point of view. This morning, I got the chance to hear about it from the "big picture" perspective in a DoD Blogger's Roundtable. The guest was Colonel Daniel S. Roper, Director, U.S. Army and Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Center at Ft. Leavenworth, who recently spent time evaluating Counterinsurgency operations in Iraq. The center was set up by General Petraeus to be as COL Roper put it, "the focal point connecting all the different efforts developing and implementing COIN doctrine." The mission is to provide "oversight" for COIN integration, to improve the capability of the military to operate in a "full-spectrum COIN environment."

The Counterinsurgency Center has six objectives, or "lines of effort" in completing the mission: Integrating coin initiatives within and across government agencies and military branches, researching historical COIN efforts and practices, improving the COIN doctrine, educating the military about COIN concepts and techniques, advising leaders and organizations, and conducting outreach to military and civilian entities. The latter is considered "one of the extremely important areas." It is part of a broader--beyond military--effort. The Roundtable is included in this, part of the effort to communicate the methods and concepts of COIN to America and the wider world, such as academia, think tanks, and even international partners such as Canada, the UK, Germany, and France.

COL Roper spent a significant amount of time in Iraq last year from September to November, and his conclusions were the focus of his presentation before opening things up to bloggers' questions. He also provided a fascinating pdf for background, which shows how broad and integrated into military operations true COIN doctrine is conceived to be

In his second visit last fall (October and November), COL Roper reported that he saw a "noticeable increase" in momentum in COIN operations across Coalition forces, which he attributed only partially to the increase in force size due to the surge. He also reported a sense among personnel on the ground that al Qaeda was "off-balance," but headed for Mosul; they were gearing up for the expected operations in the Mosul area. He added that there was a great awareness that AQ has a history of "regeneration," and so this wasn't going to be easy.

Most importantly, COL Roper reported noticing a marked (but mixed) improvement in Iraqi army and military forces. Of particular interest to COL Roper was that Coalition forces--from the top-down--appeared to be focused on "success" rather than simple "win" or "lose." He said that win/lose is a politically-colored concept, but success is measurable and results-focused, so use of that term seemed to be an indicator to him that COIN concepts have infiltrated the perspectives of personnel at all operational levels.

One thing from his report that was encouraging is that the U.S. military in Iraq is finding that the insurgents and terrorists seem to be not so much ideologues as opportunists. The rank-and-file trigger-pullers are "not fully focused on re-establishing the Caliphate." Rather, they are more focused on protecting their families or making money. This jives with everything I heard in my interview with 3rd ID leadership--the turning away from AQ, the success of the CLCs on a local level, the detainee release program, and the military's focus on creating stability and building opportunity for average Iraqis.

The U.S. is relying heavily on the boots on the ground to accomplish COIN-based stability and rebuilding operations. As COL Roper puts it, "All politics are local... All politics and security are local... Guys on the ground are the ones we need to empower." He pointed out the areas of weakness or incomplete implementation of the COIN strategy, but overall seemed pleased with the ability of Coalition forces to implement COIN at the lowest levels of military activity. "Most impressive to me was that very junior leaders were true warrior-statesmen [who] spent more time passing out candy and playing with kids in the street than firing their weapons."

A number of bloggers in this roundtable had a history of embedding with the troops and were extremely knowledgeable, bringing up a variety of interesting related topics. Of particular interest was the extent to which NATO and other allies are working with U.S. COIN leaders to both learn from the US developments and share their own experiences/ideas. COL Roper describe it as Lieutenant Colonels through Major Generals of the various countries "copying each others' homework."

COL Roper also spent time discussing identification of the "tipping point" wherein military efforts are no longer productive in a situation and political considerations must take the lead. As he put it, the implementation of COIN strategy has yielded benefits in the security area, which is a "downpayment for potential political reconciliation." However, the military is frustrated with the slow pace at which the political growth and reconciliation is occurring. He drew on a great football analogy: The Offensive Line has opened a hole in the defense, and now the quarterback and running back have to take advantage of it; the hole can be held open for only so long.

My question was about the capability and issues COL Roper observed in the Iraqi Security Forces (local and national police, and army). He reported that when he saw them last Fall, the Iraqi Army was more reliable and successful than the police, with the capability to conduct complete tactical-level operations. Their big challenge right now is logistics. Because Saddam supplied units according to his whim rather than actual need, the concept of a military logistics system is "atrophied beyond description," especially from the point of view of someone coming from a Western military perspective.

On the Iraqi police side of things, corruption has been more a problem, with there being a greater difficulty identifying hard-core insurgents or hardened criminal elements. However, COL Roper emphasized that this is not an across-the-board description, as it varies widely by location--from city to city and even within bigger cities such as Baghdad.

Another big point in the questioning was whether or not the military was getting the support it needs from civilian government agencies. The short answer is "No." COL Roper described the Provisional Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) as "absolutely tremendous." However, there are "not nearly enough of them in order to bring their great skills to bear." The bright spot is that the Department of Defense, State Department and USAID recently signed on to a manual that suggests desire to work as an inter-agency team, but resourcing is the real issue. As COl Roper said, it's "hard to find people of the right training, attitude and expertise to excel in an environment where "you have to make a lot of it up on your own," and called it a function of the problem that the military is at war while the nation as a whole isn't. Also of note on the subject was COL Roper's mention of efforts to create joint training for Iraq PRTs, similar to the way MITTs train Iraqi military units.

Other topics covered were the reception of COIN doctrine at the highest levels of the military, and concerns about a "window of opportunity" closing in Iraq. I'll add the audio and transcript links as soon as they're up.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by FbL on Mar 20, 2008 | GWOT Whatever it is...

FRAGO 01-0308

LAR---Low-Res---2.jpg

Reference: OPORD 13-69-08, Operation Holy Tuttle!!!

Task Organization: TF Carborundum, ANGCOM

Situation: Unchanged from original order.

Commanders Intent:1. Prevent any serious injury to all covered personnel. 2. Facilitate unit mission success to the extent that it doesn't interfere with 1.

Mission: TF Carborundum detaches Team LAR to overwatch approaches upcountry from Kuwait and to secure Routes Will and Carrie from any IED or ambush activity, and to take up station with specified elements of [redacted] LAR+ [redacted], [redacted] LAR and to provide ANGCOM Protective Services during their deployment.

Execution: Summary executions for failure to perform are authorized. Otherwise, mission execution is left to ANGCOM personnel.

Service Support: You're kidding, right? This is ANGCOM.

Command & Signal: Command and control rests with CP Tuttle. Current SOI is in effect.

Signed// Barbara, Saint, ANGCOM J3

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Mar 20, 2008 | GWOT Whatever it is...

Iraq Economy: Light At the End of the Tunnel Part II

[Kat]


Never before has so vast a reconstruction program been attempted in the face of enemy fire or managed in the shadow of geopolitics - Uknown

Continued follow up on FbL's great Iraq Economy Series. This is a continuing look at Iraq's electricity situation.

In response to a request, Haditha Dam. Also, great pictures of what passes for electrical wiring in Iraq. Old video, but an excellent review of Haditha and its potential. It is right now providing nearly 24/7 electricity to Ramadi and surrounding Anbar.

The fact is that it is growing, and large projects are underway to continue to improve the flow of electricity. Second to the Hydro-Carbon Law (development of oil infrastructure and revenue sharing), electricity effects the overall political and economic development of Iraq. While oil may bring in the money, electricity may be the gauge by which the security and future economy can be measured.

Part I: Light At the End of the Tunnel - History of Abuse and Neglect

Part II: The Electrical Surge

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Kat on Mar 20, 2008 | Global War on Terror (GWOT)

Chuh-chuh-chuh-Changes

Pakistan was the dry run for my current Extended Practical Exercise. I remembered what I figured I'd need but didn't and *did* need but forgot, so I packed the big-item gotta-haves and figured I'd visit the local BX/PX to pick up anything I'd overlooked. Or which happened to break in transit.

My soap dish was a casualty. No problem, I thought -- what's easier to find in a PX/BX than that quintessential item of military hygienic equipment, the plastic soap dish? Soooo, one month ago, armed with ID and a copy of my LOI declaring me Mission Essential *and* Emergency Essential to the Coalition Effort in Iraq, I proceeded to the FOB PX.

I hadn't considered the changes in military composition over the past five years. In my somewhat bemused wandering 'midst the aisles, I found I could purchase seven different types of hair conditioner, sugarless Power Drinks, five different flavors of beef jerky, Spandex™ running shorts in colors ranging from midnight blue to deep-infrared, caffeine-laced jelly beans, muscle mags, every X-box and Playstation game ever invented, every Danielle Steele bodice-ripper ever published, ankle holsters for protein bars, scalp razors, pregnancy test kits and -- ummmmm -- pregnancy avoidance kits.

But nary a soap dish in sight.

Lots of different soaps, though. All either liquid or gel. *And* in designer scents.

The nice lady who ran the place told me they got shipments of whatever made it up the road whenever it made it up.

I walked back to our office on the Iraqi side of the runway, dropped in on my entrepreneurial bud Sam. I gave him a pack of Big Red gum, we chatted a bit, drank a cup of tea, ate some cookies, watched a ChiCom copy of an Indian opera shot in Pakistan dubbed in Hindi with Arabic subtitles and, after accomplishing the mandatory pleasantries-before-business, I asked him if he could bring me a soap dish from his warehouse (which I suspect is the size of my toolshed, but extends into several additional dimensions).

Next morning, I had my soap dish.

The PX/BX got eight soap dishes in yesterday. Along with two boxes of designer thongs in designer colors [Cassie -- your e-mail about thongs had *nothing* to do with it].

*sigh*

Okay, R. Jewell and Ledger pretty much hit what I hinted at in the Huey II pic, so I might as well show it to everybody. The doorgun is decidedly *not* an M-60D. It's a PKM with the buttstock modified for an aerial gunner. Normally, we saw these things pointed *up* at us, which meant a Bad Day at the Office was just about to begin.

PKMS

Oh, yeah -- there's one on each side. And, naturally, I got a good shot of the fiddly bits (the feed tray cover was a cinch to open), however, due to some photo-posting changes that took place while I was incommunicado, you guys will have to wait until Der Adjutant waves her magic wand over the Hi-Rez. Which won't happen until she wakes up. Which means you'll have to come *back* (I recommend doing that several times) to check.

[fixit-fixit-fixit -- Bill] Okay, Hi-Rez is here. Go back to work, Brab.

And, since the Huey II Hi-Rez was prolly bollixed, too -- here ya go, R.Jewell. And Ledger can prolly see the gun, now.

And, as for the Whatziss?

No, kat, it's still not a toilet

Heh. Keep guessing...


Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by CW4BillT on Mar 20, 2008 | GWOT Whatever it is... | Bill's Excellent Adventure | Observations on things Military

March 19, 2008

H&I* Fires, 18 MAR 2008

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...

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

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

Sgt. B checks in...

We finally found out why our shouts out of the Firebase Comm shack weren't going anywhere - seems the microphone wasn't plugged in... Any way, we're up and running, and I offer a continuing series of posts related to one National Guardsman's experiences as his unit ramps up in preparation for deployment in support of OIF. I also have a header contest, in which I hope you will honor me by participating... - Sgt. B

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

CJ, who was one of the bloggers invited to the White House last September, has some observations for this, the 5th anniversary (CJ went across the border at 23:59 19 March 2003) - especially observations of the intent of some of the anti-war protestors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.



At the Pittsburg recruiting station the Pittsburg Organizing Group (POG) (more like Pogues) will be holding a torch-lit march “to a modern day castle of abominations,” the local military recruiting station. The group intends to “…evict it and everything inside of it, occupy the location, and transform it into something useful for the community. We’ll also be bringing a movable cage in which to confine military recruiters until they no longer pose a danger to our friends and neighbors.” Essentially, the group is planning to kidnap Americans and coerce them with blackmail in order to be released. I hope they’ve been to SERE. If you’re in the Pittsburg area, please show up to provide support. Bring whatever items you feel necessary to protect yourself.

Looks like a conspiracy to commit kidnapping to me. And in such a way as you might even be able to sweep it up under RICO. Good luck with that folks. Though I'm not sure the Federal Government would have the stomach to prosecute it to the hilt. CJ has some other advice for the soldiery this week, hopefully overwrought. Check it out here, Protesters’ Day of Joy - Iraqi Freedom Anniversary -the Armorer

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I think what I like best about this NPR piece is the implicit acceptance of the assumptions of global warming that permeate the article. The Mystery of Global Warming's Missing Heat. It's all about we just aren't finding the data we're looking for... -the Armorer

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Lex writes about what he was doing five years ago today. - FbL

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Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by FbL on Mar 19, 2008 | General Commentary

Entropy.

"overhead, without any fuss, the stars were going out."

Arthur C. Clarke's star has gone out.

Farewell, old friend.

My absolute favorite Clarke story - The 9 Billion Names of God.

Therefore, now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam of Sir Arthur C. Clarke, futurist, most excellent SciFi author, and Flight Lieutenant, Royal Air Force.

"‘It’s nothing as trivial as that’."

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Mar 19, 2008 | Something for the Soul

Tossing Javelins

Many of you have probably seen this video of a Javelin missile being fired at a fully combat-loaded T-72 tank.

One of the things to notice is the little object that flies into the air above the smoke cloud. That would be the turret - the part normally containing guys like MajMike (Sorry, dude, hadta say that).

Continuing that theme - at 28 seconds into it, you see the tank get hit from a rear angle... at 37 seconds, you see a small eruption of dirt on the right side of the frame. That would be the turret landing...

wreck.jpg

All in all, the thing looks like this when the smoke clears.

The rest of it is somewhat scattered about.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Mar 19, 2008 | Gun Pr0n - A Naughty Expose' of the fiddly bits

*Tap-tap-tap* Is this thing on?

19 Feb: Departed Philly for Atlanta, hooked up at ATL with the newbies I was to Father Goose into Iraq. Amused myself with fruitless attempts to access the "free" wireless net service.

20 Feb: Arrived Amsterdam, had a boring layover (terminal renovation in progress). Eight hours and four Time Zones later, arrived in Kuwait, got 90-day visa and hooked up with the LSA reps at 1830. Sent us to the USAF side to sit on concrete T-barriers for four hours, then got the bus for Ali al-Salem, which we could have caught from the terminal on the civilian side after spending four hours sitting in padded armchairs. Turned in 90-day visa and passport for outprocessing at Ali and got a tent for the next two days. Dust storm all night and most of the next day, tent canvas thumped like a clipper ship's sails in a gale – lucky me drew a corner cot so I received the full benefit of thwup-thoomp from two sides *and* the rogue fuh-WHAP charging through the storm flap without slowing one iota.

And that was the last entry in my ‘lectronic diary. The battery in this particular HP laptop is only good for about an hour – which I didn’t find out until *after* I brought it to Pakistan last year, but KtLW insisted it was a good deal (hey, it was on sale, and the Luddite Wife would buy Ebola-laced mouthwash if it was marked down 50%) – and I’d already shipped my transformer and adapter collection via DHL.

Meantime, aside from the week-late editions of Stars ‘n’ Stripes we get up here (mebbe a tad more than a week late – the Sunday edition features Calvin and Hobbes), I’ve been keeping up with the civil side of progress over here via a PAO-type at DA, of all places. I don't normally shill for the HeadShed, but these are some Big Picture Things you won’t get from the MSM:

-- The U.S. Army has rehabilitated and constructed nearly 1,100 schools, providing classrooms for more than 324,000 students.

-- By early 2009, Army projects will have completed 137 new primary healthcare centers that will serve a population of 5 to 6.5 million Iraqis.

-- An estimated 4.1 million more Iraqis now have access to clean, drinkable water that they didn't have before. [Two of my stoon'ts said they were surprised to find out that water was *supposed* to be clear]

-- Cities like Fallujah have their first sewage treatment plant. Before 2003, raw sewage in most of Iraq was discharged into rivers and waterways. [I can vouch that the one up here is operational]

Got a neat vid, too.

Aaaaand, to bring everybody up to date on the mil side, go see John’s post from yesterday.

Go ahead – I’ll wait.

All done? Okay, to continue: first, the Good News.

We got a new blast wall for our bunker!

Note the hi-tech support-construction equipment

Now, it may not seem like much to you, but it’s the simple, quotidian things that make a hootch a home.

Now, the Bad News.

We needed it.

Here, a near miss means they nearly missed

Heh. No, I didn’t just give the dirtbags a free BDA, it’s been a while since I took the pic. I mean, you wouldn’t expect me to stay someplace that’s actually *dangerous*, would you? Besides, my Iraqi neighbors are a nice, quiet bunch who don’t throw loud parties after dark – I wouldn’t want them all upset by an increase in the local noise factor.

ANYway, you guys don’t come visiting just to see if I’ve developed a sudden case of common sense, so I’d better get down to something serious or John will dock my pay.

Again.

Sooooo -- Whatziss?

Oh, go ahead -- take a guess

That oughta keep John off my case for a couple of hours. In the meantime, while he’s burning up bandwidth googling "thingies that have threaded receptacles,” meet Hubert, 21st Century version. The Huey II.

Parasite Drag Revisited

Despite the cosmetics, such as the radar altimeter, ECCM suite, wirecutters (sorry – I meant to say Wire Strike Protective System, which are those, uh, wirecutters top and bottom of the cockpit), GPS, upgraded nav-comm avionics package, Cobra engine, drive train and tranny, exhaust diverter, additional cooler intakes in the tailboom and IqAF desert cammy paint job, it’s the same plain-vanilla UH-1H that served as the foundation for most of my TINS.

BTW, if anybody (or anybody’s – * sigh * – dad) flew 68-16473 in the Land of the Two-Way Gunnery Range, that’s what the ol’ girl looks like today. Hi-rez here, for us fling-wing grognards.

Ooooops – short-term memory lapse alibi. There’s something * else * different (ever so slightly) from the RVN config. I’ll wait while you try to figure it out.

Come to think of it, I’ll wait until tomorrow.

If our sat-link doesn’t crap out.

Heh – it’ll give John *another* reason to hope the bottle rocketeers take the night off…

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by CW4BillT on Mar 19, 2008 | GWOT Whatever it is... | Bill's Excellent Adventure | Helicopter Pr0n - 10,000 fiddly bits all flying in formation...

Dear Soldier: I Am the One

[Kat - this is a personal letter to our soldiers, veterans and, to some extent, their families on the anniversary of the beginning of the Battle for Iraq and nearly seven years after the invasion of Afghanistan]

Dear Soldier and Veteran,

Before I begin, I wanted to take this moment to thank you for your service on my behalf. I realize that these brief words cannot do justice to, nor express my feelings about, that service, your time a way from your family, the risks that you have taken, the exhaustion you experienced, the wounds you have suffered, the friends that you have lost or the conditions that you live in while you are fulfilling your oath to defend our nation. Yet, I wanted to say it anyway because I don't believe that you hear it as often as you should from your fellow citizens. So, thank you.

This letter, though, is more in the way of an introduction and an explanation. We have been at war now for almost seven years. It is one of the longest wars our nation has ever fought. The fact that we can still voluntarily muster so many fine men and women to take the oath, put on a uniform and take up the fight is a testament to the spirit of service that our nation has nurtured since the moment the first shot was fired in our Revolutionary War. The many long deployments in tough conditions is a also testament to the resilience and fortitude of people like you.

I am the one.

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Kat on Mar 19, 2008 | Something for the Soul

March 18, 2008

The Cult of the Suicide Bomber in Iraq

The Defense Department has been pushing out a big story over the last two days--their debriefing of 48 prospective suicide bombers who were captured or who surrendered. As part of that, they made made Air Force Colonel David Bacon, Chief of Special Operations and Intelligence Operations, Strategic Communications for Multinational Forces - Iraq, available for a Blogger's Roundtable (audio file), of which I was a participant.

The 48 would-be suicide bombers form a fascinating demographic study of suicide bombers in Iraq. Surprisingly, the Associated Press has an article on the topic that tracks very well with what we were told at the Roundtable.

While al Qaeda in Iraq is composed of both foreigners and natives, the foreigners comprise about 10-15% of AQI, but the majority of that segment operate either as leadership or suicide bombers. The suicide bombers are over 90% foreign, and perform the most deadly and ultimately effective of AQI's attacks. Thus, understanding their behavior, methods and movement into the country are a high priority for the Coalition.

The terrorists of 9-11 were middle-to-upper-class and educated, but these recruits for simple suicide bombings are young, under-educated and often lonely or social outcasts. COL Bacon paints a picture of deception and manipulation on the part of al Qaeda recruiters, describing recruits as having been brought into "Jihad" by someone (usually not an Imam) who befriends them and offers to help "correct" their worship. These recruits end up radicalized, though they had not shown signs of it before. As I listened to the colonel, I was struck by the similarity of AQI's techniques to the methods used to suck young Westerners into cults.

Of course, suicide bomber recruiters paint a heroic picture of going to Iraq to help Iraqis fight the American "oppressors." They say al Qaeda is defeating the U.S., which is abusing the Iraqis. "Be part of a winning team," they say. Eager to prove themselves special in their large families and heroic among a society from which they feel cut off, they head out to Iraq.

COL Bacon reports that most of the prospective suiciders come into Iraq through Syria (all 48, in this case). And to the disappointment of their charges, their Syrian handlers are quite secular, entertaining them at discos and bars before shepherding them across the border.

Iraqis have come to distrust foreigners due to previous bombings, so AQI foreign fighters are hidden once they are in-country and are housed in very poor conditions. Their passports and money are taken, and suiciders are often isolated even from each other. This comes as a surprise to the recruits. A key point that the 48 recruits made was that they "came expecting to see Americans get killed...but they saw Iraqis getting killed and it bothered them." They were further disturbed to see their fellow recruits blown up in infrastructure attacks rather than assaults on Americans. Additionally, must recruits do not arrive in-country expecting suicide missions. They have to be pressured into it once there: "This is your duty. This is what we need you to do for the Jihad. You could be more useful… a martyr." After a few weeks of difficult living conditions and disillusionment, they reported simply "going into survival mode." They "felt relief when they were captured," reports COL Bacon, with some crying with relief during debriefings.

One participant asked whether these recruits were "evil" people or just brainwashed. COL Bacon said some were more ideologically-driven than others, but of the 48 profiled, most were youngsters looking for respect, friendship, or a sense of importance. They were ideological, but only after they met their recruiter.

The recruitment networks are paid for each recruit. While they seem to be focused on Iraq right now, they recruit for al Qaeda activities around the world--evidence that AQI is not separate from AQ itself, despite media efforts to paint it as such.

Colonel Bacon also spoke of efforts to break the supply lines and networks for suicide bombers through military and diplomatic means. He gave a surprising description of cooperative efforts from both Saudi Arabia and Syria, including things like Saudi Imams preaching that it is "not a righteous cause." These activities have severely restricted the number of suicide bombers and other foreign terrorists entering Iraq. According to captured records, during May and June of 2007, about 124 potential bombers entered Iraq. That number is down to about 50 per month, now. Currently there are 240 in Coalition custody, with an additional unknown number in Iraqi custody.

As on the "frontline" side of things, Mosul is a center of particular focus for those attempting to disrupt suicide bomber supply networks. And like the other military leaders I've spoken to, COL Bacon points out that greater economic opportunity and continued improvements in security both work to reduce incentive and support for militant activities.

One final note: on the subject of Mosul, COL Bacon used a phrase about the terrorists I've now heard from sources as diverse as reporters, to Senator McCain--"To win, they need Baghdad. But to survive, they gotta keep Mosul.” Baghdad is still hanging in the balance in many ways, but the terrorists do not currently hold it; in Mosul, they are fighting for their lives. Like the patchwork quilt I've seen on the economic side of things, there are obviously multiple kinds of fronts on the kinetic side... each one developing and strengthening one aspect of the fight. Stitch them all together eventually, and it'll be quite a quilt.

I find I've been holding my breath when I think of Iraq these days. So much is going right, but so much still hangs in the balance.

[I'll add a link to the Roundtable transcript when it becomes available. UPDATE: transcript (pdf) and video.]

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by FbL on Mar 18, 2008 | Global War on Terror (GWOT)

Iraq Economy: Light At the End of the Tunnel Part I

[Kat]

Never before has so vast a reconstruction program been attempted in the face of enemy fire or managed in the shadow of geopolitics - Unknown

Continued follow-up on FbL's great Iraq Economy Series, this is a look at Iraq's electricity situation. The fact is that it is growing, and large projects are underway to continue to improve the flow of electricity. Second to the Hydro-Carbon Law (development of oil infrastructure and revenue sharing), electricity effects the over all political and economic development of Iraq. While oil may bring in the money, electricity may be the gauge by which the security and future economy can be measured.

Part I: History of Neglect and Abuse

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Kat on Mar 18, 2008 | Global War on Terror (GWOT)

Raptor Love, Part II

Raptor

You can’t swing a dead cat in the milblogosphere without hitting some snark about the Air Force and its toys. But the film I posted yesterday made me think, “These guys probably won’t ever get it.”

Watching the Raptor is to watch the next quantum leap in military aviation technology. Moreover, it would be a serious mistake to think that the mind-boggling maneuverability of this thing is its greatest asset.

It is not.

This thing is a platform for a host of capabilities that few people appreciate just watching it fly up its own moveable burner cans. Take note of this word: sensors.

Aside from having a natural talent and set of skills in the cockpit, the reason Chuck Yeager (and I’ll wager most fighter aces) was so successful was his sensor package—20/12 eyeballs that saw the adversary before the adversary saw him. First sight usually puts you in a position, literally, to win the fight. Lose sight, and your chances of losing said contest increase astronomically. So, detecting threats—airborne or otherwise—and positioning oneself to avoid, neutralize, or destroy them is something the Raptor does to a degree most of us cannot fully appreciate.

I’ve heard that the Raptor’s radar is its least capable sensor.

Think about that.

What the helk else does it have? How is that integrated into the situational display systems? The fire control system? The overall interface between man and machine? The answers to these questions are both classified and impressive, even to the layman I’ll wager. Then there’re its IT capabilities. This thing is a flying server. It takes in information, not just data, and shoots it to less capable assets, in effect improving the capabilities of those with which it fights. When a Raptor pilot is out of missiles, his job isn’t necessarily over. I’ll leave it at that.

There is a standing joke about the Raptor guy who slips a note under the briefing room door of his adversaries for the next Red Flag mission. It’s just says, “You’re all dead.” The point being he can see, shoot and scoot before the “bad” guys can even get their guns out of their holsters. This is a good thing. Of course its not a magic jet, but it’s going to change the way we fight.

Nor is this thing necessarily going to be the star of any show any time soon. Fine. But smart strategists plan for the next war, not this one. Is it an anachronism already, i.e., a manned platform doomed to be replaced by a UAV? Perhaps. But not yet. It’s one thing to drill around as a recce drone or even as a kamikaze SEAD asset. It’s another to think, maneuver, defend, attack, watch, analyze, communicate, direct and otherwise do innately human stuff with a relatively inexpensive (and very cheap to manufacture) human in the seat. Will we be there someday? Maybe. Probably about the same time the infantryman is replaced by a more controllable version if the T-101 that isn’t as hostile to its creators.

As far as airplane things go, there was a lot of engineering conundrums tackled by LockMart, Boeing and PW.

Anybody can fly straight up these days, but doing it slowly is impressive. Anybody can go supersonic these days but doing it in a fuel-efficient way is impressive. Anybody can turn tightly these days, but rotating about the z-axis in a fixed-wing airplane is, well, just freakin’ weird when you first see it. When he can point his nose at you from damn near a hover in a supersonic-capable fighter loaded to the gunwales with “I-wish-you-were-dead” missiles, you’re in trouble.

These guys have solved:
- Sustained supersonic flight problems
- Keeping enough air flowing through the engines at high and low speeds
- Doing the above when the air isn’t coming straight into the intakes
- Keeping an air-to-air fighter stealthy despite weapon and sensor needs
- Man-machine interface issues with a machine that takes in gigabytes (terabytes?) of data
- Other stuff that you and I don’t have a need to know about

Note: one of the comments speculated that the jet would have a hard time in a close in fight. Um, no. That said, we are having some difficulty finding ranges big enough for the Raptor. It has zero to do with speed or turning-and-burning capabilities. The problem is one of not being able to exercise its true capabilities in detecting, sorting, engaging and destroying, and train pilots in how to maximize/fully exploit those capabilities, in training areas designed for the last generation of fighters.

In short, I’m impressed. And I’m sure I’ll get, “…’owls of derisive laughter, Bruce!” when I say I think we got a bargain.

Laugh all ya want.

“You’re dead.”

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Dusty on Mar 18, 2008 | Plane Pr0n

Twitchy Bill has checked in...

In an email, I busted on him: Oh, we have time to surf the 'net for pics and stuff, and to engage in serial emails... but I can't get a post out of the slacker, noooo....

That drew him out of babe-ogling defilade:

Hey, we just stuck up a new sat-receiver -- plus I've been busy snapping oddball boom-tubes to edify the readers. Plus teaching Iraqi stoon't pilots esoteric aeronautica. Plus putting a class together to teach *all* the pilots in the IqAF instrument flight skills so there's no repetition of that Mi-17 crunch (the pilots didn't want to take off in the crud, but had -- ahem -- Field Grade pressure to get back. The FG also died in the crash, so that's a scalp that's already on the IqAF Air Ops flagpole). Plus teaching Iraqi ATC personnel Aviation English classes.

Only one of those services is in my contract, but WTF, it's not like I have a life over here.

Sooooooo, I'll have a post ready prolly tonight. If I can still get into MT. And Fototime.

The off-post booms have increased from one every two days to three or four a day (and night), so the 10th Mountain is either getting *real* good at finding and detonating the IEDs or AQI is ramping up. The 34,000 gallon oil tanker convoys now RON across the street from my hootch, so we're all crossing our fingers that the dillweeds launching the bottle rockets hit *us* instead of the truck park.

At my age, I can still take cover from flying debris behind a blade of grass, but I don't think I can outrun a 3,400,000 gallon fireball.

On the bright side, now that I've got bandwidth access, I might even be able to view all those Yoo-HooToob vids everybody keeps telling me are "must-see"...

Heh.

Now, you may remember a post back in December, when Bill snarked Microsoft and posted this pic of a C-172S for Neffi to drool over...

Down, Neffi! Stop drooling!

Well, we take Bill's note and add to that an excerpt from the MNSTC-I's command newsletter, The Advisor, 15 March edition.

Heh. Bill and those-like-Bill didn't make the editorial cut, I see. Hmph.


Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Mar 18, 2008 | Bill's Excellent Adventure

March 17, 2008

H&I Fires 17 March, 2008

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...

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the road rise up to meet you and the wind be at your back
May the sun shine upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields
And may there always be a rainbow above you

Start off this day right with a little love for our allies in the GWOT: They started it. We were going to finish it. 1 Military Cross and 1 Commendation h/t Op-For

TA to Roust Unwilling Weekend Warriors

UK set to have same social security problem as the US: half of adults on benefits in 60 years

Speaking of our British Allies, every St. Patrick's Day for the last few years, I think of my British friend Wendy. Sorry I was such a clod back then.

McCain just upped the ante. Wonder how long before Hillary and OB-Won get a clue? I know Hillary's been there more than once, but I don't think Obama has, ever. Still, long election season to go.

Florida: Hey, hey! Ho-Ho! Droopy Pants Have got to Go!

Battle of the Bloggers: Taliban, Al Qaida duke it out on the internet h/t Cannoneer

Lying to Recruits Maybe Code Pink will go protest these guys.

US Captured Mohammed Rahim AQ head honcho in Afghanistan August 2007
.

Intelligence on other leaders has apparently improved

Anatomy of an IED: For Use Against Coalition Forces.

Goes with this story: Walling Mosul

How to make a black hole (let's hope no one figures out how to make it into a weapon)

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ..."

Raid spotlights Colombia, Venezuela's different military philosophies

Advocate for the Veteran

Sadr Ceasefire Over? I've been wondering that over the last few days when they announced the Katyusha missiles being fired into the Green Zone. Katyusha missiles being the favored Hezbollah weapon to lob into Israel. Hezbollah being supported by IRGC (Iranians). Etc, etc, etc

Iraq Economy via the Rock of the Marne
-Kat

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One tribe, one vote, indeed. And the last line is gold. - Damian

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Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Denizens on Mar 17, 2008 | General Commentary

Don't even step to your jets, boys--you're already dead.

Me.

Want.

Seeing as how I'm in England (going to Fwance tomorrow), my time to elaborate is limited. I will do so ASAP. In the meantime, suffice it to say this airplane is the aviation equivalent to a cannon that can shoot around a corner. That is all -Attila

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Dusty on Mar 17, 2008 | Plane Pr0n

Tidying up.

On the lingering Whatzis's...

Yes, that last bolt, unidentified until shown in it's bolt carrier - belongs to the Castle's Desert Eagle Mk VII in .357 Magnum.

The Desert Eagle in the holdings of the Arsenal of Argghhh!

I got that pistol back in the late 80's, I was just tickled at the thought of a gas-operated handgun. You have to give it the right fodder, and grip it firmly, or it won't function reliably - I'll say that much! No light loads. I'll do a Gun Pr0n expose' on that pistol sometime in the future, if life will slow down just a touch.

Okay - the "sausage maker" whatziss...

Lombard  centrifugal gun. US National Archives.

It isn't a kitchen appliance. It's a "powderless machine gun".

During WWI, the Army needed lots of weapons, fast. So, the word was spread that anyone with a design for anything remotely like a machine gun should bundle it up and submit it to the Army for evaluation. Every garage tinkerer had an idea - none of which would best John Browning's design, to be sure, but there were some oddities!

Meet the “Lombard Centrifugal Gun”, the invention of a Mr. Levi W. Lombard of Mattapan, Massachusetts. An article from the Repository, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania reported in it's March 18, 1918 edition:

Powderless Machine Gun Tried

Boston March 8: A powderless machine gun that will fire from ten to fitly bullets a second, is the invention of Levi W. Lombard of Mattapan, and Earl E. Ovington, of Newton. The latter will be remembered as one of Boston's first aviators.
The gun is in effect nothing more than an enlarged slingshot. A company has been incorporated to manufacture them. The gun action is simple. It is a revolving disc, which emits bullets after they have traveled on its surface. The machine fires round bullets. Those used in the tests had steel bearings. The shot is fed into a hopper at the side of the gun and as the disk
revolves it throws the bullet at a terrific force through a slot.
The test was made at the Wakefield Police Range and the gun proved its effectiveness by piercing three-eighths-inch boiler plate at 200 yards, and cutting through a two-inch door from the same distance.
The first gun was operated by electricity. Its inventors, knowing that only a limited power can be obtained from this source, will operate it by steam at its next test.

More below the fold, in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry.

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Mar 17, 2008 | Gun Pr0n - A Naughty Expose' of the fiddly bits

Lt Cdr Heidi Kraft - More Than a Movie Star

[Kat]

In response to John's Major Movie Star post and as it is Women's History Month, Carrie sends me this link about someone who knows how to wear her uniform right:

Dr. Hiedi Kraft

Lt Cdr Dr Heidi Kraft will be donating 10% of her book sales to the Marine Semper Fi Fund:

Dr. Heidi Kraft, Navy Psychologist and Graduate of the SDSU/UCSD JDP in Clinical Psychology, Writes a Memoir About Her Experiences in Iraq:

"Rule Number Two: Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital"

Former Lieutenant Commander Kraft spent nine years as a U.S. Navy Psychologist, and over seven months at a remote air base in western Iraq. The title for her new book, "Rule Number Two: Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital", comes from an episode from the first season of the M*A*S*H television series, "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet." In this 1973 episode, Hawkeye, a surgeon, realizes he cannot save an underage Marine. Henry says to Hawkeye: "In war Rule #1 is that young men die. And Rule #2 is that doctors cannot change rule #1."

Read an excerpt of the book here

Dr. Kraft held the hand of a dying marine, Cpl Jason Dunham, who was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for throwing himself on a grenade to save his friends and comrades. She wrote a rather famous piece that made its way around the blogosphere: Memories of Iraq: Good and Bad

The Good...

"Meeting a young sergeant, who had lost an eye in an explosion ... he asked his surgeon if he could open the other one ... when he did, he sat up and looked at the young Marines from his fire team who were being treated for superficial shrapnel wounds in the next room ...

"He smiled, laid back down, and said, 'I only have one good eye, Doc, but I can see that my Marines are OK.'

The Bad

"Ushering a sobbing Marine colonel away from the trauma bay while several of his Marines bled and cried out in pain inside. Meeting that 21-year-old Marine with three Purple Hearts, and listening to him weep because he felt ashamed of being afraid to go back.

A mother of two children, Dr. Kraft currently splits her work-time between two positions, as the Deputy Program Coordinator for the US Navy's Combat Stress Control Program (on a contract with SAIC) and as as a Clinical Psychologist, specializing in combat trauma, at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Kat on Mar 17, 2008 | General Militaria

We Must Be More Than An Army At War and A Nation At Peace...

[Kat]

From the Vets for Freedom, LTC Steve Russell (partial transcript)

America has never been built on the labor and the hard work of the cynic and the critic. Americans of the past knew how to sacrifice and they knew the difference between what was evil and what was good; who was a threat and who was harmless. Whether to live free or quit and die.

So, where do we go from here? What can Americans do at this critical hour? America must sacrifice today along with her men and women in uniform. We must be more than an army at war and a nation at peace. Here are some things that America can sacrifice on behalf of her soldiers: Sacrifice doubt. Sacrifice anxiety. Sacrifice any notion that allows us to come home from this war as losers.

It will not be enough to remember our service and our losses in this war on slabs of marble and national monuments on black stone. That is only remembering. And, it's not enough. If we want to honor those who will never come home; the true heroes who sacrificed their youth, their future, their ability to love; who will never raise a family in the very freedoms that their sacrifice purchased; or live to a ripe old age to see their grandchildren. That we must honor what they fought for and honor it with victory.

They are the true heroes that we honor tonight and we owe them no less.

Americans today are so apprehensive and we fret about so many things. But, the difference between what is good and evil has not changed, only our ability as a nation to identify it.

Vets for Freedom, National Heroes Tour will be in Kansas City on March 26/27:

What: Townhall at The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial: Vets for Freedom will participate in a townhall & forum event with a book signing from the Vets for Freedom Heroes to follow.

When: 6pm March 26th

Where: 100 W. 26th Street, Kansas City MO, 64108

Event is still tentative check back often for updates

I will be there with video camera and interviewer cap on if I get a chance to chat with them. Working on it. (PS..is it too late to nominate LTC Steve Russell for President?)

Check Vets for Freedom for other tour locations.

More Vets for Freedom Video

Another project for local supporters of the troops (or anyone else interested), I received a note from Soldiers' Angels Alert Team:

Missouri will have its largest deployment of NG (national guard) since WW I, serving under Global War on Terror orders. My boss at the Missouri Veterans Commission is the Commanding General over the entire contingent that covers 7 states (including NG from California)

We have created: Operation: Letters to A Peacekeeping Hero! and are hoping folks will help out by sending letters of thank you (no dates on them) just addressed to: Dear Soldier; Dear Hero; Dear Troop - so that we can gather in to 5100 letters in all and then we will send them to his Chief of Staff for disbursement.

We are working on an April 1 deadline to receive the letters at the address listed below:

Pat Rowe Kerr
State Veterans Ombudsman and
Director, Operation Outreach
Missouri Veterans Commission
205 Jefferson Street, 12th Floor
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Help us support our troops! We have had troops in Kosovo for over 10 years. After the Serbian death squads began ethnic cleansing, our troops were deployed to protect the innocent civilians and keep Europe from exploding again. We stay there because peace is still a tenuous thing. Recently, Kosovo declared Independence and Serbian nationalists were angered once again. These troops do hard work, have maintained security, treated the ill, built schools, built local governance, trained police and many other programs to help secure the peace and return Kosovo to a fully functioning country. Please support them by writing a letter and telling them that their service to our nation, wherever it is, whatever they do, is something to be proud of and something we appreciate.

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by Denizens on Mar 17, 2008 | Spirit of America

March 16, 2008

H&I Fires 16 March, 2008

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...

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

**********************************
A note from Lisa-in-DC, about Soldier's Angels:

Hi all!

Do you have five minutes to spare? You could help get a nice donation and some free publicity
(interview on The Today Show) for Soldiers' Angels!

Brandon - the Army soldier and son of Patti Patton-Bader who inspired his mom to start Soldiers' Angels - has nominated his mom for "Most Inspirational Mom" in AmericasFavoriteMom.com's 2008 recognition contests.

Brandon did the hard part, now all you have to do is create an account (just a couple minutes to
get a login and password) and then vote for Patti. If you have a spare minute ANY and EVERY day
until March 31st, you can vote once each day!

This link will take you directly to Patti's page.

Lisa's blog post can be read by clicking here. -the Armorer

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

Last week I had a memorial post up for my mother, who died a year ago. Scott Elliot, the Blogging Caesar of Election Projection, lost his parents four years ago - in Mosul, Iraq. -the Armorer

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

The little grassroots efforts of support for the troops and usually the mission, too, are popping up all over, such as this one, which has received little attention, true enough.

On March 1, 2008 a group of Veterans set off from the NC/SC line on a 16 day mission to walk to Washington , DC to raise support for our troops, the Military leadership, the mission and the "Resolve to Win".

The effort "Resolve to Win" is being co-chaired by the American Legion from Virginia and the VFW from North Carolina . In addition it has gained the support of the Gathering of Eagles, Eagles UP, Patriot Guard, Rolling Thunder and the Combat Infantry Association amongst others.

It's Day 16, which culminates this evening at the Lincoln Memorial. The Castle has been remiss (as in non-existent) in our support of this event. If you live in the DC area, and have the time - check out today's route and see if you can't go give some suport.

You can track their progress today by clicking here. -the Armorer

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

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

by Denizens on Mar 16, 2008 | General Commentary

News you can use, for Veterans and their Families.

And that includes those still serving!

Linked below you'll find three documents. Below this is a table of contents. That's the list of the articles in the first .pdf. The second and third documents are the House and Senate legislation of interest to those of us who have served - and those who were serving right there with us, our families!

THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES

== VA Disability Compensation [01] ------------------- (Heads Up!)
== VA Disability Compensation [02] ----- (S2674/HR5509 Impact)
== Anesthesia Awareness ------------------- (Waking Up in Surgery)
== VA Benefits Guide ------------------------------------- (2008 Issue)
== Mobilized Reserve 12 MAR 08 ---------------- (Net Increase 74)
== VA Travel Nurse Program --------------------- (Three-year Pilot)
== VA Rating Schedules [03] ------------------ (Right to Challenge)
== Prosthetic Limb Development ------------------------------- (Arms)
== VA Burial Benefit [01] -------------------------------- (Correction)
== Military Records/DD-214 [02] ------------------ (USAF Backlog)
== Florida Taxes ------------------------------------ (Summary)
== Diet and Exercise Myths ---------------------------- (Tips)
== Tricare in the Philippines ------------------- (18 FEB 08 Briefing)
== Family Care Giving ----------------- (Medicaid Cash Allowance)
== Agent Orange Stateside Use [01] -------------- (Banned in 1979)
== Pentagon Data Breach ----------- (A National Security Concern)
== PTSD [18] ---------------- (Policy Change Clarification)
== Nebraska Veterans Cemetery ------------------- (Bill Introduced)
== VA Health Care Funding [12] ---- (S.2639 Mandatory Funding)
== VA Homeless Vets [08] -------------------------- (21% Reduction)
== Veterans Disarmament Bill ----------------------- (No such Thing)
== Tricare Cancer Trials ------------------------- (Permanent Benefit)
== Tricare Hearing Aids [0--------------------- (Retirees)
== TSP [10] ---------------------------- (FEB 08 Losses)
== IRR Musters ------------------------------------ (MAR thru JUN 08)
== Medicare Hospital Discharge ------------------------------ (Rights)
== Medicare Insurer Status --------------------- (Primary/Secondary)
== VA Lawsuit (Lack of Care) [02] ---- (DoJ Arguments Continue)
== Medicare News [01] ------------------------- (RAC Goes National)
== Shad [05] --------------------------- (Chemical Exposed Vets)
== REAP [01] ----------------------- (Multiple Tour Eligibility)
== Military Retirement Plan ----------------------- (Options)
== VA Veteran Support [01] --------------------- (Benefit 2007 Stats)
== SS Taxation [05] ------------------ (NRA Green Card Exemption)
== Veteran Legislation Status 14 March 08 ------ (Where we stand)


RAO Update.

House Legislative Update
Senate Legislative Update


Items 1 and 2, on the proposed changes to the VA Compensation Rating System are important - if you are currently receiving VA disability pay or a pension, or expect you might in the future - you need to read those, keep abreast of those, and make your opinion's known to your congressional delegation. Don't think you're safe just because you've been in the system or are already fairly elderly - the current proposals floating around right now are written such that you could find yourself caught short. You need to keep an eye on this - and, frankly, joining any of the veteran's organizations like the American Legion, VFW, MOAA, NCOA and many of the others is a Good Idea. I've included both of those items in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry.

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows... �

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

by John on Mar 16, 2008 | Veteran's Issues

Palm Sunday: Miracles, Humility and Sacrifices

[Kat]

It's Palm Sunday. So, I thought today I'd high-light some miracles, sacrifices and humility:

A Miracle: The First Christian Church Opens in Qatar Are under construction.

Humility: National Heroes Tour Videos From Blackfive Marcus Lutrell - I'm not a hero

Sacrifice: Halabja 20th Anniversary

Soldiers Save 11 Year Old Afghan Girl

In honor of women's history month:

Airman Vanessa Valez, three tours in three years, 120 convoys in Afghanistan, outside the wire

PFC Sarah Becker: “She’s constantly going on missions because she’s the only medic we have in the platoon. If we have two missions in one day, she has to go on both missions. We’ll come back from one and she’ll jump from one vehicle and go into the other. She never complains.”

Update: From Kansas City With Love - A Marine in Fallujah, his family back home

I want to thank all of our men and women serving our nation today, their families and all those who support them. May we remain humble in the face of their sacrifices and thankful for the miracle of freedom that we enjoy, bought by the coin that they have paid in time, blood, sweat and tears.

God Bless Our Troops!