Center for the Intrepid From a Grateful Nation

Story from DefenseLink:

In marking the opening of a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation center and two new Fisher Houses here yesterday, Cabinet secretaries, military leaders, senators, business leaders, and celebrities did their best to express their gratitude to some of the nation’s sons and daughters who bear the scars of combat. The VIPs acknowledged both the servicemembers’ and their family members’ sacrifice. “All those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and all those recovering from their wounds remind us of the price of freedom,” Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said. “It is a price that is periodically required to be paid in blood, and suffering and courage.”

England was one of about 3,000 people gathered here to mark the opening of the Center for the Intrepid, the Army’s national rehabilitation center, and two Fisher Houses, where families of the severely wounded stay to be near their loved ones. The $50 million center was built from private funds donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. “What you see before you is a monument built by contributions by 600,000 Americans,” said Arnold Fisher, chairman of the fund. “This is a monument to not only the men and women and their families who will come here, but a monument to the generosity of our citizens and their love for those who serve.”

Again we say, thanks so much for your service and sacrifice!

MiLinks

Venezuela to Buy Anti-Aircraft Missiles. They might need them, with Chavez in charge.

Attack of the Drones. With pictures!

North Korea/Iran Team Up on Missiles. The Axis of Evil strikes back!

Why Can't the West Rearm? Figures don't lie!

Project Sheriff: The Active Denial System. Is it hot in here or just me?

Is the F-22 Raptor Overkill? Better safe than sorry I guess.

Packbot Sniffs out IEDs. Is it smell-o-vision?

The USAF KC-X Competition. Its heating up!

India Buys Cutting-Edge Russian Warplanes. Straddling both sides of the fence.

LCS manager fired. More trouble for a troubled program.

Second riverine squadron to stand up. Return of the brown water navy.

Return of the Nuke Cruiser? What ever the cost.

The War Against U.S. Submarines. Hint: its not about China.

Reagan Carrier Strike Group to Japan. To give Kitty Hawk a break!

Size Doesn't Matter, Part One. Its the number of missiles at sea that counts.

Size Doesn't Matter, Part Two. More of the above.

James Baker Endorses Troop Surge

I take back what I said about him. From FoxNews:

James Baker, the co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, on Tuesday endorsed President Bush's troop surge in Iraq, urging the Senate to "give it a chance."
"The president's plan ought to be given a chance," Baker told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Just give it a chance."

Baker, a former secretary of state under President George H.W. Bush, said it was wrong for the Senate to confirm Army Gen. David Petreaus to lead the new Iraq mission at the same time it was moving to pass non-binding resolutions opposing the deployment of at least 21,500 U.S. forces to improve security in Baghdad and Al Anbar Province.

I agree with Baker. The resolution is somewhat hypocritical.

Israel Stakes Stock

Lessons leaned from last year's Hezbollah War. Report from Spacewar:

1. One is to strengthen Israel's early warning capabilities from providing a strategic warning over Iran's nuclear capabilities to very specific warnings about an individual suicide bomber.
2. The second goal is to strengthen deterrence by demonstrating readiness to use the force. Fewer 'effects' and more coping with threats in order to neutralize them, Dekel said.
3. If deterrence fails, the army should lick the enemy using also ground forces, combining movement and accurate fire. The air force failed to stop the short range rocket attacks. The soldiers on the ground did.
4. The fourth element will focus on active defense against rocket attacks. Israel tended to ignore the short range rockets' potential.

Other than America, no one learns better from their own mistakes than the Israelis. Terrorists beware!

Quebec town bans stoning women

I'll say its about time! From the Globe and Mail:

Montreal — A rural Quebec town has taken the unusual step of formally declaring that it is forbidden to stone women in public — part of a list of “norms” that it says is aimed at potential immigrants.
Herouxville, about 165 kilometres northeast of Montreal, passed a document at a town council meeting this month that outlines what it considers to be its official behavioural norms.
The document, sent to both the provincial and federal governments, states that “a woman can. . . drive a car, sign cheques, dance, decide on her own..."

“We have to ensure that people who come here want to live like us,” Mr. Drouin told Montreal's La Presse newspaper. “The Muslims that want to impose Shariah (law), if they realized that here we don't stone women, they would never have come.”

This is an idea whose time has come. Maybe they should also mention something about blowing youself up as a means of free speech. Should be a no-no everywhere.

Iraqis thwart plot to kill Shi'ite clergy

This is the story behind the story I posted yesterday. From the Washington Times:

Iraq's army announced yesterday that it had foiled a plot to kill leading Shi'ite clerics and killed the leader of a heavily armed band of messianic Shi'ites called "Soldiers of Heaven" during a fierce gunbattle near the southern city of Najaf...

The fierce 24-hour battle, which began Sunday, was ultimately won by Iraqi troops supported by U.S. and British jets and American ground forces, but the ability of a splinter group little known in Iraq to rally hundreds of heavily armed fighters was a reminder of the potential for chaos and havoc emerging seemingly out of nowhere. Members of the group, which included women and children, planned to disguise themselves as pilgrims and kill as many leading clerics as possible, said Maj. Gen. Othman al-Ghanemi, the Iraqi commander in charge of the Najaf region.

Read the rest. This is proof that the Iraq Forces are stepping up, but lets don't leave the new-born democracy an orphan.

3000 More Cougars for the Corps

Built right here in SC. From Strategypage:

The U.S. Marine Corps wants to get 3,000 more "bomb resistant vehicles," in addition to the 1,022 is already getting (and will have all of by the end of the year).
Most of these bomb resistant vehicles are called Cougars, and the marines want to replace armored hummers with Cougars in the most dangerous jobs. Troops in Cougars are safer than those in hummers. But the Cougar, and larger Buffalo, are more expensive to operate, and less flexible than the hummer.
The Cougar and Buffalo vehicles use a capsule design to protect the passengers and key vehicle components mines and roadside bombs. The bulletproof Cougars and Buffalos are built using the same construction techniques pioneered by South African firms that have, over the years, delivered over 14,000 landmine resistant vehicles to the South African armed forces.

And I hear the company Force Protection Inc., is now hiring. Go figure!

A War of atheism and immorality

Dinesh D'Souza fires back at critics of his book "The Enemy at Home":

Contrary to President Bush's view, they don't hate us for our freedom, either. Rather, they hate us for how we use our freedom. When Planned Parenthood International opens clinics in non-Western countries and dispenses contraceptives to unmarried girls, many see it as an assault on prevailing religious and traditional values. When human rights groups use their interpretation of international law to pressure non-Western countries to overturn laws against abortion or to liberalize laws regarding homosexuality, the traditional sensibilities of many of the world's people are violated...

What would motivate Muslims in faraway countries to volunteer for martyrdom? The fact that Palestinians don't have a state? I don't think so. It's more likely that they would do it if they feared their values and way of life were threatened. Even as the cultural left accuses Bush of imperialism in invading Iraq, it deflects attention from its own cultural imperialism aimed at secularizing Muslim society and undermining its patriarchal and traditional values.

I have written about our problem with Hollywood Values when dealing with the more religious in the world. It wasn't always like this in the US.

Clinton Defends War Vote

This is from the Washington Times:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday defended her 2002 vote to authorize the war in Iraq, a vote that Democratic activists have said could doom her campaign for the presidency. "At the time, I said 'This is not a vote for pre-emptive war.' I said that on the floor of the Senate. I said that we should not go to war unless we have allies," she told about 300 Iowans gathered at a fairground for a town-hall-style meeting.

I disagree that the vote will hurt Hillary, especially if the Surge leads to victory. If so, the MSM will suddenly be looking for a Democrat hawk, and she's the only one ( since Lieberman has gone too far over to the "Dark Side" for liberals' taste).

Over 300 deaths of enemy fighters in Iraq

This is excellent news and proof that the new Iraqi Security Forces are stepping up to the plate. Report by Bill Roggio:

Iraqi security forces, backed by American tanks and air support, attacked what appears to be a mixed group of Sunni insurgents and a Shia end-times cult known as the "Soldiers of Heaven." The battle occurred in the suburbs and orchards north of Najaf. "Police Colonel Ali Nomas said 250 militants had been killed," reported Reuters. "The political source said up to 1,000 had been involved. An army source said they wore camouflage and appeared well organised." They were also believed to have possessed anti-arircraft missiles.
Later counts put the number of enemy fighters killed at up to 350, with a minimal loss to Iraqi and U.S. troops.

Also proof that Iraq is working as a "roach motel". Terrorists check in but they don't check out.

The Truth About the Polls

The author calls himself a "professional market researcher", and what he details makes alot of sense:

MSM reports rarely (if ever) note that their own coverage - in this case, the equivalent of a product's ad campaign - is part of the cause of the lower poll ratings.

If MSM had been boosting GWB for the past 6 years, rather than slamming him as they have done - e.g. if they had been printing the good news from Iraq, as well as the bad, or if they had been presenting the good news on the economy as prominently as its significance deserves - there can be little doubt that his poll ratings would be higher.

There's no doubt in may mind that the constant barrage of negative coverage in the news has much to do with America's dissatisfaction with the conflict in Iraq. The question is, was that the intent all along?

Surge Opposition "emboldens the enemy"

This according to our new Secretary of Defense to Congress:

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said yesterday that Congress' push to oppose President Bush's troop increase in Iraq "emboldens the enemy" and undercuts the commanders in the field...

"A resolution that, in effect, says that the general going out to take command of the arena shouldn't have the resources he thinks he needs to be successful certainly emboldens the enemy and our adversaries," he said in his first press conference. "Any indication of flagging will in the United States gives encouragement to those folks. And I'm sure that that's not the intent behind the resolutions, but I think it may be the effect," Mr. Gates said.

I believe constant doom and gloom berating Americans from the MSM has already turned what should have been a cake-walk into a desperate struggle. If you don't beleive this, read what Osama Bin Laden had to say about our embarrasing withdrawal from Somalia in 1993, after the deaths of 18 American troops:

"But your most disgraceful case was in Somalia; where- after vigorous propaganda about the power of the USA and its post cold war leadership of the new world order- you moved tens of thousands of international force, including twenty eight thousands American solders into Somalia. However, when tens of your solders were killed in minor battles and one American Pilot was dragged in the streets of Mogadishu you left the area carrying disappointment, humiliation, defeat and your dead with you. Clinton appeared in front of the whole world threatening and promising revenge , but these threats were merely a preparation for withdrawal. "

Iranians and the Karbala Attack

Bill Roggio says the attack which resulted in the deaths of 5 American soldiers was a little too sophisticated:

The American Forces Information Service provides the details of the attack in Karbala. Based on the sophisticated nature of the raid, as well as the response, or cryptic non-responses, from multiple military and intelligence sources, this raid appears to have been directed and executed by the Qods Force branch of the Iranian Republican Guard Corps. My sources agreed this is far to sophisticated an operation for the Mahdi Army or Badr Corps, while al-Qaeda in Iraq would have a difficult time mounting such an operation in the Shia south. "The Karbala Government Center raid the other day was a little too professional for JAM [Jaish al-Mahdi, or the Mahdi Army]," according to a military source.

The Iranian seem to be saying, "bomb us please!"

Turnaround in Baghdad

Here's the scoop, from the NY Sun:

The wider Sunni insurgency — the groups beyond Al Qaeda — is being slowly, and surely, defeated. The average insurgent today feels demoralized, disillusioned, and hunted. Those who have not been captured yet are opting for a quieter life outside of Iraq. Al Qaeda continues to grow for the time being as it cannibalizes the other insurgent groups and absorbs their most radical and hardcore fringes into its fold. The Baathists, who had been critical in spurring the initial insurgency, are becoming less and less relevant, and are drifting without a clear purpose following the hanging of their idol, Saddam Hussein. Rounding out this changing landscape is that Al Qaeda itself is getting a serious beating as the Americans improve in intelligence gathering and partner with more reliable Iraqi forces.

You may remember, I was of the opinion that the death of Saddam would be very significant, if not to the terrorists, but to the home-grown insurgents who are doing most of the fighting, and the dieing for Jihad.

Troops React to the Surge

Ollie North tells how our brave and brilliant soldiers and their families feel about the President's new plan for Iraq:

Despite having spent most of my life in, and with, the armed forces and their families, it was personally moving to hear these young wives and mothers describe with grace and dignity -- devoid of resentment -- how they were dealing with the news of their husbands' delayed return. Equally compelling were the comments of the Marines themselves. None of them expressed anger or frustration with President Bush or their leaders. Several noted that they had volunteered to go back to Iraq -- some for a third trip to the war. Two of the wounded warriors baldly stated that despite their injuries, they were looking forward to getting back to "finish the fight..."
To the extent that there is discontent in our military, it is aimed at the way the war has been misreported by my "colleagues" in the media and how it is being depicted by politicians in Washington.

They are truly are "New Greatest Generation". We and the rest of the free world are blessed to have them on our side.

Honest News

Good News from the War on Terror:

Second US Air Strike In Somalia

Thirty terrorists killed in Baghdad

Mahdi Army weakened

Is the Surge Already Producing Results?

Retreat Isn't an Option

School supplies bring smiles to children

82nd Airborne battalion arrives in Iraq

Al-Maliki turns on Al-Sadr

Kidnapping victim freed

Soldiers share faith in Ur

Main al-Sadr aide arrested

Surge Troops Home by Summer

Opinion: Insurgencies Rarely Win

Philippines Confirms Death of Top Terrorist

Terror-Free Oil

Saw this on Fox News. From their website:

Terror-Free Oil Initiative is dedicated to encouraging Americans to buy gasoline that originated from countries that do not export or finance terrorism. We educate the public by promoting those companies that acquire their crude oil supply from nations outside the Middle East and by exposing those companies that do not. We are also looking into creating a healthy debate concerning alternate methods of fuel production and consumption.

Amen! I'm all for this, even to the point of rationing. I never buy gas from the local Citgo stations, because of the Hugo Chavez connection. Hope this catches on.

Saudi Oil War on Iran?

Remember yesterday I mentioned how Reagan teamed with the Saudis in the 80's to hurt the Soviet economy, and history may now be repeating itself? MSNBC is echoing this theory:

Oil traders and others believe that the Saudi decision to let the price of oil tumble has more to do with Iran than economics...Moreover, the traders believe the Saudis are not doing this alone, that the other Sunni-dominated oil producing countries and the U.S. are working together, believing it will hurt majority-Shiite Iran economically and create a domestic crisis for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose popularity at home is on the wane. The traders also believe (with good reason) that the U.S. is trying to tighten the screws on Iran financially at the same time the Saudis are reducing the Islamic Republic’s oil revenues.

What a team! Remind me never to speak ill of the Saudis again, unless there's definite proof they are also funding Al Qaeda directly.

Update: Strategypage reveals the Saudi's Secret War Against Iran.

Take the Victory Pledge!

Hugh Hewitt is leading the charge against Republicans who vote for defeat in Iraq. Go to the site to sign the pledge:

If the United States Senate passes a resolution, non-binding or otherwise, that criticizes the commitment of additional troops to Iraq that General Petraeus has asked for and that the president has pledged, and if the Senate does so after the testimony of General Petraeus on January 23 that such a resolution will be an encouragement to the enemy, I will not contribute to any Republican senator who voted for the resolution. Further, if any Republican senator who votes for such a resolution is a candidate for re-election in 2008, I will not contribute to the National Republican Senatorial Committee unless the Chairman of that Committee, Senator Ensign, commits in writing that none of the funds of the NRSC will go to support the re-election of any senator supporting the non-binding resolution.

I've already written my 2 Senators, and heard from one, though he gave no indication of how he'll vote.

600,000 lbs to Iraq Everyday

Piece of Cake for Charleston AFB, according to the Post & Courier:

Five years ago, the base handled much less airborne cargo, serving mainly as a hub for supplies headed to South America. Cargo operations picked up after 9/11, but Dover Air Force Base in Delaware remained the busiest air hub for materials bound for Afghanistan and Iraq. Then a snowstorm in 2003 caused a roof at Dover to collapse. Dover's cargo operations eventually shifted to Charleston.

Now, tractor trailers stuffed with supplies rumble through the gates of Charleston Air Force Base at all hours, while more than 450 active- duty personnel, reservists and civilians pack pallets and load them onto 747s, C-17s and other cargo jets.
Each pallet has a special radio transmitter that allows service members in Iraq to track their cargo, similar to how civilians can follow their FedEx and UPS packages, Jacobson said. "It really hits you when you're on the phone and hear the guy's staticky voice and realize he's over there in Iraq waiting for his supplies."

On any given day, three to seven planes lift off with supplies. In 2006, planes hauled 132 million pounds overseas. Fastest delivery time from Charleston to Iraq: 17 hours for armor kits and other key materials.

Very impressive. This is why the US Armed Forces remain the best, with the best equipment!

MiLinks

Over 900 Chinese Missiles Aimed At Taiwan. Ground zero in Asia.

Cloud of darts could neutralise buried landmines. I used to be pretty good at darts!

More Trouble for V-22. But we'll likely keep funding it.

Stealth Bunker-Buster. Known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator.

Russia Boosts Bomber Production. Cold War over?

Behind the Ethiopian Blitz. The Ethiopian Air Force played a big part.

Chinese missile destroys satellite in space. A new arms race looms in the High Frontier.

THAAD Goes Into Production. See above link.

Dahlgren tests electromagnetic rail gun. "A missile punch at bullet prices".

Air-Launched ABM Missiles. Via the Patriot PAC-3.

Stennis Strike Group Begins Transit Toward 5th Fleet.

USS Ohio Conducts Historic Crew Swap. The first in 20 years!

France Steams Ahead on Carrier Project. But costs are rising.

Proteus "Spider Ship" Unveiled. A mystery no longer.

Flattop oddities. Strange sea tales.

"Still the president of the United States"

Jules Crittenden's analysis of the State of the Union address:

America loves to see someone who’s been beaten down and knocked around stand his ground and fight back.
I didn’t expect to see George Bush do that, not with the unapologetic confidence I saw last night. I even started out disgusted by the feel-good bipartisanship and the sugar-coating...

My own favorite part of the speech was at this moment:

“Whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure. Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq, and I ask you to give it a chance to work. And I ask you to support our troops in the field, and those on their way.”

And Jules continues:

And at that moment, no matter what they said about it later, Bush had them. They all applauded, many of them against their will. They had no choice. Because he was right.

Blog Notes

We were mentioned on Thomas Barnett's Blog, and in Patriots and Liberty.

Iran’s strongman loses grip

Are we headed for regime change in another terrorist bastion? This report is from The Sunday Times:

IRAN’S supreme leader is considering a change of policy on the country’s nuclear programme in an effort to defuse growing tension with the West, according to senior sources in Tehran.
Alarmed by mounting US pressure and United Nations sanctions, officials close to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei favour the appointment of a more moderate team for international negotiations on the supervision of its nuclear facilities.

The move would be a snub to the bellicose president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose threats to destroy Israel have left Iran increasingly isolated and facing a serious economic downturn.

The tide for freedom is beginning to turn. Hold on.

In another article, we read this: Traders have speculated that Saudi Arabia, Opec’s biggest producer which has long been suspicious of Iran’s intentions in the region, may be keeping the oil price low to contain the Islamic Republic.

The Reagan bio Crusader, which I mentioned yesterday, dteailed the Saudi's role in bankrupting the Soviets by keeping the price of oil low.

Sen.Warner Plays Brutus

Stabbing the President, and our brilliant and brave troops on the frontlines in the back. From the Washington Times:

Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia and other Republicans publicly offered a resolution yesterday condemning President Bush's proposal to send more troops to Iraq. The "Senate disagrees with the 'plan' to augment our forces by 21,500, and urges instead to consider all options and alternatives for achieving the strategic goals set forth below with reduced force levels than proposed," wrote Mr. Warner, joined by Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Norm Coleman of Minnesota.

I wrote about this happening a few years back, in the editorial Bush Stands Alone.

AP Uses the "Terror" Word

This report of Media bias comes from Honest Reporting:

Associated Press (and many other media outlets) have an aversion to using the terms "terrorism" or "terrorists" - unless the perpetrator happens to be an Israeli Jew:
Israeli Jew charged in terror plan
In a bizarre twist, the Israeli referred to in the story is a Palestinian convert to Judaism who planned a terrorist attack in cooperation with his Palestinian brother, described by AP as a "militant".
If you are also wondering why AP is happy to label an Israeli Jew (albeit a former Palestinian) as a "terrorist" but not a member of the Islamic Jihad, send your comments to info@ap.org

Usually you get the word "militant" instead of terrorist. The truth will set you free. It is remindful of the recent outrage for the TV show "24" showing Muslims as terrorist. Go figure.

Repurcussions of China's Anti-Sat Test

Remembering that satellites are a vital part of our defense network, blogger SDR Salamander says we may be in trouble:

...there are a few brave and punished voices out there in the Navy yelling that the long-pole in our tent is weak, worm-ridden and exceptionally vulnerable. Network-Centric Warfare and all its various “Transformational” permutations all accept as an assumption that we own the air, space, and the electromagnetic spectrum. I know this has been Red Teamed officially and unofficially, but the truth is so hard to accept that it is often ignored or pushed to the back pages.

Far from being the great foundation for the 21st Century Navy to dominate the seas – our excessive reliance on the electromagnetic spectrum in general and satellites specifically has left us critically vulnerable to emerging science, and an enemy who will not let us fight the war we want to fight.

For more details, read the whole article.

Ahmadinejad’s Days May Be Numbered

This according to the LA Times, via NewsMax:

In an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times, Dariush Zahedi, who teaches in the departments of political economy and peace and conflict studies at the University of California-Berkeley, and Omid Memarian, an award-winning Iranian journalist, write: "The Bush administration's decision to step up pressure against Iran by going after Iranian agents inside Iraq, coupled with the Islamic Republic's increasing economic and diplomatic isolation, have pushed conservatives inside Iran to further distance themselves from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad."

Here's what else the President is doing to bring about change in Iran:

The U.S.-led campaign to dry up financing for Iran’s oil and gas and other industrial projects will further increase the country’s economic troubles.

While reading Reagan bio: Crusader, I was astonished at the sophistication of the latter's economic warfare against the former Soviet Union that did much to bring about the end of the Cold War. Could work in the oil-wealthy Middle East as well.

Act Fast to Save Somalia

African experts claim time is running out for the war-torn state, according to Fox News:

The long-running scenes in Somalia of politically indistinct tribes with armed militias, raging poverty and ongoing violence could persist for generations to come unless the United States acts now with financial assistance and regional alliances to help affirm the transitional government's fragile control, say advocates in and outside of the U.S.
"We need to stabilize the region; we need to have security and cooperation and investment in infrastructure," said Daahir Mireh Jibreel, a foreign ministry secretary with the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic...

But others warn that like 1993, when U.S soldiers were attacked in the capital city of Mogadishu in the infamous "Black Hawk Down" incident, Americans are unpopular in Somalia and recent air strikes targeting alleged Al Qaeda terrorists there have probably made hostilities worse.

"Perception is everything here. And the perception was, once again, the U.S was interfering in Somalia," said Dave Hartwell, Africa specialist for Jane's Information Group...

This last comment is not surprising from the do-nothing, blame America first Europeans. I believe that we've been given a second chance in Somalia and should take advantage of it, if the cost is reasonable. Unlike the Euro's, Bush has proven that action speaks louder than words when it comes to defeating terrorism and aiding the long-suffering Africans.

Iraq Forces Part of Surge

The new nation fights for its independance. From CentCom:

A plus-up of Iraqi soldiers is a component of President Bush’s strategy to stabilize Iraq’s capital city and parts of western Iraq, senior U.S. military officials said during a Baghdad news conference today.

After conferring with top administration officials and senior Iraqi authorities, Bush last week announced a temporary increase, or surge, of about 21,000 U.S. soldiers and Marines to help dampen sectarian and insurgent violence in Iraq’s capital city and parts of Anbar province in the western part of the country. “This plan is different in that there is a strong political commitment from the government of Iraq,” Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, acting Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters. “There is more Iraqi buy-in. The plan is Iraqi-conceived and Iraqi-led.”

Training Iraqi military and police so they can ultimately assume responsibility for security in their country remains the essential U.S. task in Iraq, Fox said.

More

"Dogs are more than just animals"

At least at Charleston Air Force Base. Story from WCBD.com:

Dogs at the Charleston Air Force Base are more than just animals; they're members of our Air Force. And, each of them is vital in protecting our way of life and our troops.
"Everything that he needs in his life he gets from me," says Tech Sgt. Richard Styles, who's worked with dogs for the last seven years. "And equally, I put my life in his hands everyday we go to work because I know that he will give his in the defense of mine."

The dogs go through months of training learning basic commands and moving over and through obstacles. Once ready, they protect our bases here and overseas, sniffing out drugs, weapons and bombs.

Also check out the link for video.

Stop Congress from Silencing Its Critics

More on yesterday's posting for critics of Congress to register, from Grassroots Freedom:

In the first few days of the new session of Congress, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and big Washington insiders such as Public Citizen and Common Cause will try to silence critics by regulating us through quarterly reports to Congress. Failure to report would result in civil and potential criminal penalties...This may be the biggest threat to free speech ever!

We’ll keep you updated on developments, but you need to act NOW. Sign our petition to start.

"An extraordinary tale of heroism"

British Royal Marines conduct a rescue fit for , or better than, a Hollywood film. From the Telegraph:

Four Royal Marines flew into a battle zone clinging to the outside of helicopter gunships in a bid to rescue a fallen comrade, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.
Unwilling to leave behind one of their number following a retreat, the commandos strapped themselves to the small stabiliser wings of two Apache helicopters and returned into the midst of a fierce gunfight with the Taliban in southern Afghanistan...

Following an intense gun and mortar battle, the commandos were forced back. When they realised L/Cpl Ford was missing, four soldiers volunteered to return.
Three Apaches were available for the mission, but the 200mph helicopters have no room inside for passengers. The soldiers made the snap decision to travel on the outside of two of the armour-plated aircraft, with a third helicopter providing covering fire.
The men flew right back into the gun battle, landing both inside and outside the enemy fort in the search for L/Cpl Ford.

Good stuff! God bless the troops of all our allies.

Iranian Politicians Threaten Ahmadinejad

Gateway Pundit reports all it not well in the socialist haven of Iran:

Critics say that Ahmadinejad and the central government have been strong on populist slogans but weak on achievement.Prices for vegetables have tripled in the past month, housing prices have doubled since last summer _ and as costs have gone up, so has Iranians' discontent with hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his focus on confrontation with the West.Iranian inflation holds steady at a miserable 15% according to Iranian central bank but experts say it is much higher...

A group of 150 of Iran's 290 MPs have signed a letter criticizing Ahmadinejad's fiscal failures. This is leading to speculation that Ahmadinejad may be impeached.

Just a little while and the Islamic Radicals' bloody house of cards will come down.

Update- From Spacewar, sounds like the dictator is feeling the heat:

Two conservative newspapers, Jomhuri Eslami and Hamshahri, published editorials lambasting Ahmadinejad for commenting on the nuclear issue during speeches in provincial towns.
The president has also been the subject of criticism by conservative MPs for his government's handling of the economy and the timing of a recent trip to Latin America.

"God will help us shoot down their planes"

David Axe reports more on the recent Ethiopian blitz in Somalia that kicked out the radical Islamic Courts:

The Ethiopian air force apparently worked in close coordination with ground forces. If doctrine applied during the 1998-2000 border war is still current, the majority of Ethiopian air strikes within sight of friendly ground forces in Somalia were guided by ground-based forward air controllers...

In Somalia, Flankers hit airports, roads, ammo dumps, Islamic militia camps and convoys – disrupting transport, communications and emergency re-supply – while T-55s sporting external fuel tanks crawled south ahead of self-propelled howitzers. Hinds flew top cover and even dropped 250-kilogram gravity bombs. Mil Mi-17 medevac choppers evacuated wounded troops. Helicopters kept pace with the ground advance by way of forward operating bases.

These heavy forces faced just a few thousand Islamic troops boasting nothing heavier than "technicals" – pickup trucks hauling heavy machine guns. There were reports of Eritrean forces aiding the Islamists and even swapping artillery barrages with the invaders; if true, this resistance hardly slowed the Ethiopian advance. The Ethiopian government claims 1,000 Islamist fighters killed while declining to cite its own, surely lighter, losses.

Goes to show that the 19th Century warfare as practised by most Islamics cannot stand against the West or Western trained forces, at least in a fair fight. But when have the terrorists fought fair?

Insurgencies Rarely Win

Article by Donald Stoker from Foreign Policy Magazine:

Of course, history is not without genuine insurgent successes. Fidel Castro’s victory in Cuba is probably the best known, and there was the IRA’s partial triumph in 1922, as well as Algeria’s defeat of the French between 1954 and 1962. But the list of failed insurgencies is longer: Malayan Communists, Greek Communists, Filipino Huks, Nicaraguan Contras, Communists in El Salvador, Che Guevara in Bolivia, the Boers in South Africa (twice), Savimbi in Angola, and Sindero Luminoso in Peru, to name just a few. If the current U.S. administration maintains its will, establishes security in Baghdad, and succeeds in building a functioning government and army, there is no reason that the Iraqi insurgency cannot be similarly destroyed, or at least reduced to the level of terrorist thugs.

I tend to believe that will power is often the most effective anti-insurgent weapon. Stubborness alone won't win wars, but you're lost without it.

Honest News

Terrorists leaving Baghdad

First Additional U.S. Troops Arrive in Baghdad

Coalition Helps Iraqi Navy Succeed

Walking on History

Opinion: Bush Finds a General

Bush Plans Raises Iraqi Morale

Iraqis Clear insurgents in western Baghdad

Pivot Point in Iraq

Pace Describes Military Portion of Bush Strategy

President Bush Presents Medal of Honor to Corporal Jason Dunham

British troops kill up to 100 Taliban

Iraq: The greatest enemy is the time

Congress versus Free Speech?

Two disturbing articles:

Democrats' New 'Fairness' Push May Silence Conservative

Congress to Send Critics to Jail

The heck with those darn terrorists, lets attack Americans on the internet and the radio!

A Navy Second to None

Some encouraging statitics from the Weekly Standard:

According to Robert Work of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment, the Navy we have right now could "knock the snot out of any competitor." Work says the Navy now has "far more strike power" than the 600 ship Navy of 1989. With 10,000 missile cells, and a carrier fleet capable of hitting just as many targets in a single day, the U.S. Navy is without a serious rival. During Pax Britannia, the British navy understood supremacy to mean a force size larger than the next two largest navies combined. The United States Navy has more ships than the next 17 navies combined.

I wrote extensively on this subject in an editorial titled A Navy Second to None.

Republican Scandals Good for the Country?

As harmful and hurtful Republican scandals have been for the Party as well as the country, yesterday’s Earmark Reform, which the Senate passed yesterday 98-0, may be proof that some good has come from the fallout. The Democrats usually receive a free pass from the Press when it comes to overspending or even scandals. Now, when conservatives act and spend like liberals, the MSM is suddenly outraged, thereby making real reform possible.

I once thought the Press supported Democrats whole-heartedly because they both had a similar world view. Now I’m convinced it is because they can more easily control liberals. Meaning, what can you do with a Republican President who pays little heed to Media inspired polls and editorials, and instead listens to his head and heart in governing the nation?

Michelle Malkin Back From Iraq

The conservative columnist tells what she saw:

I came to Iraq a darkening pessimist about the war, due in large part to my doubts about the compatibility of Islam and Western-style democracy, but also as a result of the steady, sensational diet of "grim milestone" and "daily IED count" media coverage that aids the insurgency.

I left Iraq with unexpected hope and resolve.

The everyday bravery and consummate professionalism of the troops I embedded with have strengthened my faith in the U.S. military. These soldiers are well aware of the history, culture and sectarian strife that have wracked the Muslim world for more than a millennium. "They love death," one gunner muttered as we heard explosions in the distance while parked in al Adil. Nevertheless, these troops are willing to put their lives on the line to bring security to Iraq, one neighborhood at a time.

Almost everyone, save for the MSM, comes back from the war torn state with renewed hope for its future.

MiLinks

Rumsfeld's Strategy in Somalia. I knew you'd miss him!

Russian Missiles Delivered to Iran. Who's side are they on? Oh.

Navy River Rats Ready to Deploy. Better late than never!

Britain's New Model Army. Might sink new RN carriers.

New Land Warrior Systems Digitize The Battlefield. Return of the "poor bloody infantry".

Mass Producing the JSF. Return of the assembly line.

Merkava Muddles and Miracles in Lebanon. The Israeli's take stock.

Comanche's Child: The ARH-70 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter.

Forces Headed to Iraq. A DoD checklist.

Ship Prices Gone Wild. But can we afford not to?

US Subs Stand Down. Due to a rash of accidents.

Israeli Ship Not to Blame. After a Hezbollah missile strike.

Chinese Naval Building Boom. 14 ship classes to our 7.

The politically incorrect alphabet. C is for cannibal, H is for housewife.

Strykers in Demand!

According to the Stars and Stripes, there's not enough of the coveted vehicles to go around:

Today, the so-called “land-owning” U.S. military leadership — the commanders who are responsible for certain areas in Iraq and every U.S. military operation that happens inside those borders — are clamoring for Strykers, which are faster than tanks and said to be well-suited for urban combat.
Instead of belonging to a certain division, and working only for that unit, the Stryker combat teams go from operating base to operating base, and mission to mission. When a job is finished, they move on.
This works out because under the Army’s so-called “transformation” effort, Stryker units, which can serve as cavalry scouts, infantry, or some other purpose, are interchangeable.

Despite initial doubts, the Strykers have proven essential for the new insurgency warfare ongoing in the Middle East.

Rumsfeld's Strategy in Somalia

It must have taken alot of humble pie before the NY Times printed this story:

Military officials said the strike by an American gunship on terrorism suspects in southern Somalia on Sunday showed that even with the departure of Donald H. Rumsfeld from the Pentagon, Special Operations troops intended to take advantage of the directive given to them by Mr. Rumsfeld in the weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks...

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told members of Congress on Friday that the strike in Somalia was executed under the Pentagon’s authority to hunt and kill terrorism suspects around the globe, a power the White House gave it shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks.
It was this authority that Mr. Rumsfeld used to order commanders to develop plans for using American Special Operations troops for missions within countries that had not been declared war zones.

Bombers, Special Forces, and proxy states should be the blueprint for future US wars. Should save alot of money and lives.

Why Muslims Hate Us

Believe it or not, its not Bush's fault according to Dinesh D'Souza author of the new book "The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11":

"I am saying that the cultural left and its allies in Congress, the media, Hollywood, the nonprofit sector, and the universities are the primary cause of the volcano of anger toward America that is erupting from the Islamic world," explains D'Souza...

While D'Souza admits many Muslims irrationally hate Israel and some specific aspects of U.S. foreign policy, he argues that the growing anti-Americanism abroad is directed more at the global spread of our debased pop culture and the leftist political ideas that liberals so proudly defend. Family collapse, "gay marriage," licentiousness, pornography, abortion on demand, the war against religion in the public square – are all threats to traditional values in the West, as well as in the Muslim world.

I can imagine the Creator not too happy with our dearth of moral values of late. I wrote here on this issue with Reforming Hollywood Values .

Bush as Lincoln

I keep hearing this comparison alot lately. This one is from Canada, by David Warren:

President Bush is at his most Lincolnesque at the moment. Abraham Lincoln made most of the key decisions that ultimately won the American Civil War, over the opposition of Congress, public opinion, and most particularly, his generals. He was depicted in the press of his day much as Mr Bush is depicted in the media of our day: as a simpleton, in over his depth. Which doesn't mean Bush is another Lincoln. But doesn't preclude it, either.

And here is my own Lincoln analogy from Opeds.com:Bush Finds a General.

Welcome Back to the War

Spain recently had a rude awakening. Article from the BBC:

Spain's prime minister says he made a "clear mistake" by being too optimistic about the prospect of peace talks with the Basque separatist group Eta.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he had predicted an improvement in the peace process - the day before a bomb attack on 30 December claimed by Eta...
"All Spaniards heard me say on 29 December that I had the conviction that things were better for us than five years ago and that in a year's time things would be better for us," Mr Zapatero told a special session of parliament debating Spain's anti-terror policies.

"Although it is not frequent among public leaders, I want to admit to all Spanish citizens the clear mistake I made," he said.

This is good news, but I pray Americans won't need to be shocked in the same manner back into supporting the fight in Iraq.

The Rise of the Executive Branch

Foreign Policy Magazine labels this story "Bush’s Post-Katrina Power Grab", but am I the only who remembers liberals, the media, and Hollywood scream for the President to send in the Marines after the drowning of New Orleans?:

When U.S. President George W. Bush signed the $532 billion federal defense spending bill in October, there were the usual budgetary turf battles on Capitol Hill. But largely overlooked was a revision of a nearly 200-year-old law to restrict the president’s power during major crises. In December, Congressional Quarterly examined the changes, saying that the new law “takes the cuffs off” federal restraint during emergencies. Rather than limiting the circumstances under which a president may deploy troops to “any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy,” the 2006 revision expands them to include “natural disaster, epidemic, or other serious public health emergency, terrorist attack or incident.” In other words, it’s now easier for the federal government to send in troops without a governor’s invitation.

In the words of Thomas Paine "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly". We have gotten too use to security and comfort, and now we pay the price for our abuse of liberties.

In a related story, read this from Breitbart: Bush vows he will not be stopped by Congress over Iraq plan.

Iraq Recruits Brave Death to Join Police

This inspiring story is from CentCom:

AR RAMADI, Iraq, — Gunshots echoed in the distance as hundreds of hopeful Iraqi police recruits waited in line to join the fight against the insurgents still present within the city of Ramadi.

After three days of screening, roughly 400 Iraqi citizens out of the more than 600 applicants got their wish to become Iraqi police officers. On Jan. 8, the police recruits were transported to Jordan for the beginning of a five-week training course.

One year ago a murderous intimidation campaign prevented local Iraqis from enlisting in Ramadi. Recruiting numbers for police were insignificant.
More than 1,000 enlisted in the police force last month. Over 800 are expected to enlist in Anbar Province this month.

“The local tribes stood up to the intimidation campaign and are taking back their city from the terrorists,” said the Coalition spokesman in Ramadi Marine Maj. Riccoh Player.

More.

Iraqi's Fight for Iraq

This article is from CentCom:

The 1st Mechanized Brigade is the heavy-hitting reaction force for the Iraqi National Police. Based in Baghdad, its two battalions use a combination of fast Chevrolet pickup trucks and heavily-armored, six-wheeled vehicles used by Army military police units, to man checkpoints and run patrols along Route Irish. But their responsibility does not stop there; the 1st Mechanized Brigade was designed to quickly deploy throughout the region to augment security operations wherever they are needed.

Col. Emad, commander of 3rd Battalion, 1st Mechanized Brigade, is a soft-spoken, relentlessly determined, and realistic individual. He recognizes the need for a different mindset when confronting the security issues of contemporary Iraq.

“We are all Iraqis fighting for the Iraqi government,” he said through an interpreter, emphasizing the need to look past sectarian divisions when it comes to performing his role in the National Police.Public distrust for the National Police is perhaps the biggest obstacle to effective policing.

The intelligence officer for 3rd Battalion, Maj. Hamza, agrees. “The people should feel safe so they can come to the police when something is wrong – they must trust us before things will get better,” Hamza said.

More.

Bush borrows 'McMaster' plan

The Tamer of Tal Afar is well known here at New Wars. Story from the Telegraph:

When Col H R McMaster was deployed to Tal Afar in north-west Iraq in 2005, the city was an insurgent hotbed. Today it is the model for President George W Bush's new blueprint to rescue America's mission in Iraq.

The decision to pledge extra troops and resources announced last night will be vindicated if the successful tactics employed in Tal Afar can be replicated in trouble spots around Iraq. It is an approach that owes nothing to American military manuals but to a 1950s British operation to crush the Maoist uprising during the Malayan emergency.

Arriving in Tal Afar with his 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Col McMaster decided to purge the city of enemy fighters. After retaking the city, the cavalry showered it with rewards to hold it.

Two years later soldiers serving in Tal Afar report that the city is at peace. A US army specialist serving there said yesterday he looked forward to returning after brief R&R. "It's not a tough mission," he said. "It's quiet, just the way I like it."

This is very hopeful and here's wishing General Petraeus will take note.

Admiral Fallon and CENTCOM

Here is an interesting perspective why Navy Admiral William J. Fallon, current commander of Pacific Command (PACOM), is suddenly in charge of CentCom, from the American Thinker. (Hint-Its not about Iran):

...the real reason for hi selection as I see it is much simpler: PACOM has been showing steady progress towards victory in the War on Terror, while CENTCOM has not...

Acting without the restraints imposed by nominal allies, Admiral Fallon and PACOM have been closing the gate on Iran from the east **. India's strategic partnership with the US should be recognized as PACOM's singular achievement to date in the War on Terror. By the use of solid statesmanship, military exchanges and defense cooperation, the US has taken away the largest potential market for Persia's vast energy resources. Not only that, but a sea change of geo-political alignments has taken place that will be effective in countering any new alliances composed of both old and new enemies with access to Central Asia and the Pacific Rim...

In short, Admiral Fallon has been masterful in executing both our long-range strategic goals and in conducting the close fight by rolling up terror groups in the Pacific.

In other word, after 6 years of fighting the War on Terror almost single handily, the Army leadership is out of favor and the Navy is back in.

1918 in Iraq

Exactly 89 years ago the Allies in Western Europe were faced with another year of cruel fighting and seeming stalemate in the First World War. Since 1914 the Germans had resisted every offensive the British and French had launched, despite horrendous causalities totaling over a million on both sides (compare this to 3000 US deaths in 5 years of battle in Iraq). Despite the fact that America was now in the War on the Allied side, as they slowly but steadily built up forces in Europe, the outlook for 1918 appeared hopeless. Germany recently won their war against Russia in the East, as that nation agonized in the throes of the Communist Revolution, and were set to launch new battle hardened divisions against the British and French before America could intervene.

To make matters worse, the war-weary British were refusing their military leaders’ call for reinforcements to the Front. The French Army had suffered several mutinies and there was talk on both sides of a possible negotiated settlement with the barbaric “Huns”. It appeared that a cruel and tyrannical regime would soon hold sway over the worn democracies of Europe.

Somehow, in spite of the odds, the Allies managed to weather the storms of the New Year including the German offensives that lasted well until July. By then plans for the counterattack were well underway, with the newly tested American Army joining in. By August it was apparent the tide had turn undeniably in favor of the Allies, which inevitably led to the German surrender on November 11.

Skip ahead to 2007 and the War on Terror, where the parallels to over a century ago are striking. Bush is planning new offensives while the terrorist foe is likely forming their own strategies. A war-weary Congress is considering measures to halt any new reinforcements for our own battered but confident forces in Iraq. Meanwhile all hopes hinge on the new and as yet untried Iraqi Army, to take some of the Conflict off the shoulders of the Coalition. One can only trust the West to once again hold on a little while longer, giving the new Middle East democracy a chance, and halt the tide of barbarism once again.

Honest News

Iraqi-American soldier serving proudly

Don't Give Up On Iraq Yet

Aircraft Attack Al Qaeda Haven

Back from Iraq

Wounded Soldier Project

50 Terrorists Killed in Iraq Battle

Sailors Reach Out to Community

Al Qaeda's "War on the West" a Bust

On Patrol with the Gators

USS Eisenhower off the coast of Somalia

Iraq Launches Drive to Subdue Baghdad

Gates Calls for Troop Increase

A long over due move by the Administration, from NewsMax:

Defense Secretary Robert Gates called on Thursday for a permanent boost in the size of the Army and Marine Corps, the military branches most strained by Iraq, at a likely cost of $15 billion a year.
Gates recommended that President George W. Bush add 92,000 troops to the two services over five years, bringing the Army to 547,000 soldiers and the Marine Corps to 202,000 service members...

Gates proposed adding 65,000 troops to the Army and 27,000 to the Marine Corps, to be implemented in two steps.

This could be paid for not by raising taxes or the deficit, but from cutting the overly large federal budget. A very hard but not impossible task.

The New Iraq Strategy

WhiteHouse.gov has a Fact Sheet. An exert:

The President's New Iraq Strategy Is Rooted In Six Fundamental Elements:

1. Let the Iraqis lead;
2. Help Iraqis protect the population;
3. Isolate extremists;
4. Create space for political progress;
5. Diversify political and economic efforts; and
6. Situate the strategy in a regional approach.

Bill Roggio breaks it down, including this comment:

The U.S. Will not negotiate with Iran and Syria on Iraq, as recommended by the Baker Hamilton Commission. Iran is being called to account for its interference in internal Iraqi affairs.

More:Anchoress says Dems were for the Surge before they were against it.

Charleston Airmen get late Christmas present

This is a great story, from the Post and Courier:

Charleston County Council requested the County Park and Recreation Commission turn on the 600 light displays for one hour Monday so airmen who were deployed through Christmas could drive through with their families.

Staff Sgt. Steve Brown returned home Thursday with about 150 other airmen from the 14th Airlift Squadron, stationed at Charleston Air Force Base. While deployed to the Persian Gulf region, airmen spent four months flying C-17 Globemasters in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan, often evacuating injured troops and sometimes dropping supplies.

The Browns, who live in Summerville with their three children, heard on the radio Monday morning that the Festival of Lights would make a comeback. Steve Brown immediately called the radio station wanting to thank everyone on air. And Monday night he almost fell out of his minivan thanking the volunteers who directed drivers at the Festival of Lights gate...

The event also attracted Cheri Hubert of the Patriot Guard Riders.
The organization mainly serves to show their respect for those who have fallen while serving America. But when Hubert heard that recently deployed airmen would go through the light show, she drove in from Wadmalaw Island to hold an American flag at the entrance and show appreciation.

Thanks to our airmen and the people who support them!

Avenging Black Hawk Down 2

Al Qaeda's attack on the West continues to backfire, as the planner of attacks on American embassies in 1998 is killed in Somalia:

"I have received a report from the American side chronicling the targets and list of damage," Abdirizak Hassan, the Somali president's chief of staff, told the AP. "One of the items they were claiming was that Fazul Abdullah Mohammed is dead."

...Mohammed, 32, joined Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and trained there with Usama bin Laden, the terror network's leader, according to the transcript of an FBI interrogation of a known associate. He has a US$5 million price on his head for allegedly planning the 1998 attacks on the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 225 people.

Scratch another terrorist. The enemy is on the run, now for the death blow to come in Iraq.

MiLinks

Charleston Planes Move Cargo More Efficiently. The C-17 does it better!

Raptor Scores in Alaskan Exercise. 144 kills to zero!

US Seeks Help From Japan With Laser-based Missile Defense.

U.S. Selecting Hybrid Design for Nukes. Hey, if our enemies can rearm...

UAVs With Bite. The USAF is arming for robot warfare!

An All-Helicopter Army. What is this guy thinking? The return of the cavalry!

Australian Army Gets ScanEagle UAV.

Military Hummers Still Popular. Hummers for the holidays!

Not Your Grandpa's Barrage Balloon. The blimp makes a comeback.

Australia Rearms. The biggest little military!

Stryker increases troops’ survivability. The LAV rules in Iraq!

Israel May Cancel Arrow Missile. 20 years in the making.

Chinese Naval Building Boom. 14 new warship classes, versus 7 for the US!

Number and Age of US Navy Ships. With charts and graphs.

U.S. sub collides with Japan ship. Not again!

USS Eisenhower off the coast of Somalia. Al Qaeda takes another fall!

Official:Navy to Name Carrier USS Gerald Ford. Honoring our noble dead.

The Fearless General Petraeus

Here is an interesting snippet on the upcoming commander of Cent Com, General David Petraeus, from the book “America’s Victories” by Larry Schweikart:

“During Operation Iraqi Freedom (where the highest-ranking soldier killed as of 2005 was a colonel), Lieutenant General William Wallace, Major General David Petraeus, and Brigadier General Benjamin Freakely were standing near a Humvee and using it as a desk when mortar rounds dropped a few hundred meters away and started “walking” toward them. They calmly continued their meeting until the rounds were only thirty meters distant, then backed up a few feet to continue. Small arms and mortar fire erupted and the generals moved in the direction of the fire so rapidly that the military police protecting them had to run to keep up. Before the generals could engage the enemy, a helicopter spotted the mortar tube and artillery took it out, but the troops were impressed by the instinctive reaction of their corps leaders to move to the sound of the guns.”

Avenging Black Hawk Down

US helicopters and Gunships have joined the fight against Al Qaeda terrorists in Somalia, according to Bill Roggio:

As we noted yesterday, the AC-130 gunship attack on al-Qaeda leaders in Somalia, followed by the movement of the Eisenhower carrier group from the Persian Gulf region to the Somali coast, indicated the U.S. entry into the fight in omalia was entering a new, active phase. Today, U.S. helicopters struck at al-Qaeda targets in the southern tip of Somalia. The hunt for al-Qada and senior Islamic Courts leaders has expanded beyond Ras Kamboni. While the location of the strikes have yet to be confirmed, the Associated Press notes that a resident of Afmadow reported two helicopters in the area, and a Somali government source confirmed these were American helos.

This is a new front in the War on Terror, though US troops have been in neighboring Djibouti for some time. Hopefully we can continue this renewed offensive and carry it on into Iraq and Afghanistan.

Update: Austin Bay says "Al Qaeda called for jihad in Somalia. Looks like it got it."

More: Pajamas Media reports America's Boots on the ground in Somalia.

What Will Petraeus Do?

The NY Times has an idea what the new head of Coalition Forces might do in Iraq:

Under his predecessor, Gen. George Casey, the principal focus was on transferring security responsibilities to the Iraqi security forces, so U.S. troops could gradually withdraw.
Now the emphasis will shift to protecting the Iraqi population from sectarian strife and insurgent attacks.
Petraeus has not spoken publicly about his plans for Iraq. But the doctrine he has advocated suggests that he will want all five of the combat brigades slated to go to Iraq as quickly as possible instead of waiting for them to be phased in.
There has been a lively debate behind the scenes in the military about the best way to achieve the U.S. objectives in Iraq – or at least preserve stability as sectarian passions threaten to engulf the country...

Others have argued for more troops while stepping up economic efforts. Progress will come only when the Iraqi public does not feel that it needs militias or insurgent groups to ensure its security, they argue, and when it concludes that its basic economic needs are being met.
Training and advising the Iraqi forces should continue, but the Iraqis cannot be expected to shoulder the brunt of the security effort so quickly.
Petraeus has been squarely in this camp.

If I were leading the terrorist insurgency, I would lead a Tet style massive attack before the 5 brigades can surge into the country. This will not ensure victory for Al Qaeda, but outside of relying on the American anti-war effort, with only Silly Cindy at its head, there's little the enemy can do to sustain itself.

Another "Imminent" Attack on Iran

Once again there is a report in the Mainstream Media detailing a supposed Israeli attack plan on Iran, this time using tactical nuclear bunker busters. Last month it was the Americans we were told who were preparing to knock out the rogue state’s nuclear facilities, as an additional US Navy carrier sailing to the Persian Gulf area seems to imply.

While I’m sure attack scenarios are always on the table for military planners, and a military buildup when negotiations are underway between adversaries (the so-called Big Stick) is fairly common, this doesn’t necessarily mean war is imminent. As I’ve written on numerous occasions (here and here) the Battle of Iran is being fought in Iraq. If recent news reports are any indication: that proof has been found of the Insurgency being supported by Iran, this is hardly a far-fetched theory. The possession of nukes is no guarantee that the mullahs in Tehran can keep their radical revolution alive, which is why they are fighting so hard to bring about a US defeat in Iraq.

It is also to the MSM’s advantage to keep the drumbeat of war going, to boost faltering newspaper sales and sagging TV ratings. First they lead the charge to battle, and then are the first to turn against it, keeping the shock going by emblazoning American troop casualties in the headlines. In this case, though, I believe the Press has stumbled badly. With Israel completely focused on the Palestinian problem, plus Hezbollah constantly a threat, and Americans concentrated on winning in Iraq, it is doubtful either will waste precious resources on another Media incited war.

Mr. Washington Goes to Iraq

This is my latest editorial for Opeds.com, where I've been writing for 5 years. Thanks for tolerating my rants, guys!

Here Mr. Ellis compares American soldiers fighting for democracy in Iraq as the occupying British Redcoats of George Washington’s day. I could not disagree with this analogy more. It is the US who are the true insurgents of the Middle East, attempting to emplace the concept of liberty for those who have long known only tyranny and oppression. The Father of our Country, therefore, would not view America’s brilliant and bravest as conquerors attempting to uphold an alien way of life, but as liberators answering everyone’s deep desire for freedom.

The Good Guys Answer the Call!

And Charleston AFB leads to way! From the Post and Courier:

On Wednesday, Operation Home, members of the Air Force Reserve's 300th Airlift Squadron, the Depart-ment of Health and Environmental Control and area contractors gathered in Phillip' Sedgefield neighborhood backyard to celebrate the ground-breaking for a donated addition to his home.

The need for handicapped- accessible space has become urgent. Phillip requires spinal fusion surgery to straighten his curving spine and needs a handicapped-accessible bedroom for, what at the very best, would be a rough recovery, said mother Barbara Curtis.
The sixth-grade Sedgefield Middle School student uses a wheelchair to move around, but it won't fit most places inside his cozy brick ranch home.
Contractors said they expected to begin working on the room today with a completion date of Feb. 2 prior to Phillip' return from surgery.

Operation Home has known of the Curtis family's handicapped accessibility needs for the last two years. But the project was too big to tackle alone. The nonprofit has about $5,000 to give each accessibility project. The addition was estimated to cost from $50,000 to $75,000, said Emily Abedon,Operation Home director.
Then the 300th Airlift Squadron swooped in...

A handful of contractors, also from the 300th Airlift Squadron, will donate their time and materials.Matt Yaun, a reservist from Orangeburg, asked his company Cox Industries to donate the lumber.
'You can't meet Phillip and not want to help the young man,' Yaun said.

The latter is a plug for Cox, whom my dad works for. Thanks alot guys!