Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot-Wed. 7-7-10

The news out of Afghanistan remains grim. Today there are reports of a friendly fire incident where 5 Afghan soldiers were killed by a U.S. bombing strike. Buried in the story is the news that 3 American soldiers died in a roadside bomb. Where is the outrage that Afghans are killing Americans, not in friendly fire incidents, but on purpose? Who has been arrested and held accountable for the deaths of these U.S. troops?

Rest in Peace: RIP to our 3 good and faithful soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan. May God comfort their families in this time of loss. Photo: July 2010, Lebanon Chapel, Wilmington, North Carolina

In the meantime, repercussions of the Iraq war continue, as well as the war itself as the U.S. leaves that country. Where are the Iraq Victory Medals for U.S. troops who served honorably? There is constant talk of how the U.S. won the Iraq war from the politicians who approved Gen. Petraeus’ demotion from head of Cent-Com to lead the Afghan war as Gen. McChrystal’s replacement. Petraeus had been McChrystal’s boss. Anyway, there is praise that Petraeus won the Iraq war.

Well, that happened, if it happened, because of the work of U.S. troops on the ground who fought restricted rules of engagement there, as well as had the detainee catch and release problem to deal with. If the U.S. won the Iraq War and Petraeus gets all the praise, then the Congress should prepare for the President to sign, an IRAQ VICTORY MEDAL for U.S. troops. Not a day should be wasted, not another day should go by before this medal is issued for our American heroes who served honorably in Iraq.

Also, not another day should go by before Gen. Petraeus drops the restricted rules of engagement and detainee catch and release in Afghanistan.

Contact your elected officials if you want change. The changes being: 1.) Iraq Victory Medal for U.S. troops who served honorably in Iraq.  2.) Drop restricted rules of engagement and detainee catch and release in Afghanistan, both of which could endanger U.S. troops and prevent an American victory in that county.

U.S. soldiers and Marines who are in the brig for actions in war should be given a clemency, just as the U.S. grants clemency to Taliban fighters. The clemency for Taliban fighters has been written about, and last night on MSNBC on Rachel Maddow show from Afghanistan she showed the ceremony.

Afghans who have apparently maimed or killed U.S. troops and who are in prison, or for other crimes against troops in this war, are allowed to “swear” they will not fight against Americans again, and released to their families. Then a village elder or some such also “swears” that the prisoner will not fight again. Then they are released to their family.

If this is done for the Afghans, then the U.S prisoners who are in the Leavenworth brig due to actions in war should be allowed the chance to swear off violence and that they will not attack Afghans or Iraqis again, and be released to their families.

God bless the USA and God bless American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

LONG MAY IT WAVE: American flag flies against a dark sky in Wilmington, North Carolina, July 2010.

Links:

1.) 3 U.S. troops killed by Afghan roadside bomb; 5 Afghan troops killed in NATO airstrike-a friendly fire incident. Link:

http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/9000/14345848/NATO_airstrike_accidentally_kills_5_Afghan_troops

2.) Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC from Afghanistan; click on links at site to view information on her Afghanistan reporting:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/

Afghanistan Today-The GWOT Hotspot-Mon. 6-21-10

The war in Afghanistan continues on, more articles are coming out with questions as to the leadership in the war and other questions. There are several stories which point out what I have been saying for months:  LET THEM FIGHT OR BRING THEM HOME. Links:

1.) ROLLING STONE magazine article about Gen. Stanley McChrystal. It states McChrystal voted for Obama. Link:

http://rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/7392520/14590924/Top_general_in_Afghan_war_US_envoy_betrayed_me

2.) Undisciplined Afghan troops endanger Marjah Marines:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/06/marine_ana_062110w/

3.) Letter by American defense article states that ALL troops support counterinsurgency, and reveals in print that this policy of “winning hearts and minds” is how Obama plans to disrupt, dismantle and defeat the enemy. I believe the writer should serve time on the front lines and with some NCO’s such as quoted in George Will’s latest article, or in above Marine Corps Times article, see how these plans are working on the battlefield, as they are not working and endanger U.S. troops, and will not “dismantle, disrupt and defeat” the enemy. I have also been writing my representatives and the President, as I keep hearing “The Iraq surge worked,” and asked that our troops who served honorably in Iraq then receive an IRAQ VICTORY MEDAL.

From this letter, COIN revealed:

From the president to our troops and civilians on the ground to all of us in between, we are clear and unified on our goal in Afghanistan: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda and its network through a counterinsurgency campaign that will ensure Afghanistan does not again become a haven for violent extremists.

Link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/20/AR2010062003173_pf.html

4.) George Will article with input from NCO on how terrible the policy in Afghanistan is now:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7062168.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+houstonchronicle%2Fedtoutlook+(HoustonChronicle.com+–+Viewpoints%2C+Outlook)

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot-6-20-10-Sun.

The war in Afghanistan continues on. I can’t wait for the day I no longer have anything to post, and just cover US. victory parades. May our troops soon receive leadership which leads to victory so they can come home.

1) Counterinsurgency: “INEXACT PROCESS OF PERSUASION”.

Story about the war in Afghanistan, featuring Gen. Petraeus, who more or less admits the counterinsurgency, as it is being administered in Afghanistan is not winning hearts and minds and securing U.S. victory.  The cost of the war is causing a financial loss for the U.S. too.

From the story:

“That does not mean Petraeus is opposed to bringing some troops home, and he said repeatedly that he supports Obama’s strategy. His caution, however, is rooted in the fact that the uniformed military _ and counterinsurgency specialists in particular _ have always been uncomfortable with fixed parameters for an inexact process of persuasion.”

Old Glory flies: God bless the USA; God bless our troops onward to victory.

Link:

http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/9009/14491759/Troop_pullout_in_Afghanistan_set_for_next_summer/full/

Afghanistan Today-the GWOT Hotspot-11/25/09-Wed.

Another Thanksgiving at war for our troops. Say a prayer for them.

1.)  Story says Blackwater operating in Pakistan:

http://www.alternet.org/world/144153/blackwater’s_secret_war_in_pakistan_revealed?page=3

2.) Remember our troops serving time at Ft. Leavenworth brig this Thanksgiving:

http://www.dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/EntryId/1143/Clemency-for-Terrorists-But-Not-For-Our-Soldiers.aspx

3.) Pres. Obama and his ‘finish the job’ quote:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/11/25/2009-11-25_prez_stuck_in_muck_with.html

4.) High level of contractors in Afghanistan, some pay the Taliban for truckloads of supplies to pass:

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/25/pm-contractors/

5.) Alleged terrorist alleges that Navy Seals bruised his lip in arrest. What’s this? Payback for killing the Muslim pirates in Somalia ship hijacking and attack case? Commander in Chief should step up and stop this proceeding and award these Seals medals for their arrest:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/navy_seals_charged_fallujah_112509w/

6. ) Hero of Ft. Hood terrorist attack, should be awarded posthumously a medal for bravery; combat action ribbon:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/gns_hero_112509/

7.) Obama’s Afghanistan, from American Spectator:

http://spectator.org/archives/2009/11/25/obamas-afghanistan

8.) Ann Coulter describes how MSNBC is covering the terrorist attack at Ft. Hood: by not calling it a terrorist attack! Link:

http://townhall.com/columnists/AnnCoulter/2009/11/25/msnbc_exclusive_fort_hood_never_happened!

9.)  Glenn Beck’s take on the charging of Navy Seals for the arrest of alleged terrorist:

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/33558/

10.) Thanksgiving dinner at Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines: Gob bless and pray for them:

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=73930

Afghanistan Today-The GWOT Hot Spot-Wed. 11-25-09

Many stories abound about Afghanistan with Pres. Obama getting near an announcement of his second troop surge to Afghanistan. He sent 21,000 troops after his 3-27-09 strategy speech. These troops are currently rotating out, at least the Marines who serve 7-month tours, and they ARE being replaced. This has been reported in the media.

The leaked news is that 34,000 troops will be sent in this second surge. With the first surge being replaced, the total surge troops for first and second surge is 21,000 + 34,000 = 55,000. I think I read that in addition to the 55,000 troops for the first and second surges; there are 68,000 troops already in Afghanistan. This is 55,000 troop surge troops from first and second surge, and the 68,000 already there. This will total 123,000 U.S. troops.

If the strategy announced is going to be the nation-building proposed by Gen.McChrystal rather than killing the enemy, the counter-insurgency manual by Gen. Petraeus states that 600,000 troops will be needed for that.

So, we will see how it all is worked out, and whether we are going into Afghanistan to nation-build (built clinics, schools, roads, etc.) or to win by killing the enemy. I don’t see how the U.S. can nation build before the enemy is killed and victory declared. I propose VICTORY before nation-building.

Links from around the Global War on Terror, the GWOT:

1.) Are there too many hired guns in Afghanistan? Excellent figures and charts:

http://www.good.is/post/are-there-too-many-hired-guns-in-afghanistan/

2.)  Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan: Richard Holbrooke:

http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=23698

3.) Soldier delivering supplies in Afghanistan murdered by suicide car bomber. RIP soldier. I hope they arrested those who were involved in this bombing and they are facing charges soon, President Karzai should offer apology for his people doing this, and money to the family of the fallen soldier. Link:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091123/NEWS01/911239992/0/NEWS0102

4.) More on Somalia terrorist links; 20 recruited from Minnesota:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/us/24terror.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

5.)  Stand Up America web site: good information and links on the military, wars, etc.:

http://standupamericaus.com/gen-paul-vallely-islamists-infiltrating-u-s-military:20192

6.)  More on the Navy Seals being charged and facing a court martial. INSANE! This abuse of our military MUST be STOPPED. Excellent reports from Diana West on this and other situations of concern:

http://www.dianawest.net/BlogArchive/tabid/56/Default.aspx

7.)  Power plants, truckers, more corruption in Afghanistan? Link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/17/opinion/main5688764.shtml

Afghanistan Today-The GWOT Hotspot-11-21-09-Sat.

There are many brave American troops in Afghanistan now, and many more still in Iraq and around the world in the Global War on Terrorism, who need our prayers and support. God bless them and may they be on their way to victory, and return home soon.

1.) British troops KIA in Iraq and Afghanistan return through Wooton Bassett and grieving town and family come out to greet the hearses. Great story and photos about this sad return of UK troops. Link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1229653/100th-day-tears-Wootton-Bassett-welcomes-home-soldiers-fell-Afghanistan.html?ITO=1490

2.) U.S. Army has no way to deal with jihadists within its ranks. I still want to know why Gen. Casey has not been fired for saying on various TV shows that if the Army lost diversity it would be a greater tragedy than the deaths of U.S. troops at Ft. Hood. Adm. Mullen and Sec. Gates were in a press conference played on Michael Savage radio show and on TV yesterday, and refused to call the terrorist attack at Ft. Hood a terrorist attack! Adm. Mullen already said that Afghan civilians were paramount. I visited my Congressman in person and ask that Adm. Mullen be fired for stating this instead of considering US troops and US civilians paramount. Gen. McChrystal said Afghan civilians are most important. The whole leadership of the military needs to FOCUS ON KILLING THE ENEMY and winning the war, and NEVER having another terrorist attack against US troops on US soil such as at the Little Rock, Arkansas recruiting station, or at Ft. Hood. Link:

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/20/army-lacks-guide-on-jihadists-in-ranks/

3.) Obama weighs troop increase in Afghanistan:

http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/2009/11/20/obama-weighs-troop-increase-in-afghanistan.html?s_cid=rss:obama-weighs-troop-increase-in-afghanistan

4.)  Sen. Levin says higher taxes may be needed on high income earners to pay for war in Afghanistan’s second surge:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aI4IdHYuAl94

5.) Sen. Levin says there may be more Hasan e mails; calls Ft. Hood shooting a terrorist attack:

http://rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/9000/9563504/Levin_Fort_Hood_probe_may_reveal_more_e-mails

6.) Camp Bastion doctor in Afghanistan:

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/39It39s-the-hardest-thing-when.5843235.jp

7.) Blackwater guard (now Xe) has charges dropped:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_blackwater_charges_dropped_112009/

8.) Hasan hearing Saturday in hospital:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_army_hood_hasan_hearing_112009/

9.) The battle for hearts and minds, Father of Fallen Marineand father of fallen soldier speak. Marine’s father is retired Marine, John Bernard-excellent story:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/223528

Afghanistan Today-The GWOT Hotspot-Fri. 11-20-09

Still no announcement on the number of American troops to be sent to the second surge in Afghanistan. The first surge, announced on March 27, 2009, along with the strategy, totaled 21,000 troops. God bless our troops and may they secure a victory and be able to come home soon. Links from around the Global War on Terrorism, the GWOT:

1.)  While  Afghanistan is heating up, operations are slowly winding down in Iraq; US troops still there:

http://www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11539984

2.) Hasan’s supervisor warned of his behavior in 2007:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120540125

3.) Soldier KIA Afghanistan-trying to save supplies dropped into river:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20091119farewell_today_for_soldier_killed_in_afghanistan/srvc=home&position=recent

4.) Sec. Gates hints at troop increase in Afghanistan despite logistical troubles:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/19/gates-hints-increase-troops-afghanistan/

5.) McCain seeks review of work by retired generals:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/gns_mentors_folo_111909/

6.) Retired brass cash in:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2009-11-19-ex-generals_N.htm

7.) Marines ordered removed, involved in Iraq incident. I say if these Marines are removed, then the Sec. of the Army must immediately remove the accused Ft. Hood shooter, Hasan from the Army. Link:

http://www.modbee.com/state/story/938801.html

8.) MarSOC gets new command, new multi-million dollar building:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_marine_spec_ops_112009/

Afghanistan Today-The GWOT HotSpot-11/18/09-Wed.

More and more comes out about the terrorist who attacked Ft. Hood, who was an enemy combatant, an infiltrators in my opinion. In the meantime, winter is arriving soon in Afghanistan and our troops face the cold of war. Keep them in your prayers and pray for victory in America and that there will be U.S. generals, perhaps promoted to replace the ones who are not winning the war now, who can lead this country to victory. God bless and keep our troops. On to victory. Various links below from around the Global War on Terrorism, the GWOT:

1.) Training Afghan troops and police is taking way too long! This should be read by every politician and general, as well as the  President. Link: (it can be e-mailed or faxed to your rep to review). Link:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/nov/15/training-foreign-troops-taking-way-too-long/

2.)  Story about the Ft. Hood terrorist attack. Read up on the situation, which is describes as treason, an excellent: read:

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.4789/pub_detail.asp

3.) Why Ft. Hood probe was nixed:

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.4788/pub_detail.asp

4.) Red flags ignored in Hasan case, Ft. Hood terrorist attack:

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.4787/pub_detail.asp

5.) “Injustice” Department:

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.4787/pub_detail.asp

6.)  Benefit for injured MarSOC Marine (Special Ops Marines) Staff Sgt. Johnny Stanz. Pray for the Staff Sgt during his long recovery, and for his family:

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/military/marines/Benefit-for-family-of-injured-Marine

7.)  Ft. Hood victims need to be awarded the Purple Heart and casualty benefits:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/17/gop-effort-benefits-fort-hood-victims-fuel-political-dispute/

8.) Purple Hearts proposed for Ft. Hood victims:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/17/fort.hood.medals/

9.) Mourners gather to honor fallen MarSOC Marine (Special Ops Marine), KIA Afghanistan:

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2009/11/17/news/local_news/newsstory1_fallen_marine_funeral.txt

10.) Marine Lance Corporal killed in Afghanistan for our freedom, RIP Marine:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/marine_hefner_111609w/

11.) Pentagon: Wide probe likely after Ft. Hood terrorist attack, are there more enemy infiltrators or traitors in our midst? Link:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_hood_investigation_111709/

12.) 8th Marine Regiment returns after nearly 9 mo. in Afghanistan:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_8th_marines_return_111809/

13.) Senate Homeland Committee, Sen. Collins to investigate Ft. Hood terrorist attack:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_hood_investigation_111609/

14.) Four Marines killed in Afghanistan when 2 helicopters went down, under investigation to see if they were shot down by the enemy. Link:

 http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/article_36d5035c-60a6-55bc-909c-273ab6d55fac.html

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hot Spot-Thurs. 11-12-09

Veterans Day is over and we will have another year at war as American troops remain in Iraq and are being added to Afghanistan in a second troop surge. The first troop surge ordered to Afghanistan by Obama was when he announced his strategy for the war there on March 27, 2009.

Various stories from around the Global War on Terrorism, the GWOT:

1.) Fifth annual drive in memory of PFC Scott Vallely:

http://www.dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/EntryId/1124/MG-Vallelys-Christmas-for-the-Troops-Gift-Program.aspx

2. Blind diversity equals death: Excellent story by Michelle Malkin:

http://townhall.com/columnists/MichelleMalkin/2009/11/11/blind_diversity_equals_death?page=1

Afghanistan Today-The GWOT HotSpot Wed. 11-11-09-Veteran’s Day

GOD BLESS THE U.S. MILITARY!  MAY GOD KEEP THEM UNDER HIS WATCH THIS VETERANS DAY!

VETERAN’S DAY:  ANOTHER YEAR AT WAR, AND THE WAR HIT HOME AS THE GWOT HOTSPOT WAS BACK ON OUR HOMELAND NOV. 5TH, 2009 AT FT. HOOD, DESPITE THE ADDITION OF A DEPARTMENT CALLED THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PROVIDED NO SECURITY OF OUR HOMELAND LAST THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 2009. THOSE VETERANS WERE GUNNED DOWN IN COLD BLOOD BY AN ALLEGED TERRORIST. AN ARMY MAJOR NO LESS, WHOM THE GENERALS ALLEGEDLY ALLOWED TO STAY IN THE MILITARY DESPITE JIHADIST CONTACTS, SO THEY MAY FACE ALLEGED DERELICTION OF DUTY CHARGES. ALL ALLEGED OF COURSE.

A memorial service was held at Ft. Hood yesterday, the Marine Corps Birthday, Estb. 1775, for the 13 soldiers killed in the terrorist attack on base by the alleged enemy comnbatant terrorist.

I hope they remove the title of major, which he should no longer have, and stop the pay of the enemy combatant who shot the US soldiers at Ft. Hood. He should receive no more pay from our tax dollars.

Following are stories from around the Global War on Terror, the GWOT:

1.) Marine Special Operations sergeant killed in acation in Afghanistan:

http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/5e4c1755-4ae9-54d1-9f77-711ebf537938.html

2.) Emporia, Kansas is the home of Veterans Day, and it just seems fitting to link this story about a heroic Emporia, Kansas Marine serving at Camp Dwyer, in Helmand Province Afghanistan. He was helping put out the fires from the crashes of two helicopters recently. Link:

http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2009/nov/10/war_hero/

3.) Salute to all American veterans, it lists the story of how an Emporia, Kansas native started Veteran’s Day as a celebration:

http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2009/11/11/ohmygov-salutes-veterans-veterans-day-nov-11-2009.aspx