Got the power...

Just because I love the M1A2.

Merry Christmas

Now what...

The President finally made a “decision” on Afghanistan.  Surprisingly, it is very much like the initial recommendation from Gen. Stanley McChrystal.  We will augment our forces in Afghanistan by nearly 40,000 troops, almost two full divisions, and seek almost 10,000 troops from contributing allies.  Recall, this conflict – which started in 2001 – is a NATO operation under Article 5, mutual self defense.

 

The war was originally executed in a proxy fashion, with indigenous militias, CIA operatives and SOCOM forces.  In fact, Afghanistan was won with only 1300 US troops deployed and no allied help.  We only increased our troop levels to more than 30,000 in 2008.

 

In essence, we held Afghanistan and maintained control with a fractional force through critical elections and numerous fighting seasons with less than a full division.  This troop level was actually lower than some provinces in the Iraq conflict. 

 

Now we will see troop levels in the AOR at or near 100,000 in 2010.  This is meant to be a surge through at least July of 2011, many – including myself – will criticize the President for announcing an end date to this effort.  Whether this will result in a successful timeline is unclear.  Our enemy remains elusive, able to melt across various borders and gaining support from numerous proxy players, such as Iran.  There are a host of those with criticism of our strategy, however, Afghanistan is not Iraq, there is no centralized ruling party – nor has there ever been a central government in this tribal nation.

 

Afghanistan is also not Vietnam.  There is no superpower supporting the opposing side nor are there large standing armies in place.  What we found in the country was a failed state – a victim of having limited natural resources (and thus no national economy).  Afghanistan has also suffered almost continual warfare since the 1970s and a narcotics based agriculture – in which farmers benefit little.

 

So the question remains, now what?  There are three critical needs.  Establishment of a viable national, central Afghan security force is vital.  Think cavalry in the old west of the United States.  Secondly, the role of the central government must be clarified with some version of power sharing with local tribal leaders.  The central government’s role must be the allocation of resources and fostering of trade and industry.  Finally, some policy which permits recognition of differences of faith without allowing the Taliban to regain control to the extent they had prior to 2001.

 

This is a huge task.  One which will require more than eighteen months.

 

One Dad's Opinion: Generation Rescue: A Timeline...

Just some backstory on the dangerous "grass roots" group known as Generation Rescue. A collection of hysterical, non-science anti-vaccinationists who are driven by emotion (note - feelings about ones children will drive parents to do anything, even if it's wrong).

One Dad's Opinion: Generation Rescue: A Timeline

Fort Hood...

Yesterday we lost soldiers, murdered by a fellow soldier - and no less an officer, medical practioner and psychiatrist.  The actions by the officer involved have brought tragedy and shame to the military.  It continues to underscore how the poison of mental illness, including irrational religious belief, can overcome education and reason.  My heart goes out to the families of the fallen and those wounded by this despicable act. 

Undeserved...

Holy smoke. I have heard of unwarranted accolades, but this is entirely
ridiculous. One speech in Egypt does not a peace prize make. I like the
President, but this is absurd. Once again, we are witness to the further
politicization of the Peace Prize. To place Obama with the likes of Sadat
and Begin is unthinkable.

The United States radically revamed its awarding of the Medal of Honor from
Civil War handouts to rigorous, vetted and deserving selection processes. I
am frankly at a loss.

-----Original Message-----
From: The Huffington Post [mailto:dailybrief@huffingtonpost.com]
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 6:35 AM
Subject: ALERT: Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

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October 09, 2009

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Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
<http://nl.huffingtonpost.com/link.php?M=278669&N=99222&C=8e1c12e09310a52017
1b38a135e7ec4d&L=6896>

President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for "his
extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation
between peoples," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to
the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.

The stunning choice made Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the
Nobel Peace Prize and shocked Nobel observers because Obama took office less
than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline. Obama's name had been
mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed
it was too early to award the president.

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Crossing the line...

I run the header of Day by Day Cartoons by Chris Muir because I like his art, generally agree with the premise of the cartoon and have actively supported his work financially. I am not, however, very fond of the most recent strip detailing salacious attributes to Obama political appointee Kevin Jennings.

Claims made by various pundits on media outlets, like FOX and CNN, have been proven to be incorrect and exaggerated. Media Matters details the pivotal issue around a self reported event by Mr. Jennings which occurred early in his teaching career. This is a baseless measure for pursuing his resignation. Whether he is qualified to hold the post by virtue of academic or experiential qualifications is a different matter.

A person’s sexual orientation should generally be off limits. There are boundaries – pedophiles are clearly a category in which orientation should be considered disqualifying.

What concerns me is the role these “czar’s” play in policy development. Having known a number of political appointees, I have found them to be a mixed bag. In areas requiring highly specialized knowledge, they tend to be well qualified and provide value to the nation. In roles in which their position is simply to maintain the administration’s philosophy, I have found them to be negative influences on their organization, and by extension the nation.

I would like to see more accountability from our government and much better transparency. I trust the government to act in my best interests and spend my money wisely, both for today and tomorrow.

About time...

I am in part of the DoD which deals with acquisition. For any fans of history, the Navy A12 fighter was one of the greatest disasters of DoD acquisition and heralded a wave of reform and reorganization. Now we are seeing aspects of real reform in the field. The M-ATV is a vast improvement over the unwieldy and far too heavy MRAPs in the Iraqi theater. Although the MRAPs were near invulnerable, they lacked maneuverability, could not cross some roads and limited quick response.

The newest and most effective wave of acquisitions are developed from battlefield needs, frequently can be filled with COTS (commercial off the shelf) gear and don't take years to deploy. The news of the entry into the Afghanistan theater of the M-ATV will be welcome news to troops who are seeing a substantial uptick in roadside bombings.

From: info106@info.govdelivery.com [mailto:info106@info.govdelivery.com] On Behalf Of American Forces Press Service
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 4:17 PM
Subject: New Protective Vehicles Head to Afghanistan

New Protective Vehicles Head to Afghanistan
Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:11:00 -0500

New Protective Vehicles Head to Afghanistan Overnight By John J. Kruzel American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2009 - The first parcel of an influx of vehicles designed to protect troops from deadly roadside bombs is expected to arrive overnight in Afghanistan, a Defense Department spokesman said today. The expected delivery comes soon after the department awarded an order for more than 6,600 of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles -- known as M-ATVs -- to be fielded over the next year. "That is just the first wave of a massive production and transportation program that will see at least 6,644 of these life-saving vehicles delivered to our forces in Afghanistan over the next year or so, making it one of the fastest and highest-priority acquisition programs in the history of the Defense Department," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters today. Three M-ATVs were loaded onto a C-17 and four onto a C-5 at the Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., yesterday and flown to Afghanistan. Morrell characterized the shipment as an "extraordinary achievement" considering that the contract for production of these highly maneuverable armored trucks was awarded to the Oshkosh Corp. just three months ago. Conventional MRAP vehicles feature a V-shaped hull to deflect roadside bombs, and are proven to be lifesavers on the battlefield. The M-ATV provides troops a smaller and more maneuverable vehicle that can travel off-road and navigate Afghanistan's difficult, mountainous terrain, Marine Corps Systems Command officials said. Morrell said the department would like the M-ATVs to have an effect in Afghanistan similar to the one that MRAPs had when they were delivered en masse to Iraq, leading to a reduction in casualties resulting from roadside bombs. "These new vehicles are urgently needed, because improvised explosive devices are claiming the lives of more U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan than ever before," he said. "The hope is that the M-ATVs will have the same impact in Afghanistan as the MRAPs did in Iraq, providing our troops the best counter-IED protection money can buy so that they can defeat the terrorist networks responsible for planting these bombs, and ultimately win the trust and confidence of the Afghan people." The M-ATV supports small-unit combat operations in highly restricted rural, mountainous and urban environments that include mounted patrols, reconnaissance, security, convoy protection, communications, command and control, and combat service support. It is designed to replace the up-armored Humvee in Afghanistan. The M-ATV will carry up to five personnel: four plus a gunner. Morrell added that the vehicle has captured the attention of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who previously made it a personal mission to oversee the expedited fielding of the MRAP vehicle in Iraq. "With so much riding on this program, of course Secretary Gates will be watching it like a hawk in the coming months, just as he did the MRAPs," Morrell said.

Related Articles: First M-ATVs Deploy to Afghanistan

Foiled again...

The threat to the United States continues to exist, relatively unabated.  The recent spate of news regarding foiled plots is likely partly intentional.  I would hope that the current administration is reminding our enemies that we will not relax our efforts to eliminate the threat of terrorist attack.  Despite the grim news from Afghanistan, it is likely a good sign as it will force the administration and its allies to get serious about dealing with the nearly ungovernable region of the world.

---

FBI, Navy Foiled Alleged Terror Plot on Quantico
Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:50:00 -0500

FBI, Navy Foiled Alleged Terror Plot on Quantico By Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2009 - An indictment handed down yesterday in a North Carolina federal court charges three men with plotting to attack Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., with the intent to murder U.S. military personnel. The men -- two American citizens and a legal U.S. resident from Kosovo – are Daniel Patrick Boyd, 39; his son, Zakariya Boyd, 20; and Kosovo native Hysen Sherifi, 24, according to Justice Department and Marine Corps news releases. The three allegedly were involved in a plot to procure maps of the base and assemble weapons as a precursor to an attack, the releases say. They also are named with four other men -- including another Boyd son, Dylan, 22 -- in a sealed indictment July 22 for alleged involvement in a conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, as well as conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons abroad, the releases say. Agents from the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Quantico's headquarters' staff collaborated on an investigation that uncovered the alleged plot at the base. "We have been in close coordination with NCIS and FBI agents and other officials throughout the Boyd investigation," Quantico's base commander Marine Col. Dan Choike said in a Marine Corps news release. "We have ensured that the safety and protection of our Marines, their families and civilians who call Quantico home, received our first and absolute attention," Choike said. "That attention in all matters continues to be our main focus." Others indicted in the alleged broader terrorism activities include: -- Anes Subasic, 33, a naturalized U.S. citizen; -- Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan, 22, a U.S. citizen; and -- Ziyad Yaghi, 21, a U.S. citizen. All seven men are residents of North Carolina. The defendants were arrested July 27 at various locations. All are being held without bond. "These charges hammer home the point that terrorists and their supporters are not confined to the remote regions of some far-away land, but can grow and fester right here at home," U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding said in the Justice Department news release.

 

The greatest sacrifice...

The Medal of Honor, MOH, in its current form represents the highest level of sacrifice a citizen can make.  What has always struck me about this award is the simple bravery which was exhibited by a member of the armed forces in the face of overwhelming danger and chaos. 

 

- CD

Obama to Award Medal of Honor to Soldier
Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:31:00 -0500

Obama to Award Medal of Honor to Soldier American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2009 - President Barack Obama is scheduled tomorrow night to award the Medal of Honor to Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti at a White House ceremony. The ceremony will mark Obama's first award of the nation's highest military honor, and the sixth Medal of Honor awarded since Sept. 11, 2001. Obama will present the award posthumously to Monti's family. His parents, Paul and Janet Monti, are scheduled to accept the award. He also is survived by a brother, sister and niece. Monti, of Raynham, Mass., was 30 when he was killed June 21, 2006, in a firefight in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border. He was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Drum, N.Y. Monti enlisted in March 1993 and attended basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Okla. His military honors include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, five Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals and three National Defense Service Medals. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant first class. The Medal of Honor is awarded to servicemembers who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in military action against an enemy of the United States. The award for extraordinary merit has been bestowed on 3,447 men and one woman since President Abraham Lincoln signed it into law Dec. 21, 1861. Five servicemembers have received the Medal of Honor -- all posthumously -- for service since 9/11.

Related Sites: Special Report: Medal of Honor

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Latest to go...

A long time ago I took up a direct commission in the Navy Reserve.  It was 1997.  The internet boom was in full swing, Clinton was POTUS and it looked like most of the free world would continue to expand and things would chill out. 

 

That was not to be the case.  The USS COLE (DDG 67) was bombed in Aden harbor, our embassies in Africa were attacked and things just went south from there.  As a consequence, I was shocked (but perhaps not surprised) when the World Trade Center was attacked almost eight years ago. 

 

At that time I was the CO (commanding officer) of a maintenance unit in Norfolk, Virginia.  A lot of my sailors were recalled to active duty and assigned to security across military facilities around the nation.  What many people fail to remember is that until 2001, almost all military installations were open bases.  That is almost anyone was permitted to drive around on base, with a few exceptions.   I was turned away from Fort Knox when I asked to conduct a spot citizen’s inspection.

 

I was an officer with NPS (no prior service) at the time.  As part of my community, we were rotated through various schools, training evolutions and assignments UI (under instruction) to build up our credentials and experience enough to make us useful to the Navy.

 

One of my very good friends, Steve Michaels, is now deploying to Afghanistan.  Steve is a great guy, a competitive marathoner, piano player, Eagle Scout and uber-geek (anyone with a masters in Electrical Engineering qualifies).  He is also dedicated to his beliefs and committed to our nation.

 

I spent time with Steve in New York at the New York Maritime University’s campus under the Throgg’s Neck Bridge.  It was for a two week course in basic naval engineering.  We were instructed by the saltiest of merchant mariners and billeted aboard the school’s break bulk freighter, the Empire State.   

 

Steve is an enthusiastic member of our nation’s armed forces.  He stayed the course when a lot of our colleagues fell by the wayside.  Spend some time reading about his experiences at Major FUBAR.

 

Photos and dispatch from the war...

Michael Yon is a great writer who continues to deliver the ground eye view
of operations in OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom). With the renewed focus
on Afghanistan, it's critical to understand the political, military and
economic challenges in this important part of the world. Not the least
reason is its proximity to Pakistan (nuclear armed, Islamic, not too stable
Pakistan).

The region has frustrated great powers for some time, Britain in the 19th
century, the Soviet Union in the 20th and now attempts to thwart the efforts
of the United States and the rest of the world from imposing some sort of
rule of law into a perennially lawless region.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Yon [mailto:myonmail=michaelyon-online.com@mcsv63.net] On
Behalf Of Michael Yon
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 8:33 AM
Subject: Photos and dispatch from the war

Greetings,

I'll definitely miss being out with British combat troops. Great soldiers
who can always count on the support of at least one writer. The British
Ministry of Defense, however, needs a tune up.

Am back with U.S. forces and did three missions on Sunday. More on that as
time unfolds.

American and British forces are working closely together here. The
U.S./U.K. relationship in Helmand is extremely good. (Presumably elsewhere,
too, but I do not know.) My first mission yesterday was with a U.S. Air
Force helicopter rescue team to pick up a British casualty. The British
people at home should know that our helicopters will get their men and women
off the battlefields and back to the hospital in less than an hour, no
matter what.

Please see today's dispatch, wherein a British soldier who was watching out
for me gets his antenna shot off.
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9342e9752&id=58affb7de5&e=7f542a2382>

--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon

PS Please sign up for my Twitter.com updates at "Michael_Yon" (not Michael
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Is mixed on the loss of Ted Kennedy.

Afghanistan...

Afghanistan remains a quandary.  The nation is bereft of any civil infrastructure, in fact, it never had any to speak of ever.  The countryside is demanding, landlocked and incredibly fracture with tribal rule the norm.  Combine that with a huge illicit drug crop and you have a recipe for chaos, which Western powers realized as they watched the Soviet army become bogged down and then defeated in the 1980s.  How should we approach this breeding ground for extremists?

 

The unseating of the Taliban in 2002 was brilliant.  The US managed a conflict with proxy players and technology to stunning effect.  The problem is that the nation requires billions in building dollars and a complete overhaul of its government if it is to maintain its progress.  Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan has no true national identity and no underlying rule of law upon which to rely.  One of my favorite writers in the field is Michael Yon.  He posts routinely from Iraq and now Afghanistan.  His perspective is often from the ground level - a grunt's eye view of the conflicts.  His latest dispatch identifies the plight of our most stalwart allies, the soldiers of the United Kingdom. 

---

From: Michael Yon [mailto:myonmail=michaelyon-online.com@mcsv12.net] On Behalf Of Michael Yon
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 12:15 AM
Subject: Do Americans Care About British Soldiers?

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19 August 2009

Greetings from Afghanistan,

There is every indication that this war will become worse than I saw in Iraq.  Very dangerous here.  Too much happening to explain quickly.  Will require ongoing series of dozens of dispatches.  (Am on it.)  Would need 24/7 head-cam to truly capture this. 

Meanwhile, please see this very interesting dispatch: Do Americans Care about British Soldiers?

--
Your Writer,

Michael Yon


PS Please sign up for my Twitter.com updates at "Michael_Yon" (not Michael Yon).




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