B*N*S*N1

IEDs ‘Largely Ineffective’ in Iraqi Province, U.S. Officer Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2008 – The enemy’s use of improvised explosive devices continues to decline in northern Iraq’s Salahuddin province, a senior U.S. officer posted there said today.Consequently, “the situation here continues to improve from a security standpoint,” Army Col. Scott McBride, commander of the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, told Pentagon reporters during a satellite-carried news conference.

McBride’s unit is based in Tikrit, northwest of Baghdad in Salahuddin province. The 4,000-member brigade is a component of Multinational Division North, and it has been in Iraq for about a year.

The enemy is still active in Salahuddin province, McBride said. However, he added, security indicators in the province are “significantly better” than they were at the first of the year.

For example, McBride said, the “amount and volume of improvised explosive devices continues to decline” in Salahuddin province....

This has to be great news for everybody! Find the rest of this B*N*S*N here.

B*N*S*N2

Iraqi army confident in ability to defend

Aug 15, 2008
BY Sgt. Rick Rzepka

An Iraqi Army soldier provides security as his platoon searches for weapons in the western desert of Bayji, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka

BAYJI, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 15, 2008) -- Iraqis taking care of Iraqis -- this is the shape of things to come here.

Garnering the trust and cooperation of the Iraqi people, Iraqi Army battalions near the oil-rich town of Bayji, have made the turn. No longer is the burgeoning Iraqi Army being coddled by their American counterparts. Rather, according to Military Transition Team Soldiers of the 1st Battlaion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Iraq's defenders are confident, determined and capable of securing its citizens.

As violence tapers off across the country, Iraq's security forces are increasingly taking responsibility for the security of the people. Seen as a critical component of success here, Iraq's Army has grown from a pocket-sized force in 2004, to a military monolith that has earned the trust of the people and the respect of its coalition partners....

Who'd a thunk it? Us, of course! But don't wait for the msm to print this. YOU can find the rest of this B*N*S*N story here.

B*N*S*N3

British troops complete operation to deliver vital power turbine

A Military Operations news article

2 Sep 08

Around 2,000 British troops in Afghanistan have taken part in a huge convoy to deliver a hydro-electric turbine 180 kilometres by road from Kandahar airfield to Kajaki dam.

Elements of the convoy taking part in Operation OQAB TSUKA, including Mastiff and Viking armoured vehicles, wait in FOB Zeebrugge while the turbines are offloaded
[Picture: Sgt Anthony Boocock, RLC]

The operation, codenamed 'OQAB TSUKA', or 'Eagle's Summit', involved a further 2,000 Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF troops from the US, Canada, Denmark and Australia.

The turbine, once installed and fully operational, will help provide some 1.5 million southern Afghans with much needed electricity and irrigation...

Soldiers from 3 Para drive Jackal vehicles providing security along the convoy route in Kajaki on Operation OQAB TSUKA
[Picture: Sgt Anthony Boocock, RLC]

Lt Col David Reynolds, spokesman for Taskforce Helmand, said:

"This is a significant military operation which demonstrates that our strategy of delivering civil effect is making progress in southern Afghanistan."

"Ultimately success in Afghanistan is about more than defeating the Taliban or the absence of fighting. It's also about creating jobs, security and economic development.

"This operation is the first step in a much larger operation that demonstrates that ISAF's strategy to deliver civil effects is making real progress. A USAID funded project, delivered by the military, where the Afghan people will benefit, and ultimately, we will all benefit. It's why we are in Afghanistan."

Lt Col David Reynolds' comments here say it ALL for me. This really qualifies as B*N*S*N! Go read the rest here.

Some gave all

Killed are Private Chad Horn, Corporal Mike Seggie and Corporal Andrew Grenon. Five others were injured in attack.

Ottawa, Ontario – Three Canadian soldiers were killed and five injured, on 3 September, when insurgents attacked their armoured vehicle in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

The dead soldiers are Corporal Andrew Paul Grenon, Corporal Michael James Alexander Seggie, and Private Chadwick James Horn. They were infantrymen with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia´s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba.

The three soldiers were killed when an explosion detonated near their armoured vehicle while conducting a security patrol in the Zharey District, as part of ongoing efforts to promote reconstruction and development in the area.

Brigadier-General Denis Thompson remembered the three men at a news conference held on September 3:

"Corporal Andrew Grenon was 23 years-old. This was his second tour in Afghanistan and he had deployed earlier in 2006 when he was wounded as a member of the 8 Company of the second battalion, then serving with the 1 Royal Canadian Regiment battle group. He brought confidence to those around him and inspired the first tour guys making them feel safe."

"Corporal Mike Seggie was 21 years old. He was a proud Patricia from a family of Patricia´s. His father and uncle were both NCOs in the regiment. He always had great morale and was cool under fire. He often made himself the brunt of jokes just to get a laugh out of his section. He was a great communicator and had learned several Pashtuns phrases in order to work better with the local population."

"Private Chad Horn was 21-years-old. A very professional hard-working young soldier, he had unlimited potential and was admired by his peers. Many in the company saw him as the best LAV gunner. His ability to act under fire saved many lives during the tour."

The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at Kandahar Airfield. One soldier is in critical condition, one is in serious, but stable condition, two are in good condition, and one has been treated and returned to duty. The identities of the injured soldiers will not be released. (source)

Rest well, heroes. Heaven is the richer for your presence today.

Clear the kitchen

There's an old saying that goes: If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Last night Sarah Palin proved that she CAN take the heat, and that she has no intention of giving up her “kitchen”. And the good ol' boys can't stand it. As expected the usual crowd (ya know, the old guard in the OLD media, and the Harry Reid cabal et al) are saying she was too “shrill”, not enough substance...on and on ad nauseum. Funny how they never accused Hillary of being “shrill”...;) And by the way? Where IS Hillary these days? Where are the 'feminists' – who spent years encouraging women that CAN have and do it all - rallying to Palin's side?

The fact that the left has been jumping all over the McCain campaign generally and Palin specifically these last few days, proves to me that the recipe for this team is exactly on target. The msm has been bleating that Palin is an “unknown” and that she wasn't vetted “properly”. Last night put those malicious lies to rest. I may be wrong, but I'm thinking the wind just went out of the Dems' souffle.

During the past days, the msm has attacked Palin's family in the most vicious ways. Trying to show what a terrible parent she is, they have repeated unfounded innuendo, and fanned the flames of disgusting rumours. Seems they can dish it out, but can't take it. Last night Palin put the old guard and their media cronies on notice. There is a new chef in town, with new tools/implments. She proved she is proud of her family; has nothing to hide or apologise for. And now – of course – we have the critics saying she is exploiting her family. Excuse me? It is okay for Obama to parade his family, have his children included in family interviews by some of the lowest rags in America? Seems the Dems have two different sets of standards going here. There's a shocker – NOT! Tsk. Tsk.

Last night Sarah Palin rolled up her sleeves and took over the kitchen. She proved to me that she is every bit as seasoned as any of the old hacks (errrrrrrr guard.lol)

She also proved – for me, and I suspect millions of American women – that women CAN have a place in the executive boardrooms of the nation. No wishy washy “oh, let's try a pinch of this, and a teaspoon of that and see how it works.” She spoke directly on a number of issues and showed that her time in the PTA, in the “kitchen” of small town America, the Governor's office of Alaska was well spent. Her working life, her record, clearly shows there is no magic ingredient in her climb up the political and corporate ladder. By her experience of hard work, and tossing out old ingredients that have not worked, Palin's resume is a testimony to the basics values of what make America great:

family first, service to the country she honours. And she did all that without smearing her lipstick.;)

Palin's palette of ingredients includes concepts like “honour”, “service,” “integrity” - words that have become dirty when manipulated, twisted by the usual cynical critics.

Sarah Palin just turned up the heat, roasted her critics. Watch for the old guard running for the hills - soon!

*Cross-posted at NewsBlaze and everywhere else I post!*

Says it all

From Yankeemom. Go read where this came from. And yes, as the creator of this cartoon says: we encourage you to republish and redistribute the cartoon. There are no royalties or restrictions involved.

Go here

Wednesday Hero

Lance Cpl. Ryan T. McCaughn
19 years old from Manchester, New Hampshire
1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
November 7, 2006

“I just can’t believe it,” said Nicole Cote, mother of L/Cpl. McCoughn. “It’s not supposed to happen this way. Your kids aren’t supposed to leave you.” McCoughn joined the USMC during his Senior year of High School. “He said he needed to do this. He said if he could keep one dad from going to Iraq and he could take his place instead, then he’ll feel like he’s accomplished something.”

Lance Cpl. Ryan T. McCaughn was killed on November 7, 2006 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. He leaves behind his mother, father, step-father and two brothers.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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–
Indian Chris
http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com
http://hooahwife.com
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