Kos Supporting The Troops Like Only Kos Can.

I hope they all die in a fiery inferno.

I started to post some of the comments, but I decided that I don't want to see them on my blog. You can click the link and read them for yourself.

 

 

h/t: Jawa

Auburn Player Bitten By Police Dog In End Zone

Good News From The War On Terror 11/24-25

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain four in overnight operations

BALAD – Iraqi Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two known extremist company commanders and two additional suspects during operations Nov. 23 targeting criminal groups operating within Iraq. Iraqi Special Operations Forces and U.S. Special Forces conducted a raid in northeast Baghdad specifically targeting two extremist company commanders. The individuals are reported to be responsible for numerous small arms fire attacks and multiple improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces as well as the kidnapping and killing of numerous Iraqi citizens in the Beida area. In a separate operation, Iraqi Police along with U.S. Special Forces conducted a raid to disrupt the command structure of a terrorist network operating in Samarra. Two suspects were detained during the operation.

 

Coalition forces rescue kidnap victim; disrupt foreign terrorist facilitators, al-Qaeda financiers; one killed, 10 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 10 suspects during operations Saturday in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual southwest of Kirkuk during operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators. Reports indicate the wanted individual was involved with reorganizing al-Qaeda in Iraq in the Hawija region.  During the operation, as Coalition forces approached the target building, they saw several armed men leave the building attempting to evade the ground force. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing one terrorist. Upon entering a nearby building, Coalition forces discovered a man being held in chains, and reports indicate he was being held hostage for $150,000. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained three suspects during the operation, two of whom were wounded. The wounded suspects received medical care on site before being detained. During an operation in central Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a financier for al-Qaeda in Iraq operations. The wanted individual is allegedly associated with several senior terrorist leaders, including some involved in car-bombing attacks. During the operation, Coalition forces entered a mosque’s surrounding complex, but did not enter the mosque itself. Coalition forces respect Muslim religious sites, and they took great care to ensure the Mosque and surrounding complex were left as they were found. The wanted individual identified himself to Coalition forces and was subsequently detained, along with five other suspects.

 

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda media cells, foreign terrorists; 24 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 24 suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations north of Samarra. The wanted individual is believed to be involved in al-Qaeda in Iraq media networks and was involved in attacks against Coalition forces. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained three suspects without incident. During other operations in Samarra, Coalition force detained 11 suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda’s courier and media networks, as well as weapons facilitators and associates of senior terrorist leaders. During operations in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual reportedly involved in the Karkh car-bombing network and a close associate to several Karkh al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained four suspects without incident. West of Yusufiyah, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual allegedly associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and foreign terrorists in the Southern Belt. During the operation, Coalition forces called for the targeted building's occupants to come out and they complied. The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained. South of Darband-i-Khan, Coalition forces detained one suspect believed to be associated with a terrorist courier network between Iraq and neighboring countries. In Mosul, Coalition forces also detained two suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operations, weapons procurement and foreign terrorist facilitators.

 

Coalition forces capture criminal element leader, two others detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader and detained two other suspected criminals during operations late Friday in Ar Rashidiyah, north of Baghdad, near the Tigris River. The targeted individual reportedly directed his splinter group cell to attack Coalition forces and assassinate Iraqis who work with Coalition forces.  Intelligence also showed the primary focus of the wanted individual’s criminal element was explosively formed penetrator emplacement, murder and kidnapping.  Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they conducted raids on multiple buildings that resulted in the capture of the suspected criminal and the detainment of two additional suspects. All suspected criminals were detained without incident. During the operations, ground forces also discovered multiple assault rifle ammunition magazines.

 

Ten killed, eight detained as Coalition forces target al-Qaeda senior leaders

BAGHDAD – Ten terrorists were killed and eight suspects detained during Coalition forces operations Saturday north of Samarra. During three coordinated operations early Saturday, Coalition forces targeted senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and associates, killing a wanted individual, believed to be associated with the Badush prison escape in March. Reports indicate that the wanted individual had previously been imprisoned for weapons smuggling. As the ground force approached the target area, they were engaged by armed men who were then observed maneuvering into defensive positions near a reed line. Responding in self-defense, the ground force called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing eight terrorists, including the wanted individual. Seven suspects were detained as Coalition forces cleared the target area. The ground force found a sniper rifle, machine guns and military-style vest from searching the area. All the weapons were safely destroyed on site to prevent further use by terrorists. Saturday afternoon, Coalition forces detained one suspect during operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. When the ground force arrived in the area, they observed three men inside of a vehicle and called for them to come out. One man complied and was subsequently detained.  The other two remained inside the vehicle and detonated a suicide vest, causing the vehicle to explode, killing both men. Once the fire was out, the ground force secured the area and found a pistol and the detonated suicide vest.

 

Taliban weapons smuggling operations disrupted

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Five suspected militants were detained during a Coalition forces’ operation Friday targeting Taliban weapons smuggling operations in Zabul Province. Coalition forces conducted a search of several compounds where it was indicated Taliban weapons facilitators were conducting weapons smuggling operations in the Shajoy district of Zabul Province.  Coalition forces detained five individuals during the course of the operation, two of which were armed. The individuals were indicated to be linked with Taliban weapons smuggling operations. The individuals will be questioned as to their involvement in weapons facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities. The weapons and ammunition were destroyed on-site to prevent further use by militant forces.

 

Elite Afghan force continues to neutralize Taliban insurgents

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Afghan 3rd Company, 1st Commando Kandak, conducted an air-assault raid at dawn on the compound of a high-level Taliban facilitator, kicking off a four-day offensive operation named Commando Fury in the Tag Ab Valley, Kapisa Province, Nov. 10-14.  Upon receiving credible intelligence, the Commandos quickly mobilized and launched on a flight of five Coalition helicopters.  As the sun broke over the Sur Ghar Mountains, the Taliban knew the unit was upon them.  Within moments, dust swirled as the helicopters set down within feet of their target building.  Taliban fled in every direction as the Commandos leapt from the aircraft.  Through the tumult, emerged 30 plus Commandos.  Seconds later, the assaulters breached the entrance and cleared the first of many enemy compounds.  The Taliban scurried to escape the pursuit, but a convoy of more than 30 Afghan Commando vehicles sped toward the objective to block the enemy retreat.  A joint effort by the Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army assisted the Commando battalion in disrupting the Taliban hold on the Tag Ab Valley as Commandos hit target after target.  Taliban were met at every turn by the combined Afghan force.

 

Afghan Commandos return home victorious

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –The 3rd Company, 1st Commando Kandak returned home, victorious, after four days of intense fighting in operation Commando Fury, Tagab Valley, Kapisa Province, Nov. 15. During one fire fight of the operation, the unit stormed the compound of a known Taliban leader in Mollakheyl village. Upon capturing their six Taliban targets, insurgents besieged the commandos in the compound. While under intense machine-gun fire, the commandos quickly and decisively positioned heavy-weapon systems to eliminate their enemies. As commando snipers pounded enemy fighting positions with precision fire, the Taliban attempted a retreat. The 3rd Company directed air strikes to finish the fight, and rockets and machine-gun fire rained from the sky. The Commandos emerged from the fire fight unscathed; capturing six insurgents and killing another six. Later in the campaign, the commandos surrounded Taliban forces in Nowruzkheyl village, the site of a previous ambush of Afghan National Police forces. Under the cover of darkness, a platoon of commandos infiltrated more than a kilometer, undetected, towards the enemy stronghold. During the battle, commandos seized their target building, and its inhabitants. Upon their return to base, one commando left a message for the Taliban: “You are no longer safe to terrorize Afghans or to stand in the way of prosperity for our people. As you sleep at night, remember this: One day, when you open your eyes, I will be there,” he said.

 

Nov. 23 airpower summary: F-16 strike takes out terrorists

 

Nov. 24 airpower summary: A-10 Thunderbolts on target

Log Cabin Republicans Release Anti-Romney Ad

I am no fan of the Log Cabin Republicans, but they made an excellent commercial to show people who Mitt Romney really is.

 

 

Voices From Beyond The Grave; "New" Bin Laden Tape Coming

I wonder if this one will be any more convincing than the previous audio and video tapes. How he can talk with all that dirt in his mouth?

Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden will address the people of Europe in a message to be posted on the Internet "soon," an Islamist Web site said on Monday. "Soon, God willing, (we will post) a new message to the European people from the lion Imam who defeated the Americans and tyrants, Sheikh Osama bin Laden," said the pro-al Qaeda Web site which regularly posts messages from the militant leader. "Let this message be posted by various Western Web sites so that we deliver to them the truth of their lost war and (confront) them with the purposely hidden fact," it said, adding that the message was produced by al Qaeda media arm As-Sahab. It did not give any further details. The Web site did not give a specific timeframe, but usually messages are released within 72 hours after they are announced.

Pimps, Hookers, Hoes, & Johns For Ron Paul

In addition to white supremacists, anti-Semites, and general loony people, Ron Paul's new, expanded base consists of pimps, hookers, hoes, and johns. The Ron Paulian family tree is huge.

It's not exactly your average Republican fundraiser. A Nevada brothel owner is giving Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul his stamp of approval and plans to start raising money for the Texas congressman. Dennis Hof, owner of the Moonlite BunnyRanch near Carson City, says he'll leave collection boxes outside the door so people can drop in their political contributions. A spokesman for Paul says the politician with a libertarian streak doesn't condone prostitution on a personal level. But, he says, "it's not the role of federal government and it's not in the constitution for federal government to regulate these things."

Good News From The War On Terror 11/22-23

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda propaganda, foreign terrorist networks; one killed, 10 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 10 suspects Thursday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda propaganda cells during operations in Samarra. As the ground force approached the targeted building, they called for the building's occupants to come out, but no one complied. One individual took a defensive position by the door and engaged Coalition forces. Responding in self-defense, the ground force returned fire, killing the terrorist. While securing the area, the ground force detained two suspects and found a weapons cache, which was safely destroyed by a Coalition air strike. During operations in Hawija, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be the foreign terrorist leader in Arab Jabour, and who is allegedly associated with senior terrorist leaders in the Southern Belt. During the operation, the wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained, along with one other suspect. In other operations in Mosul, Coalition forces targeted a northern al-Qaeda in Iraq security leader, believed to be involved in kidnappings and assassinations. Coalition forces detained two suspected individuals during the operations. Coalition forces also detained four suspects during operations targeting associates of a former al-Qaeda media leader near Khan Bani Sad.

 

Two al-Qaeda members killed in attack at Hawr Rajab

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers and Concerned Local Citizens in Hawr Rajab repelled an attack by approximately 15 members of al-Qaeda in Iraq Nov. 22 killing two members of al-Qaeda and wounding an unreported number. Al-Qaeda began the attack with small arms fire and mortars early that morning, targeting an IA checkpoint. Small arms fire continued throughout the morning against IA and CLCs in Hawr Rajab. CF, supporting the Iraqi Army, called in an air weapons team, consisting of Kiowa Warriors with 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade to engage a van that was transporting four al-Qaeda members involved in the attack. The van was also transporting a DSHKA high caliber machine gun and a mortar system. Two al-Qaeda members were confirmed killed and two others wounded by the attack helicopters. Coalition Forces then deployed a U.S. Air Force F-16, which dropped a 500- pound bomb on the van destroying it and all of its contents. During the defense of their checkpoints, the IA and CLCs sustained casualties. They continued to stand their ground, and al-Qaeda broke off the attack after being unable to overrun the IA and CLC checkpoints.

 

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain two extremists, uncover large weapons cache (Balad)

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two suspected extremists and uncovered a large weapons cache in two separate operations Nov. 20 and 21. In the city of Diwaniyah, an Iraqi Emergency Response Unit detained two alleged members of an extremist group; the suspects are believed to be involved in gathering information for targeting Iraqi and Coalition Forces for ambushes and improvised explosive device attacks. In another operation, 3rd Iraqi Army Division Soldiers uncovered a large weapons cache during a routine patrol northwest of Tal Afar. The cache included 4,200 pounds of home made explosives, four sets of Iraqi military uniforms, 12 82mm mortar rounds and 10 hand grenades. In a third operation Nov. 21, 5th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. Forces came under sniper fire while attempting to clear villages in the vicinity of Abu Khamis of al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists. Iraqi and U.S. Forces responded to the attack, killing two terrorists.

 

CF, Concerned Local Citizens remove caches, unexploded ordnance from Arab Jabour

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Coalition Forces and Concerned Local Citizens worked together to remove a total of five caches and three unexploded ordnances from Arab Jabour Nov. 19-20. CLCs reported two UXOs and a cache Nov. 20 to Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Stewart, Ga. The cache consisted of 41 100mm projectiles, five 120mm mortars and one 120 mm illumination mortar. Soldiers with Company C, 1-30th Inf. Regt. discovered two caches, one Nov. 19 and one the following day, while conducting operations in support of Operation Centurian V. Those caches collectively contained three grenades, one 100mm mortar, one 120mm mortar, one 122mm mortar, five 60mm mortars, four 57mm projectiles, one 125mm tank round, 45 rounds of 7.62 ammunitions, one AK-47 magazine, five pounds of propellant and 300 plastic explosive detonators. Soldiers of Company A, 1-30th Inf. Regt., also supporting Operation Centurian V, discovered a cache and one UXO Nov. 19 and another cache the following day. The caches discovered by Co. A contained a total of 10 feet of time fuse, 22 blasting caps, one mortar primer, four pounds of PE-4, a type of C-4, explosives, five pounds of propellant, five feet of fuse cord, one fuse, one camcorder, one cell phone, two Iraqi calling cards, batteries, four CDs, two washing machine timers, five dual tone multi-frequency boards, a spool of crush wire, a notebook with writing and a video tape. All ordnances were destroyed in controlled detonations by an explosive ordnance disposal team while the other items were taken back for further investigation.

 

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda propaganda cell; seven detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained seven suspects Friday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks southeast of Samarra. In three coordinated operations, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq's media network southeast of Samarra. One of the targeted buildings is believed to be used as a propaganda production facility and meeting location for senior leaders. Coalition forces detained seven suspects during the operations without incident.

 

Iraqi Emergency Response Unit detains 5 extremists in Daghgharah

BALAD, Iraq – An Iraqi Emergency Response Unit, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained five suspected extremists during an early morning operation Nov. 22 in Daghgharah, Iraq. The operation, conducted north of Diwaniyah, targeted an extremist cell reportedly involved in improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in Diwaniyah and Hillah. This cell is also believed to gather intelligence for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces as well as the transport and storage of weapons and IEDs. The capture supported the 8th Iraqi Army Division’s Operation Lion Pounce, an on-going operation to disrupt extremist groups operating in Diwaniyah and surrounding region.

 

Nov. 22 airpower summary: F-16s support ground troops

The Collapse Of The Soviet Union Was Staged

You have to read all of this.

In 1984 a book was published with the title New Lies for Old. It was written by Soviet KGB defector Anatoliy Golitsyn. The book claimed that the Soviet Union had a secret long-term strategy to disarm and defeat the United States through a controlled collapse of the Soviet empire that would take place in the last decade of the twentieth century. In the book's most remarkable chapter, titled "The Final Phase," Golitsyn accurately described the future of the Soviet bloc. Communism would give up its monopoly of power in Russia, he explained, as apparent freedom and democracy would be introduced. The communist Warsaw Pact alliance would be dissolved. The Berlin Wall might be taken down and Germany united as "the key to progress toward a neutral, socialist Europe." Controlled democratization and liberalization would be facilitated by communist agents within the dissident movements of Eastern Europe. As Golitsyn wrote, "the liberalization would be calculated and deceptive in that it would be introduced from above. It would be carried out by the party through its cells and individual members in government, the Supreme Soviet, the courts, and the electoral machinery and by the KGB through its agents among the intellectuals and scientists." (p. 339-340.) Golitsyn's book has been dismissed as nonsense by CIA experts, pundits and journalists. "Yet of Golitsyn's falsifiable predictions, 139 out of 148 were fulfilled by the end of 1993 -- an accuracy rate of nearly 94 percent," according to Mark Riebling's history of the FBI and CIA titled Wedge.

Two Eco-Morons Who Should've Been Aborted To Save Us From Their Story.

One of them had an abortion and both have been sterilized to protect the planet. For Ms. Vernelli being so environmentally conscience, you would think they would know how to prevent a pregnancy. I will take a guess and assume she's a hippie slut, had no idea who the father was, and was more than likely unemployed. I'm just glad they saved us from a new generation of idiots.

A British woman who had an abortion 10 years ago and was later sterilized did so because she believes pregnancy is bad for the environment, the London Daily Mail reported Sunday. Toni Vernelli, 35, hopes her actions would ensure her carbon footprint would be kept to a minimum, the Mail reported. The environmental advocate also sees having children as an egotistical act. "Having children is selfish. It's all about maintaining your genetic line at the expense of the planet," Vernelli told the Mail, adding she believes bringing new life into the world only adds to the problem. Another woman, 31-year-old Sara Irving, also underwent sterilization because she felt "a baby would pollute the planet." Irving became an environmentalist as a teenager when she realized saving the environment was her top and foremost priority in life, the Mail reported. After going through several boyfriends she finally found her now husband Mark Hudson who shares in her ‘no kid’s policy.’

Good News From The War On Terror 11/20-21

Coalition forces find detention facility and weapons cache; 12 killed, including senior Mosul al-Qaeda leader, five detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 12 terrorists, detained five suspects and found two bodies Sunday and Monday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks along the Tigris River Valley in Iraq. During coordinated operations east of Samarra, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq propaganda operations and several senior terrorist leaders. As the ground force approached the target area, they were immediately engaged by armed men. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft, who engaged the enemy, killing five terrorists. During the firefight, several armed men maneuvered inside a nearby building and continued firing on Coalition forces. The ground force returned fire in self-defense, killing five terrorists. Upon further investigation, the ground force discovered an al-Qaeda in Iraq detention facility, which contained the bodies of two additional men bound in shackles and believed to have been executed prior to Coalition forces’ arrival. Information on the individuals held in the detention facility is not available at this time. Coalition forces also found suicide vests on three of the killed terrorists and a weapons cache, including rocket propelled grenades, rockets and anti-aircraft weapons. Coalition forces detained one suspect during the operation. During operations In Mosul, Coalition forces killed a wanted individual believed to have been a senior leader in Mosul's terrorist security network. Reports indicate the wanted individual planned attacks against Iraqi Security and Coalition forces, which included multiple suicide car-bombing attacks.  Reports also indicate he purchased weapons and explosives for the terrorist network. As Coalition forces approached the target building, an armed man emerged. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged, killing the terrorist, who was later identified as the wanted individual by one of the building’s occupants. Two suspects were also detained during the operation. Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq car-bombing network facilitator during operations south of Baghdad late Sunday. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to engage a vehicle associated with the targeted individual. The vehicle was safely destroyed and Coalition forces assessed one terrorist was killed by the precision air strike. In another operation south of Baghdad, Coalition forces detained two suspects while targeting members of al-Qaeda in Iraq in Arab Jabour believed to be responsible for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces.

 

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda foreign terrorist facilitators, financier, courier and propagandist; five killed, 11 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained 11 suspects late Sunday through Tuesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. Southwest of Baqubah, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq and foreign terrorist facilitators during a 24-hour operation Sunday and Monday. Coalition forces observed several men maneuvering toward their position and, perceiving hostile intent, called for supporting aircraft to engage the men, killing four terrorists. Coalition partners in the area discovered weapons, including missiles and grenades, ammunition and an improvised explosive device. Coalition forces conducted operations Monday and Tuesday in Rabiyah and northern Samarra. During the operation northwest of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual while targeting al-Qaeda financial and courier operations. The captured individual is believed to be associated with propaganda operations and senior terrorist leaders. During the operation, Coalition forces saw one individual maneuver into the palm groves. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing the terrorist. Coalition forces detained three suspects, in addition to the wanted individual. North of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a courier for senior al-Qaeda leaders. During the operation, one suspect received minor wounds. He received medical care on site before being detained by Coalition forces. In addition to the wanted individual and the wounded suspect, the ground force detained two suspects without incident. During the operation in Rabiyah Monday, Coalition forces captured an alleged former al-Qaeda in Iraq leader believed to be a planner of car-bombing attacks in Mosul. Coalition forces detained two other suspects, in addition to the wanted individual.

 

MND-B troops capture explosively formed penetrators, rocket cache

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops captured two individuals believed to be part of a terrorist cell and a cache of explosively formed penetrators, rockets and other munitions in southern Baghdad Nov. 17. Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment “Black Lions,” 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conducted the successful operation after several individuals were observed fleeing from a suspected point of origin of a rocket attack in the Aamel neighborhood of West Rashid. They were tracked to a house and immediately detained. A subsequent search of the building revealed the sizeable cache. Confiscated by troops assigned to Attack Company were six complete EFPs, three 107mm Iranian-made rockets, more than 30 mortar rounds of various calibers, 12 57mm projectiles and other explosives and bomb-making materials. The suspects are being held for further questioning. Soldiers assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment “Tuskers,” working closely with Iraqi Security Volunteers in the Saydiyah neighborhood of West Rashid, seized four separate caches of weapons and explosives after receiving tips from area resident Nov. 18. The troops seized a complete 82mm mortar system, more than 40 pounds of homemade explosives and several AK-47 assault rifles and pistols.

 

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain 7 in overnight operations

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, captured five suspected terrorists and two extremists Nov. 18 in three separate operations targeting illegal cells operating within Iraq. Iraqi and U.S. Forces disrupted al-Qaeda in Iraq activity in the Samarra and Tikrit areas, targeting individuals responsible for small-arms fire attacks and multiple improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Five terrorist suspects, alleged to be part of an improvised explosive device cell, were detained. The 8th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. Forces also targeted illegal activity near Diwaniyah, specifically an extremist cell believed to be involved in several improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces.  Also targeted were extremists who are believed to be responsible for sniper attacks, improvised explosive device emplacement and convoy ambushes in Diwaniyah. Two suspected extremists were detained during operations there.

 

Six killed, 10 detained as Coalition forces target al-Qaeda leadership, foreign terrorist facilitators

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 10 suspects Tuesday and Wednesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces killed two wanted terrorists during operations Tuesday south of Baghdad.  Intelligence reports led Coalition forces to the individuals’ location, and they called supporting aircraft to engage. An air strike was conducted, killing the two terrorists, who were reported to be leaders in the Arab Jabour region, responsible for numerous attacks on Coalition forces and maintaining weapons caches. During the operation, Coalition forces detained six suspects and destroyed one vehicle. Coalition forces killed two wanted terrorists during operations Wednesday north of Hawija. As the ground forces approached the target area they called for the building’s occupants to come out, but they did not comply. The individuals were armed and attempted to fire on Coalition forces. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged, killing four terrorists, including the two wanted individuals.  Reports indicate the wanted individuals killed were an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in Kirkuk and the car-bombing leader for the city. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations west of Kirkuk while targeting weapons and foreign facilitators. The wanted individual was associated with acquiring weapons and materials for attacks on Coalition forces and smuggling foreign terrorists into the region. Coalition forces approached the target building and called for the building’s occupants to come out and they complied. The ground force detained four suspects without incident, including the wanted individual who identified himself to Coalition forces.

 

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain 6 in separate operations

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, captured six extremists Nov. 19 in early morning raids. In Rahmaniya, Iraqi Army Scouts, along with U.S. Special Forces, conducted a cordon and search operation targeting five extremists believed to be part of an improvised explosive device and weapons facilitation cell that has attacked Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces. All five extremists were detained during the raid. In a separate operation, the Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics team and U.S. Special Forces detained one extremist suspected of being part of a cell responsible for attacking U.S. facilities through indirect fire, weapons smuggling and conducting explosively formed penetrator attacks against Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces in Hillah.

 

Iraqi Security Forces detain 81 suspected extremists, confiscate weapons caches

CAMP ECHO, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, assisted by Coalition Forces, detained 81 suspected extremists and confiscated several weapons caches in Diwaniyah, Iraq, during Operation Lion Pounce Nov. 17 to 19. Maj. Gen. Othman Ali Farhood, 8th Iraqi Army Div. Commander, outlined the successes of Lion Pounce in a press conference at Camp Echo, Iraq, Nov. 19. He further highlighted the IA’s success by stating there have been no casualties or equipment damage associated with the operation to date. Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk, Multi-National Division – Central South Commander, said Operation Lion Pounce was the first large-scale operation led by an Iraqi Army general (Farrod), who commanded not only IA Soldiers, but also Iraqi Police units.  Sheikh Hussein Al Bderi, Chairman of the Provincial Security Committee, highlighted sound cooperation between local government, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces as key to the operation’s success.

 

ANSF-led forces continue to inflict heavy insurgent losses in Oruzgan province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), advised by Coalition forces, killed a large group of insurgents after a botched ambush by the Taliban near Sarsina village, Oruzgan province today. The combined force was conducting a reconnaissance patrol when a large group of insurgents engaged the patrol with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.  The combined force immediately returned accurate small arms and machine gun fire, putting the enemy on the defensive.  The company-size group of insurgents attempted to out-maneuver the combined force and moved into a nearby structure and trench line forcing innocent Afghan citizens to flee the area. Moments later, the combined force fixed the insurgents in their position and several precision air strikes effectively eliminated the Taliban insurgents who were trying to reinforce the enemy positions.

 

Nov. 19 airpower summary: EC-130J supports OIF, OEF

 

Nov. 20 airpower summary: Aircrew help airdrop, resupply

China Refuses To Allow Hong Kong Port Entry By USS Kittyhawk

Our "friends" the Chinese are once again flexing their gimpy little arms. I think retaliation should involve sending lead based toys to China, of course, Chinese kids have no time to play while working in sweat-shops.

China has refused permission for a U.S. aircraft carrier and accompanying vessels to visit Hong Kong for a long-planned Thanksgiving holiday visit, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday. The Kitty Hawk group and its crew of 8,000 U.S. airmen and sailors had been expected in Hong Kong on Wednesday, but will now spend the holiday on the South China Sea. Hundred of relatives of crew members of the USS Kitty Hawk had flown to Hong Kong to celebrate Thanksgiving with their loved ones. Hong Kong has been a regular port of call for U.S. sailors on "R & R" (rest and recuperation) since the Vietnam War. The Chinese move comes as a surprise just weeks after a visit to China by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, which he said he hoped would lead to a long-term dialogue. "At present, it appears the USS Kitty Hawk strike group will not be making a port call in Hong Kong as previously planned as a result of a last minute denial by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson said. The United States was pressing China for an explanation and to reconsider its decision, she added.

Duncan Hunter Thanksgiving Message

VIA EMAIL

"For the past six years, our nation has been involved in a long battle against those who seek to destroy us. Many brave Americans have fallen during this time, and more than a million have served their country in the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan . "Their sacrifice for our nation is added to the long and distinguished list of those who served their country in battlefields all across the world from Bunker Hill to Gettysburg , from Bellawood to Normandy , from Chosin Reservoir to Khe Sanh, from the rooftops of Fallujah to Kabul , Mosul , Tikrit, and a thousand other places of danger. "On this Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude to God, for not only giving us this blessed land of freedom, but also the brave men and women willing to leave the security of their homes and families to protect us while we are in our homes with our families. "On this Thanksgiving Day, the Hunter family will also give thanks for another special blessing, the return of Marine Captain Duncan D. Hunter from Afghanistan . We welcome him home with open arms and a thankful heart. May God bless those who serve and may God continue to bless America ."

Troops DO NOT Have To Return Enlistment Bonus Money

I read about this a few days ago and It sounded too ridiculous to be true.

U.S. troops wounded in Iraq are being ordered to repay the bonuses they got for signing up, after war injuries cut short their service. Troops, their families, veterans, and lawmakers are calling the practice disgraceful.

 

Fox News Channel had "breaking news" about this today. According to a spokesperson, they have not asked anyone to return enlistment bonus money. A phone number was shown so anyone who did return bonuses could get their money back. I cannot find the article or the number yet. I will look again later and hopefully I can find it.

 

This is from an earlier story regarding the requests to return bonuses.

A spokeswoman for the Missouri National Guard said its enlistment agreements already guarantee bonuses to troops wounded during service, combat or no combat, provided the injuries did not result from misconduct. Military policy specifically prohibits the recoupment of bonus pay from wounded troops, unless the pay results from misconduct. Still, Fox got the letter. Most cases of this type have to do with the practice of discharging troops for pre-existing "personality disorders", instead of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. The military will then often stop bonus payments and even try to recoup payments already made to the troops. But the presidential commission on care for wounded troops led by veteran and former Senator Bob Dole and former Health and Human Services Secretary Donn Shalala identified the "personality disorder" issue as a problematic practice in need of review.

 

***UPDATE 11/26/07 9:26PM***

Here is the following statement from the Dept of Defense regarding enlistment bonuses.

If you are wounded in combat and discharged as a result, you will not have to pay back your enlistment bonus, Defense Department officials said here today. “Bonuses are not recouped simply for one's inability to complete an enlistment or re-enlistment agreement through no fault of the military member,” a policy statement said. Pentagon officials re-stated their policy after a wounded soldier in Pennsylvania received a bill from the Army. Jordan Fox was a private first class in Baqouba, Iraq, when he was wounded in the explosion of an improvised explosive device. Fox suffered vision troubles in his right eye and suffered a back injury when the bomb went off in May. Fox was medically discharged and went home to his town near Pittsburgh. The Army sent him a letter asking him to repay $2,800 of his $7,500 enlistment bonus. He received a second letter telling him the Army would charge interest if he didn't make a payment within 30 days. “Department policy prohibits recoupment when it would be contrary to equity and good conscience, or would be contrary to the nation's interests,” according to the Defense Department policy statement. “Those circumstances include, for example, an inability to complete a service agreement because of illness, injury, disability, or other impairment that did not clearly result from misconduct.” Department policy on recoupment also establishes that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the secretaries of the military departments “shall remit or cancel any and all theater debt incurred by military members who were medically evacuated from a combat zone due to injury or illness, except in the event of clear misconduct.” Army officials said Fox will not be required to pay back any enlistment money he received. “By all accounts, his case seems to be an isolated one,” Army officials said. Anyone who does have an issue can call the Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline at 1-800-984-8523.

American Jobs For American Troops (Duncan Hunter Video)

 

 

***UPDATE 11/20/0 3:41PM***

More on Duncan Hunter over at Stop The ACLU.

Good News From The War On Terror 11/18-19

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda foreign terrorist and propaganda operations; 27 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 27 suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces captured three wanted individuals during operations in Baghdad while targeting foreign terrorist and weapons facilitators. Reports indicate al-Qaeda in Iraq members were trying to establish a foreign terrorist network in the city. In addition to the wanted individuals, Coalition forces detained four suspects without incident. In Bayji, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the city, who is also associated with foreign terrorists. Coalition forces detained one other suspect during the operation. During continued operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators, Coalition forces detained seven suspects in Mosul without incident. In a series of coordinated operations around Samarra and Baghdad, Coalition forces captured one wanted individual and detained 10 other suspects while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq's media network. During one of the operations, Coalition forces found two sets of homemade body armor vests and two sets of armor plates, which they safely destroyed to prevent further use by terrorists.

 

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain two extremists in As Sa’diyah

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Army Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two suspected extremists and killed one extremist in a cordon and search operation Nov. 16 in As Sa’diyah. The operation was conducted to counter increased activity by al-Qaeda in Iraq in the area, including small-arms fire attacks, multiple car-bomb, suicide-vest and other improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi Army checkpoints. During the operation, the Iraqi Forces establishing the cordon were attacked, resulting in the death of one Iraqi Soldier and the wounding of another. An aerial weapons team identified and engaged the enemy responsible for the attack, resulting in one enemy killed. No U.S. forces were injured. In a separate operation Nov. 16, Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Special Forces detained an alleged extremist during a raid targeting extremist activity in Diwaniyah. The detainee is believed to belong to an extremist group responsible for selling weapons and murdering Iraqi Army Soldiers.

 

Coalition forces find execution site, large cache; eight killed, 13 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists, detained 13 suspects and found an alleged execution site, torture room and 16 weapons caches between Nov. 6 and 10 during a multi-day operation in the Diyala River Valley. Nov. 7, Coalition forces observed several armed men maneuvering away from their location. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force called for supporting aircraft to engage the armed men, killing five terrorists. The ground force discovered a small cache of AK-47s, a pistol, grenade and ammunition at the suspects location. Later that day in two separate areas, Coalition forces were engaged by armed men. Responding in self-defense, the ground force engaged the armed men, killing three terrorists. Coalition forces also detained 13 suspects during the four-day operation. During operations Nov. 9, Coalition forces discovered what appeared to be an execution site. As they cleared the area they found the remains of approximately five individuals, as well as several 9mm casings believed to be used in the executions. Over the course of the multi-day operation, Coalition forces located and destroyed 16 weapons caches to include: 13 complete anti-aircraft weapons, mounts, rounds and equipment; a World War II-era Russian T34 Cannon; 24 TOW missiles; 14 Saggar missiles; anti-personnel mines; 40 NBC masks; several machine guns and mounts; three jugs of homemade explosives; 10 anti-personnel mines; 35,200 feet of detention cord; one 25-pound bag of ammonium nitrate; several dozen mortars, tubs, fins, fuses and rounds; rifles; grenades and rocket propelled-grenades; ammunition; improvised explosive device-making materials; and two military-style vests. Two of the anti-aircraft weapons systems were found welded to the bed of a truck. The ground force also discovered several buildings used for terrorist operations to include an alleged torture facility complete with chains, shackles, heavy-duty locks similar to those found in detention cell bunkers, windows cemented closed, terrorist propaganda materials, and kerosene heaters. Coalition forces found another building they believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq safe house containing additional terrorist propaganda and an alleged terrorist medical clinic with supplies, weapons and a hidden compartment in the floor. Nearby, they discovered what appeared to be a building used to create false IDs, complete with numerous ID-making materials and a small media cache. Reports indicate several of the rooms, including the torture room were recently inhabited. Coalition forces also found an improvised explosive device making facility inside one of the buildings, with numerous cylinders, tanks, tubes and car parts believed to be used in the production of IEDs.  The ground force called for supporting aircraft to conduct an air strike to safely destroy the building to prevent further use by terrorists.

 

Coalition forces capture senior criminal element leader, disrupt terrorist network (Baghdad)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected senior Special Groups leader and detained another suspected criminal during operations late Sunday near Baghdad, in the Adhamiyah area. The targeted individual was reportedly responsible for smuggling and storing weapons used in attacks against Coalition forces, and supported Special Groups criminal elements through funding and training. The suspected criminal was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level Special Groups members from Diyala to Baghdad who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces.

 

Nov. 17 airpower summary: A-10s fly CAS missions

 

Nov. 18 airpower summary: F-15Es support operations