Vatican Proclaims Contributing To "Climate Change" Is A Sin

They have unveiled a new list of "social sins". Among these new "social sins" is contributing to "climate change" and social/economic injustices (whatever that's supposed to mean). The Vatican is becoming increasingly more involved in public policy instead of religion. I think the Vatican is committing a sin also. Worshiping a false idol (the Goreacle) and false religion (the religion of global warming) is a sin also.

Thou shall not pollute the Earth. Thou shall beware genetic manipulation. Modern times bring with them modern sins. So the Vatican has told the faithful that they should be aware of "new" sins such as causing environmental blight.

[...]

... in an interview headlined "New Forms of Social Sin," also listed "ecological" offences as modern evils.

In recent months, Pope Benedict has made several strong appeals for the protection of the environment, saying issues such as climate change had become gravely important for the entire human race.

 

I had great hopes for this pope when he said that Islam was a religion based on violence, but it's been downhill from there.

Spotty Internet + 18" Of Snow = No Posts Yesterday

Some pics of the fun yesterday:

 

 

A pic down the street

 

  Another pic down the other street       My brother trying to jump over a snow mound and failing miserably. After his face hit the sidewalk, he says, "I don't think that was such a good idea". Ya think? I thank God that I had the camera and was taking pics when this happened.       Finally; for all of you wondering what I look like, here I am.  

Good News From The War On Terror 3/7

Coalition targets al-Qaeda in northern Iraq; one killed, five detained

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained five suspects Thursday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq.

In northeast Mosul Thursday, Coalition forces targeted a suspect believed to be the replacement for the former Saudi al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader and foreign terrorist facilitator Abu Yasir al-Saudi, also known as Jar Allah, who was killed by Coalition forces Feb. 27. Reports indicate the targeted individual is involved in coordinating attacks and kidnappings in the area. 

Coalition forces followed a vehicle associated with the targeted suspect to a nearby house, where they observed the driver and passenger get out. As the ground force arrived in the area, one of the individuals attempted to shoot at them. Coalition forces engaged the hostile threat, wounding him. The suspect, who was armed with pistols and a grenade, was subsequently detained, treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care.

Coalition forces returned to the same area today and captured an alleged senior leader for the terrorist network operating on the east side of the city. Intelligence indicates the suspect is involved in the facilitation and distribution of weapons throughout east Mosul, and oversees several other AQI members. One of his subordinates is reportedly responsible for the production of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two other suspected terrorists.

Coalition forces conducted an operation north of Tall Afar near Tall Wardan today, targeting an alleged senior level foreign terrorist facilitator associated with numerous AQI senior leaders operating inside and outside of Iraq. During the operation, the ground force called for the suspected terrorists occupying the target building to come out.  They did not comply with instructions or heed warnings. Coalition forces perceived hostile intent from the noncompliant suspects and engaged, killing one and wounding another.  The wounded suspect was subsequently detained, treated on site and transported to a medical facility for further care.

 

Coalition forces capture Special Groups facilitator, kill armed criminal

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups facilitator and killed an armed criminal here early this morning.

The targeted individual was reportedly an Iranian-backed Special Groups facilitator who arranged for Special Groups criminal militia members to receive training in Iran. The training prepared Special Groups criminals for sniper, improvised explosive device and explosively formed penetrator attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. As a facilitator, he reportedly coordinated Special Groups funding, training and weapons. Reports also indicate the wanted individual was an associate of Iranian-backed Special Groups criminals involved in attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces.

Upon arrival at the target area, Coalition forces were engaged by an armed man with an assault rifle. Coalition forces returned fire in self-defense, killing the criminal. Coalition forces continued the operation, capturing the wanted individual without further incident.

 

Al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq disrupted; eight killed, 17 detained

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed eight terrorists and detained 17 suspects Thursday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.

Northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains today, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Kanan village. The targeted individual is reportedly associated with numerous AQI members in the region. During the operation, the ground force called for the occupants of several target buildings to come out and observed them attempting to engage the ground force. Coalition forces responded to the threat, killing four terrorists, including the wanted individual. The ground force secured the building where the wanted individual was located and discovered a cache of Urea, a common precursor for homemade explosive materials.

As Coalition forces continued to clear additional buildings in the target area, they encountered armed enemy personnel attempting to maneuver on their position. Responding to the perceived threat, the ground force engaged, killing another four terrorists. Once the target area was secure, Coalition forces safely destroyed two buildings which contained the Urea and a cache of weapons, to prevent further use for terrorist attacks. Seven suspected terrorists were also detained during the operation.

During two additional coordinated operations in Samarra this morning, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists, including two wanted individuals. One of the suspects is an alleged leader for the Samarra AQI network and close associate to the senior leader, providing his residence as a bed down location for the leader’s family. Also, the suspect’s son is reportedly involved in VBIED attacks and part of the cell in the region. The other wanted individual, detained nearby, is reportedly a direct associate of AQI senior leadership, including members of the senior leader’s inner circle.

North of Tarmiyah today, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of the AQI northern belt network. The network is responsible for the majority of improvised explosive device attacks in the area, and is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. The suspected terrorist is reportedly responsible for providing information on Coalition operations in the area for use in planning attacks. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.

Coalition forces captured another alleged associate of the northern belt AQI network during an operation in Baghdad today. Reports indicate the suspect has direct ties to the senior leader of the network and to numerous terrorists involved in the VBIED network in Karkh. The suspect is also allegedly responsible for forging identification documents for numerous AQI members in the region.

On Thursday, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorist during an operation east of Tikrit, near the Hamrin Mountains, targeting an alleged AQI weapons facilitator involved in smuggling and kidnapping operations.

 

Tal Afar SWAT, U.S. Special Forces recover weapons cache near suspected AQI training camp

BALAD, Iraq – The Tal Afar Special Weapons and Tactics team and U.S. Special Forces recovered a weapons and munitions cache near a suspected terrorist training camp south of Tal Afar March 4.

Tal Afar SWAT and U.S. SF conducted an operation to recover a suspected cache connected with recent al Qaeda in Iraq activity in the area. The cache was discovered near a suspected AQI training camp that was the scene of a Tal Afar SWAT and U.S. SF operation March 2. The operation to disrupt AQI activity in the area resulted in nine terrorists being killed and eight suspected terrorists detained. 

The cache was located in an abandoned village near the training camp. After investigating the buildings and surrounding area, SWAT and U.S. SF discovered the weapons and munitions in several underground hiding places.

SWAT and U.S. SF recovered more than 700 lbs of home-made explosives; 11 120mm high-explosive mortar rounds; two AK-47 assault rifles; seven sights for RPG-7 rocket launchers; two Russian 120mm mortar rounds; one 122mm Chinese high explosive mortar round; 10, 82mm Chinese high explosive mortar rounds; 100 pounds of mortar propellant charges; two Belgian anti-personnel landmines; and various fuses.

The weapons and munitions were destroyed on-site by a Coalition Forces explosive ordnance disposal team.

 

March 6 airpower summary

Chinese Hackers Say They Hacked The Pentagon

Did they? Who knows, besides the Pentagon and the hackers. But, it's entirely feasible that China would want any info they can get, including hacking computers.

They operate from a bare apartment on a Chinese island. They are intelligent 20-somethings who seem harmless. But they are hard-core hackers who claim to have gained access to the world's most sensitive sites, including the Pentagon.

In fact, they say they are sometimes paid secretly by the Chinese government -- a claim the Beijing government denies.

"No Web site is one hundred percent safe. There are Web sites with high-level security, but there is always a weakness," says Xiao Chen, the leader of this group.

"Xiao Chen" is his online name. Along with his two colleagues, he does not want to reveal his true identity. The three belong to what some Western experts say is a civilian cyber militia in China, launching attacks on government and private Web sites around the world.

[...]

The apartment has cement floors and almost no furniture. What they do have are three of the latest computers. They are cautious when it comes to naming the Web sites they have hacked.

But eventually Xiao Chen claims two of his colleagues -- not the ones with him in the room -- have hacked into the Pentagon and downloaded information, although he wouldn't specify what was gleaned. CNN has no way to confirm if his claim is true.

 

Thank goodness CNN is looking out for the hackers.

CNN decided to withhold the address of these hackers' Web site, but Xiao Chen says it has been operating for more than three years, with 10,000 registered users. The site offers tools, articles, news and flash tutorials about hacking.

Hamas Claims Responsibility For Israeli School Shooting

Hasn't Israel killed all the members of Hamas yet? They need to kick it up a notch. Until they break the will of Hamas, this is going to continue to happen.

Hamas Islamists who control the Gaza Strip claimed responsibility on Friday for the shooting of eight students in a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem, the most lethal Palestinian attack in Israel in two years.

A gunman killed the students late on Thursday at the Merkaz Harav religious school in Jerusalem, but the Israeli government pledged to press on with peace talks with West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas's rival.

"The Hamas movement announces its full responsibility for the Jerusalem operation," a Hamas official told Reuters in Gaza. "The movement will release the details at a later stage."

 

CNN is reporting that it was actually Hezbollah.

Sources in Gaza say Thursday's deadly attack on a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem was planned by a group called the Free Men of Galilee -- an operation with purported ties to Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group in Lebanon.

The information was provided to CNN amid news reports that Hamas, the Palestinian movement that runs Gaza, claimed responsibility for the attack.

But according to CNN's sources, Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza is not claiming responsibility for the attack, and the Hamas military wing says it had nothing to do with the shootings.

The sources say the shooter was a member of Hamas but was acting on marching orders from outside Gaza and the West Bank. Hezbollah is based in Lebanon; Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal is exiled in Syria.

 

A move by the UN Security Council to condemn the attacks as terrorism was blocked by Libya

 

The solution to this problem is simple. "palestine" needs to be wiped off the map. Oh, I forgot, they're not on the map. Oh well, maybe they could just enslave them to build Jewish temples. That would be a hoot!

Good News From The War On Terror 3/5-6

Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda in Iraq operations, 22 suspects detained

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained 22 suspects today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern and central Iraq.

West of Biaj, in the western part of Ninawa Province, Coalition forces detained two suspects. One of the suspects is an alleged associate of al-Qaeda networks in northern Iraq. He is reportedly responsible for the facilitation of finances to networks throughout the Mosul area and associated with several senior level foreign terrorist facilitators.

In Mosul, Coalition forces captured another alleged associate of the wanted individual near Biaj. The Mosul suspect is reportedly connected to foreign terrorist facilitation and smuggling networks in the city. Three suspected terrorists were detained in Mosul in addition to the wanted individual.

Also in Mosul, two suspects were detained while targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq associate involved in attacks against Coalition forces and connected to Abu Yasir al-Saudi, also known as Jar Allah, the Saudi AQI leader killed Feb. 27. 

During coordinated operations in Samarra, Coalition forces captured an alleged facilitator involved in the AQI network in the city. The suspect is reportedly associated with two leaders in the network involved in terrorist military and administrative operations. In addition to the wanted man, the ground force detained two suspects during the operations.

In Baghdad, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists during operations targeting an alleged associate of the senior leader for the southern belt AQI network, and a financial facilitator with direct ties to AQI senior leaders in the Baghdad area.

West of the Hamrin Mountains, in Albu Bakr village, Coalition forces conducted an operation Sunday through Tuesday targeting an AQI propaganda cell and meeting location. During the operation, the ground force detained eight suspected terrorists and discovered a cache of weapons and military equipment, including military style assault vests and equipment belts, signal rockets, grenades, machine gun magazines, various ammunition and anti-aircraft rounds.

 

ISWAT, U.S. Special Forces kill 9, detain 8 in Ninewa province

BALAD, Iraq – The Tal Afar Special Weapons and Tactics team, advised by U.S. Special Forces, killed nine criminals and detained eight suspects during an operation to disrupt an al Qaeda in Iraq cell south of Tal Afar in western Ninewa province March 2.

During the intelligence-driven operation against a known criminal support base and suspected training camp, Iraqi SWAT and U.S. SF targeted a cell responsible for assassinations, improvised explosive device attacks, and illegal traffic control points throughout the Tal Afar area. The cell is also suspected of conducting recent rocket attacks in the area against Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces. 

When approaching the camp, several fighters attacked the lead Iraqi SWAT and U.S. SF vehicles with heavy fire from rifles and at least one machine gun. One SWAT vehicle was hit and disabled by a PKC machine gun, killing three Iraqi SWAT members and wounding three others.

ISWAT and U.S. SF continued while under heavy fire from several locations in the camp and adjacent wadi. During this engagement, nine enemy fighters were killed.

Three Iraqi civilians were wounded and treated on-site. Eight suspected cell members were detained for further questioning, including two who were wounded and evacuated to a Coalition Forces hospital for treatment. The three Iraqi SWAT team members were also evacuated for treatment.

The operation discovered 100 meters of electrical wire and 12 blasting caps for constructing IEDs, one PKC machine gun, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, four AK-47 rifles, nine grenades, more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition, and one Belgian-made landmine.

 

Sons of Iraq in Sabbah Nissan discover weapons cache

BAGHDAD – The Sons of Iraq of Sabbah Nissan, a village southeast of Baghdad, discovered a large weapons cache and handed it over to Soldiers of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery at Forward Operating Base Hammer Feb. 28.

This was the most recent of 13 weapons caches the SOI have brought to Battery A since the inception of the SOI program in Sabbah Nissan.

The cache consisted of 28 rocket propelled grenade motors, five 125 mm artillery rounds, two 60 mm mortars, one 125 mm HEAT round, one 82 mm mortar, one rocket propelled grenade warhead, two fuses and a 155 mm round.

 

Iraqi Security Forces recover large weapons cache in Jabella

BALAD, Iraq – Jabellah Iraqi Police recovered a large weapons and munitions cache in Jabella, south of Iskandariyah, March 4.

An Iraqi police officer discovered the cache in a house in Jabella. Jabella IP secured the cache and contacted provincial officials to determine its disposition.

Provincial Iraqi Security Forces responded to provide inventory and take charge of the cache, pending its final disposition. Provincial officials ultimately decided to transfer the cache into Coalition forces control.

The operation was deemed a success in that local and provincial Iraqi Security Forces worked quickly and decisively to remove a significant cache from potential use by criminal and Special Groups in the area.

The cache consisted of 165 one-pound blocks of C-4 explosive, 19 rocket propelled grenades, five RPG launchers, one 60mm mortar tube, three rolls of detonation cord and two blasting caps for making improvised explosive devices, 25 107 mm high explosive rockets and 23 rocket fuses, 10 120 mm high explosive mortar rounds, 84 60 mm and 60 81 mm high explosive mortar rounds, along with six 60 mm mortar fuses.

 

ANSF capture insurgents, destroy known IED making facilities in Zabul

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan- Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, captured seven insurgents Feb. 28 in Surkhagan Village during an air assault mission in Zabul province.

During the recent operations, Afghan National Army and Coalition forces infiltrated several compounds and cave complexes in search of insurgents, bomb-making facilities and material.

They found three Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, IED making materials, storage facilities, ammunition caches and insurgent fighting positions. The combined force called in precision air strikes that  destroyed the cave complex, fighting positions and the ammunition storage areas.

ANA leadership conducted a shura with the villagers to assure them the area is safer now because the insurgents were captured, which helped neutralize the IED threat.

 

ANSF inflict insurgent losses in Helmand province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces, killed several insurgents March 2 after a failed ambush by the Taliban 30 kilometers northeast of Gareshk District in Helmand province. 

The combined force was conducting a reconnaissance patrol when a group of insurgents engaged them with small-arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar fire.  The combined force immediately returned accurate small-arms and machine gun fire. The large group of insurgents attempted to out-maneuver the combined force and moved into a trench line.

Moments later, the combined force fixed the insurgents in their position and used several precision munitions to effectively eliminate the Taliban insurgents who were trying to reinforce the enemy positions.

 

Coalition forces disrupt Taliban networks

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Seven suspected insurgents were detained Mar. 4 during an operation, which targeted a Taliban leader and disrupted weapons-facilitations operations in Garmser District, Helmand Province.

Coalition forces found and detained seven individuals with suspected links to insurgent networks. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement in Taliban weapon-facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities.

 

March 4 airpower summary

Terrorist Opens Fire On Israeli School, 8 Dead

A Palestinian terrorist hid an AK-47 in a box and opened fire, killing 8 students.

A palestinian gunman killed eight people in a Jewish religious college in Jerusalem on Thursday, most of them students, and wounded about 10 others in the most lethal attack in Israel in two years.

The attacker was shot dead by an off-duty Israeli soldier.

"It was a slaughterhouse," said Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, head of the Zaka emergency service, after surveying the scene following five minutes of bloodshed at the Merkaz Harav seminary, one of the most prominent Jewish educational centers in the holy city.

 

It seems as if the Israelis are beginning to hate their neighbors.

Outside the seminary, young Orthodox Jews in traditional black costume chanted periodically "Death to Arabs!"

 

The primates in the palestinian territory thought the whole thing was a grand idea.

In the Gaza Strip, gunmen fired in the air to celebrate the attack, three days after Israel ended a ground offensive it said was aimed at curbing rocket fire. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the group "blesses the heroic operation in Jerusalem, which was a natural reaction to the Zionist massacre".

A loudspeaker blared the message: "This is God's vengeance."

 

The former Israeli soldier who took out the gunman deserves a medal.

The sound of the shooting attracted the attention of an Israeli neighbour, a former member of the army.

He is reported to have climbed on the roof of his house and shot the terrorist through the head.

Iraqi Army Dumps AK's In Favor Of M-16s

They love us, they really love us. Well, our weapons anyways

In a move that could be the most enduring imprint of U.S. influence in the Arab world, American military officials in Baghdad have begun a crash program to outfit the entire Iraqi army with M-16 rifles.

The initiative marks a sharp break for a culture steeped in the traditions of the Soviet-era AK-47 Kalashnikov assault rifle, a symbol of revolutionary zeal and third-world simplicity that is ubiquitous among the militaries of the Middle East.

"We in the U.S. know that the M-16 is superior to the AK ... it's more durable," said Army Col. Stephen Scott, who's in charge of helping the Iraqi army get all the equipment it needs to outfit its forces.

"The Iraqis have embraced that ... and the fact that it is U.S. manufactured and supplied. They are very big on U.S.-produced [foreign military sales] materials," he said in an interview with military bloggers this month.

So far, the U.S. military has helped the Iraqi army purchase 43,000 rifles - a mix of full-stock M-16A2s and compact M-4 carbines. Another 50,000 rifles are currently on order, and the objective is to outfit the entire Iraqi army with 165,000 American rifles in a one-for-one replacement of the AK-47.

Vermont Leads Nation In Marijuana Use

I guess this shouldn't surprise me.

After all, these are the same people who think they are going to arrest Bush/Cheney and try them for war crimes, and secede and join Canada.

Exit question: Is BDS caused from marijuana use?

I guess the war on drugs IS lost.

Are You Ready For Internet Explorer 8?

The beta version is currently being tested by web developers.

Who cares about IE? I haven't used it in a long time. I prefer to use a browser that isn't some 5000lb hog that clogs everything up.

I love firefox and won't change.

 

Former Navy Sailor Convicted Of Leaking Details About His Ship

I think anyone with the last name of "Jihaad" should automatically be kicked out. He is a Muslim convert formerly known as Paul Hall. It appears that some psychological testing needs to be done to root out people like this. It's a difficult enough battle without having your own turn on you.

A former Navy sailor was convicted Wednesday of leaking details about ship movements to suspected terrorism supporters, an act that could have endangered his own crewmates.

Jurors convicted Hassan Abu-Jihaad, 32, of Phoenix of providing material support to terrorists and disclosing classified national defense information on the second day of deliberations.

The American-born Muslim convert formerly known as Paul R. Hall faces up to 25 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in May. His attorney, Dan LaBelle, said an appeal was likely.

He called the USS Cole bombing a "martyrdom operation"

Prosecutors also said Abu-Jihaad was the only member of the military who was communicating with the suspected terrorists. They cited one e-mail in which he called the attack on the USS Cole in 2000 a "martyrdom operation" and praised "the men who have brong (sic) honor ... in the lands of jihad Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, etc."

I.E.D Detonated Outside Recruiting Center In NY Times Square

A small IED blew up outside the military recruiting center in Times Square. It's probably one anti-war nutjob who spent many hours online trying to figure out how to build a crappy bomb and thought it would be awesome to do this; yet now hides in his parent's basement scared to death he's going to prison.

A small explosion caused minor damage to a U.S. military recruiting center in New York's Times Square area in the early hours of Thursday but there were no injuries, police said.

Police said an improvised explosive device caused minor damage to the building around 3:45 a.m. (0845 GMT). The thick glass door was cracked and the lower part of its metal frame was twisted. The blast also shattered a window encasing the classic recruiting poster of Uncle Sam saying, "I want you."

The explosion occurred in the early hours of the morning, when there are few people in the often bustling area in the heart of Manhattan.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department said there was no sign of an immediate threat to the United States from the blast, and said the FBI was taking part in a probe of it.

Good News From The War On Terror 3/3-4

Coalition captures three wanted suspects; five terrorists killed, six others detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained nine suspects Sunday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern and central Iraq.

During operations Sunday in eastern Mosul, Coalition forces targeted an alleged Saudi leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide bombing cell in the city. The targeted individual is reportedly responsible for the facilitation of foreign terrorists and conducting attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces in the area. The suspect is also an alleged associate of Abu Yasir al-Saudi, also known as Jar Allah, the Saudi AQI leader and foreign terrorist facilitator killed Feb. 27.

As the ground force entered the target area, they discovered a vehicle containing a weapons cache, including two anti-aircraft weapons, mortar rounds and machine gun ammunition. Coalition forces then began to receive heavy machine gun fire from multiple enemy personnel in and around the area. The ground force returned fire in self defense, and during a series of engagements, killed an estimated five terrorists. Coalition forces also found another vehicle containing a cache of weapons, which included two heavy machine guns, one mortar tube, rockets and several hundred machine gun rounds. Both vehicles found in the target area and the weapons caches were destroyed on site to prevent future use in terrorist activity. Due to the hostile environment, the ground force departed and was not able to clear the area.

Nearby, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists today while targeting an alleged foreign terrorist involved in improvised explosive device and mortar attacks against Coalition forces operating in Mosul.

During coordinated operations in Tarmiyah today, Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals believed to be involved in the northern belt AQI network. One of the suspects allegedly acts as an advisor to the senior leaders in the network, while the other suspect is believed to be the AQI military leader for the network. The network is responsible for the majority of improvised explosive device attacks in the area, and is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists.  In addition to the two wanted individuals, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists during the operations.

Northwest of Haditha today, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of an AQI senior leader. Also, an additional two suspects were detained southwest of Samarra while targeting an alleged leader for the AQI network in the area.

 

Three terrorists killed as Coalition targets al-Qaeda in Iraq networks

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed three terrorists Monday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.

East of Baghdad Monday, Coalition forces targeted a legacy al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Bizayz terrorist network, which operates east of Khan Bani Sad. The suspect reportedly commands a large group of terrorists in the region and is believed to be the brother of the alleged AQI facilitator who was detained March 2 for his involvement in the terrorist networks in Baghdad.

Intelligence reports led Coalition forces to a location where the targeted individual was believed to be operating. The assault force observed three terrorists in the target vehicle, which was leaving the area. Coalition forces attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply with instructions or heed warnings. The assault force eventually fired on the vehicle to stop it. The three terrorists were killed, and the vehicle was destroyed as a result of the engagement.

An Iraqi civilian received minor injuries during the course of operations. He was treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care.

 

Iraqi Special Operations Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain two al Qaeda in Iraq suspects

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two suspected criminals during separate operations March 1.

In Baghdad, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained an Al Qaeda in Iraq suspect believed responsible for mortar and improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. He is suspected of involvement in weapons smuggling and a plot to commit murder by poisoning.

Near Balad, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained an Al Qaeda in Iraq suspected cell leader. According to intelligence reports, the suspect and his cell are responsible for car bombings, mortar and improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. They are also accused of the murder of Iraqi citizens.

 

Coalition forces disrupt Taliban leaders in Zabul, Helmand provinces

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several insurgents were killed and eight suspected insurgents were detained March 1 during two separate Coalition forces’ operations to degrade Taliban leadership networks.

Coalition forces performed a search of compounds in the Garmsir District of Helmand Province during an operation targeting a Taliban commander responsible for facilitating foreign fighters and weapons smuggling operations.

Several insurgents were killed when they fired on Coalition forces. 

Coalition forces found and detained four individuals with suspected links to Taliban networks as they continued their search.

Coalition forces also recovered several weapons, ammunition vests and hand-grenades that were destroyed on-site to prevent further use by militant forces.

During a separate operation in the Qalat District of Zabul Province, Coalition forces detained four individuals associated with a Taliban commander responsible for attacks along Highway One. A detainee is also associated with Taliban and foreign fighter facilitation operations.

The detainees from both operations will be questioned on their involvement in Taliban operations as well as other extremist activities.

 

March 2 airpower summary

 

March 3 airpower summary

Super Tuesday II Is Done

It appears Hillary has won Ohio and Rhode Island. Obama won Vermont. Texas was still close, but last time I checked it looked like Hillary was starting to pull away.

McCain had a clean sweep.

Huckabee's Out

The little attention whore finally woke up and realized he was done.

Mike Huckabee bowed to reality Tuesday and out of the Republican presidential race. "We kept the faith," he told his end-of-the-road rally Tuesday after John McCain clinched the nomination. "I'd rather lose an election than lose the principles that got me into politics in the first place."

The genial conservative went out as he had campaigned all along, with a quip: "It's time for us to hit the reset button."

Huckabee won the leadoff Iowa caucuses, making him a sudden but short-lived sensation, and then seven other states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Louisiana and Kansas. Meantime, McCain piled up big victories on his way to winning the prize on Tuesday night.

The writing was on the wall for weeks, but the former Arkansas governor hung on until McCain secured the necessary delegates.