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

Good News From The War On Terror 11/16-17

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda networks; two terrorists killed, 12 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 12 suspects Friday during operations targeting terrorist networks in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual southeast of Baghdad during operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators in the Southern Belt. Reports also indicate the individual was involved in planning attacks on coalition aircraft. The ground force approached the target building and called for the occupants to come out, but the individuals did not comply. One of the men was wearing a vest loaded with grenades. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged, killing two of the men. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained three other suspects on site. In other operations in Ramadi, Mosul and Kirkuk, Coalition forces detained eight suspects while targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and those believed to be involved in kidnappings, assassinations and small arms attacks against Iraqi police and Coalition forces.

 

Coalition forces kill one terrorist, target criminal element networks

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist during operations targeting Special Groups criminal elements north of Baghdad, in the Rashidiya area early this morning. The targeted individual was reportedly a main logistics facilitator for Special Groups in central Iraq, and the chief financial advisor to criminal elements in the Diyala Province. The suspected criminal was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level splinter group leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. As ground forces approached the target building, a man exited the building armed with an assault rifle and maneuvered against Coalition forces. Responding in self-defense, ground forces engaged the individual, killing him.

 

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda networks; six terrorists killed, 10 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 10 suspects today during operations targeting terrorist networks in central and northern Iraq. During operations northeast of Samarra, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq's media and courier networks. Reports indicate the area was used as a propaganda house and is associated with a courier service for senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. As the ground force approached the target building, armed men inside engaged Coalition forces with heavy fire. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged, killing two terrorists. During the operation, two of the armed men were seen leaving the first building and maneuvering into a second building. Coalition forces called for the building's occupants to come out, but no one complied. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged the armed men, killing four terrorists. As the ground force secured the buildings, they found three of the terrorists killed were wearing suicide vests, including one that had detonated. They also found a weapons cache, improvised explosive device making materials and a media cache. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to safely destroy the two buildings, which were assessed to be structurally unsafe. Coalition forces also detained three suspects from two other locations during the operations in northeast Samarra. Supporting Coalition aircraft safely destroyed two known al-Qaeda in Iraq safe houses to prevent further use by terrorists.  In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators, couriers and associates of senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained five other suspects without incident. During operations southwest of Kirkuk, Coalition forces detained one suspect while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq. Reports indicate the targeted individual is believed to be planning terrorist attacks in the region and is associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in Mosul.

 

Former extremist leads joint forces to huge weapons cache

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A former member of an extremist group led Coalition Forces, Iraqi Army and Concerned Local Citizens to a cache site near southeast of Baghdad in the morning hours, Nov. 13. The citizen, who reconciled with Iraqi and Coalition troops, knew where the cache was because he helped bury it sometime ago. He said he is now helping Coalition Forces because he is tired of al-Qaeda trying to force him to work with them. He said al-Qaeda imprisoned him and tortured his friends for not joining forces with them. The Soldiers from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and IA found refrigerators that contained numerous rockets, mortars and ammunition.

 

Iron Hammer successful in pursuit of al-Qaeda in Iraq (Tikrit)

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – North Soldiers have made significant progress against al-Qaeda in four provinces in northern Iraq after two weeks of Operation Iron Hammer. The operation to disrupt al-Qaeda involves three U.S. brigade combat teams and four Iraqi Army divisions. During the operation, Coalition Forces and ISF have undermined al-Qaeda operations and discovered more than 50 caches across the Multi-National Division-North area of operations. The caches have contained more than 500 mortar and artillery rounds, three tons of homemade explosives, countless IED-making materials, hundreds of anti-tank and personnel mines and more than 100 machine guns. Beyond the weapons found, CF and ISF discovered various documents and related information material. CF and ISF have also detained hundreds of suspected al-Qaeda members.

 

Iraqi Army, volunteers find cache during raid (Baghdad)

BAGHDAD – Members of the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Security Volunteers conducted a raid of the cemetery adjacent to the Abu Hanifa Mosque in Adhamiyah Nov. 16, seizing a cache of weapons hidden in two pits disguised as graves. Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division provided the outer cordon and explosive ordnance disposal team to support the cache seizure. The Iraqi Security Forces entered the cemetery based on information provided by the Adhamiyah volunteers. In the two simulated graves, the volunteers led Iraqi Security Forces to seven rocket-propelled grenade launchers, nine RPG rounds, one SKS sniper rifle with scope, one RPK rifle, three PKC assault rifles, nine AK-47 assault rifles, 14 hand grenades, hundreds of rounds of small arms ammunition and various improvised explosive devicemaking items.

 

Eight suspects captured, cache discovered (Baghdad)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division captured eight suspected extremists and recovered a weapons cache in eastern Baghdad Nov. 15. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment found the cache and detained the suspects. The cache included one RPK machine gun, two AK-47 assault rifles and fifteen AK-47 magazines. The eight suspects are being held for further questioning.

 

Nov. 15 airpower summary: Crew chiefs keep missions flying

 

Nov. 16 airpower summary: C-17s deliver troops, cargo

William "Cold Cash" Jefferson Accused Of Soliciting Bribes

He's at it again. That famous congressman from Louisiana has been accused of soliciting bribes. However; they will not be added to his federal indictment of racketeering, soliciting bribes, and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors on Friday accused Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) of soliciting bribes in two alleged schemes that had not been previously disclosed. The allegations, detailed in a seven-page document filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, will not result in new charges, prosecutors said, but they plan to present them during Jefferson's federal bribery trial as evidence of a pattern of intentional wrongdoing. In 2002, the government alleges, Jefferson asked a lobbyist of a U.S. oil service company for $10,000 a month for a family member in exchange for Jefferson's assisting the company in promoting business in Africa. The lobbyist turned down Jefferson's request, the document said. Three years later, according to the filing, Jefferson allegedly agreed to urge NASA in a letter to consider doing business with a U.S. rocket technology and rocket launch services company. In exchange, the company allegedly agreed to pay Jefferson's family business and a relative.

LLLLLLoyd Carr Loses Again. Buckeyes Beat That Team Up North 14-3

I actually had them picked to win by at least 20. Maybe if Jim Tressel wouldn't have run down the clock we could've scored more. Oh well, A win is a win.

Jim Tressel got the best of Lloyd Carr again, maybe for the last time. Tressel became the first Ohio State coach to beat Michigan six times in seven years, and the seventh-ranked Buckeyes' 14-3 victory Saturday over their archrival gave them consecutive outright Big Ten titles for the first time in a half-century. Chris Wells ran for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdowns and Vernon Gholston and the Buckeyes' defense dominated Michigan's banged-up offense. "Our defense was not going to let Michigan control the game on the ground," Tressel said. "I wish our offense could have scored more, and that we could have been a little more consistent, but today, 14 points was enough to win the Big Ten." The Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) are likely headed to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1997. They also hold onto slim hopes of climbing back into the BCS title game, but several teams ahead of them would need to go down.

 

Carr's resignation press conference is 10am Monday.

 

I saw this .GIF and thought it was hilarious. I don't know who the teams are, but it doesn't matter.

The Clinton's Have A New Puppy. His Name Is Wolf.

Ugh! I am so grateful I have Fox News.

From Drudge

CNN debate moderator Wolf Blitzer did an 'outstanding' job in Vegas, a senior adviser to the Hillary campaign said early Friday. 'He was outstanding, and did not gang up like Russert did in Philadelphia. He avoided the personal attacks, remained professional and ran the best debate so far. Voters were the big winners last night.' A rival campaign insider charges: 'Wolf turned into a lamb. No follow-up question on Clinton's huge flip on drivers licenses?'

 

Newsbusters

Rush Limbaugh has often indicated that he has no beef with Wolf Blizter. And I must say that I've generally found Blitzer to be a straight shooter who has rarely-if-ever provided grist for my NewsBusting mill. All of which makes that much more perplexing Blitzer's bail-out at arguably the key moment last night's debate. The CNN anchor's failure to follow up on Hillary's monosyllabic answer on driver's licenses for illegals, letting her slide with her terse "no," was in my opinion the greatest single act of journalistic malpractice thus far in this campaign season.

Massive Explosion At Iranian Missile Site

Before these idiots can wipe Israel off the face of the map, they're going to wipe themselves off of it.

Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, November 13) a series of explosions rocked Parchin Military Site (where missiles, including Cruise missiles, are manufactured) in southern Tehran. As a result, several military personnel of the site were injured. The explosions reportedly started in missile industries section of the Site. When shrapnel of the explosions hit another sections, eight other warehouses located next to each other were engulfed in flames.   The fire, which began at 2:00 p.m. and was put out at 8:00 p.m., was so extensive that fire fighters from seven fire stations rushed to the scene. Four of the injured were Mostafa Nourizadeh, Alireza Verdi-lou, Nasser Rezai, and Morteza Motahari. [...] The huge site is organized into 11 different projects for production of various weapons and munitions. Projects 4 and 11 are devoted to production of Cruise missiles; projects 1, 2 and 8 are devoted to chemical weapons production. In addition to Cruise missiles, other types of missiles, including Oghab (Eagle), Nazeat missiles, air to air missiles and solid fuel for missiles are manufactured in Parchin's missile complex.

 

h/t: LGF

Good News From The War On Terror 11/15

Coalition forces disrupt senior al-Qaeda operations; 25 killed, 21 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 25 suspected terrorists and detained 21 suspects, four of whom were wounded, late Tuesday and early Wednesday during operations targeting senior terrorist leaders in central Iraq. During a series of coordinated operations west of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces targeted associates of senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders believed to be in the area. Coalition forces observed several armed men in the target area and, perceiving hostile intent, called for supporting aircraft to engage. The supporting aircraft fired on the target, but intelligence reports indicated the men unloaded an anti-aircraft weapon from the target and moved to a secondary location. The ground force engaged the armed men, killing one, wounding another and detaining one suspect. Upon securing the area, the ground force found a weapons cache, to include anti-aircraft weapons and artillery. Supporting aircraft was used to safely destroy an associated building, vehicle and site believed to be used for anti-aircraft attacks against Coalition forces. The ground force also followed suspects from the initial meeting to several buildings in the area. As Coalition forces approached the target areas, they were engaged by enemy fire from both locations. Responding in self-defense, ground forces called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing 24 and wounding three. As the ground forces secured the areas, they found two substantially large weapons caches, which were safely destroyed by supporting aircraft to prevent further use by terrorists. The caches included numerous anti-aircraft machine guns, surface-to-surface missiles, rifles, pistols, grenades, mortar rounds and artillery shells. Coalition forces also found a large quantity of ammunition and components used to manufacture improvised explosive devices. Coalition forces also detained 16 suspects at the two locations.

 

Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police detain 12, discover caches, car bomb factory

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Police units involved in Operation Iron Hammer discovered caches containing more than 2,900 liters of nitric acid, a car bomb factory and more than 340 mortar and artillery rounds of various caliber in addition to large quantities of military equipment in the al Jazeera desert, Western Salah ad Din Province, Iraq, Nov. 10. The caches, discovered by 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, also contained four DSHKA anti-aircraft machine guns with more than 13,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 1,000 47mm anti-aircraft rounds, 32 anti-tank mines, detonation cord and small arms with ammunition. Iraqi Police detained 12 men for al-Qaeda related activities. In addition to arms, the car bomb factory contained seven vehicles, welding equipment and auto parts to reinforce suspensions and heavy duty struts, which enable vehicles to carry increased loads. Two 36,000 gallon capacity fuel tankers used to transport black market fuel were also discovered.

 

Coalition forces detain 10 suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 10 suspects Thursday during operations targeting terrorist networks in central Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq members and those believed to be involved in the courier network. The ground force detained the wanted individual and one suspect without incident. In other operations in central Iraq, Coalition forces detained eight suspects during operations targeting foreign terrorist and weapons facilitators, couriers and associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders familiar with the northern belt. A small weapons cache was found during one of the operations, and it was safely destroyed by the ground force to prevent further use by terrorists.

 

Several militants killed, seven detained during Helmand Province operation

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several militants were killed and seven more detained during a Coalition forces’ operation Wednesday in Helmand Province to disrupt foreign fighter and militant weapons facilitator operations.  During a search of compounds in the Garmser District, Coalition forces encountered armed militants in multiple buildings on the compounds. Coalition forces responded with a combination of small-arms fire; accurate, conventional munitions and precision-guided munitions killing several militants during the engagement.  Continuing their search of the compounds, Coalition forces found and detained seven individuals, who intelligence sources indicated as having possible connections to foreign fighter and weapons facilitators in the area. One individual sustained a non-life threatening injury while resisting detention. Coalition forces treated the detainee’s injury on-site and transported him to a medical facility for possible follow-on medical care said Maj. Belcher. The detained individuals will be questioned as to their involvement with facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities. Coalition forces also recovered several weapons and associated ammunition that were destroyed to prevent further use by extremist forces.

 

 Nov. 14 airpower summary: A-10s provide close-air support

Cleveland Indian's Manager Eric Wedge Wins AL Manager Of The Year!

What in the world is going on?! Two awards going to the Cleveland Indians Organization?! First C.C. Sabathia wins the AL Cy Young Award, now Eric Wedge wins AL Manager Of The Year.

Eric Wedge, who guided the Cleveland Indians to their first division title in six years, was named American League Manager of the Year on Wednesday. It was the second major award won by a member of the Indians in as many days, as C.C. Sabathia captured the American League Cy Young Award on Tuesday. Wedge was the only manager listed on all 28 ballots cast by two writers in each American League city. He collected 19 first-place votes and 116 points - based on a five-three-one tabulation system - to easily win the award. Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finished a distant second with 62 points. Scioscia received four first-place votes. Only four managers received votes. Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, now the Los Angeles Dodgers' skipper, got the other five first-place votes and finished third. Terry Francona, who guided the Boston Red Sox to their second World Series title in four years, was fourth. Wedge, the only manager named on every ballot, guided the Indians to a 96-66 record, winning the Central Division crown by eight games over the Detroit Tigers. It was an 18-game turnaround from 2006, when Cleveland finished in fourth place with a 78-84 record.

66 Olympia Morons Arrested During Protests

First they want the war to end and the troops to come home, then they protest the troops returning.

Police arrested more war protestors Thursday as the final shipment of equipment returning to Fort Lewis from Iraq made its way out of the Port of Olympia. Police used pepper balls to subdue protestors in the afternoon, then arrested five people.  Some who refused to move were dragged out of the way, even through standing water. The protestors have been outside the Port for several days, blocking trucks hauling the equipment.   In all, 66 people have been arrested over the past several days of protests.

Good News From The War On Terror 11/14

Iraqi Special Forces capture extremist leader in Taji

BALAD, Iraq – 9th Iraqi Army Division forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, captured an alleged extremist leader during operations Nov. 13 in the city of Taji. The suspect is reported to control several extremist cells and to be one of the key individuals responsible for perpetrating violence against Iraqis in the south Taji area. Several eyewitnesses report the suspect is personally responsible for the murder of at least 10 Iraqi civilians. He is also linked to multiple improvised explosive devices emplacements along a major U.S. military supply route and an IED attack against a Coalition Forces convoy Oct. 4 near Baghdad. The raid was one in a series of ongoing operations led by Iraqi Security Forces specifically targeting extremist networks illegally operating within Iraq.

 

UPDATE: Coalition forces positively identify terrorist killed in recent raid

BAGHDAD– One of the terrorists killed in Tarmiyah Nov. 5 has been positively identified as Tha’ir Malik.

Tha’ir Malik was the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Tarmiyah sector of the northern belt. Reports indicate Malik was previously involved in a terrorist group that conducted attacks against Iraqi citizens for not following Taliban-like rules. During the operation, surveillance elements observed Malik operating in the area and supporting aircraft was called to strike the time-sensitive target. Secondary explosions erupted from the building, indicating that weapons and ammunition were stored inside. As Coalition forces cleared the surrounding area, they discovered two terrorists believed to be killed by the initial blast to include Malik, small arms ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades. The target building ignited from the secondary explosions, preventing the ground force from assessing the building’s interior. Malik was a subordinate of Abu Ghazwan, the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader of the northern belt and direct associate of Abu Ayyub al-Masri. Reports indicate that as Coalition forces operations captured al-Qaeda in Iraq elements in Tarmiyah, many of the northern belt leadership were forced out, but Malik remained and was promoted to military emir of the northern belt network. He was allegedly in charge of as many as 120 individuals and directed a variety of operations, including kidnapping, car-jackings, extortion, and attacks on Coalition and Iraqi security forces, and members of the Awakening.  The previous AQI military leader for the Northern Belts who Malik replaced was killed as a result of Coalition Force operations last August.

 

Coalition forces detain 26 suspects targeting al-Qaeda networks

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 26 suspects Wednesday during operations targeting terrorist networks in central and northern Iraq. West of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and detained 16 suspects during operations targeting foreign terrorist financiers and al-Qaeda facilitating the movement of foreign terrorists into the region. The wanted individual is believed to be associated with senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership, including the alleged Saladin provincial leader. During other operations along the Tigris River Valley, Coalition forces detained five suspects targeting foreign terrorist facilitators, propaganda operations and terrorists planning attacks against Iraqi Security forces. South of Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and detained three suspects during operations targeting improvised explosive device engineers and terrorists operating in the Arab Jabour area.

 

Special Groups Leader captured by Coalition forces (Baghdad)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a senior Special Groups leader on November 4. Intelligence reports indicate the suspected criminal was the Special Groups leader for Diyala Province and oversaw all logistics and operations in the area. He was reportedly responsible for smuggling and storing Iranian weapons, and associated with the largest explosively formed penetrator, or EFP, cache found in Iraq.  While he is currently being cooperative with Coalition forces, he has allegedly used Iranian funding and training to support Special Groups activities. He is also believed to be an associate of several other senior-level Special Groups members in Iraq who have been involved in attacks on Coalition forces.

 

Iraqi volunteers find 5 car bombs (Adhamiyah)

BAGHDAD – Five vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices were uncovered in the Al-Rhabi neighborhood of the Adhamiyah District Nov. 13 thanks to reports from Iraqi Security Volunteers. Members of Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and elements from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division blocked off the Al-Rhabi Gardens in northeast Baghdad to dismantle five car bombs found in a parking lot. Once isolating positions were established by the U.S. and Iraqi platoons, an explosive ordnance disposal team began investigating several cars, discovering the presence of the explosively rigged vehicles. Coalition EOD personnel conducted controlled detonations of the five vehicles, rendering the area safe. There were no casualties or collateral damage to the surrounding area. The Adhamiyah fire department was on site and quickly extinguished the flames after the explosions. Following the mission, the Adhamiyah Security Volunteers continued to man their checkpoints. The volunteers are men and women from this Sunni-dominated district who were trained by the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police to provide security for critical sites throughout their local neighborhoods. The ISV operates a liaison cell at the Adhamiyah District Joint Security Station, which also houses elements from the Iraqi Police, the Iraqi Army and Soldiers of 3-7 Cavalry. This cooperative effort has resulted in 14 weapons cache finds and the identification and eventual detainment of 12 suspected extremists by Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

 

Tip leads to large explosive cache (Baghdad)

BAGHDAD – Acting on a tip, elements of the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division and 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment conducted a cordon and search of a house containing several hundred pounds of components capable of making homemade explosives in the Adhamiyah neighborhood Nov. 12. The chemicals were found in bags behind a false wall inside the home. The components uncovered included nine bags labeled potassium nitrate, two bags of an orange powder, possibly urea nitrate, and one 50-kilogram bag of aluminum powder. These chemicals, when mixed together properly, can form a deadly explosive. After consulting the Iraqi Army officials, an explosive ordnance disposal team was called to conduct a controlled detonation inside the house, due to the instability of the explosives. EOD was able to minimize the blast so that it did not destroy the house or neighboring homes. However, the potassium nitrate caught fire and damaged the interior of the house. The local fire department was on scene during this event and was able to isolate the flames and prevent them from spreading to other homes.

 

 Nov. 13 airpower summary: C-17s resupply forces

Bomb Parts Make It Through Airport Screeners...Again

This can be filed under "NOT doing the job you're supposed to do"

The report, obtained exclusively by CBS News, details how GAO investigators conducted covert tests at 19 airports earlier this year to test the vulnerabilities of the passenger screening process. The investigators succeeded in passing through TSA checkpoints undetected with components for making improvised explosive devices (IED) and improvised incendiary devices (IID). [...] Investigators identified two devices a terrorist could use to cause such "severe damage." The first was an IED made up of a "liquid explosive and a low yield detonator." The second was an IID "created by combining commonly available products (one of which is a liquid) that TSA prohibits in carry-on luggage." The bomb parts were purchased over the Internet and from a local store for approximately $150, according to the report.