Welcome home from the sand box D 9000

Welcome home from the sand box D 9000

September 18, 2009

Kevin Dayhoff

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20090524 D9000 in the sandboxb

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*****

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Memorial Day: It is not the reporter…

Memorial Day: It is not the reporter…

May 24, 2009

At this point approximately 1.5 million men and women in uniform have fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. For me, I’m a free speech kind of guy and I do not give a rat’s ass if you are for, or against the war.... Just remember this....

To paraphrase a quote that is attributed to Zell Miller:

It is the Soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the preacher, who gives us freedom of religion.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer who gives us freedom to assemble.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who gives us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier, not the politician, who gives us the right to vote.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who makes all of this possible, day after day after day!

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.

20090524 SDOSM Memorial Day: It is not the reporter…

20090524-D9000-in-the-sandb.gif

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19410502 Rashid Ari Rebellion and the Battle of Habbaniya

What was the Rashid Ali Rebellion and the Battle of Habbaniya and why it is important

September 4, 2007

In a brief discussion with a colleague about my Tentacle column from Wednesday, August 29th, 2007 about the upcoming Petraeus Report and the work of Dr. David Kilcullen, ("The Crocodile Dundee Factor" [1]) I mentioned that the British – and the Australians et al are all too familiar with Iraq.

What many Americans are not aware is that the British had indeed fought the Turks in Iraq in WWI - and the Iraqis at the beginning of WWII in a battle at Habbaniya - et sequentia during the Rashid Ali Rebellion.

Very simplistically:

For some contemporary context, Habbaniya is currently a U. S. base of operations called Al Taqqadum, west of Baghdad.

An historian could pick any of the major battles in the Middle East as symbolic of the complexities of the region. I just happened to have landed on the Battle at Habbaniya… However, one could pick the Arab loss to the Iranians at the Battle of the Bridge in 634 or the British loss to the Turks in the Siege of Kut, 1915 – 1916 or when the Shi'ites and Kurds fought the British for independence in 1920.

After WWI the British were given a League of Nations’ mandate on November 11, 1920, to govern portions of the former Ottoman Empire, which included what we now know as Iraq. Iraq was given independence around 1930.

This area of the Middle East was carved up, without any regard to the boundaries of the prevailing sects and religions - or ethnodemographics of the indigenous population of the region… according to the secretly negotiated Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 between Britain and France. This arbitrary drawing of the boundaries is, to a great extent, the causality of much of the current conflict in the area.

This period between 1915 and 1922 is extraordinarily complex with claims and counter claims, secret negotiations, atrocities and counter atrocities, and abrogated agreements resulting in the Arabs distrusting the West to this very day.

For further research, it involves T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), The Balfour Agreement of 1917, the 1915 and 1916 Hussein-McMahon Correspondence, the 1917 Russian Revolution, the April 1920 San Remo conference, the League of Nations, the 1920 et sequentia rebellions in which the Shi'ites and Kurds fought the British for independence, and finally the 1922 Winston Churchill protocols. The discovery of a large amount of oil in Kirkuk in 1927 raised the stakes considerably.

Once some working knowledge of this era is achieved, folks will gain a greater understanding of the mess that is today, the Middle East, and why the various factions in Iraq are extremely sensitive about anyone “occupying” their country “for their own good.”

I do not know whether or not American men and women in uniform are given a primer in the complex history of the region before they are deployed. Hopefully they are. Nevertheless, any study of the region’s history exacerbates why a working understanding of Dr. Kilcullen’s work would be quite helpful as a methodology of approach in having the tools to engage, adapt and overcome.[2][3]

To which D9000 responds:

September 5th, 2007

A reply to your hopes, no soldiers are not given the historical background of why Iraq is carved up with so many different religious, ethnic, and political factions.

Most don’t know that the Kurds actually reside in Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria.

The Turks like to mass their troops on the northern border of Iraq and threaten the Peshmurga (Kurdish freedom fighters/militant wing of the PUK/PDK) on a regular basis.

You could probably set your watch to this event just like the overthrow of a regime in Haiti. However like i said, good junior officers and senior NCO's are reading about these things and passing the knowledge down to lower levels.

As for the Battle of Habbaniya, during the Anglo-Iraqi War - the Rashīd `Alī al-Gaylānī Rebellion (April 18 to May 30, 1941) Habbaniya was the site of a battle between the British and German supported Iraqi forces, in which by the end of hostilities, the German Luftwaffe (and to a lesser degree, the Italian air force) got involved.

The short-lived Rashid Ali rebellion was a coup d'etat which brought to power a pro-German (anti-British to be exact) former prime minister by the name of Rashīd `Alī al-Gaylānī on April 2, 1941.

A series of disagreements between the subsequent pro-German Iraqi government and the British forces at the large RAF base at Lake Habbaniya deteriorated into open hostilities on May 2, 1941.

The British prevailed and a series of quick British victories led the British to occupy Fallujah by May 19th and Baghdad days later. The Rashid government quickly fell and by the end of May 1941, the British militarily controlled the country.

Iraq was then used as a base of operations to invade Syria and then Iran with a joint Russian-British effort. The Allied military occupation of Iraq lasted until October 26, 1947.

One account of the “Iraqi Revolt” can be found here: http://www.geocities.com/acrawford0/revolt.html

Also q.v.: the RAF Habbaniya Association.

According to “Hitting Metal with a Hammer:”

“The Commonwealth War Cemetery of Habbaniyah, Iraq, is the final resting place of 289 Commonwealth Servicemen and civilians, including women and children. 257 of them are from WWII.”

“During the intervening years, unlike most other War Cemeteries, Habbaniyah was both neglected and deliberately vandalised. A group of Ghurkas and US servicemen under former Sgt Maj Terry Pearson QO Highlanders, have been restoring Habbaniyah Cemetery.”

Also see some additional commentary and a series of photographs of the Commonwealth War Cemetery of Habbaniyah on Michael Yon’s web site here: “The Ghosts of Anbar, Part 1.”

**Photo credit: the RAF Habbaniya Association.

####
[1] "The Crocodile Dundee Factor":

September 15 is fast approaching. That’s when Gen. David H. Petraeus will give his report to Congress on the progress in the war in Iraq.

General Petraeus has become a household name in America as the military mind tapped to head-up President George W. Bush’s new way forward – or “surge” initiative announced January 10, 2007.

Even though most folks are well aware of General Petraeus, one wonders how many are aware of the work of Dr. David Kilcullen?

Any definitive discourse as to why the current military efforts in Iraq are successful must include some knowledge of Dr. Kilcullen, an Australian counterinsurgency expert.

[2] In reference to Dr. Kilcullen’s work, a colleague – a war in Iraq veteran said:

Kilcullen is absolutely right by D9000

August 27, 2007

This is a fight that cannot be won at brigade or battalion level. This is a fight that junior officers and their supporting NCOs have to win. I am glad they are finally encouraging these concepts are learned down to the lowest levels.

Fortunately for myself, my company commander overseas believed in these practices and we implemented them daily.

By using all of these 28 articles (not that we knew anything about this essay at the time) we reduced the crime rate in our area of operations, reduced roadside bombing and helped build trust through security and building of infrastructure to give them a physical acknowledgement of our dedication to make this mission and their country a success.

The fact of the matter however, is that our basic training and officers training schools are still behind the ball in training these tactics and practices. These operations are not solely the domain of special operations forces anymore and training the conventional force should now reflect that.

Many junior officers are facing the fact that senior officers don’t understand this fight, and don’t want "their" army to change its ways.

Killing the terrorists is a primary objective, but there is so much more that should be going into this mission. Facing this, many junior officers train themselves through self-study and analysis of the contemporary operating environment, and similar historical accounts, such as the Philippines and Algiers.

The biggest factor that will contribute to successful implementation of these 28articles is soldier autonomy. Leadership has to let soldiers make decisions and be able to communicate that information to higher at a very rapid pace.

Giving soldiers at the team level this ability will create a soldier who can think through situations for himself and not just be an order follower.

[3] For more information about my colleague – read my Tentacle column from December 20, 2006: “An Uneasy Truce” – “Christmas is within a week and my thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women in uniform who are deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq…”

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
www.kevindayhoff.net
E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org or kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com
His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.

20070719 AP: Denmark Pulls Out Dozens of Iraqi Aides

Denmark Pulls Out Dozens of Iraqi Aides

July 21, 2007 – A colleague who spent a tour of duty in Iraq has expressed, on a number of occasions, concern over the health safety and welfare of the Iraqi translators with whom he worked.

When I get a chance I’ll go over one of his e-mails about the matter and post it on “Soundtrack.”

Denmark Pulls Out Dozens of Iraqi Aides

Thu Jul 19, 2007

Karl Ritter, AP Writer

KARUP — Before the withdrawal of its 480 combat troops from Iraq next month, Denmark has pulled out scores of Iraqi aides and their families.

The last of three Danish military flights carrying a total of 200 Iraqis left Friday, the government said. The flights were kept secret because of fears that militants would try to attack the planes.

The aides, many of them translators, worked with the Danes in Basra, a risky job that has turned them into traitors in the eyes of militants fighting the U.S.-led coalition. The government decided in June to offer the aides a chance to seek asylum.

The United States and Britain have been reluctant to accept large numbers of Iraqi asylum-seekers — including those who worked for their military or civilian operations. The Danish move came only after months of heated debate.

[…]

Sweden, which isn't even part of the coalition, has taken in more Iraqi refugees than any other Western country has — though it is now tightening its asylum rules.

The United States has admitted fewer than 800 Iraqis since the start of the war but has promised to take in nearly 7,000 more starting later this year.

"We're working aggressively to try to process Iraqi refugees who have been classified as refugees by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said this month. "While we want to meet our humanitarian obligations here, we also want to make sure we do so in such a way that our borders and the American people are protected."

Particularly at risk are the tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians who have worked for — or are currently employed by — U.S.-led coalition members. Their work has involved everything from translating to driving. Many of their colleagues have died in attacks directed at coalition forces; others have been abducted and killed outside of work.

"These people are particularly targeted, and of course people know who they are," said Bjarte Vandvik, secretary-general of the European Council of Refugees and Exiles.

[…]

In May, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives proposed that over the next four years the U.S. accept up to 60,000 Iraqis who worked for at least a year with the U.S. or U.N., affiliated contractors or subcontractors or American-based non-governmental organizations. The Senate is considering similar legislation.

Translators may get special attention. In June, the U.S. government launched a resettlement program to process Iraqis living in Jordan who have worked as translators for the U.S. government or military or who worked for the Coalition Provisional Authority. The program provides a way to apply for refugee status separate from the UNHCR referral process and will be run by the International Organization for Migration.

[…]

Read the entire article here: Denmark Pulls Out Dozens of Iraqi Aides

Iraq War Iraqi translators and interpreters, D9000

20070209 Felt froggy about the UN this morning

“Felt froggy about the UN this morning”

Feb 9, 2007 11:28 AM – Posted February 10^th, 2007

D9000 writes in a recent e-mail:

In a period of instability and uncertainty in many countries across the pond, there are feelings that the global community has forsaken efforts to help our neighbors up, and address issues which have an international bearing.

This could be the time for the UN to step up, forget the awkward bureaucratic ways, and assert itself as the tip of the spear for international aid and relations once again.

Under the new Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations can lead its way back to the original intent of the founding countries.

Ban Ki-Moon has been involved in foreign affairs since 1970, and has worked with the UN in some form or another since 1975. Being a South Korean, he knows all too well the dangers of war, tensions between countries, and differing schools of thought.

The world can only hope that he possesses the will to bring about the changes necessary.

The newly charged Secretary General has to step back, and decide if the organization he is steering is to be pro-active, or continue on its arbitrary path.

When sanctions are not enough to stop countries from proliferating nuclear weapons, committing genocide, or enlisted youths to fight wars, action must be taken, and rules enforced.

France, Germany, China, all key members of the body must be willing to uphold international policies, or Mr. Ki-Moon will have a tough time in rectifying the worlds leading problems. Gone are the times for walking softly and carrying a big stick. The world must be heard loudly, and wield that stick effectively.

D9000

####

20070201 Pelosi Out of touch

Debuting the new “Pelosi Air Force.” Becoming Speaker of the House – important. Getting your own F-8 – millions. Becoming Speaker of the House and getting your own air force - priceless. www.kevindayhoff.net Feb. 1, 2007

Pelosi Out of touch

Good morning Mrs. Pelosi – it’s time to go to work.

February 1^st, 2007

H/t: D9000

Re: “Speaker pursues military flights” By Rowan Scarborough THE WASHINGTON TIMES, February 1, 2007.

When Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says that she wants the troops out of Iraq, it has recently become clearer that what she really wants is the Air Force out of the combat zone so that it can become her personal air taxi.

Oh, it is so important to be important…

A colleague of mine, who is a veteran of the war in Iraq, recently sent me an e-mail, which reflects much of what my ear to the ground, is hearing from military folks about the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. (Also see “label”: “Pelosi - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi”… “The Pending Pelosian Malthusian Prerogative” … or here…)

It is not pretty. As far as many folks who are straining to find parallels with the Vietnam War, many of us ardent supporters of the military are having terrible flashbacks about the administration of President William J. Clinton and his First Lady, now New York Senator, Hillary Clinton.

Spin it anyway you want to, the Clinton Administration had a horrific affect on the military. The Clintons and their liberal Democratic administration abhorred the military. Careers were truncated or in many instances, totally trashed. Instead of pursuing the necessary defense of our great nation and the freedoms we so enjoy; they pursued Class Warfare. Their personal gain and social agenda was at our expense and it greatly endangered all of us…

Now comes Speaker Pelosi - - and Senator Clinton is running for the oval office and many of us who keenly remember the days of the liberal Democratic control of Congress and the Clinton years are all having terrible nightmares.

Anyway, my Veteran colleague called to my attention an article in the Washington Times: http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070201-122225-1157r.htm, with the following forward:

“I guess Mrs. Pelosi assumes the air force has nothing better to do than be her personal chauffer. Just goes to show how out of touch some of our democrats are when it comes to the military. Hope all is well.”

For more information about my colleague – read my Tentacle column from December 20, 2006: “An Uneasy Truce” – “Christmas is within a week and my thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women in uniform who are deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq…”

For more of my previous thoughts about the Speaker of the House, read my January 10, 2007 Tentacle column: "A Message to Speaker Pelosi" – “Last Wednesday our nation witnessed an historic first when California Rep. Nancy Pelosi was elected to be the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives…”

For my current thoughts on the Iraq War, read my January 17, 2007 Tentacle column, "NUTS!" – “Last Thursday President George W. Bush addressed the nation with his long awaited "New Way Forward in Iraq…”

To which a reader from Frederick, Mr. Tansey said it best in his response:

“Kevin : Right on-we have no choice but to continue the fight in Iraq. American people better wake up to a real threat. Why don't you consider reducing your article and send it to an editor - Washington (T)imes, Frederick News-(P)ost, etc? I write a letter on occasions. Have one in right now on the same subject. Two of my brothers were severely wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. I am an army veteran of 24 years. Enjoyed your article. Keep it up.”

Perhaps the best quote on Speaker Pelosi came from the late New York Post Washington D.C. Bureau Chief Deborah Orin-Eilbeck, (who passed away this past Saturday, January 27^th, 2007,) “Forget 'The Devil Wears Prada' - the hot show in Washington is 'The Shrew Adores Armani.' In just a few short days, House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi has turned into a caricature of the shrill, petty woman boss.”

For more on the dynamics of Armani suits and the Speaker of the House, read my November 15, 2006 Tentacle column, “A Marine Corps Birthday Present” -. “The United States Marine Corps has had significant participation in every American armed conflict since November 10, 1775; and its role as a rapid deployment force to fully defend our nation against terrorist threats and to effectuate foreign policy has never been more important than today…”

For more on Deborah Orin-Eilbeck read my Tentacle column on her from this past Wednesday, January 31, 2007, “Who was Deborah Orin-Eilbeck?” – “Last Saturday, the New York Post's Washington bureau chief, Deborah Orin-Eilbeck, passed away. Published accounts noted that she died at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of stomach cancer.”

(Hopefully another version – another column in memorial tribute to Ms. Orin-Eilbeck will appear in the Washington Examiner.)

Which all leads us to the piece in the Washington Times, called to our attention by my colleague; “Speaker pursues military flights” By Rowan Scarborough THE WASHINGTON TIMES, February 1, 2007.

The office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pressing the Bush administration for routine access to military aircraft for domestic flights, such as trips back to her San Francisco district, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The sources, who include those in Congress and in the administration, said the Democrat is seeking regular military flights not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation. A knowledgeable source called the request "carte blanche for an aircraft any time."

"They are pressing the point of her succession and that the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs," one source said. The request originally went to the Pentagon, which then asked the White House to weigh in. (My emphasis…)

Well I’m certainly glad that the military exists for the benefit of Speaker Pelosi. Perhaps in their spare time the military can also defend the country and defend the right of the Speaker of the House to not support the very organization that stands between her, you and me – and folks who wish to do us harm and deny us the very rights to which have become accustomed.

The Speaker of the House has, no doubt, enormous rights and privileges. Many of us are waiting, with baited breath, for the Speaker to understand that with those rights and privileges come responsibilities.

Liberal ideology and empty political rhetoric might be nice for a Hollywood cocktail party adorned in an elegant Armani suit, but the next morning, the real world awaits and it sure isn’t elegant.

Good morning Mrs. Pelosi – it is time to go to work.

Kevin Dayhoff

February 1^st, 2007