Hoo-AH: National Airborne Day honors past, present paratroopers

I did not see any Presidential Proclamations
which are usually issued before the event,
and there’s nothing in today Federal Register.

On August 16, 1940, "The United States Army Infantry Board Airborne Test Platoon", performed the first official U.S. Army parachute jump and on August 16, 1942 the 82nd Infantry Division was the first airborne division designated and was renamed the 82nd Airborne Division.

Since then U.S. Airborne troops have played a vital role in World War II, Panama, Grenada, Desert Storm, Haiti, Somalia, the Balkans, and the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This year's event commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Army Parachute Test Platoon's first official jump and the 10th anniversary of the Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.

Lt. Gen. Dick Seitz, a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge in 1945 and earned a Silver Star, was the event's guest speaker.

In 1967, Seitz commanded the 82nd Airborne Division where he deployed troops to quell riots in Detroit and Washington, D.C. Within 36 hours of notification, he deployed the 3rd Brigade to Vietnam following the Tet Offensive.

Seitz's last assignment before retiring in 1975 was as the commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg. He spoke Saturday of the service and sacrifice made by members of the military.

In his remarks, Seitz revisited the origin of today's Army paratrooper. The first jump from an aircraft in flight by members of the test platoon of Airborne infantry was made from a Douglas B-18 over Lawson Field at Fort Benning, Ga., on Aug. 16, 1940.

"Those members of the test platoon were the cream of our Army," Seitz said. "They set the standards. They laid the groundwork for the spirit, for the professionalism we have in our Army."

“Although the environment has changed, our soldiers are still the dedicated soldiers they have always been,” Seitz said.

Other special guests included Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, the commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps; and Gen. James J. Lindsay, a former commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps.

"Airborne soldiers are a different breed of soldier," Helmick said. "When they take on a task, they go all the way."

In June, the original Iron Mike - the 2,500-pound statue of an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper - was moved from storage on Fort Bragg and placed at the entrance to the Airborne museum.

On Saturday, Iron Mike's plaque was unveiled. It read:

"In honor of Airborne troopers whose courage, dedication, and traditions make them the world's finest fighting soldiers."

On August 14, 2002 President George W. Bush issued a proclamation to recognize August 16th as “National Airborne Day.”

In his proclamation President Bush states:

“During World War II, Airborne tactics were critical to the success of important missions, including the D-Day invasion at Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, the invasion of Southern France, and many others.

In Korea and Vietnam, Airborne soldiers played a critical combat role, as well as in later conflicts and peacekeeping operations, including Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, Haiti, Somalia, and the Balkans.

Most recently, Airborne forces were vital to liberating the people of Afghanistan from the repressive and violent Taliban regime; and these soldiers con-tinue to serve proudly around the world in the global coalition against terrorism.

Airborne combat continues to be driven by the bravery and daring spirit of sky soldiers. Often called into action with little notice, these forces have earned an enduring reputation for dedication, excellence, and honor. As we face the challenges of a new era, I encourage all people to recognize the contributions of these courageous soldiers to our Nation and the world.”

HOO-ah: Bo Derek Honored for Work on Behalf of Veterans

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake today honored actress Bo Derek for her work to increase public awareness of the rehabilitative programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Ms. Derek has worked tirelessly to shine the public spotlight on veterans, especially those who have been severely injured while serving this nation," Peake said. "She has been a good friend of veterans and a bright example of dedicated volunteerism."

Since 2000, Ms. Derek has been the honorary chair of VA's National Rehabilitation Special Events, improving public understanding of veterans issues, encouraging veterans to take advantage of VA's rehabilitative programs and visiting VA medical centers around the country.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to serve as the Honorary Chair of VA's National Rehabilitation Special Events," Ms. Derek said. "I have met so many amazing veterans who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. They are truly among our nation's finest citizens, and it is a privilege to stand by their side."

Ms. Derek has also taken part in USO tours to support troops and works with the Special Forces Association, which named her an honorary Green Beret.

Ms. Derek's father, Paul Collins, was a radio operator during the Korean War, and both her stepfather and her late husband, actor John Derek, were also veterans.

Hoo-AH: National Airborne Day honors past, present paratroopers

On August 16, 1940, the Parachute Test Platoon performed the first official U.S. Army parachute jump and on August 16, 1942 the 82nd Infantry Division was the first airborne division designated and was renamed the 82nd Airborne Division.

Since then Airborne troops have played a vital role in World War II, Panama, Grenada, Desert Storm, Haiti, Somalia, the Balkans, and the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This year’s ceremony at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville honored the nation’s first paratroopers and their lasting legacy.

As the crowd waits in anticipation, a helicopter circles overhead. Suddenly, streams of colored smoke flash against the sky and four men fall toward earth, slowed only by their parachutes catching the wind. Wild applause breaks out as the paratroopers land on a small patch of grass in the middle of the crowd.

The brightly colored canopies of the U.S. Army Golden Knights(Black and Gold), USASOC's Black Daggers (red and black) and the 82nd Airborne Division's All-American Freefall Team (red, white and blue), the three parachute demonstration teams from Fort Bragg, N.C., circle over a crowd of spectators during the National Airborne Day celebration at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville, N.C. Aug. 9 2008. National Airborne Day commemorates the anniversary of the first official jump of the Army's Parachute Test Platoon Aug. 16, 1940

These paratroopers are members of Fort Bragg’s three parachute demonstration teams, the U.S. Army Golden Knights, United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Black Daggers, and the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Freefall Team and they have just kicked off the opening ceremony at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in honor of National Airborne Day, August 9.

A member of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team, The Black Daggers prepares to hit the mark in the front of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum during the National Airborne Day celebration Aug. 9, 2008.

This year National Airborne Day recognized 68 years of service and accomplishments of military airborne units as well as the individuals who have served and continue to serve in them.

This year’s ceremony at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville honored the nation’s first paratroopers and their lasting legacy.

Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, commander, USASOC, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony.

Wagner said he was proud to be present as the military community of Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base and the Fayetteville civilian community joined as one to recognize the courage of the paratrooper.

“As our Soldiers leave our homes and families and deploy to combat, this great city and its proud civilians stand tall and look after our families and our children,” said Wagner.

Wagner went on to extol the professionalism and skill of the paratrooper through the years and today.

“The courage of the American paratrooper has always been steadfast,” said Wagner. “Today we honor the courage and sacrifice of the paratroopers that served and continue to serve.”

During the ceremony fallen paratroopers were honored by the laying of two black roses on monuments flanking the museum’s entrance.

Sgt. 1st Class Jerad Eldred, Special Forces medic, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and USASOC representative laid one of the roses.

“It was an honor to be able to stand here today and recognize those who have gone before me,” said Eldred.

John Duvall, museum director, said he was pleased with both the military and civilian turnout at the event. He said this unique community is very aware of the importance of the airborne Soldier and his contributions to the nation.

“This is a great opportunity to bring everyone together to recognize the incredible courage and ability of the paratrooper to deploy quickly around the world and play a vital role in securing this nation’s freedom,” said Duvall.

Duvall said both the military community and the museum have the full admiration and support of Fayeteville.

“This is like a homecoming for all of us here today. A chance for us all to get together and celebrate,” said Duvall.

Throughout the day there were performances by the 82nd Airborne Division Band and the All-American Chorus, displays of current XVIII Airborne Corps and U.S. Army Special Operations Command equipment, and historic re-enactors including the 82nd Airborne Division Museum’s Living History Detachment.

Children lined up to try on helmets and body armor, look through the sights of a variety of weapons and climb into armored vehicles.

Staff Sgt. Kyle Morgan, Special Forces communications sergeant, 7th SFG said he enjoyed showing the specialized equipment he uses in his job to people in the local community who may never have seen it before. His family was also present and enjoying the day.

Jonathan Haigh traveled all the way from Charlotte, North Carolina with his father Jim to attend the day’s events. As John stood fascinated by a display of weapons, wearing a helmet and vest, his father beamed with pride.

Jim said Jonathan have always been fascinated with the military and was very excited to have the opportunity to meet and talk with Soldiers in addition to seeing the equipment.

“Jonathan is the most patriotic kid ever,” said Jim. “We have been anticipating this day for a long time. This is his dream.”

HOO-AH: POLAND TAKES THE SHIELD - TELL KREMLIN UP YOUR !

A top Russian general said Friday that Poland's agreement to accept a U.S. missile interceptor base exposes the ex-communist nation to attack, possibly by nuclear weapons, the Interfax news agency reported.

The statement by Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn is the strongest threat that Russia has issued against the plans to put missile defense elements in former Soviet satellite nations.

Poland and the United States on Thursday signed a deal for Poland to accept a missile interceptor base as part of a system the United States says is aimed at blocking attacks by rogue nations. Moscow, however, feels it is aimed at Russia's missile force.

"Poland, by deploying (the system) is exposing itself to a strike—100 percent," Nogovitsyn, the deputy chief of staff, was quoted as saying.

He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.

At a news conference earlier Friday, Nogovitsyn had reiterated Russia's frequently stated warning that placing missile-defense elements in Poland and the Czech Republic would bring an unspecified military response. But his subsequent reported statement substantially stepped up a war of words.

U.S. officials have said the timing of the deal was not meant to antagonize Russian leaders at a time when relations already are strained over the recent fighting between Russia and Georgia over the separatist Georgian region of South Ossetia.

Russian forces went deep into Georgia in the fighting, raising wide concerns that Russia could be seeking to occupy parts of its small, pro-U.S. neighbor, which has vigorously lobbied to join NATO, or even to force its government to collapse.

"I think the Russian behavior over the last several days is generally concerning not only to the United States but to all of our European allies," said Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman, when asked about Russian threats against Poland as a result of the missile defense agreement.

He also suggested that earlier U.S. offers for broad cooperation with Moscow on the missile defense program may be reevaluated considering the latest developments.

Under the agreement that Warsaw and Washington reached Thursday, Poland will accept a U.S. missile interceptor base.

Washington says the planned system, which is not yet operational, is needed to protect the U.S. and Europe from possible attacks by missile-armed "rogue states" like Iran. The Kremlin, however, feels it is aimed at Russia's missile force and warns it will worsen tensions.

In an interview on Poland's news channel TVN24, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the United States agreed to help augment Poland's defenses with Patriot missiles in exchange for placing 10 missile defense interceptors in the Eastern European country.

He said the deal also includes a "mutual commitment" between the two nations to come to each other's assistance "in case of trouble."

That clause appeared to be a direct reference to Russia.

Poland has all along been guided by fears of a newly resurgent Russia, an anxiety that has intensified with Russia's offensive in Georgia. In past days, Polish leaders said that fighting justified Poland's demands that it get additional security guarantees from Washington in exchange for allowing the anti-missile base on its soil.

"Simply the existence of this installation increases Poland's security," Polish President Lech Kaczynski said Friday.

Hoo-ah: KWTV: Portrait of a Soldier

Ken Younkin of Norman was looking for something to do when he came across an article, "Portrait Freedom Underway" in one of his woodcutting magazines.

"Portrait Freedom Underway" is made up of members of the MSN Scroll Saw Portraits group who are creating custom wooden portraits of every U.S. service member that has died during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The portraits are donated to their families.

There is no charge to the family requesting a portrait.

The Scroll Saw Portrait Freedom Project group includes scroll saw artists and hobbyists from across the U.S.

The finished portrait is posted on the Internet and once it is approved by a moderator, the cutter is notified that the portrait can be sent to the family. Several quality control measures ensure the family receiveshttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif a quality product.

All labor, materials and shipping are donated.

Their biggest challenge right now is contacting family members and getting photographs to work with, he said.

Younkin was able to do one of Oklahoma Marine Scott Vincent. He has wanted to cut a portrait of an Oklahoman since he began the project. More than 750 portraits have been cut, but only 10 of the 62 deceased Oklahoma troops have been memorialized so far.

"This has been one of the most satisfying endeavors I have ever had the opportunity to do," Younkin said. "I believe that all the members of Portrait Freedom have a common interest in wanting to honor the memory our fallen military service members and recognize the sacrifice each soldier's family has made."

For more information, send an e-mail to PortraitFreedom@hotmail.com

http://groups.msn.com/PortraitFreedom/homepage

Hoo-ah: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) get 4th Battalion

Fort Campbell has a new Green Beret battalion, which is standing up in the first phase of a major expansion of Special Forces units over the next several years.

Brig. Gen. Michael Repass calls the creation of a new battalion of the 5th Special Forces Group a historic event.

The battalion will add 400-500 new soldiers to the post on the Tennessee-Kentucky border. Officials have said each of the five active groups in the Army Special Forces will gain a new battalion under the expansion plan.

The 5th Special Forces Group is frequently deployed, with rotations about every six months. Repass says the new battalion will provide strategic relief for the existing soldiers in 5th Group.

Col. Chris Conner, commander of the 5th Special Forces Group, said the battalion took about a year to set up and all the detachments will be fully staffed by October. It will take several months to complete the battalion, but said one company will be ready to accompany the group on the next tour to Iraq, Conner said.

The 5th Group, whose geographical focus is the Middle East, was among the first on the ground in Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001. It has since shifted its operation to Iraq, but Repass said the Special Forces unit will still be needed even if there is a troop drawback.

"As long as our nation is committed to operations there, we will have Special Forces units there," Repass said.

Repass said recruiting has increased in order to supply the five planned new battalions with soldiers.

"We're the kind of organization that attracts people. We create about 750 Green Berets each year for the past two years," Repass said.

He said the Special Forces previously had trouble meeting recruiting goals because of the capacity of their training school at Fort Bragg, N.C. But they have expanded the school, Repass said

Officials estimated the new battalion could add up to 1,000 more people living and working around the base.

"We have older soldiers that are more experienced and because they're older they tend to have families," Repass said.

The next group scheduled to add a battalion will be 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, Repass said.

Hoo-ah: Tinker (U.S. Navy) E-6B get Upgrade

Boeing has been awarded a $28.8 million sole-source U.S. Navy contract to upgrade the service's fleet of 16 E-6B airborne command, control and communications aircraft.

In support of ongoing E6-B spiral development activities, the first phase of the Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion program will use commercial-off-the-shelf technology to increase the aircraft's wideband communications capabilities, allowing for real-time data transmission on the jet. Work on the first aircraft will be completed in 2010.

"This is an important upgrade for the E-6 fleet that will provide our warfighters with much greater situational awareness and allow them to more effectively comply with increasingly complex global airspace requirements," said John Fraser, Boeing E-6B program manager.

The E-6B is a modified Boeing 707 that provides survivable, durable and reliable airborne command, control and communications in support of the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command.

"The Navy's E-6B is a key component of our nation's strategic nuclear forces. As the original aircraft manufacturer, Boeing plays an essential role in support of this critical national asset," said Fraser.

"We have worked closely with our Navy customer to understand their needs and provide them with the solutions they need to keep the E-6B a viable platform well into the future."

The E-6B program reports to Integrated Defense Systems Support Systems' Special Air Mission (SAM) organization, which modifies executive transport aircraft for U.S. government and military customers.

"The E-6B contract fits perfectly into the SAM portfolio of aircraft," said Leanne Caret, director of SAM programs for Boeing. "The SAM team will continue to provide the products and services our customers need to perform their very critical mission of command and control for the U.S. government and military."

The E-6B program office is located in Oklahoma City, Okla.; however, much of the initial non-recurring effort for both engineering and installation will be conducted at the Boeing Support Systems facility in Wichita, Kan.

Hoo-ah: Sniper Revolution

In Iraq and Afghanistan, infantry tactics have changed considerably over the last few years. This is largely gone unnoticed back home, unless you happen to know an old soldier or marine that remembers the old style of shooting. Put simply, the emphasis is on a lot fewer bullets fired, and much more accurate shooting.

Special Op forces, like the Special Forces and SEALs, have always operated this way. But that's because they had the skill, and opportunity to train frequently, to make it work.

But the army and marines have found that their troops can fight the same way with the help of some new weapons, equipment and tactics. Plus lots of combat experience and specialized training. This includes the use of new shooting simulators, which allows troops to fire a lot of virtual bullets, in a realistic setting, without all the hassle and expense of going to a firing range.

One thing that helped, and that was developing for two decades, was the greater used of snipers. Currently, about ten percent of American infantry are trained and equipped as snipers. Commanders have found that filling the battlefield with two man (spotter and shooter) sniper teams not only provides more intelligence, but also lots of precision firepower. Snipers are better at finding the enemy, and killing them with a minimum of noise and fuss. But new rifle sights (both day and night types), have made all infantry capable of accurate, single shot, fire. With the emphasis on keeping civilian casualties down, and the tendency of the enemy to use civilians as human shields, lots of snipers, or infantrymen who can take an accurate shot at typical battle ranges (under 100 meters), are the best way to win without killing a lot of civilians.

New sniper equipment has made a big difference. The U.S. Army has been issuing the new M110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniper System) to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This weapon is not a big technological breakthrough. It is based on the older AR-10 rifle. The U.S. Navy has been buying a similar weapon, the SR25. This is also known as the Mk11 Sniper Rifle System (SRS). These new semi-automatic sniper rifles are 7.62mm weapons based on the designs of M-16 creator, retired USAF Colonel Gene Stoner. The basis for the M-16 was the AR-15, and a 7.62mm version of that weapon was called the AR-10. About half the parts in the SR25 are interchangeable with those in the M-16.

The Stoner sniper rifles achieved its high accuracy partly by using a 20 inch heavy floating barrel. The "floating" means that the barrel is attached only to the main body of the rifle to reduce resonance (which throws off accuracy.) The M110 weighs 17.3 pounds in combat, and about 70 pounds with all components of the system. The M110 can use a ten or twenty round magazine. The 40.5 inch long rifle can have a six inch tube attached to the barrel, which reduces the noise and flash made when the rifle fires, and largely eliminates nearby dust rising into the air, which often gives away the snipers position.

Previously, many snipers have had success using tuned up M-14s (from the 1960s) as sniper rifles. While semi-automatic and rugged, the M14 wasn't designed to be a sniper rifle. The AR-10 was a better model for a semi-automatic sniper rifle, since it is inherently more reliable and accurate. As far back as World War II, it was known that there were many situations where a semi-automatic sniper rifle would come in handy. But it's taken over half a century to solve the reliability and accuracy problems.

The M110 has largely replaced the bolt-action M24, and provided commanders with much more effective snipers. That increase in numbers (of snipers) and their effectiveness, has changed the look (less random fire from U.S. troops) and feel (the U.S. troops appear more in control) of the battlefield. It's also easier to spot the enemy. He's usually the guy firing on automatic. The fellows firing one shot at a time are the Americans, and they are usually the last ones standing.

HOO-AH: Medal of Honor Recipient Remembered

PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow Seals.


During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two's, with the coffin moving up the center. As Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin.

The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero.

Summary of Action

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL)
Michael A. Monsoor
For actions on Sept. 29, 2006

Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy, distinguished himself through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Combat Advisor and Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 29 September 2006. He displayed great personal courage and exceptional bravery while conducting operations in enemy held territory at Ar Ramadi Iraq.

During Operation Kentucky Jumper, a combined Coalition battalion clearance and isolation operation in southern Ar Ramadi, he served as automatic weapons gunner in a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army (IA) sniper overwatch element positioned on a residential rooftop in a violent sector and historical stronghold for insurgents. In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks. SEAL snipers from his roof engaged two of them which resulted in one enemy wounded in action and one enemy killed in action. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. After the engagements, the local populace blocked off the roads in the area with rocks to keep civilians away and to warn insurgents of the presence of his Coalition sniper element. Additionally, a nearby mosque called insurgents to arms to fight Coalition Forces.

In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked his position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle. The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building. Though well-acquainted with enemy tactics in Ar Ramadi, and keenly aware that the enemy would continue to attack, the SEALs remained on the battlefield in order to carry out the mission of guarding the western flank of the main effort.

Due to expected enemy action, the officer in charge repositioned him with his automatic heavy machine gun in the direction of the enemy’s most likely avenue of approach. He placed him in a small, confined sniper hide-sight between two SEAL snipers on an outcropping of the roof, which allowed the three SEALs maximum coverage of the area. He was located closest to the egress route out of the sniper hide-sight watching for enemy activity through a tactical periscope over the parapet wall. While vigilantly watching for enemy activity, an enemy fighter hurled a hand grenade onto the roof from an unseen location. The grenade hit him in the chest and bounced onto the deck. He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled “grenade” to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper hide-sight in time to escape harm. Without hesitation and showing no regard for his own life, he threw himself onto the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates who were lying in close proximity. The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him.

Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional. Of the three SEALs on that rooftop corner, he had the only avenue of escape away from the blast, and if he had so chosen, he could have easily escaped. Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life. By his courageous and selfless actions, he saved the lives of his two fellow SEALs and he is the most deserving of the special recognition afforded by awarding the Medal of Honor.

HOO-AH: Troops Angry At Media Bias and Laziness

American troops in Afghanistan are not happy with how a July 13th battle with the Taliban was reported. In that action, some 200 Taliban attacked a U.S. "base" and killed or wounded more than half the 50 or so U.S. and Afghan troops found there. Actual U.S. casualties were nine dead and fifteen wounded (including walking wounded).

U.S. troops were irked that, once again, the mass media got lazy and didn't bother to report the action accurately. For one thing, there was no "base". What the Taliban attacked was a temporary parking area for vehicles used to conduct patrols of the area. These are set up regularly, and have been used for years. These are secure areas, but basically a parking lot surrounded by barbed wire and several sandbagged observation posts. This one was set a few days before the attack, and was due to be taken down soon, as the patrol activity moved to another area.

Such defensive precautions are taken any time U.S. troops stop for more than a few hours. That's a tactic pioneered by the Romans over two thousand years ago. In this case, it paid off. The Taliban infiltrated several hundred fighters into a nearby village, and opened fire from homes, businesses and a mosque. The U.S. and Afghan troops called in air support and kept fighting until the Taliban fled, taking most of their dead and wounded with them.

The troops are angry because, while the Taliban got lucky (such attacks are rare), the enemy did not succeed in taking the U.S. position, and fled the battlefield after suffering heavier casualties. The U.S. troops are much better shots, and know they killed far more of the Taliban. Moreover, they saw smart bombs and missiles hitting buildings that Taliban were firing from. From long experience, they know that people inside bombed buildings rarely survive the explosion.

Finally, the troops involved were from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and paratroopers do not like anyone implying they were beaten at anything. Especially because, in this case, they weren't.

Hoo-ah: The Kurds Show The Way

The sudden collapse of al Qaeda operations in western Iraq was largely due to tribal politics. There are only a few tribes, or major clans, in western Iraq (Anbar province), and once U.S. commanders had finally convinced the tribes to switch sides, it was like hitting a light switch. Discipline within the tribes is pretty good, and many tribesmen had been on bad terms with al Qaeda for years. The terrorists had killed several tribal leaders, in an effort to insure support for terrorist operations. This backfired, and the tribes went after al Qaeda, literally, with a vengeance.

Now the remaining al Qaeda member, and their Iraqi Sunni Arab allies, are making their last stand in northern Iraq (Kirkuk, Salah ad Din, Nineveh and Diyala provinces). This is a much more complex situation. While Anbar was almost exclusively Sunni Arab, the four provinces up north also have Kurds and Turks, as well as some Shia Arabs, Christians and other religious minorities. This is made even more complex by the presence of over a hundred tribal and clan organizations. No one-stop deal making here.

Many of the Sunni Arabs up north are some of Saddam's most enthusiastic supporters. That's because Saddam spent over a decade expelling Kurds from the area, and turning the Kurdish property over to poor Sunni Arabs from down south. All Saddam asked for was loyalty. Saddam's immigrants are still loyal, especially since many of the disposed Kurds returned after 2003, looking to get their property back.

The Iraqi Army and police are doing most of the fighting up north, which is bad news for al Qaeda. Iraqi security forces speak the language, and have a good understanding of the social dynamics. Many of the tribes and clans (including some of the Sunni Arab ones) up north are pro-government, and as the terrorist organizations get chewed up month after month, more and more locals decide that loyalty to Saddam just isn't worth it any more. The Iraqis know this process has long term benefits. All they have to do is look at northernmost Iraq, the autonomous Kurdish territory. There, several million Kurds have, for fifteen years, lived without Sunni Arab terrorists, and have prospered mightily. They still have the infamous Middle Eastern corruption and cronyism to worry about, but even those ancient curses are openly discussed and attacked.

Iraqis now have something they have not experienced for decades; hope.

Hoo-ah: Marines And Army Get New Parachute Designs

This year, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps are both getting new parachutes. The army is getting the ATPS (Advanced Tactical Parachute System), while the marines are introducing the Multimission Parachute System.

The new marine parachute is intended for use by recon and commando type operations, where the need was for a parachute that could be guided to a specific spot for landing. This new parachute enables the user to maneuver five kilometers or more (depending on the altitude jumped from) to the preferred landing zone. The marines like to use this for inserting scout teams at night. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) has long used similar chutes (rectangular in shape, rather than round, like the current marine MC-5 chute.)

The U.S. Army is replacing its half century old T-10 parachute with a new and improved model; the ATPS (Advanced Tactical Parachute System). The reason is that, in the last half century, paratroopers, and their equipment, have gotten heavier. The T-10 was designed to handle a maximum weight of 300 pounds (a paratrooper and his equipment.) In practice, the average weight is now closer to 400 pounds. This means that the troops are hitting the ground faster and harder, resulting in more injuries. Since World War II, the average injury rate for mass parachute drops has been 1.5 percent, but all that extra muscle and gear has pushed it to over two percent.

The fault was traced to the venerable T-10 chute not being able to handle larger and heavier (it's all muscle, folks) paratroopers and the more numerous bits of equipment they jump with. The 51 pound ATPS (main chute and backup) can bring over 400 pounds of paratrooper and equipment to the ground at 16 feet per second. The 44 pound T-10 could bring 300 pounds down at 23 feet per second. When the T-10 was dealing with more weight, it came down faster, causing more injuries. The ATPS, when deployed has a diameter 14 percent greater than that of the T-10, with 28 percent more surface area. The ATPS harness is more reliable and comfortable. Operational testing of the ATPS has been underway for three years, and the new chute will have completely replaced the T-10 in six years.

The new marine chute also takes advantage of the new parachute technology, in the same way the ATPS does. Thus reducing hard drops, for marines landing with a heavy load of weapons and equipment. The new marine chute has been in testing for two years, but has been getting more tests, and some actual use, in Iraq.

HOO-ah: An American Tradition

The war on terror, and especially the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, have brought back an old American battlefield tradition; tracking and stalking the enemy.

Even before the American revolution, colonial militias used the hunting skills of their members to develop uniquely American infantry tactics.

The generals never completely accepted or permanently adapted these skills. But in every war, and especially in World War II and subsequent conflicts, the tracking and stalking skills of troops were recognized, and utilized, on the battlefield.

During World War II, many divisions organized special scouting units, recruiting troops who were particularly skilled at tracking, and stalking game. These hunting skills are easily transferred to the battlefield. Indeed, the earliest armies made use of these skills, and primitive tribes still use "hunting parties" as "war bands" when the game is two-legged and able to fight back. The most successful army in history, that of the Medieval Mongols, was based on the hunting organization and tactics employed to survive on the great plains of Eurasia.

During the Korean War (1950-53), division commanders created "Ranger Companies," composed of their most skilled stalkers and scouts. These rangers were disbanded after Korea, but were revived in Vietnam, in the form of LRRPs (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols) and other specialized units. After Vietnam, the Ranger Regiment was created, but as a force of elite light infantry, not scouts. More of these ranger type skills were taught to all troops, but not in a concentrated enough way to make a difference.

But the U.S. Marine Corps noted that snipers, a development of the late 19th century smokeless powder (making it more difficult to spot a sniper who had just fired the more accurate and longer range rifles), also had to use stalking and tracking skills to be effective. So the marines established small "Scout-Sniper" units, and utilized both these skills to both find the enemy, and kill them if necessary.

In Iraq, policemen and detectives, serving there in large numbers as reservists, brought their concept of "street marts" to the growing bag of tricks developed for fighting in Iraq. Being able to spot who was a bad guy, dressed as a civilian and trying to stay undetected in the population, was something urban police are good at. In many infantry units, these skills were codified, and taught to troops. The marines took this a step farther, and developed a new stalking and tracking program for all marines.

The U.S. Army Special Forces, and commando troops world-wide, have long recognized the usefulness of these skills, and now the U.S. Army is trying to incorporate more of it into their regular training. After all, it's an old American tradition.

Hoo-ah: Thank A Soldier...

Freedom Alliance Foundation provides scholarships to children whose parents have fallen or become permanently disabled from military service. This is the "trailer" for a documentary in production to benefit Freedom Alliance. I thought this production was an opportunity for an in-depth look at how "ordinary people" are doing extraordinary things to support U.S. Troops in Iraq, and how parents and families of U.S. military have been affected by the war in Iraq.

Hoo-ah: Victory As A Matter Of Opinion

Because al Qaeda doesn't have any real estate to call its own, much less a capital city to capture, determining who wins, or is even winning, the war on terror has always been subject to interpretation.

Those (in the West, and especially the U.S.) who believe the war is being won point to the lack of anymore terrorist attacks in the United States, the killing or capture of most known al Qaeda leaders, and defeat of al Qaeda in Iraq. Here al Qaeda openly declared they were fighting a major war with their infidel enemies, and now just as openly admit they were beaten. Then there are the opinion surveys throughout the Moslem world showing the steady decline of al Qaedas popularity since 2003.

Those (again in the West) who believe the war isn't being won point to the continued existence of al Qaeda, thousands of pro-terrorist web sites, and the existence of pro-al Qaeda groups in Europe and the Moslem world. Al Qaeda and the Taliban still thrive in Pakistan, where government inaction has provided a sanctuary.

In the Moslem nations, particularly those which provide most of the al Qaeda manpower (Arab nations like Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iraq, plus North African nations like Algeria and Libya) also tend to have two views of who is winning. Those who believe al Qaeda are winning tend to be Islamic radicals who want to get involved, but usually don't (aside from Internet cheerleading, and occasional public demonstrations). Since al Qaeda is on a mission from God, belief in ultimate victory is a matter of faith. Facts have little to do with it. Those who see al Qaeda as defeated, or losing, are those appalled by the number of Moslems killed by al Qaeda attacks, and the intolerance (towards Islamic practices not recognized by Islamic conservatives) expressed by al Qaeda members.

Different perceptions of progress in a war, and how it is being prosecuted, is nothing new. In every American war, including the revolution, there were numerous, and vehement, critics of how things were being done, and the results of those efforts.

In Moslem, and especially Arab, countries, the support for al Qaeda was originally based on the initial al Qaeda efforts to overthrow the corrupt governments that run most of these nations. Al Qaedas turn towards Western targets in the 1990s was the result of the terrorists failure to overthrow those Arab tyrants. Those same tyrants had long supported the belief that economic and other problems in Arab countries were the result of what the West had done (colonialism, persistent interference and support for Israel), and not the local despots. With decades of this anti-West propaganda, and the inability to get rid of their own tyrants, it was easy to blame everything on the West. Still is. Hard to tell who is winning or losing in that department.

The debate over who won, and how, will go on long after al Qaeda has completely faded away. That's also nothing new. Books are still being written about who won, or lost, or should, and in what manner, during World War II.

Hoo-ah: JSTARS For (nearly) Ever

The U.S. Air Force is planning on using its E-8 JSTARS ground radar aircraft for another 60 years. That would see some of these aircraft retiring after 70 years of service. Since the E8 is based on the Boeing 707 airliner (a 1950s design), this would result in that aircraft type still being in the air more than a century after it first entered service.

Initially designed at the end of the Cold War to track NATO and Soviet armed forces in the dreaded (but ultimately avoided) World War III, JSTARS first saw action during the 1991 Gulf War, and proved very useful. For the last five years, JSTARS has proved remarkably effective in Iraq. For example, in the last year, E-8s have flown about 20,000 hours over Iraq. That means that, two-thirds of the time over Iraq, a JSTARS aircraft has been in the air. One or two JSTARS have been stationed in the region since 2003. No one will say, officially, exactly what the JSTARS is doing, but whatever it is, it's been doing a lot of it for a long time. From 2003-6, E8s averaged about a hundred hours a week over Iraq.

JSTARS has proved to be remarkably flexible. It is known that the E-8 radar has been used to track where the terrorists go after an attack on American troops. Many of the attacks take place in sparely populated places, and at night. JSTARS can track vehicles on the ground over a wide area. For example, a single JSTARS can cover all of central Iraq, although its ground radar can only zoom in on a smaller area for useful information. The JSTARS radar has two modes; wide area (showing a 25 by 20 kilometer area) and detailed (4,000 by 5,000 meters). The radar can see out to several hundred kilometers and each screen full of information could be saved and brought back later to compare to another view (to see what has moved).

Operators can track movement of ground units, or individual vehicles, over a wide area. Operators can also use the detail mode to pick out specific details of what's going on down there, like tracking the movement of vehicles fleeing the scene of an ambush. JSTARS is real good at picking up trucks moving along highways on flat terrain. JSTARS can stay up there for over 12 hours at a time, and two or more JSTARS can operate in shifts to provide 24/7 coverage.

Apparently, JSTARS have been used to monitor the Syrian and Iranian borders for smugglers. Some stuff comes across the borders in trucks, but much still arrives on the back of animals, which JSTARS cannot track. But tracking the movement of vehicles in western Iraq, in the middle of night, has proved useful. When the JSTARS crew (of 18 equipment and surveillance specialists) spots something, they can alert combat troops on the ground to take a closer look.

JSTARS can also send its data to computer terminals on the ground, in army brigade or division headquarters. JSTARS is also being fitted with a higher performance radar. The new equipment can spot smaller targets, although the air force won't say if this includes horses or camels, loaded with weapons, crossing the Syrian or Iranian border.

The air force has 17 JSTARs, each costing about $366 million. The crews consist of active duty and reserve personnel. If the E-8s do stay in service another 60 years, they will no doubt get new engines, refurbished airframes, and possibly so much automation that they will eventually fly without crews, having been turned into UAVs.

Hoo-ah: 2ND RANGER BATTALION WELCOMES NEW COMMANDER

The 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment welcomed a new battalion commander in a change of command ceremony at Fort Lewis, Wash., July 16.

Col. Erik Kurilla relinquished command to incoming commander Lt. Col. Mark Odom during the ceremony.

“How does one sum up Colonel Kurilla’s many achievements, but more importantly the achievements of this unit?” said Col. Richard D. Clarke, regimental commanding officer, 75th Ranger Regiment. “A commander who deployed this battalion into harm’s way on numerous occasions, who has led from the front both in training and on the battlefield, who backs up his actions with deeds and not words, who is self-disciplined, physically fit, mentally tough, intelligent, and gives 100 percent. The answer is you don’t.”

The moniker for a former Chief of Staff of the Army was that Soldiers are your credentials, said Clarke.

“Colonel Kurilla, you have incredible credentials,” he said. “The Warriors who stand before you on the field today, ready to do bad things to bad people and willing to trade the parade field for the battlefield, they are your legacy.”

In his farewell remarks, Kurilla reflected on his time as battalion commander.

“I have never been more proud in my entire military career than the time I served in 2nd Ranger Battalion, and I will be able to look back and say I walked among giants and I served with the next greatest generation,” said Kurilla.

Kurilla talked about the bravery of the men who serve in 2nd Ranger Battalion.

“There was much blood shed by the men standing on the parade field before you and many are currently recovering in hospitals around our country,” he said. “They are men of valor, character, courage, and strength.”

The words to describe the sacrifice of these men are the words of Winston Churchill who said, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”

“These are men that chose to defend our Nation in a time of war and fight in far off villages and lands that 99 percent of America has never even heard of,” Kurilla said. “I ask today that you not focus on the changing of the leadership but on the sacrifice of the few. Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Kurilla will spend one year at the National War College in Washington, D.C. and will take command as the 16th Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment in August 2009.

The outgoing and incoming commanders, who have been friends for over 20 years, shook hands as they passed in front of the podium between their respective remarks. The mutual professional respect and friendship each mentioned about the other in their remarks was apparent.

Odom then addressed his Soldiers in their first formation under his command.

“I cannot tell you how fortunate I feel to return to the Regiment and to return to 2nd Battalion, in particular,” Odom said. “In short, it is great to be back.”

Odom’s most recently commanded 1st Squadron, 40th Calvary Regiment from June 2005 to May 2008, including a 14-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“As always, the depth of our Army and Ranger bench is strong,” Clarke said. “Our incoming commander is also a distinguished Ranger leader who has lived Abrams Charter and then some. Your mission and focus should be clear – live the Ranger Creed, care for these men and their families and lead these men in battle. I know you will do your duty. To the men of 2nd Ranger Battalion, we live in the greatest country on earth, and because of your sacrifices our country will remain so for many more years.”

HOO-AH: The war is basically over...

The war is basically over in Iraq, but the peace brings with it a return to the corruption and inefficiency that has cursed this part of the world for centuries. There are other annoying habits, like demanding "compensation" for any real or imagined loss that might possibly be pinned on U.S. troops. It's also popular to demand, with a straight face, that U.S. troops fix utilities, schools and whatever else people want, but are unwilling to take care of themselves. Peace has not brought out the best in the Iraqi people.

The war is still going on, but now it's more of a police operation. U.S. and Iraqi forces are searching for several hundred known terrorists. Some of them are showing up outside the country, giving rise to the belief that al Qaeda has abandoned Iraq. This is apparently the case, but there are several other Sunni Arab terrorist organizations that will never give up. For these groups, tolerating Shia Arab rule of Iraq is a sin, and the sinners must be punished. Terror attacks are way down, but they can be expected to continue for years.

The U.S. is negotiating, with the Iraqi government, a renewal of its authority to operate in Iraq. This authority expires at the end of the year. As part of the negotiations, the Iraqis are asking for a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. This is popular with many Iraqis, especially those in the government who are getting rich by stealing oil money. As long as the American troops are in the country, auditors have armed protection and can be very effective at revealing the thefts and getting the thieves punished. This makes thieving government officials very uncomfortable. Corruption in general remains a major problem (as it is in all Middle Eastern countries). While many Iraqis would like to see clean government, they are usually not the ones who get elected (elections involve a lot of bribery and trading of favors.)

The Iraqi Sunni Arabs (less than 15 percent of the population) and the Kurds (about 20 percent), want U.S. troops to stay. If the Americans leave, the Shia majority will likely resume revenge (for decades of abuse) attacks on the Sunni Arabs. The Kurds have been autonomous for over a decade, under U.S. protection, and are developing new oil fields in the north. Shia politicians have said that this oil belongs to "the Iraqi people" (or the Shia politicians running the government.)

The Shia majority is not monolithic either, and several large factions could form, attract part of the security forces and create new militias, and have a civil war. That would, in typical Middle Eastern fashion, lead to another dictatorship, this time run by a Shia tyrant. The Shia can do a Saddam, they just want a chance.

Iraqi politicians also want U.S. forces gone in order to halt improvements in the security forces. Iraqi troops and police are now strong enough to deal with the Sunni Arabs, but still a long way from Western standards of efficiency and honesty. The politicians do not want the troops and officers to be too effective, lest the generals be tempted to take over "for the sake of the country" and try to run a more efficient government.

Hoo-ah: Iraqis lead final purge of Al-Qaeda

From The Sunday Times
July 6, 2008
Iraqis lead final purge of Al-Qaeda
Marie Colvin in Mosul

American and Iraqi forces are driving Al-Qaeda in Iraq out of its last redoubt in the north of the country in the culmination of one of the most spectacular victories of the war on terror.

After being forced from its strongholds in the west and centre of Iraq in the past two years, Al-Qaeda’s dwindling band of fighters has made a defiant “last stand” in the northern city of Mosul.

A huge operation to crush the 1,200 fighters who remained from a terrorist force once estimated at more than 12,000 began on May 10.

Operation Lion’s Roar, in which the Iraqi army combined forces with the Americans’ 3rd Armoured Cavalry Regiment, has already resulted in the death of Abu Khalaf, the Al-Qaeda leader, and the capture of more than 1,000 suspects.

The group has been reduced to hit-and-run attacks, including one that killed two off-duty policemen yesterday, and sporadic bombings aimed at killing large numbers of officials and civilians.

Last Friday I joined the 2nd Iraqi Division as it supported local police in a house-to-house search for one such bomb after intelligence pointed to a large explosion today.

Even in the district of Zanjali, previously a hotbed of the insurgency, it was possible to accompany an Iraqi colonel on foot through streets of breeze-block houses studded with bullet holes. Hundreds of houses were searched without resistance but no bomb was found, only 60kg of explosives.

American and Iraqi leaders believe that while it would be premature to write off Al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Sunni group has lost control of its last urban base in Mosul and its remnants have been largely driven into the countryside to the south.

Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s prime minister, who has also led a crackdown on the Shi’ite Mahdi Army in Basra and Baghdad in recent months, claimed yesterday that his government had “defeated” terrorism.

“They were intending to besiege Baghdad and control it,” Maliki said. “But thanks to the will of the tribes, security forces, army and all Iraqis, we defeated them.”

The number of foreign fighters coming over the border from Syria to bolster Al-Qaeda’s numbers is thought to have declined to as few as 20 a month, compared with 120 a month at its peak.

Brigadier General Abdullah Abdul, a senior Iraqi commander, said: “We’ve limited their movements with check-points. They are doing small attacks and trying big ones, but they’re mostly not succeeding.”

Major-General Mark Hertling, American commander in the north, said: “I think we’re at the irreversible point.”

Hoo-ah: Freedom Watch Afghanistan - 03 July 2008

The latest from Operation Enduring Freedom showing the activities of American troops in country. Produced by AFN-Afghanistan.