From First Multinational Force Iraq:

Iraqi forces take pride in themselves, their units.

Kindi re-opens kindergarten.

Brits helping to train Iraqi Army.

Nine suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained.

General recognizes pilots for daring rescue mission.

Baghdad revives as surge, economic programs take effect.

Improved Ninewah security may mean fewer U.S. troops in future.

MND-B attack aircraft engage enemy rocket launchers.

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All Stories from Defend America.

From Afghanistan:

Afghan Soldiers Undergo 'Commando' Training, Volunteers learn infantry tactics and first aid.

Bagram Outreach Program Brings Aid to Local Villages.
Medical mission breaks barriers, builds trust with villagers.

Operation Diablo Dragnet Links People to Government.
Collaborative effort yields trust and discourse with Afghans.

Afghan Government Provides Aid to Flood Victims. Hundreds of pounds of food and water help 250 villagers.

Ready Reserve Soldiers Respond to Country’s Call. Soldiers receive recognition, promotions.

From Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonier Djibouti

Task Force Members Survive in Djibouti Desert. Training provides better appreciation for African weather conditions.

Civil Affairs Team Celebrates Fence Completion. Soldiers help villagers build fence around school.

Servicemembers Move into New Billets. Containerized living units improve quality of life for troops.

Be prepared, be alert, stay alive!

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From First Multinational Force Iraq

Three insurgents killed emplacing roadside bomb.

Statement from the Multi-National Force-Iraq to Iraq’s National Soccer Team.

36 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained.

Al-Qaeda cell leader killed, seven insurgents detained near Karmah.

Stallion Engineers lend hand to Iraqi Army counterparts in Al Awad.

Soldiers, NAC work together to refurbish School in Saliyih.

Mortar tube, cache seized in south Baghdad.

20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained.

Keep the dreaded call from coming, Keep it to yourself!

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From First MNF-Iraq

     Soldiers, Marines pour their hearts into helping local Iraqi boys.

       AL TAQADDUM — In the United States things can be relatively simple. If someone is ill, he goes to the doctor. If a person is very ill, then they go to the hospital.

      In Iraq, on the other hand, it is not always that simple. Medical care is very expensive and many times the wait to be treated can be weeks long.

      While on patrol, soldiers from Company A, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), stumbled upon two boys who were truly sick, took a stand,  and decided to help them.

      One of them has a serious heart condition.

      “He has what’s called Tetralogy of Fallot,” said Spc. Eric Rasmussen, a medic with the company and Maple Grove, Minn., native. “It’s pretty much a hole that keeps the heart from receiving oxygenated blood.”

      Mohommed Yesier Abdula Essa has been living with the hole in his heart for quite some time.

      “Once we decided to help him we contacted a group called the National Iraqi Assistance Center in Baghdad,” said Army 1st Lt. Gordon P. Giswold, a civil affairs officer with the battalion.

      “They said they could sponsor these kids to receive surgery.”

      Once the ball began to roll, it was a matter of getting the children to Baghdad to receive treatment.

      “The (commanding general) made things happen,” said Giswold, a Cold Spring, Minn., native. “Pretty much everyone was trying to make this work.”

       Once they arranged for transportation, the company went out and retrieved the sick children and family.

Read it all here.

     The story speaks for itself.  It still amazes me what the average American service member is willing to do for someone he has never met before, with no expectation of recieving anything in return.  If you see a service member or veteran give them a thank you for their service, they deserve it.

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     Steady progress on the still nameless 16DDH continues apace with new photos showing how work is progressing.

Here we can see that she has gained her mast and a number of antenas.  She also appears to have recieved her first coat of paint up to the flight deck edge level.

Here we see another angle giving us a better view of her mast, stack tops and bridge.  Also new are the covers on the phased aray radar appetures, indicating that her radar gear is being installed.

Finally I dug up this scan of a Japanese newspaper with this great overhead view allowing us to see that her elevators are assembled on deck prior to being fitted to their lifting gear.  Not readily obvoius is the location of her VLS cell though, just foreward of the bridge where several work vehicles are parked at the moment.

First two photos came from this Japanese blog.  Previous construction photos from the same source, wish I read Japanese sorry, no source for the newspaper scan.

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The Yomiuri Shimbun

     The Defense Ministry will include in its fiscal 2008 budgetary request funds to develop a manned prototype fifth-generation fighter jet equipped with stealth capabilities and other advanced technologies, sources said Monday.

     With the production of F-2 support fighters, jointly developed by Japan and the United States, scheduled to end in fiscal 2011, the ministry apparently plans to maintain the foundations for future technological development, the sources said.

     The sources also said the ministry, by showing interest in developing jet fighters domestically, hopes to gain an edge in negotiations with the United States next summer when it selects Japan's next main fighter jets (F-X fighters).

     According to ministry officials, the envisioned prototype would be equipped with stealth technology and other advanced electronics that would make the plane difficult to detect by radar. As the prototype would not be installed with radars and weaponry, it is expected to be smaller than real fighter jets, the officials said.

Full Story

The Yomiuri Shimbun

     Japan's security environment has been becoming increasingly unnerving. The threats of North Korea's nuclear program and ballistic missiles, China's rapid military buildup, international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction all imperil our security.

     Politicians have a responsibility to squarely address the vital issue of how to secure the nation's peace and safety. However, diplomatic and security issues have barely registered a blip in the campaign for the July 29 House of Councillors election. We think each political party and candidate should be doing more to stimulate debate on such issues.

Full Editorial

     Japan continues to be skittish, and reasonably so, about its nieghbors.  Everyone in the region is making territorial claims, forming alliences and building up their military capabillities.  Ideally that would lead some sort of open forum where problems can be dealt with through diplomacy, but through out history all such attempts have failed.  Given the unpredictabillity of North Korea and China, Japan is doing the prudent thing, preparing for the worst.  No one wants to see war in the western pacific but it has to be the most volatile flashpoint in the world right now after the middle east.  As the Romans said, 'pray for peace, prepare for war.'

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        Australia, India, Japan and the United States will join in a Bay of Bengal naval exercise in September, hinting at progress in negotiations for a possible four-way alliance.
     The first high-level discussions of such an alliance came in May, when assistant secretaries of state and equivalents from the four countries met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum gathering in Manila, Indian Foreign Ministry sources said.
     The meeting was held quietly, but not secretly; just days before, China issued demarches to all four participants, formally asking about their intentions.
     Singapore will also play in the exercises, which will include submarines, naval aircraft and 20 ships, including the U.S. aircraft carriers Nimitz and Kitty Hawk and the Indian carrier Viraat.
     The exercise, announced July 11 during the visit here by Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson, will be part of a joint maritime-security initiative for the Asia-Pacific region.

4-Nation Naval Exercise May Presage New Alliance

     The purpose of these exercises, and the US policy of strengthing ties with its Pacific allies and making new ones, like India is very clear.  It is meant to act as  bareak against any furture Chinese adventures in the region, and to ensure that no matter how much money China pours into its navy it will never be able to equal the naval power of the US and her regional allies.

Photos from RIMPAC 2006, clickable for massive high res versions.  Ships from the US, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Australia, Chile and Peru.

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From first Multinational Force Iraq

Cavalry troops aid Iraqi farmers.

Iraqi Army succeeds using an ‘open heart.’

Engineers' efforts will have lasting impact in Iraq, general says.

New Iraqi Police Station opens in Wahida.

3rd HBCT nabs top insurgent.

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces detain suspected Al Qaeda cell leader near Taji.

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From the Times of London via Fox News

     Fed up with being part of a group that cuts off a person’s face with piano wire to teach others a lesson, dozens of low-level members of Al Qaeda in Iraq are daring to become informants for the U.S. military in a hostile Baghdad neighbourhood.

     The ground-breaking move in Doura is part of a wider trend that has started in other Al Qaeda hotspots across the country and in which Sunni insurgent groups and tribal sheikhs have stood together with the coalition against the extremist movement.

     “They are turning. We are talking to people who we believe have worked for Al Qaeda in Iraq and want to reconcile and have peace,” said Colonel Ricky Gibbs, commander of the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, which oversees the area.

     Further proof that we have found a winning strategy and we now only need stay the course to ensure continued sucess.  Still we must keep our wits about us and watch out for a change in enemy tactics to counter our own changes.

Full Story Here

Remeber a seceret is only as safe as the person keeping it! So keep it to yourself!

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The U.S. Air Force has rebelled against the annoying late 20th century custom of creating many annual training courses to deal with persistent social or organizational problems. From now on, instead of spending nine hours a year attending training for things like suicide prevention, anti-terrorism awareness, handling classified data, sex related issues, and so on, only 90 minutes a year would be used for all these reminders. This move is very popular among those who have to sit through these sessions, and those who have to give them. The troops are also encouraged by such a bold move. In the past, every time another of these annual classes was added, there was grumbling about "spineless and clueless generals,"

USAF Cuts The Crap

That pretty much speaks for itself.  Air Force love photo time.

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From First Multinational Force Iraq

Iraqi troops lead joint medical effort in Hor Al Bosh.

Medical Clinic to Benefit Iraqis for Years to Come.

Iraqi National Police officers graduate from NCO Course.

Precision-guided munitions kills top al Qaeda leader.

Iraqi Army cleans Baghdadi of insurgency.

Iraqi Soldiers participate in first ever advanced infantry course.

Damn Straight

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From First Multinational Force Iraq

Ubaidi, Anbakia tribes sign peace agreement in Diyala.

Good ‘intel’ makes Polar Tempest success.

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces detain insurgent linked to Iranian IEDs.

Fardh Al-Qanoon Update: MND-B general sees change, progress.

Security forces gaining strength, generals say.

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From Fox News

     Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, is defending himself Monday after comparing President Bush to Adolf Hitler and leaving the impression the administration may have rigged the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

     Speaking to an atheist group on July 8, Ellison said that the president acted much the way Hitler did when the Reichstag, or German Parliament building, was burned in 1933 ahead of elections that pitted Hitler's Nazi Party against others, including the Communists. Hitler, who was suspected of ordering the fire, declared emergency powers that helped him launch his dictatorial and murderous reign.

Read the Full Story Here

    Idiot.  Hitler began to round up anybody and everybody he didn't like, canceled elections and set about systematically silensing his opposition by killing them.  Representative Ellison needs to realize that he is not only making himself look the fool but he is also doing a great diservice to the memory of those killed by Hitler and Islamofascits.

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As always from 1^st Multinational Force Iraq

Anbar leaders celebrate awakening.

Operation Eagle Ares brings 46 into custody.

Setabck for al-Qaida operatives in Diyala.

Surge progress may lead to troop reductions in northern Iraq, general says.

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From Fox News.

     Hamas TV introduced a new children's character intended to inspire future extremists and suicide bombers with Nahoul the Bee.

      In a television skit, the character vows to continue the work of his cousin, Farfour the mouse, in following in the 'path of Islam, of heroism, of martyrdom.'

 Full Story Here

     Dispicable, no other word can describe how I feel aout this.  I am surprisingly without words to properly express my level of outrage.  It is bad enough to encourage adults to carry out homicide bombings*, but to encourage it as a desirable goal in children is well and truly beyond the pale.  Once more the enemy reveals his true nature to us all.

*I refuse to use the term suicide bomber, suicide is the act of taking ones own life, and only ones own life.  These repugnant scum are also taking the lives of innocents with them, making them nothing more than murders.

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From 1^st Multinational force Iraq

Role model town produces positive results.

Paratroopers capture IED cell leader.

Troops uncover cache, capture 13 suspects.

Iraqi citizens lead soldiers to caches.

Remeber Operational security can save YOUR life!

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Via 1st Multi National Force Iraq

 Iraqi citizen leads soldiers to cahes in known terrorist safe haven.

 Anti-Terror successes continue despite foriegn born resistance.

 Iraqi warriors take new skills to the streets.

 U.S. Special Forces apprehend high level Al Qeada cell leader.

 Police recruiting drive a major attraction.

 Karkh holds first ever job fair.

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     I find it odd that MSM cannot be roused to report on the plight of people who have been forced from their homes, herded across an international border and told that if they return they will be killed.  Why is that?  Because it doesn't fit their leitmotif of how things are in the middle east.  I cant't tell the story as well these guys so go read it here.

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From Fox News

     WASHINGTON â€”  U.S. military and diplomatic officials gave the Iraqi government a satisfactory rating on eight of 18 political and security benchmarks, a mixed rating on two and an unsatisfactory rating on eight benchmarks in a White House report prepared for Congress.

     The interim progress report out Thursday — a second one due in September — says progress in Iraq has been good on key security areas such as the deployment of Iraqi forces in Baghdad, the establishment of joint security stations in Baghdad and the increased capability and independence of Iraqi military units as well as a few economic and political matters.

     Unsatisfactory progress was cited in a number of political benchmarks, including the passage of a hydrocarbon law, a debaathification statute and electoral reforms. The report also points out challenges of disarming militias and ensuring full Iraqi government control of security operations in Baghdad neighborhoods.

Read the Full Story Here

Click here to read the report (html)

     Despite what is said elsewhere progress, real measurable progress is being made in Iraq.  The question now is how do we build upon this sucess?  I wish I had the answers, but I don't, that is why we have Generals and they have staffs, to allow them to take all of the available information and make informed judgements.  It must be nice to gain the title of Senator or Representative and suddenly be blessed with the full and complete knowledge of all things.  The biggest battle we face in this war is not on the field of battle but in halls of Congress, for there it seems that no victory, no achievement, no matter how great is enough to prove that we are winning.  The members of congress on both sides of the isle who are screaming for a 'change of strategy' would do well to actually listen and hear what the people on the ground are telling them rather than simply reciting the mantras drummed into their heads by aides and advisors.

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    Seen above is the newest ship being built for the Japanese Navy I mean Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.  Called simply 16DDH after the year in which she was ordered, the 16th year of the Heisei era, or 2004, she is due to be launched next month.  She is officialy classed as a Helicopter carrying destroyer, hence DDH, DD= Destroyer, H= Helicopter.  The four DDH's the Japanese have now are really just that, destroyers with extended landing areas and hangars for three helicopters.  This yet un-named ship is officaly stated as displacing 13,500 tons, where even large destroyers displace less than 6,000.  Instead of her predicessors three helos she can offically carry four.  Most reasonable estimates are that she will be capable of hosting a mixed helo/VSTOL airgroup of 22 to 28 aircraft.

     Now most of the time a nation bulding a warship is no big deal, except when you have officaly renounced war but are on average number six or seven in world wide defence spending.  The Japanese spend on average just 1% of their GDP on defence compared to the USA's 8 1/2%.  Some of Japan's neighbors have been getting worried that with a ship like this one, and her sister on order signals the rebirth of Japanese militarism.  Nothing could be farther from the truth, the Japanese have recognized that in this day and age they must contribute to the defence of the free world in a manner consumate with their economic and political clout.  To be able to do this you need to be able to project force outwards, and to do that if you are an island nation you need a strong navy with aircraft carriers, but since the Japanese position is that they may not posess offensive weapons you build an offensive platform with a defensive name.

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