The Battle for Mosul: Dispatch II
First Published: May 21, 2005
The Players
There is the perception that fanatical insurgents bubble like oil from the Iraqi sands. Yet, having traveled in Iraq for nearly half a year, I have seen little real desert, and true fanatics are rare.
In an effort to be culturally sensitive and almost compulsively polite, we’ve mangled the meanings of words like “martyr” and “suicide” to such a degree that we’re using them to label mass murderers. While American and foreign media collectively increase the suffering of babes through their current fashion of cynicism, others seem to have a case of parents’ guilt–unable to give the Iraqi suffering the undivided and ameliorative attention it requires. Instead, reporters rush at any sign of distress to hyper-focus on the negative, and thereby create yet more problems than originally existed. They shovel out body counts masquerading them as reports. A major US magazine recently published an unsubstantiated piece about the desecration of the Islamic Holy Book by US Forces. This story led to riots and many deaths. The magazine has apologized, but it’s too late. The people are dead.
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Moonshine on Ama Dablam
First Published: 22 November 2010
Recently, I published an image that became popular. While perusing the photos from that night in the Himalaya in Nepal, a similar but better image popped up. The moon shining off the mountain grabbed and held my eye, and I thought some people might like to share this moment.
“Moonshine on Ama Dablam” can be downloaded for a single personal use.
My Facebook page stays plenty busy.
Red Air: America’s Medevac Failure
4-4 Cav waiting to board helicopters for an air assault.
12 October 2011
Afghanistan
Most of our troops in Afghanistan never see combat. The closest they get might be the occasional rocket attacks on bases. A relatively small number will be in so many fights that the war becomes a jumble. For those who see fighting daily, their mental time markers are often when they or their buddies were hurt or died, or when some other serious event occurred.
The troops in 4-4 Cav have seen a great deal of fighting. Their courage seems bottomless and for two-and-a-half months I was an eyewitness to their professionalism and courage.
This mission would be dangerous. The Female Engagement Team was left behind and the only female Soldier to come was a medic because, as she would tell me, “I’m the badass medic.”
The Battle For Mosul
First Published: May 14, 2005
The Deuce Four Fighting for Mosul
Mosul, Northern Iraq
As the new map of Iraq unfolds, a picture of progress emerges. The Iraqis who want freedom and democracy are gaining ground. From what I hear about the news back home, this might sound unreal. Nightly tallies of roadside IEDs and suicide car bombers driving headlong into crowds, like the Vietnam body counts on the Huntley-Brinkley Report, are the main summary of events, while most of this country is peaceful.
Smoking Gun Army Documents
Removing Red Crosses might help troops, but hurt Propaganda Campaign
Photo Credit: DVIDS
21 May 2012
We are making tremendous progress on the MEDEVAC issue. Much of the progress has come from people scattered around America who contacted their Senators and Representatives. Our “MEDEVAC Militia” was mostly ignored, or they received form letters that regurgitated Army propaganda. Nonetheless, our persistent efforts are paying off.
At least 17 lawmakers took the issue seriously. Congressman Todd Akin from Missouri gathered a posse and took it to the House Armed Services Committee. There the posse confronted Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and General Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Serious pressure has begun and we are not going to let up.
We have tremendous support from key military people. This support is hidden and must remain so.
US Congress and MEDEVAC
17 May 2012
The US MEDEVAC issue is picking up speed and mass. There is so much progress that it is difficult to track. A separate and excellent website dedicated to the issue has popped up at http://medevacmatters.org/
Also, the highly respected writer and war correspondent Yochi Dreazen picked up the ball. Yochi has spent years in the wars and so he was able to quickly dial into the importance of the issue and the authorities involved. On 10 May, Yochi published an article in the National Journal, which was reprinted on the website of Congressman Todd Akin:
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