Lt. Col. David Dressel, a pilot with the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, poses in front of an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Dressel, a native of Watertown, Minn., has flown more than 3,000 hours in the A-10 and is on track to reach 500 combat hours during his current deployment.
Photo by: 455th Air Expeditionary Wing

According to a Department of Defense press release, a coalition-forces vehicle and a van carrying Afghan civilians were involved in a traffic accident on Highway 1 in the capital city of Kabul on Friday, November 28, 2008.

Both of the vehicles were traveling east when the van attempted to move into the left lane of traffic. It struck the side of the coalition vehicle. The coalition vehicle’s driver was unable to swerve to avoid the van, the press release said, because of a median separating the east-bound and west-bound lanes of traffic. The Afghan van skidded off the highway and struck a roadside shop.

The release didn’t say whether or not coalition forces or Afghan civilians had been injured or killed as a result of the accident which was reported to the Afghan National Police. The incident is still currently under investigation.

“We regret this incident and express our condolences to the families and people involved,” said Army Col. Jerry O’Hara, U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman.

On Thursday, November 26, 2008, Afghan and coalition forces killed seven militants and uncovered three caches of drugs and improvised explosive device-making (IED) materials during a clearing operation in Nahr Surkh district, Helmand province.

On Wednesday, November 27, 2008, Coalition forces killed 15 militants and detained six suspected militants during an early-morning raid in Anizai, part of Zhari district in Kandahar province.

Afghan and coalition forces detained seven suspected militants during a combined operation aimed at disrupting the Haqqani terrorist network in Khost province.

US Forces Provide Medical Aid to Afghan Woman and her Baby

Also in Kabul, Afghanistan, coalition forces helped an Afghan woman and her seven-month-old son. The two, who were severely injured by militants during an operation in Kapisa on November 20, were released from a Coalition forces hospital in Bagram earlier this week.

The Afghan woman and child, believed to have lived with the militants, were hurt when one of the terrorists detonated a grenade inside their military compound. Coalition forces tried to provide medical care on the scene, but their injuries were so bad that they were evacuated to a military hospital in Bagram for further treatment.

They both sustained head trauma and fragmentation injuries from the grenade blast. Coalition forces’ doctors provided medical care and helped nurse them back to health. Coalition forces also arranged for the woman’s brother and mother to join her and her son on the military base, staying with them throughout their care.

“These militants continue to show a blatant disregard for the lives of Afghan citizens,” said Col. Jerry O’Hara, a Coalition spokesperson. “This woman and her child are another example of the indiscriminate pain these militants bring to the Afghan people.”

Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire and killed four armed militants. A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47s, grenades and other military equipment. Coalition forces destroyed it to prevent future use. In total, the operation resulted in three suspected militants being detained.

“These militants continue to put innocent civilians in harm’s way by hiding amongst them and using them as human shields,” said O’Hara. “Afghan and Coalition forces remain committed to removing those networks that threaten the sovereign Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”

November 28, 2008 Iraq

Last Friday, President George W. Bush and other senior U.S. officials hailed the new U.S.-Iraq security pact

“Two years ago, this day seemed unlikely - but the success of the surge and the courage of the Iraqi people set the conditions for these two agreements to be negotiated and approved by the Iraqi parliament,” Bush said in the statement. “The improved conditions on the ground and the parliamentary approval of these two agreements serve as a testament to the Iraqi, Coalition, and American men and women, both military and civilian, who paved the way for this day.”

“As the two agreements move to Iraq’s Presidency Council for final approval,” Bush said in the statement, “we congratulate the members of the Council of Representatives for coming together to approve these historic agreements that will serve the shared and enduring interests of both our countries and the region.”

The 30-article status-of-forces agreement, known by the acronym, SOFA, acknowledges that the U.S. troop presence in Iraq is temporary and at the request of the sovereign Iraqi government. Article 24 of the SOFA requires U.S. forces to withdraw from all Iraqi territory no later than Dec. 31, 2011. U.S. combat forces in Iraq also are required to withdraw from Iraqi cities, villages and localities no later than June 30, 2009.

This is Sgt Stryker Signing out.

5th Special Forces Group Commander Col. Chris Conner thanks Larry Kutschma of the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars for donations to family readiness groups. Kutschma, a district commander, also brought 50 turkeys to donate to Group families for the holidays. Wisconsin VFW posts contributing to the donations were Kutschma’s own Como Memorial VFW Post 5811 from Lake Geneva; the Wallace-Culles-Maveus Post 6858 from Brodhead; and the Becker-Godfrey VFW Post 9403 in Milton. Photo by: Maj. April Olsen

As the holiday season continues, please don’t forget all the men and women fighting around to protect our right to do so. As you visit with family and friends over the next few weeks, here are a few things related to veterans and wounded soldiers to keep in mind. Don’t worry. It’s not all bad news. But sometimes it’s during Happy Times of Holidays that a lot of veterans and wounded soldiers have a lot of trouble dealing with their problems.

The National Resource Directory will include information on care coordinators, health care providers and support partners, Dr. Linda Davis, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy, said during an “ASY Live” interview today on BlogTalkRadio.com.

“Working with wounded ill and injured service members and their families, there [are] many resources and individuals available to help them,” Davis said. “We needed one source that can tell us where everyone in the country is who wants to help our wounded warriors and their families. While the families did appreciate that, they also found it confusing,” she said. “They didn’t know who to call at the right time in the right place for the right service. The family oftentimes becomes the primary caregiver 24/7/365, and that is extremely stressful, both physically and emotionally.”

The relevance of information in the National Resource Directory goes far beyond solely wounded illness, injury, and recovery services, Davis said. Many of the sections are very useful to any service member and their family.

“We have already had several other programs wanting to connect and use the directory, especially in the area of benefits and compensation,” Davis said. “Here, you will find not only what’s available through the DoD Disability Evaluation System and the VA disability compensation programs, but things like Social Security benefits, life insurance and video libraries. … We have sections on how to file claims, on unemployment benefits, and benefits for retirees.”

In addition to the directory’s website, a toll-free phone number is available - 800-342-9647.

From the National Resource Directory Website:

The National Resource Directory provides wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them with a web-based directory of valuable resources.

It delivers information on, and access to, the full range of medical and non-medical services and resources needed to achieve their personal and professional goals across the transitions from recovery to rehabilitation to community reintegration.

This online partnership links to the services and resources of federal, state and local governmental agencies; veterans service and benefit organizations; non-profit community-based and faith-based organizations; and academic institutions, professional associations and philanthropic organizations.

If you have family in the military, this is a great website to check out.

DoD Joins With VA to Resolve Gulf War Veterans’ Health Issues

“We work very closely with the VA for those who’ve separated” from military service, Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick, deputy director of health affairs for force health protection and readiness, told American Forces Press Service and Pentagon Channel reporters.

“We find that the No. 1 disability that veterans have is problems with muscles, bones and joints, ankles, knees and lower back,” Kilpatrick said. These types of ailments, he said, also surface as the top health issues cited by active-duty troops at sick call.

“So, there’s a relationship between service and those kinds of wear-and-tear joint problems,” Kilpatrick said.

Of the nearly 700,000 U.S. military members involved in the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Kilpatrick said, about 120,000 service members returning from deployment in the Middle East reported a multitude of symptoms, including depression, tiredness, muscle and joint aches and pains, memory loss, headaches, and rashes. Service members suffering from one or a combination of these maladies would later be said to have “Gulf War Illness.”

While 80 percent of those 120,000 veterans received a medical assessment and treatment for their ailments, about 24,000 veterans with Gulf War Illness-related symptoms remain undiagnosed, said Kilpatrick, a former Navy physician who commanded an Army/Navy infectious disease research unit during the Gulf War.

A congressionally-mandated report titled “Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans” was released Nov. 17 and presented to Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. James Peake. The 400-plus-page report says Gulf War Illness is a genuine medical condition. The report also notes that pyridostigmine bromide pills taken by some servicemembers in theater as a prophylactic against nerve agents and the use of pesticides to ward off desert insects are possible causes of Gulf War Illness.

“I think if you take a look at chronic fatigue syndrome, where people are extremely tired even after a good night’s sleep; they’re lethargic, they may have some short-term memory loss, some muscle pain in joints,” Kilpatrick said. “That’s part of that syndrome.”

Gulf War Illness isn’t a mystery, Kilpatrick said, but it is “something we don’t understand, and we need to do more work.”

That’s a lot to think about. And a great website to gather information.

This is Sgt. Stryker signing out.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and his delegation depart from Cornwallis Park in Nova Scotia, Canada, after attending discussions on the approach to counter-insurgency as part of Afghanistan’s Regional Command South, Nov. 21, 2008. DoD photo by Air Force Tech Sgt. Jerry Morrison

As November comes to a close, here’s a look at the upcoming elections in Afghanistan in 2009. The US and other countries have increased the number of troops and equipment and still call for the rest of the world to pitch in to try to make sure the elections go as smoothly as possible for the changing country.

The Taliban is still on the run using guerilla and terrorist tactics, but every day that passes, Afghanistan comes a little closer to healing the damage that’s happened in that country over the years, for hundreds of years actually. By increasing their presence in the country, coalition forces are doing a great thing in trying to bolster a new Afghanistan that stands for freedom.

In Canada on Friday, November 21, 2008, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he was confident that the troop surge in Afghanistan would help the coming elections in that country go smoothly. The secretary spent the day at a former Canadian military base conferring with defense ministers from Canada, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Romania and the United Kingdom about the situation in Afghanistan.

“All of us agree that one of our most important, and maybe the most important, objective for us in 2009 in Afghanistan is a successful election,” Gates said.

“We would like to get some of those additional brigade combat teams into Afghanistan before the election so they can make a contribution to greater security,” he said. “But we are still working on that and we have not made any final decisions about the timing.”

“I think that the prospects for being able to have these elections successfully are good,” he said. “I think that the security situation will be under enough control to allow the election to take place.”

According to Gates, the 20,000-troop increase in Afghanistan over the past 18 months by the United States and its allies is an important step in confronting what he called “significant challenges” in Afghanistan.

Gates emphasized that Afghanistan isn’t as bad as some say it is. According to him, the Taliban holds no land in Afghanistan and loses every time it comes into contact with coalition forces,. “And so the notion that things are out of control in Afghanistan or that we are sliding toward a disaster, I think, is far too pessimistic,” he said.

“We need to remember that this is Afghanistan’s war against a threat to a freely elected Afghan government,” he told reporters on the return flight to Washington. “We are there to help them take on that threat. This is not our war, necessarily.”

While the United States doesn’t want the Taliban, al Qaeda or other insurgents to regain a foothold in Afghanistan, “at the end of the day, it has got to be Afghanistan’s war for its own people,” Gates said.

“So I think the key is, ‘How do we reverse the trends in the last couple years or so, in terms of rising violence, and create a better security environment in which economic development [and] civic development can take place?’” he said.

Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay, who hosted the meeting, said, “This is about reinforcement, not replacement. This is about continuing in a joint UN-backed, NATO-led effort.”

MacKay reiterated the call for more nations to contribute to the mission, emphasizing that those supporting RC-South are carrying “a disproportionate share of the load” in that region of the country. He encouraged other NATO countries to “examine their ability to do more.”

“Other countries should be under no illusion,” MacKay said. “We are still asking for them to pick up the slack and share the burden.”

How will elections go in Afghanistan in 2009? Time will only tell, but it appears to me that the US and coalition forces are doing what they can to make sure the process goes as well as it can in a country that’s still struggling to get on its feet as a nation. It would be nice if more countries stepped up to the plate and helped a fledgling democracy bloom, but if they don’t the coalition forces will do all the can to help the people of Afghanistan get through the election and begin to come together as a country. Stay tuned for more good (or at least not so bad) news from Afghanistan.

This is Sgt. Stryker signing out.

“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” That verse from the bible is being put into affect in Afghanistan by Coalition forces and local Afghan farmers. Next Spring in the country, two agri-business development teams are being deployed. Basically, they will be National Guard soldiers with experience and expertise in farming for food and profit. A group from Texas is already in place in Afghanistan.

“The focus of all we do is the Afghan people, and our intent in everything we do is to separate the people physically and psychologically from the enemy,” said Army Col. John P. Johnson, commander of Combined Task Force Currahee. The unit is built around the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky. “Teams will assist the farmers to build entire agricultural systems and allow them to take full advantage of all the agricultural potential resident here.”

Each of the agri-business development teams are made up of around 80 Guardsmen. The task force they’ll operate under has responsibility for 2.3 million people in Wardak, Logar, Paktia, Khowst and Paktika provinces in Regional Command East. The vast majority of the people in this region are farmers or herders. Agricultural expertise will help them improve their quality of life.

“We cannot succeed here with military power alone,” Johnson said. “It is critical to follow military power with rebuilding and construction funds.We’re really excited about getting these two agri-business development teams in our area of operations.”

November 21-22, 2008 - Afghanistan

Western Afghanistan

In operations in Farah province’s Dowlatabad village, Afghan Army Commandos and Coalition forces were fired on by militants. Around 90 civilians, including 30 children, were protected during the attack. At the end of the firefight four militants were dead with the rest run off. After the fight, Coalition troops found a functioning bomb in a local Mosque. While exploding it, the mosque suffered some exterior damage. Coalition forces paid local elders from the village for the damage.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan:

Afghan and coalition forces killed 10 militants near Highway 1 in the Nahr Surkh district of Helmand province on November 20. The forces were conducting a security patrol when they were attacked by militants with small-arms and machine-gun fire. They returned fire, killing the 10 militants.

Afghan and coalition forces also killed four armed militants and detained eight others during an operation in Kapisa province. An Afghan woman and child were injured when the insurgents used them as human shields, according to US officials. The operation was targeting the Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin terrorist network, which is known to be responsible for an attack in August that killed 10 French soldiers. A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47 assault rifles, hand grenades and other military equipment, which were destroyed to prevent future use. Forces also detained three suspected militants.

In Khowst province, Afghan and coalition forces captured a targeted Haqqani terrorist network operative and five other suspects during a combined operation in the Mandozai district. The wanted man is a suspect in roadside and suicide bombings, officials said. Troops searched the compound without incident.

Remember Afghanistan:

Sgt. Stryker doesn’t think Afghanistan gets as much coverage as it should. There are still a lot of brave men and women in that country fighting for the freedom of Afghanistan. As we near Thanksgiving 2008, please don’t forget those we have in our military around the world.

Cyberspace Defense and the DoD:

In virtual realms, the US Department of Defense is taking cyberwarfare seriously.

“We are aware of a global virus for which there are some public alerts, and we’ve seen some of these on our networks, and we are taking steps to identify and mitigate the virus,” Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, said. “We do aggressively monitor our networks for intrusions and take adequate steps to protect them.”

According to Pentagon officials, the DoD’s global information grid includes more than 15,000 networks and about 7 million information technology devices. That’s a lot of virtual real estate to protect.

Bryan Whitman:

“It’s the responsibility of every user to help protect the network. This is something that requires us to have constant vigilance.

The threat comes from a variety of sources. It includes everything from recreational hackers to the self-styled cyber-vigilantes. It also emanates from various groups with nationalistic or ideological agendas, as well as transnational actors or transnational states.

This is not a Defense Department issue. It’s not even a government issue. It is an international issue – a world issue. Anyone who uses computers and is on a network is susceptible.”

While the military is known for making the real world safe, they also have themselves firmly planted in the virtual online world, protecting our freedoms.

The American Forces Press Service has recently come up with a four part series of articles called the Wounded Warrior Diaries. Written by Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg, the articles explore the lives of four different people in the military and how being wounded in action has changed their life.

Although they deal with sad issues and incidents, these are stories of brave and committed people who are dedicated to their country and are proud to have served. Some have even continued service in the military. Now I don’t know about you, but in my eyes that’s dedication.

Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Kachmar

Daniel Kachmar joined the Marines for the challenge. The other benefits are nice, but he’s a man who like to push himself to the limits. While sweeping for mines in Iraq, Kachmar was seriously injured when one exploded, knocking him unconscious. He didn’t let that stop him from staying in the Marines, though, helping out any way he could. This is what makes him a hero, a Wounded Warrior.

Read Full Story: Wounded Warrior Diaries: Marine Celebrates ‘My Life’ Day of Recovery

Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Kachmar returned to active duty after being seriously wounded in Iraq in August 2005.

Army Sgt. Chris Alvin Burrell

Despite losing a leg, Chris Burrell wants to recuperate and reenlist in the military. His courage and dedication is just one small piece of the puzzle that is America, but it’s an important piece. Injured by a roadside explosion while working on a convoy, Burrell remembers little about the horrific event. He remembers waking up, though, not knowing exactly what had happened. Despite all he went through, he wants to continue serving his county, making him a hero, a Wounded Warrior.

Army Sgt. Chris Burrell is focused on his rehabilitation since losing a leg in an explosion in Baghdad’s Sadr City neighborhood on Dec. 26, 2007. He hopes to return to his job as a canine handler.

Read Full Story: Wounded Warrior Diaries: Canine Handler Battles Injuries to Return to Duty

Navy Lt. John Pucillo

John Pucillo knew after high school that a life in the navy as an ordinance disposal expert wouldn’t be the safest career choice. He wanted to serve his country, though, and he did, in a big way. His Alive Day (as they call it in VA hospitals - the day you remained alive, not the day you were injured, it’s all how you look at it sometimes…) - his day came when he split his people into three groups instead of two to lessen damages from any attack. It turns out he took the brunt of the damage that day. He’s a hero, though, a true Wounded Warrior.

Navy Lt. John Pucillo displays a tatoo on the remainder of his left leg, which was amputated following a bomb blast in Iraq in May 2006.

Read Full Story: Wounded Warrior Diaries: Wounded Sailor Advises Others to ‘Get Up’ from Injuries

U.S. Army Spc. Susan Downes

After her husband was injured and had to leave the Army, Susan Downes decided to turn from a “Girly Girl” to a battle ready US Soldier. She enlisted and after training was sent to Afghanistan for one year. It was there that she was injured on a bitter winter day when a roadside bomb exploded, tearing the Humvee she was riding in to bits. She was in the lead Humvee. She hasn’t let the experience get her down too much, though, making her a hero, even if she doesn’t like the title. She’s another Wounded Warrior.

Army Spc. Susan Downes holds an Afghan girl during her tour there in 2006. Downes was seriously wounded there in November 2006 when the convoy she was riding in ran over a bomb.

Read Full Story: Wounded Warrior Diaries: Army Wife Enlists, Escapes Death on Afghan Mountain

These are only some of the stories out there, four short examples of the kind of men and women that make America what it is. If these stories seem of interest to you, I urge you to read more and find out how you can help veterans in your local community.

I’d like to take a moment to salute these brave human beings who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for their country. If this country had more like them, we’d be a lot more safer tonight. I’ll tell you that. Hand still smartly saluting, this is Sgt. Stryker signing out.

active duty army baghdad chris burrell convoy marines courage dedication duty explosion forces horrific event lt american navy press service sadr city sgt staff sgt wounded warrior

Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Sotomayor (center), an armor crew member from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and platoon sergeant assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, directs a team of dismounts to search houses along a street in Hayy Jihad Nov. 11 during security patrols to assist Iraqi Security Forces operating in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. The Soldiers worked with the 1st Bn., 53rd Bde., 14th Iraqi Army Div., to provide security for Sons of Iraq payday activities Nov. 10-14. Sotomayor and the Soldiers of “Copperhead” Company maintain 24-hour security operations to support Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police forces working to enforce Baghdad’s Rule of Law in West Rashid. Photo By Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

I’ve been doing this blog for a while now. I just wanted to let you know that it’s been a pleasure and an honor, and I hope to add even more great content over the weeks and months ahead. I don’t have all the answers. Heck, I’m not even sure I know all the right questions.

That said, I think I can offer you a special perspective on all things military. Ok, enough, sentimental chit chat. Let’s get down to business, starting with a look at Iraq over the weekend.

According to military officials, Coalition and Iraqi forces killed two suspected terrorists, captured 14 others and seized dozens of weapons In Iraq over the past three days.

Iraq, Friday, November 14, 2008:

Coalition troops on a targeted raid in Baghdad’s Rashid district detained a suspected Special Groups associate linked to a weapons trafficker known to operate in the Iraqi capital. The patrol moved the suspect to a combat outpost for additional questioning. The Iraqi National Police (INP) finding a 120 mm mortar round led to the arrest.

“The Iraqi Security Forces continue to find caches and capture wanted criminals proving themselves to the residents of the Rashid district that Government of Iraq security forces are the legal authority and quite capable of providing security throughout Baghdad,” said Maj. Dave Olson, spokesperson for the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B. “Soldiers of the 1st ‘Raider’ Brigade are committed to assisting the ISF by teaching, coaching and mentoring them as the ISF provide a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people.”

Iraqi Army soldiers and Iraqi National Police also seized three weapons caches north of Baghdad. The stockpiles consisted of rocket motors, artillery rounds, rocket warheads, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and other military equipment.

Iraq, Saturday, November 15, 2008

According to military officials, Iraqi security forces (ISF) and the national police captured two individuals with possible ties to Al Qaeda in Iraq (AIQ) activity in Mosul. Troops also recovered three AK-47s in the al Rissala neighborhood.

Also on Saturday, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained someone thought to be aligned with an Iranian-backed Special Group. The person has been accused of IED attacks, murder, extortion, kidnappings, assassinations and weapons trafficking.

Coalition forces also dismantled a homemade bomb in the Rashid district, in southern Baghdad. At approximately 9:30 a.m., Soldiers from Co. C, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, found an IED. The homemade bomb, created from three anti-aircraft rounds, was disarmed by an explosives ordnance disposal team.

Multinational Division Baghdad units also helped Iraqi national police (INP) in securing and removing secret stashes of weapons in Baghdad. The weapons found and destroyed consisted of mortar rounds, mortar tubes, bomb-making materials and homemade explosives.

Iraq, Sunday, November 16, 2008

On Sunday, coalition troops targeted a senior leader of a terrorist organization during an operation in Baghdad today. When forces arrived at the residence where he was located, they called for the occupants to surrender.

According to military officials, two individuals inside refused to comply with instructions and started to act sin a threatening manner. Perceiving hostile intent, coalition forces engaged the men, killing them both. None of the building’s other occupants were injured.

In an operation targeting al Qaida in Iraq leadership in Hit today, troops detained one suspected terrorist and three of his associates. The suspected terrorist has alleged ties to al Qaida in Iraq (AQI) leadership in the region.

During other operations on Sunday, coalition forces caught two bombing-network associates in Mosul, and suspected terrorists in As Sadiyah, Abu Ghraib and Kirkuk.

This is Sgt. Stryker Signing out.

A Soldier peers through an M-4 carbine scope while providing overwatch security in Tal Afar, Iraq, Nov. 13, 2008. The Army recently received final delivery of 473,000 carbine scopes. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N Bailey.

You would think with all the talk of a long (very long) with no end in sight war on terror, people would be thinking about getting out of the military if they can. A lot of people are deciding to reenlist when their term is up, though.

In Iraq, on Veterans Day, nearly 300 service members gathered in Holt Stadium to reenlist for another term of service. In total, 274 service members took oaths (again) to defend their country.

“We gather today to remind ourselves that our mission as fighting men and women must continue,” Army Brig. Gen. Michael Lally, commander of 3rd Sustainment Command and the host for the event, said. “To continue, we must have those that are willing, able and are inspired to raise their hands again and again to be counted with those that came before them.”

“The stories of those in front of you are still being written,” he continued. “Today another chapter has begun. Wherever they go, whatever they do, each story will be different. Each will contain trials and deployments, and tales from lands yet to be seen. However, the common theme in each will be their selfless service and their universal commitment.”

The choice to reenlist on Veterans Day was intentional, according to some of the soldiers.

According to a press release, Army Col. Kevin O’Connell, commander of 1st Sustainment Brigade, said soldiers stay in the Army for the same reasons they join: training, education, adventure, money. But the most important reason they stay in the military is service to their nation, he added.

Back in the United States, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Ryan Bradford, who lost use of both of his legs and his right eye from an IED in Iraq, wants to reenlist as well. Although he understands there are some things he won’t be able to do, he thinks he can help other troops in various ways.

“I want to be a Marine. I don’t want to get out yet,” he said. “I’m trying to stay in so I can go back to Bethesda and work at the hospital in the liaison office so I can talk to the wounded.”

Bradford earned a Purple Heart, which was given to him by Gen. James T. Conway, Marine Corps commandant, on Valentine’s Day 2007.

Another wounded soldier wanting to reenlist is Navy Corpsman Daniel “Doc” Jacobs, who suffered from severe PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) got caught up in pain pills and alcohol after losing his leg in Iraq. After a near death experience, though, he decided to turn his life around and find a purpose. Part of that purpose may be staying in the military to help other soldiers returning from war.

He lost his leg after his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. He was due to go home in just a few weeks and was on one of his last patrols in the Sunni Triangle. After 42 surgeries, Jacobs can run, swim and bicycle. He’s recovered enough that he can pass a Navy fitness test with his prosthetic leg.

Sgt. Brent Dale was another soldier who fought to reenlist.

This is a snippet of an interview he did with MVW News Network:

MVM: Did you re-enlist hoping to go to the Middle East?

Dale: I absolutely did. In the Army, everyone from the lowest privates to the highest generals have been here. I did eight years and didn’t get to. I didn’t get to earn my combat patch or my combat stripes. It’s just something that no matter what you do/did in the Army, if you say that you never went to Iraq/Afghanistan, people look down on you. I hated telling people that I never deployed. To me, that’s like a doctor saying he’s never had a surgery where the patient lived.

Well, now I can say that I’ve been there, and that excites me more than anything. I am having the time of my life here.

—-

MVM: Anything else you want to add?

Dale: If you want, you can print my e-mail address. Maybe a few people will write that I haven’t talked to in a while.

Sgt. Dale can be contacted at sergeant_dale@yahoo.com

It’s people like these that show you the all volunteer US Military is working and that people of this generation still believe in the idea of serving their nation in the armed forces.

This is Sgt Stryker Saying Thank You and Signing Out

The US Military currently has troops stationed all over the world. Here’s a look at some of the thing going on in the military the last few days.

United States:

A new website, One Freedom, was launched this week. The website is, “is a portal for our nation’s warriors and for everyone who cares about them to connect with a wealth of knowledge and new possibilities for strength and healing,” according to Elizabeth Hawkins, executive director of “One Freedom.

The website contains a listing of One Freedom programs for military service members, veterans, families and care providers. It’s also easy for them to use the Internet to register for programs they might be eligible for.

The World:

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright (Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) is halfway through his six countries in eight days tour with the USO.

“One of the key reasons we’re up here is to make sure you understand that we understand how important your mission is,” Cartwright said in a release. “It’s a critical activity. It’s one of those deals where nobody notices unless it goes bad. The good news is it’s never gone bad.”

The focus of this tour is to visit remote installations that don’t get that many visitors, bringing a “slice of home” with the USO entertainers.

Iraq:

The Al Aima Bridge, closed in 2005 after 1,000 people were killed in a stampede while on a pilgrimage.

“The opening of this bridge is symbolic of the unity in Baghdad,” Army Lt. Col. John Vermeesch, said in a news release. “Opening this bridge also indicates sectarian relations and security have improved due to the hard work of local leaders and coalition forces.”

“The people were in a celebratory mood, waving Iraqi flags as they drove across the bridge,” Vermeesch continued. “This event, along with others scheduled for the future in the Kadhamiyah district of northwest Baghdad, will continue to promote security and good sectarian relations in the area.”

Army Maj. Koné Faulkner of the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team had this to say, “Iraqi security forces have played an instrumental role in not only making an event like this possible, but also in helping the bridge reconstruction project run smoothly.”

Also in Iraq, the Multinational Force, including Iraqi troops, went after insurgents. They captured five suspected terrorists in operations near Taji, north of Baghdad. They also apprehended a man thought to be involved in al-Qaida in Iraq leadership.

Multinational Forces also captured a suspected car bomber in the Tigris River Valley city of Beiji and detained another man in Mosul. In Sadiyah, an area northeast of Baghdad, troops captured a wanted man believed to be associated with a Diyala-based bomb network.

Earlier this week, acting on specific intelligence information, coalition forces targeted a key Kataib Hezbollah leader. As troops approached the home of the suspected terrorist, they were confronted by a man in a nearby house who showed them a hand gun. Perceiving hostile intent, the troops shot the man.

Also in Iraq this week, according to US officials, multinational coalition forces targeted al-Qaida throughout Iraq. They killed one militant, captured five wanted terrorists and detained 13 additional suspects.

Afghanistan:

The Afghan National Army is “increasing its boot print” across Afghanistan according to reports.

“The [Afghan army is] leading about 60 percent of the operations they participate in, and have proven themselves as an effective fighting force,” Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Afghanistan, said in a news conference with Pentagon reporters via video-conference from Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Afghan National Army is currently 68,000 soldiers strong. The end goal is to increase that number to 134,000 Afghan troops. Around 26,000 Afghan soldiers were trained in 2008, with around that many planned to be trained in 2009.

Along with increased numbers, the Afghan National Army is also being helped with modernization efforts. The need for trustworthy troops on the Afghan-Pakistan is more important than ever and things are being put into place to ensure that the troops guarding the border are doing their job correctly.

“I think all of us are relatively pleased with what the Afghans have performed in this last year,” Cone said. “But right now, I would think that’s about as fast as we can go in a responsible manner, given the constraints that we have, and I think we’ll reassess again as the security situation on the ground changes and the assumptions we make about Afghan development become clearer.

“All in all,” he continued, “we have made positive strides in fielding professional security forces that are competent, diverse and capable of providing security throughout Afghanistan. We have a long way to go, though. This effort requires sustained support not just from the United States but from the international community.”

This is Sgt Stryker Signing Out

Earlier this week on Monday, a day before Veterans Day 2008, the New York Times revealed that Donald Rumsfeld had signed a secret order for the US military to have a fast track to go after Al Qaeda - wherever and whenever. This Shadow War against Al Qaeda was fought alongside the more publicized “war on terror.”

The secret order led to at least a dozen attacks against Al Qaeda and Al Qaeda supporters all over the world. From Syria to Pakistan to Yemen to Saudi Arabia there was nowhere Al Qaeda could hide anymore.

The special attacks were mostly carried out by US Special Forces from all branches of the military, including Green Berets, Navy Seals, Rangers, and a shadowy unit code-named Gray Fox. The CIA had it’s hand in some of the attacks against the terrorists, though.

While this may seem like a lot of attacks approved by this secret order (approved by President Geaorge W. Bush), there were at least a dozen attacks not carried out for one reason or another. The military wasn’t too happy about this, but those in charge had decided that the missions were either too risky or might cause diplomatic nightmares with nations the US is not at war with.

Officials (who are speaking anonymously to the New York Times and other news organizations) insist that none of the missions took place in Iran.

The plan was called “Al Qaeda Network Exord,” which is short for Executive Order.

At this time, neither the White House or the Pentagon have denied any of the information.

“We work with partners around the world to identify, seek, capture, kill if necessary, terrorists and their networks, where they plan their operations, where they conduct their operations, where they seek safe harbor,” spokesman Bryan Whitman was quoted as saying in an Associated Press story.

In a sign of the technological superiority of the United States, at least one of the attacks in Pakistan was watched in real time streaming video over 7,000 miles away.

Here’s how the New York Times described the attack:

The paper described one such raid, in Pakistan.

In 2006, for example, a Navy Seal team raided a suspected militants’ compound in the Bajaur region of Pakistan, according to a former top official of the Central Intelligence Agency. Officials watched the entire mission — captured by the video camera of a remotely piloted Predator aircraft — in real time in the C.I.A.’s Counterterrorist Center at the agency’s headquarters in Virginia 7,000 miles away.

Some of the military missions have been conducted in close coordination with the C.I.A., according to senior American officials, who said that in others, like the Special Operations raid in Syria on Oct. 26 of this year, the military commandos acted in support of C.I.A.-directed operations.

But as many as a dozen additional operations have been canceled in the past four years, often to the dismay of military commanders, senior military officials said. They said senior administration officials had decided in these cases that the missions were too risky, were too diplomatically explosive or relied on insufficient evidence.

The big question on a lot of minds is whether President Elect Barack Obama will maintain this (and other) Executive orders. A lot of people aren’t sure if the next President of the United States will go after Al Qaeda so aggressively.

Al Qaeda is a Sunni Islamist group that began in 1988. Their most infamous attack was the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

No one is really sure whether their leader, Osama bin Laden, is alive or dead.

Paul Cruickshank at the Guardian newspaper had this to say:

The Obama administration is likely to reiterate these arguments in order to keep every option on the table in the hunt for Bin Laden. They will have the advantage of facing a somewhat more sympathetic international audience. In making their case, the Obama administration will be able to draw attention to UN security council resolution 1373, passed in the wake of the 9/11, which required all states to “prevent those who finance, plan, facilitate or commit terrorist acts from using their respective territories for those purposes against other states.” In pressing their case, the Obama administration may well argue, in a similar vein to Chertoff, that UN member states not only have a responsibility to protect their own citizens - an emerging principle of international customary law - but should also show due diligence in protecting the citizens of other countries from individuals on their own soil. Pakistan, for instance, has not passed this test with flying colours.

That said, the Obama administration would be wise to exercise great caution in launching “out of area” special forces operations so as to minimise political fall-out in countries like Pakistan. Wherever possible the US should encourage the governments in question to act, or collaborate in launching joint-operations. The last seven years have illustrated just how blunt and counterproductive the unilateral deployment of US military power can be to the war on terrorism.

Wherever Al Qaeda is, they better watch out.

This is Sgt. Stryker Signing Out.

They are dead; but they live in each patriot’s breast, and their names are engraven on honor’s bright crest,” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11 because it was on November 11, 1918 that World War I (known as the war to end all wars) started to slow down. The Treaty of Versailles, officially ending the war, wasn’t signed until the next year, but on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the Germans reached an agreement with the Allied forces to stop the war.

In 1919, that day was known as Armistice Day in the United States. It wasn’t until 1954 that the name of the national holiday was changed to Veterans Day by President Eisenhower.

Fast forward to 2008. Another Veteran’s Day has come and gone in the United States. Across the country (and across the globe, wherever the US Military happens to be) Veteran’s were honored in a lot of different ways.

President George W. Bush issued a proclamation for Veteran’s Day 2008.

“Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service. We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom’s defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On Veterans Day, we remember these heroes for their valor, their loyalty and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world.

…snip…

Now, therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2008, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon federal, state, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.

That’s right. Just because Veteran’s Day is over, doesn’t mean you should stop thinking about Veterans and what they’ve sacrificed to keep our great country free.

Bush, Cheney and Obama all marked Veterans Day as wars continue around the globe.

Pepsi bottling group donated to Fisher House Foundation in honor of the 3,000 veterans working for Pepsi.

The Veteran’s Administration Secretary Dr. James B. Peake had this to say:

Ninety years ago today, the guns fell silent in Europe. World War I – the “war to end all wars” – was over. Almost five million Americans served during that first modern, mechanized war. Our last living link with them, 107-year-old Army veteran Frank Buckles, observes this Veterans Day at his farm in West Virginia.

It is important, on Veterans Day, for all Americans to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our veterans, from Mr. Buckles to the men and women who recently fought for us in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their bravery, their resourcefulness, and their patriotism mark them as our nation’s finest citizens.

All across the nation, flags and parades helped recognize veterans still living and ones who lost their lives in war. From Texas to Boston, Americans showed their gratitude toward veterans in various patriotic ways.

Some of the stories are just amazing. Like the tale of the tail-gunner in World War II who ran missions in a B-24. Veterans from the World War I also have a lot of stories to tell.

The mainstream media weren’t the only ones to document Veteran’s Day 2008 either. The world of blogs also made sure their voice was heard on the topic.

And if you’re tired of reading about Veterans Day 2008, there’s a lot of visual content out there as well. Flickr currently has over 8,000 images tagged for Veterans Day 2008. From flags to parades to other patriotic shots, if you’re a visual person you’ll want to check out all the great photos online.

If photos aren’t your cup of tea, YouTube currently has around 1,000 videos tagged Veterans Day 2008. Now, some of those will be duplicates and some of them will be garbage videos, but you’re more than likely to find a lot of great video coverage if you didn’t get enough on television.

However you do it and whenever you do it, just don’t forget to honor those men and women who have so valiantly defended the principles of the United States and democracy around the world. From the past to the present, please remember all our troops around the world.

Sgt. Stryker Signing Out.

You’ve heard of YouTube by now (unless you’ve been living in a cave), but have you heard about TroopTube? The website is a military approved alternative to YouTube.

The military and YouTube have butted heads in the past. YouTube didn’t mind the content, but the military wanted more control over what was uploaded to the site by troops. In May of 2007, the US Military banned YouTube, Myspace and other similar sites.

TroopTube is currently in beta status - which means it works, but there may be small problems or gotchas that they don’t know about. As word of this site spreads, I’m sure it’s going to be used a lot by members of the military and their families.

The website is run by Military OneSource, an authorized Department of Defense program for Active Duty, Guard, Reserve and their families.

On the official TroopTube website, they offer this greeting:

TroopTube is the new online video site designed to help military families connect and keep in touch while miles apart. The site is designed for easy use, so you can quickly upload videos and share the simple joys of each day with each other, either privately or with the whole world. Sign up today and begin sharing videos by clicking here. Already have a TroopTube account? Sign in here.

At the time of this post, TroopTube currently contains General David Petraeus’ message to the troops

and Wives’ shout-out to 3rd Brigade A Troop 133 Cavalry. I’m sure as word spreads about the new site, more and more content will be available.

According to the AP, Delve Networks helped the military design the website. Delve Networks is a technology start-up based in Seattle, Washington. Their big product currently is the Delve Video Platform. It’s not clear is this is the exact same software that the military purchased or if theirs was customized.

One of the cool things about Delve’s video platform is that it transcribes audio in the videos and uses that text to help make videos even easier to find. This might not seem like a very big thing, but if TroopTube is loaded with even a fraction of the content that’s found on YouTube, people are going to want to be able to get to the content they want to see quickly.

On TroopTube, members of the military or their family members can post video to share. Before being posted on the site, though, all content is screened by the military to make sure it’s appropriate, tasteful and doesn’t contain anything that would compromise national security.

While a lot of people will be talking about TroopTube in the weeks and months ahead (especially as the Holiday Season falls upon us), there are other options out there too. One of the best that I’ve found is the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System, or dvidshub.net for short.

This is a great source for military video - both polished and finished package pieces and also longer B-Roll footage. B-Roll footage refers to the extra video they have after putting together a short package piece. Sometimes, though, these types of videos give you a better look at what it’s like for the troops around the world.

There are other classifications for the video content there as well, including Newscasts, Interviews, Greetings, Briefings, PSAs (Public Service Announcements), a series called In The Figh, and even Command Messages.

You’re not going to get gory, blood filled Hollywood representation of war via videos at either of these sites. You will, however, get a small glimpse of what it’s like to be in the military today.

Somewhere between the Hollywood version of war and the version of the war shown on TroopTube and sites like dvidshub lies the documentary video. The Discovery Channel has a great military channel available online with clips from documentaries about past and present wars.

If that’s still not enough military video for you, YouTube is still a valid option for you. You might not see videos from the military there, but you will find a lot of tribute videos and videos that show support for the troops.

These are sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes inspirational. Watching more than one or two a day, though, is not recommended as they can really start working over your emotional buttons.

With the launch of TroopTube, it seems the US military is finally utilizing technology to help better connect military personnel and also their family, wherever they might be in the world. It’s a relatively small thing in the grand scheme of things, but I’m sure it’s going to mean a lot of people all over the world this Holiday Season.

This is Sgt Stryker Signing out.

Soldier modernization has been a hot topic for a number of years, with many nations engaged in programs to improve the equipment provision for their land forces. Whether it is bespoke or commercial off-the-shelf, there is a desire to do more with less and maximize effectiveness with cutting edge technology and highly trained end-users.

This is partly a consequence of changing threats and theatres of operation with the need for greater flexibility and adaptability, but also in response to reducing defense budgets and social and political pressure based on reports of inadequacies from the front line. This has been emphasized further with the recent ruling from the courts that provision of defective equipment is a breach of human rights and that soldiers and their families can take the MoD to court for compensation resulting from injury or death whilst serving.

This ruling has far-reaching implications for both the individuals who use the equipment, and those involved in design and procurement. How do we recognize where failure has occurred compared to the tragic loss of life based on the perils of warfare? How do we unpick the front line accounts to identify a root cause when the behavior of systems is dictated by tight interrelationships between multiple elements?

The press have published accounts of deaths and injuries in both Iraq and Afghanistan linked to inadequate body armour, inappropriate vehicles and insufficient general provision of personal kit; but that is not the whole story. For every decision that is made there is a consequence; increasing the armour on a vehicle will potentially increase size and weight, which, in turn, will reduce mobility (often cited).

Therefore, an increase in protection may well put the occupants of the vehicle in harm’s way for longer or may impact the way in which operations can be conducted (for example, ability to operate in urban environment with narrow streets). Similarly, increasing personal protection may, in turn, increase the physiological load to the wearer or impact their ingress and egress from vehicles making them a greater target. The list goes on and is well documented, but is probably only considered in detail by those designing and building the equipment.

It is only with an understanding of the threats to be faced in conjunction with doctrine and operating procedures that trade-offs can be accurately conducted. It all comes down to the impact of one thing on another: cause and effect, but on a massive scale. Where are the interfaces and inter dependencies within and outside of my area of interest, and what is their impact on overall combat effectiveness? This is the essence of providing capability, the most recent Mod definition of which is: ‘The enduring ability to generate a desired operational outcome or effect, and is relative to the threat, physical environment and the contributions of coalition partners. Capability is not a particular system or equipment