Obama administration has argued for a differentiation between good Jihadi and bad Jihadi and a big difference between terrorists and the tenets of Islam. In an extreme act of capitulation the White House in 2009 publicly urged sheeple on the hill to cease using the term “jihadist” – asserting that terrorists are simply extremists. You have to be stupid to ignore the fact that members of Islam call their terroristic acts “jihad”. Two years later, the White House ordered a cleansing of training materials that Islamic groups in, their jihadist struggle, deemed offensive.
The good “J” word “Justice” has been subdued by the bad “J” word “Jihad”. This is done in order to preempt the bad feelings which would be engendered in a good jihadist because of the use of the word to describe a self described bad jihadist.
“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate
Some men you just can’t reach…
So, you get what we had here last week
Which is the way he wants it!
Well, he gets it!
Now, I don’t like it any more than you” GNR (Civil War)
(with included rewrite to the tune of GNR Civil War)
Our hands are tied
while our dreams of peace
are sweept aside
by the bloody hands of
Jihadist Islamist genocide.
It’s just a word
when it’s said
that you have died.
Don’t dare use a word that
hurts their pride.
They are not our friend,
not on our side.
If we don’t speak the truth
then it’s we who have lied.
Our dreams of peace
are sweept aside
by the bloody hands of
Jihadist Islamist genocide.
Don’t want war
and terms you will render.
Peace in two words
“We surrender”
Our dreams of peace
are sweept aside
by the bloody hands of
Jihadist Islamist genocide.
Leftards being creatures of habit with a limited scope of resources, I anticipate they will respond to Bill O’Reilly’s recent opinion piece with accusations about the “terror” bombing of Dresden. Well, here is my pre-response:
S.T.F.U. Evil has many tools and a lie is a handle that fits each one. You live in your world, with your tools and handles. You are a tool and you know where the handle goes, now stick it!
A 1953 United States Air Force report defended the operation as the justified bombing of a military and industrial target, which was a major rail transportation and communication center, housing 110 factories and
50,000 workers in support of the German war effort. Dresden was Germany’s seventh-largest city and, according to the RAF at the time, the largest remaining unbombed built-up area. An official 1942 guide to the city described it as “one of the foremost industrial locations of the Reich” and in 1944, the German Army High Command’s Weapons Office listed 127 medium-to-large factories and workshops that were supplying the army with materiel.
Colonel Harold E. Cook, a US POW held in the Friedrichstadt marshaling yard the night before the attacks, later said that “I saw with my own eyes that Dresden was an armed camp: thousands of German troops, tanks and artillery and miles of freight cars loaded with supplies supporting and transporting German logistics towards the east to meet the Russians.”
On 16 February, 1945, the German Propaganda Ministry issued a press release that stated that Dresden had no war industries; it was a city of culture. And now the leftards continue that tradition because they need to get a handle on their tolls of destruction and desolation.
Having been given a paraphrased version of Churchill’s memo by Bottomley, on 29 March, Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris wrote to the Air Ministry: I … assume that the view under consideration is something like this: no doubt in the past we were justified in attacking German cities. But to do so was always repugnant and now that the Germans are beaten anyway we can properly abstain from proceeding with these attacks. This is a doctrine to which I could never subscribe. Attacks on cities like any other act of war are intolerable unless they are strategically justified. But they are strategically justified in so far as they tend to shorten the war and preserve the lives of Allied soldiers. To my mind we have absolutely no right to give them up unless it is certain that they will not have this effect. I do not personally regard the whole of the remaining cities of Germany as worth the bones of one British Grenadier.
The feeling, such as there is, over Dresden, could be easily explained by any psychiatrist. It is connected with German bands and Dresden shepherdesses. Actually Dresden was a mass of munitions works, an intact government center, and a key transportation point to the East. It is now none of these things.
World peace and development are faced with multiple difficulties and challenges. Struggles for strategic
resources, strategic locations and strategic dominance have intensified.
Chinas National Defense in 2008
In my Normblog interview, I was asked about threats to the future peace and stability of the world. Islamofascism was #1, of course, but I also spent a bit of time explaining my worries about one possible future for China: a future of state capitalism under dictatorial control, a strong need for external resources to fuel that economy, carefully fostered xenophobia, a legacy of belief in the racial superiority of Chinese peoples, a major demographic problem in an excess of young males, and the meme that China is being cheated of its rightful place in the world. Germany’s history in the 20th century teaches us what this combination portends.
Fascism has found adherents in all countries. Its essentially vague and emotional nature facilitates the development of unique national varieties, whose leaders often deny indignantly that they are fascists at all. In its dictatorial methods and in its use of brutal intimidation of the opposition by the militia and the secret police, fascism does not greatly distinguish itself from other despotic and totalitarian regimes. There are particular similarities with the Communist regime in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. However, unlike Communism, fascism abhors the idea of a classless society and sees desirable order only in a state in which each class has its distinct place and function. Representation by classes (i.e., capital, labor, farmers, and professionals) is substituted for representation by parties, and the corporative state is a part of fascist dogma.
Fascism, especially in its early stages, is obliged to be antitheoretical and frankly opportunistic in order to appeal to many diverse groups. Nevertheless, a few key concepts are basic to it. First and most important is the glorification of the state and the total subordination of the individual to it. The state is defined as an organic whole into which individuals must be absorbed for their own and the state’s benefit. This “total state” is absolute in its methods and unlimited by law in its control and direction of its citizens.
A second ruling concept of fascism is embodied in the theory of social Darwinism. The doctrine of survival of the fittest and the necessity of struggle for life is applied by fascists to the life of a nation-state. Peaceful, complacent nations are seen as doomed to fall before more dynamic ones, making struggle and aggressive militarism a leading characteristic of the fascist state. Imperialism is the logical outcome of this dogma.
Another element of fascism is its elitism. Salvation from rule by the mob and the destruction of the existing social order can be effected only by an authoritarian leader who embodies the highest ideals of the nation.
This is the Chinese response to the report:
I know that “essentially vague and emotional nature” is the picture evoked by the CCTV response.
Fuerzas Commando 2009 was a military skills competition between some of the top special forces teams in the western hemisphere. The event was hosted by Brazil from June 17 24, 2009. Security forces from 21 countries took part part in the challenging contest, which promoted military-to-military relationships, increased interoperability and improved regional security.
The Brazilian military hosted Fuerzas Comando 2009 with Special Operations Command South serving as the lead U.S. military organization for coordination of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)-sponsored exercise.
More than 300 military, law enforcement and civilian personnel from the 22 participating nations (see list below) took part at the peak of the exercise. About 150 U.S. service members from all the services were involved.
Fuerzas Comando 2009 tested the participants physical and psychological endurance through many obstacles both on land and in water. It included two parts: a multinational special operations skills competition and a senior leader seminar (see below).
Multinational competitions like this build the required capacity to collectively confront direct threats. Many of todays transnational threats, such as kidnappings, international gangs, terrorism, drug trafficking and illicit activities, cannot be defeated by traditional military means alone. Defeating these threats require common goals and cooperation with our regional partners.
The Fuerzas Comando exercise series is part of a longstanding set of multinational and bi-lateral exercises that foster regional relations and cooperation against trans-national threats, maintain partnerships and alliances and promote cooperative security arrangements.
Multinational Special Operations Skills Competition:
The skills competition was designed to improve multinational regional cooperation, enhance mutual trust and confidence, and advance the training, readiness and interoperability of participating special operations forces in tactics, techniques, and procedures. The skills competition had two events:
Assault team competition
A physical fitness test; a confidence course; close-quarters combat; a rucksack march; water event; and an obstacle course.
Sniper team competition
The sniper team competition will consist of five events: a physical fitness test; marksmanship; shoot and move; range estimation; and stalk and shoot events.
Each participating nation sent a judge, a five-person Special Operations assault team and a two-man sniper team to compete in challenging tests and evaluations of their skills in special operations tactics, techniques and procedures used in counter-terrorist operations.
Senior Leader Seminar:
The senior leader seminar, hosted by the Brazilian military, helped to develop, refine and improve political and military relations and multinational cooperation in fighting terrorism and other transnational threats. Participants included a commander and a senior level representative from each nation involved in making counter-terrorism decisions and policy making. The seminar took place in Goinia June 23 25.
Nations Participating:
Special operations military and police forces from Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, the United States, and Uruguay will participate in the exercise
Background:
This was the sixth consecutive year Fuerzas Comando has taken place in SOUTHCOMs area of focus.
Operation Moshtarak Update for Feb. 23
The last 24 hours have seen fewer engagements with insurgents. Despite this relative calm, IEDs and insurgent gunmen continue to pose a threat to civilians and security forces.
02.23.10, Courtesy Story
Afghan Campaign Will Be Tough, Petraeus Says
With U.S. forces entering the second week of a 12- to 18-month campaign in Afghanistan, the general in charge of U.S. forces in the region acknowledged yesterday that the way ahead will be tough.
02.22.10, Story by Carmen Gleason
Operation Moshtarak Update for Feb. 21
Clearance operations continue to make progress and the operation is firmly on track. In Nad-e Ali, the combined force encountered limited small arms engagements throughout the area. On the west side of the city, shuras continue to determine which compounds can be used as patrol bases. Engineers continue upgrading roads in order to enable the effective delivery of stabilization supplies. Patrols in the eastern portion of the operating area continue to enable freedom of movement on local roads.
02.21.10, Courtesy Story
Afghan National Police Confiscates Explosive Material, Weapons
The Afghan national police discovered 200 kilograms of explosive material in Kandahar province Feb. 19 and also discovered and defused four IEDs from the Uruzgan province.
02.20.10, Courtesy Story
Operation Moshtarak Update for Feb. 19
Fighting remains difficult in the northeast and west of Marjeh, but insurgent activity is not limited to those areas. ISAF and Afghan forces remain committed to reducing the possibilities of civilian and combined force casualties. The commitment to enduring security that will make the real difference to the Afghan people and will allow the expansion of governance from Lashkar Gah to Marjeh and other areas of Nad-e Ali that have not been under government control. A visible demonstration of this long-term commitment is the deployment of Afghan gendarmerie into Nad-e Ali and parts of Marjeh.
02.19.10, Courtesy Story
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing
Courtesy Story
Date: 06.11.2009
Posted: 06.11.2009 01:36
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The U.S. Air Force’s new MC-12 Liberty aircraft flew its first combat sortie today.
MC-12 Liberty
“This is truly a success story,” said Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander. “Our mission here is to deliver combat airpower and overwatch to the joint fight in-theater, and the MC-12 brings a huge ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] capability to employ in support of the ground commander.”
The aircraft, which arrived in Iraq June 8, is assigned to the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, and took off from Joint Base Balad at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time for a four-hour mission.
“Project Liberty MC-12 is the first of its kind,” said Lt. Gen. Gary North, 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central commander. “What our Air Force teams at our various headquarters staffs have done with the program has been nothing short of miraculous. They’ve satisfied very ambitious objectives and done it alongside our industry partners to achieve combat-urgent requests in a superb fashion, from initial contracts to combat sorties inside eight months,” the general added. “This capability to the field will enable our ability to continue to provide the persistent stare and integration of the MC-12 as our U.S. Air Force’s newest ISR platform in theater.
“The allocation of this asset to the fight to best integrate within the joint forces in-theater will meet the needs of the commanders in both Iraq and Afghanistan as we continue to receive the combat-coded aircraft in the area of responsibility,” General North also said.
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing RSSVideo by Master Sgt. Sandra Niedzwiecki,Date Taken: 06.10.2009Posted: 06.10.2009 08:47Package about the use of the MC-12 Liberty aircraft in Iraq. Produced by Master Sgt. Niedzwiecki. For more see Col. Fantini and Lt. Col. Stewart and MC-12 Liberty Aircraft located in b-roll and interview sections.
The MC-12 is a manned special-mission turboprop aircraft designed to augment information gathered by other intelligence-collection capabilities operating in-theater and allow military leaders to make battlefield decisions. Overall, the aircraft carries a specialized four-person crew aboard and communications equipment to provide full-motion video and signals intelligence.
“The MC-12 is an embodiment of the Air Force’s commitment to coalition ground forces,” said Lt. Col. Phillip Stewart, 362nd ERS commander. “Our focus is to provide dedicated, responsive ISR operations, and we’re ready to go.”
In April 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates established the ISR Task Force to better support warfighters on the ground in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with increased ISR. A few months later, the task force launched Project Liberty – a program to deploy MC-12s to the AOR.
“ISR is a core Air Force mission,” General North said. “Our Airmen know how important ISR capacity, capability and integration are in combat operations. The MC-12 enhances and complements the entire ISR umbrella … from the continuum of space down to small UAVs and will integrate in a seamless fashion into the scheme of maneuver in the processing, exploitation and dissemination of intelligence at all required levels in the battlespace.”
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2009 – The type of “hybrid warfare” that defense experts predict the United States is increasingly likely to face will pull the military in two directions, the Defense Department’s top policy official said today.
Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, said America’s conventional dominance gives incentive to its enemies to use asymmetric means to undermine U.S. strengths and exploit its weaknesses.
“Preparing for this operating environment will pull the Army, and the military writ large, in two very different directions,” she told the roughly 200-person audience at the Army Leader Forum at the Pentagon.
On the one hand, the United States must be ready for irregular warfare, in which combatants blend in with civilian populations and conduct roadside-bomb attacks, suicide bombings and similar tactics, she said.
“Those of you who served in Iraq and Afghanistan know firsthand how challenging it is to operate effectively in such an environment,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said, the United States must remain prepared to deal with high-end threats, though these are much more likely to be asymmetric in character. Illustrating this concept, Flournoy described a scenario in which rising regional powers and rogue states use highly sophisticated technologies to deny U.S. access to critical regions and to thwart its operations.
These tactics range from anti-satellite capabilities, anti-air capabilities and anti-ship weapons to weapons of mass destruction and cyber attacks.
Further complicating the battle landscape is the prospect of sophisticated nonstate actors using high-end capabilities such as weapons of mass destruction or guided rockets or munitions, as in the case of Hezbollah in Lebanon during its 2006 war with Israel.
“We can expect to see more hybrid conflicts in which the enemy combines regular warfare tactics with irregular and asymmetric forms of warfare,” she said.
The concept of hybrid warfare garnered attention last month when Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced his budget recommendations at a Pentagon news conference.
Gates proposed distributing allocated funds in accordance with what he characterized as the type of “complex hybrid” warfare he expects will be increasingly common. He placed roughly half of his proposed budget for traditional, strategic and conventional conflict, about 40 percent in dual-purpose capabilities and the remaining 10 percent in irregular warfare.
Gates also said recently that the upcoming Quadrennial Defense Review – a congressionally mandated Defense Department strategy review completed every four years – would be unique in its consideration of this blended type of warfare.
“This will be the first QDR able to fully incorporate the numerous lessons learned on the battlefield these last few years; lessons about what mix of hybrid tactics future adversaries, both state and nonstate actors, are likely to pursue,” he said at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.
Flournoy provided a glimpse of the 2010 QDR, which the department will submit to Congress early next year.
In addition to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, key security challenges include violent extremist movements, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, rising powers with sophisticated weapons and increasing encroachment across the so-called global commons, which include air, sea, space and cyberspace, she said.
Pentagon to Release Photos From Detainee Custody Investigations
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2009 – The Defense Department soon will release a substantial number of photos associated with concluded past investigations of alleged abuse of detainees, a senior official said here today.
The photos were used as part of internal military investigations conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan, not including the photos used during allegations of detainee abuse at the Abu Ghraib detention facility in Iraq, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.
The pending late-May release of the photos comes from an agreement reached between the American Civil Liberties Union, the Justice Department and the Defense Department, Whitman said. The ACLU had sued the U.S. government for release of the photos.
A Justice Department letter filed yesterday in a New York District Court stated that the Defense Department would furnish 21 photographs ordered for release by the court and 23 other images involved in the lawsuit.
Additionally, the Justice Department letter stated, the Defense Department also will release “a substantial number of other images” contained in Army Criminal Investigation Division reports that have been closed. The Defense Department is to furnish all cited images by May 28, the letter said.
A number of the images being released in May were part of more than 60 investigations conducted by the U.S. military between 2003 and January 2006, Whitman said.
Since 2003, more than 400 military members charged with detainee abuse were found to be guilty of some form of misconduct, Whitman said. Punishment, he noted, ranged from imprisonment to bad-conduct discharges, reduction in rank and other types of punitive actions.
Defense Department policy always has advocated humane treatment of detainees, Whitman pointed out.
“We have, obviously, over time, found instances where performance has not matched policy,” Whitman said. “And when the performance hasn’t matched the policy, we’ve held people accountable for their actions.”
“There are a number of [lawsuits] that we’re dealing with for detainee photographs and so on,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said to reporters yesterday during his visit to Camp Lejeune, N.C. “There’s a certain inevitability, I believe, that much of this will eventually come out; much has already come out.”
The San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) fires a missile during training exercise Stellar Daggers
SAN DIEGO (NNS) — Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear announced the completion of the fleet operational exercise, Stellar Daggers, March 26.
The scheduled event took place March 24 and 26. Command and control of the participants in Stellar Daggers resided with U.S. 3rd Fleet based in San Diego.
San Diego-based Aegis destroyer, USS Benfold (DDG 65) engaged multiple targets during this multi-event exercise with Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA and modified SM-2 BLK IV missiles. The overall objective of Stellar Daggers was to test the Aegis system’s sea-based ability to simultaneously detect, track, engage and destroy multiple incoming air and ballistic missile threats during terminal or final phase of flight.
During the event, Benfold’s Aegis Weapons System successfully detected and intercepted a cruise missile target with a SM-2 BLK IIIA, while simultaneously detecting and intercepting an incoming short range ballistic missile (SRBM) target with a modified SM-2 BLK IV. This is the first time the fleet has successfully tested the Aegis system’s ability to intercept both an SRBM in terminal
phase and a low-altitude cruise missile target at the same time.
Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), which includes Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), is a Navy core competency and a key warfighting capability for the U.S. maritime strategy, which calls for credible combat power to be continuously postured to protect America’s vital interests.
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