Still stuck in Atlanta due to the volcano in Iceland.
However, this is some great news. Not sure how the deaths of the top leaders of Al Qaida in Iraq and the Islamic State of Iraq will really affect 1-14 CAV but it certainly can't hurt. In my opinion, Al Masri appeared to be a much better leader and organizer than Zarqawi and AQI actually benefitted when Zarqawi was killed in 2006. I'm not sure who else was captured in the mission and I'm sure there are other guys to take the top spots but it is unlikely they will be very effective.
I could see either a significant drop in attacks, especially the spectacular attacks that have occured in Baghdad, but I could also see an increase in a lot of little attacks as groups break off from AQI and ISI and attempt to regain influence and stay relevant.
Really, really want to get back now.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Worst blogger ever returns...
No, I haven't been ignoring this blog on purpose. I just haven't had the desire or the motivation to discuss anything. Due to current operations in Iraq officially being considered "classified" that forces me to walk the fine line of attempting to discuss what is going on without divulging information the Army feels the public shouldn't know just yet...and shutting me down as the Army has to other bloggers.
Of course I don't think I have enough readers to warrant the Army even noticing this blog and the section that is technically responsible for operational security and warning soldiers of possible violations on the web is led by...well, me.
The job also keeps me from taking time to gather my thoughts into a coherant couple of paragraphs that my few readers may find interesting or amusing. What time I do find to get on the internet is spent surfing Facebook or checking my email.
The unfortunate part though is that even though I have been on leave for the past couple of weeks I haven't written a single entry until now...only a few days from going back to Iraq. Perhaps that was a good move, I didn't really want to think about Iraq while I was on leave.
I'll be going to Chattanooga tomorrow with my parents and visiting the Chickamauga and Chattanooga battlefields so there is a possibility of a post about those sites...maybe even pictures! I can sense the excitement from all 4 of you.
I also just finished The Savage Wars of Peace by Max Boot so that gives me yet another blog post if I feel inclined. My Christmas/Birthday gift from my parents was a Kindle, giving me an excuse to read more lame "professional development" books and post my thoughts on them here so there is a slight possibility of increased posts in the future...but don't count on it.
Once I get back for good I may attempt a series of blogs chronciling what 1-14 CAV did in the NE Diyala Province. Highlights likely to include:
- Why you should get a warrant BEFORE attempting to capture that high level sheikh's brother
- Suicide bombing...just another form of Iraqi politics
- If the first raid doesn't succeed, maybe the 2nd, 3rd, or maybe even the 6th will
- Coloring books...a more powerful weapon than a soldier with a rifle
- The Mad Mortarmen
- Peshmerga, Kurdish for "paper tiger"
There's only about 3 1/2 more months left in the deployment, give or take a couple of weeks. Care packages are still very welcome and to answer the comment left by Alyson in the last post: snacks, especially Oreos for some reason, magazines, trailmix, mixed nuts, coffee are all appreciated.
Of course I don't think I have enough readers to warrant the Army even noticing this blog and the section that is technically responsible for operational security and warning soldiers of possible violations on the web is led by...well, me.
The job also keeps me from taking time to gather my thoughts into a coherant couple of paragraphs that my few readers may find interesting or amusing. What time I do find to get on the internet is spent surfing Facebook or checking my email.
The unfortunate part though is that even though I have been on leave for the past couple of weeks I haven't written a single entry until now...only a few days from going back to Iraq. Perhaps that was a good move, I didn't really want to think about Iraq while I was on leave.
I'll be going to Chattanooga tomorrow with my parents and visiting the Chickamauga and Chattanooga battlefields so there is a possibility of a post about those sites...maybe even pictures! I can sense the excitement from all 4 of you.
I also just finished The Savage Wars of Peace by Max Boot so that gives me yet another blog post if I feel inclined. My Christmas/Birthday gift from my parents was a Kindle, giving me an excuse to read more lame "professional development" books and post my thoughts on them here so there is a slight possibility of increased posts in the future...but don't count on it.
Once I get back for good I may attempt a series of blogs chronciling what 1-14 CAV did in the NE Diyala Province. Highlights likely to include:
- Why you should get a warrant BEFORE attempting to capture that high level sheikh's brother
- Suicide bombing...just another form of Iraqi politics
- If the first raid doesn't succeed, maybe the 2nd, 3rd, or maybe even the 6th will
- Coloring books...a more powerful weapon than a soldier with a rifle
- The Mad Mortarmen
- Peshmerga, Kurdish for "paper tiger"
There's only about 3 1/2 more months left in the deployment, give or take a couple of weeks. Care packages are still very welcome and to answer the comment left by Alyson in the last post: snacks, especially Oreos for some reason, magazines, trailmix, mixed nuts, coffee are all appreciated.
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