U.S. CENTCOM News 10th - 23rd Dec 2008

A soldier's best friend

"Gunner Sgt. Robert Thornton, 52, with Military Transition Team 48th Brigade, kisses his 240B heavy machine gun "Tracy" as he prepares to leave FOB ROW for a night mission."

Note the NRA sticker.

US CENTCOM Latest News Feed

Baghdad operation showcases Iraqi readiness Posted: 23 Dec 2008 12:06 AM CST BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi security forces, with the assistance of coalition forces, conducted Operation ‘Foul Dagger' Dec. 20 in the Ghazaliyah and Ameriyah Districts of northwest Baghdad.

Mullen surveys Golden Mosque reconstruction Posted: 19 Dec 2008 01:37 AM CST SAMARRA, Iraq – Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, toured Samarra, where the Golden Mosque rises again.

Iraqi logistics corps becoming self-sufficient Posted: 18 Dec 2008 01:15 AM CST CAMP LIBERTY – Iraqi security forces are beciming self-sufficnent, securing the supplies they need to sustain operations.

President signs security pact with Iraq Posted: 16 Dec 2008 02:12 AM CST WASHINGTON – President Bush signed a security pact in Baghdad, putting an end in sight for the Iraq war after six years of fighting.

Odierno: Troops out of Iraqi cities by summer Posted: 15 Dec 2008 02:26 AM CST BALAD (Dec. 14, 2008) – U.S. combat forces are on track to be out of Iraqi cities by June 30 in accordance with the recently signed status of forces agreement between the United States and Iraq, the top U.S. general in Iraq said Saturday.

Air Assault: Locate enemies, connect with villagers Posted: 12 Dec 2008 01:41 AM CST BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 6, 2008) – Soldiers use air assaults to reach enemies in remote areas and connect with villagers who can provide help.

Iraqi bomb experts gain independence Posted: 11 Dec 2008 02:15 AM CST NINEWA, Iraq - The Iraqi Army Bomb Disposal Company is working on its own and now able to train other divisions.

General cites 'monumental' changes during time in Iraq Posted: 10 Dec 2008 02:22 AM CST WASHINGTON – The outgoing commander of Multi-National Division - North said he has seen a historic turnaround while in Iraq.

Ezekiel 38 & 39

Ezekiel 38

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him . . .

Ezekiel 39 - The Gog Magog War

The prophecies in Ezekiel 38 & 39 were written over 2,500 years ago. They detail an attempted surprise attack on the nation of Israel. As if torn from today's headlines, these passages detail who is involved, what they will do, why they will do it and how they will be defeated.

Countries Against Free Speech

Countries in favour of this UN resolution are against free speech.

h/t:

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/

New Islamic-sponsored U.N. resolution against free speech: Who supported it, who opposed it, and who stood on the fence

The newest Islamic-sponsored resolution on "Combating defamation of religion" (A/C.3/63/L.22/Rev.1) was adopted Thursday by a vote of 86 to 53, with 42 abstentions, as follows below. Selected votes of interest are in bold.

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain: Argentina, Armenia, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Absent: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kiribati, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Solomon Islands

FarSide Tribute

First Pants THEN shoes...

A Tribute to Gary Larson

Earth Balloon

A tribute to Gary Larson's Farside cartoon for a Worth1000.com Photoshop Contest.

Link:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/farside/pool/with/1479579121/

Brown Recluse Spider - Aust Warning

Brown Recluse spider

Subject: Fw: Spider Bite - Info from Westmead Hospital Check this out - VERY

NASTY little SPIDER

This is a real warning from Westmead Hospital.

I have also looked at the following Web Sites

a.http://dermatology.cdlib.org/DOJvol5num2/special/recluse.html

b. http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_brown_recluse_bite.htm

This is a newly known spider, so please take note. Has been found all over Eastern Aust and heading to WA. Looks similar to a huntsman.

This spider is in all states.

Not a good look!!

Please take note of this spider - it is very dangerous. Please warn kids

and send to every one you know to alert them as well! This spider is

breeding at a rapid rate of speed and is being found in more and more

houses!!!!

Day 5

Day 6

Day 9

Day 10


h/t: Joyce

U.S. CENTCOM News Nov/Dec 2008

Snow Eagles

Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft conduct a combat patrol over Afghanistan Dec. 11, 2008. The air crews and planes are assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon

US CENTCOM Press Releases

ANP and Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda cell in Khost Posted: 19 Dec 2008 07:52 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Police and Coalition forces killed three armed militants and detained five suspected militants, including the targeted individual during an operation to disrupt the al-Qaeda terrorist network in Khost province Tuesday.

Afghan National Commandos, Coalition Forces detain insurgent leader, two militants Posted: 18 Dec 2008 07:50 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army Commandos, assisted by Coalition forces, detained an insurgent leader, Abdul Wahid, and two militants, Raz Gul and Haider, in Behsood district, Nangarhar province, Dec. 17.

CSTC-A refurbishes donated helicopters, helps build Afghan Air Corps Posted: 18 Dec 2008 06:48 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan – The first three of six Mi-35 attack helicopters for the Afghan National Army Air Corps, donated from the Czech Republic and refurbished by Combined Security Transition Command–Afghanistan, arrived recently, adding to the ANAAC's fleet and growing capabilities.

CSTC-A commanding general reflects on Afghan tour Posted: 17 Dec 2008 06:47 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan – The best people to defend Afghanistan are the Afghans, said Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, Combined Security Transition Command–Afghanistan commanding general. Cone wrapped up his tour Thursday at a change of command ceremony in front of leaders from the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

PRT well project brings water to Afghan villages Posted: 17 Dec 2008 06:44 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan – The Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team recently completed an eight-well project that will bring much-needed water sources to six districts throughout the eastern Afghanistan province.

President Karzai awards Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone Posted: 17 Dec 2008 06:40 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai awarded U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, Combined Security Transition Command commanding general with the Ghazi Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan State Medal at the Arg, the Presidential Palace of Afghanistan on Dec. 15.

Congressional delegation visits Camp Eggers Posted: 16 Dec 2008 08:15 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan – Service members at Camp Eggers shared breakfast with several members of a U.S. congressional delegation during their visit on Dec. 15, to Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.

Afghan National Commandos, Coalition forces capture two Taliban Commanders Posted: 16 Dec 2008 07:20 AM CST KABU L, Afghanistan – Afghan National Commandos, assisted by Coalition forces, detained Taliban commanders Abdul Aziz and Abdul Rahman as well as one militant, Ishmail, during a security patrol in Jalalabad City, Nangahar (Nangarhar) province, Dec. 15.

IED kills three insurgents in Oruzgan Posted: 16 Dec 2008 07:14 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan - Three insurgents attempted to plant an IED in Deh Rawod district, Oruzgan province, approximately 200 km southwest of Kabul, along a well traveled road when it detonated, killing two of the insurgents. Local villagers reported an explosion to the ANSF, who discovered the dead and wounded.

One U.S. service member dies in southern Afghanistan Posted: 16 Dec 2008 07:11 AM CST KABUL, Afghanistan - One U.S. service member died today of non-combat related causes in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation.

Odierno: Troops out of Iraqi cities by summer Posted: 15 Dec 2008 02:26 AM CST BALAD (Dec. 14, 2008) – U.S. combat forces are on track to be out of Iraqi cities by June 30 in accordance with the recently signed status of forces agreement between the United States and Iraq, the top U.S. general in Iraq said Saturday.

Iraqi bomb experts gain independence Posted: 11 Dec 2008 02:15 AM CST NINEWA, Iraq - The Iraqi Army Bomb Disposal Company is working on its own and now able to train other divisions.

General cites 'monumental' changes during time in Iraq Posted: 10 Dec 2008 02:22 AM CST WASHINGTON – The outgoing commander of Multi-National Division - North said he has seen a historic turnaround while in Iraq.

Petraeus era begins at CENTCOM Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:52 AM CST MACDILL AFB, Fla. – Gen. David H. Petraeus took the reins of United States Central Command from Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey Oct. 31.

Chief of Staff visits Soldiers at Bagram Posted: 03 Nov 2008 04:04 AM CST BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Gen. George Casey, Army chief of staff, visited Combined Joint Task Force-101 recently.

Christmas in Gaza 2008

HAMAS

Analysis: Cruelty and silence in Gaza

Dec. 11, 2008

jonathan spyer , THE JERUSALEM POST


Unremarked upon by the Western media, a systematic campaign of
persecution is taking place in the Gaza Strip, and to a lesser extent
in the West Bank. The general silence surrounding this campaign aids
its perpetrators. The victims are Palestinian Christians, in
particular the small Christian community of Gaza.

The perpetrators are a variety of Islamist groups, all of which are
manifestations of a process of growing Islamic militancy and piety
taking place across the region.

The Christian population of the Gaza Strip is small - 2,000-3,000
people. Gazan politics has long been characterized by a conservative,
Islamic bent. Gaza's Christians as a result have tended toward
political invisibility.

Since the Hamas coup of July 2007, this position has become
increasingly untenable. Islamist organizations, empowered by the
indifference of the authorities, have begun to target Christian
institutions and individuals in Gaza with increasing impunity.
Intimidation, assault and the threat of kidnapping are now part of
daily reality for Christians.

The trend became noticeable with a series of attacks on the
Palestinian Bible Society's "Teacher's Bookshop" in Gaza City last
year. The shop was the subject of a bomb attack in April 2007. Its
owner, Rami Khader Ayyad, was abducted in broad daylight, and found
dead on October 7, 2007.

Over the following year, a series of bomb attacks on Christian
institutions in Gaza took place. Particular attention was paid to
places of education. The Rahabat al-Wardia school run by nuns in the
Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City, and the American International
School in Beit Lahiya were both bombed, most recently in May 2008. The
Zahwa Rosary Sisters School and the El-Manara school, both in Gaza
City, were also attacked this summer. The YMCA Library was bombed, as
was the Commonwealth War Cemetery.

Most of these attacks took place at night, and hence casualties were
avoided. In a number of cases guards were the victims of violence.

Who is carrying out these attacks? The perpetrators are thought to be
Salafi Islamist groups like Jaish al-Islam, Jaish al-Uma and similar
organizations. The larger Popular Resistance Committees terror group
has also stated that the Christian presence in Gaza should be
eradicated, since it exposes Gazans to a pro-Western, anti-Islamic
influence.

Where are the Hamas authorities in all this?


The writer is a senior researcher at the Global Research in
International Affairs Center, IDC, Herzliya.

Read the Rest:

This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com
/servlet/Satellite?cid=1228728163698&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Related

Why I hate movies about Jews

Dec. 17, 2008
John Lalor , THE JERUSALEM POST

I don't care to watch movies about Jews - not those made by non-Jews
and leftist Jews, anyway. By all accounts, The Boy in the Striped
Pajamas is supposed to be a good movie. But I would be more interested
in a gormless shoot-em-up movie with Sly or Arnie.

Why? Because the interest in these movies about Jews is based on an
interest in their story of destitution, destruction and humiliation.
Interesting, don't you think? We have countless movies about America's
greatness. We have movies about the conquests and victories of Nelson
and Napoleon and Columbus. So, why can I not think of too many movies
depicting Jews (and Israelis) as good, successful, heroic - in short,
in a positive light?

Read the Rest:

The writer is a clinical psychologist in training based in Ireland.

This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com
/servlet/Satellite?cid=1228728237421&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

H/T: Arvi

DefenceTalk News 19th Dec 2008

Defence News [ Friday, December 19, 2008 ] - DefenceTalk.com

Russia to abandon missile plans if US drops shield: military
Dec 19, 2008
Moscow is ready to broad abandon plans to renew its nuclear missile arsenal if Washington stops deployment of a controversial... Read More...

NATO, Russia to resume high-level talks Friday
Dec 19, 2008
NATO and Russia were to resume high-level talks Friday, four months after they were frozen over the war in Georgia,... Read More...

Northrop Grumman Rolls Out First E-8C Joint STARS with New Engines
Dec 19, 2008
The U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) testbed aircraft was unveiled today by the... Read More...

Peruvian Navy Carries Out Record Breaking Launch of Otomat Anti-Ship Missile Dec 19, 2008
On 8th December the Peruvian Navy successfully launched an Otomat missile from the Aguirre frigate, hitting a target at a... Read More...

Upgrade of 108 AMX 10P Armored Vehicles is Complete
Dec 19, 2008
Nexter has just finished upgrading 108 AMX 10P tracked armored personnel carriers ahead of the initial schedule. This upgrade was... Read More...

Boeing Submits Proposal to Support US Air Force T-1A Training Aircraft Fleet Dec 19, 2008
The Boeing Company has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Air Force to provide contractor logistics support services for the... Read More...

Purchase of Spyder Quick-Reaction Anti-Aircraft Missile System
Dec 19, 2008
A contract for upgradation of MiG-29 aircraft was signed with M/s RAC-MiG, Russia, on March 07, 2008 on single vendor... Read More...

Saab Has Received an Additional Order of Anti-Tank Weapon to Finland
Dec 19, 2008
Saab has received an order from the Finnish Defence Forces for an additional number of the new anti-tank weapon NLAW.... Read More...

Acceptance of the First MRH90 Assembled In Australia
Dec 19, 2008
The Hon. Greg Combet, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today announced that the first Australian assembled Multi Role Helicopter... Read More...

Dutch ministry favours Joint Strike Fighter
Dec 19, 2008
The Dutch Defence Ministry said Thursday that the multi-national Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) is the best candidate to replace the... Read More...

Russia to deploy new missiles by 2020: military
Dec 19, 2008
Russia will by 2020 replace its Soviet-era arsenal with new nuclear-capable intercontinental missiles that can overcome defence systems like the... Read More...

Weapon Control Systems Order to the Swiss Army Valued at MNOK 350
Dec 19, 2008
KONGSBERG has been awarded a MNOK 350 order by the Swiss Army for the delivery of Protector weapon control systems,... Read More...

More Defence News...

WorldAffairsTalk.com

Mean Kitty

The Mean Kitty Song

Bradley in Action

Bradley Attack

Long and good clip if a Bradley crew attacking insurgents hidding in a building, the clip is filmed from the inside of the bradley. You also see the damage done to the building