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March 31, 2006



Infantry officer's perspective on Iraq

Here's an update received from an infantry Army officer - there's a marked difference between his bottom line and that reported by media outlets. It spans five months, so we'll hear about the holidays too.

March 30th, 2006

Hello All,

Sorry it has been five months since my last update, but then, we have been busy. Let me give you the bottom-line up front (BLUF), and then catch you up on things. Feel free to forward this to whomever, since we still can't seem to get the press to tell folks what is going on. This is how the fight is going from my foxhole, and it is much more than the bombings, US casualties, and rumors of civil war the press seems to be focused on.

BLUF: We are not, and have not been, on the verge of civil war. We have had an increase in killings by militia groups in the past five weeks, and that is not helping get the new government seated, but we (the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Coalition Forces) are far from losing control.

As you probably noted, Al Qaida and the other insurgent groups were not able to mount a Tet like offensive this past fall. Iraqi and US operations prevented them from organizing major attacks, and the ISF did a superb job of securing the polling sites. Iraq ratified a constitution and conducted a credible election. Although the Iraqis face some significant challenges forming the new government, the basics of democracy are present and taking root.

Saddam's trial is making progress, albeit painfully slowly. The new judge is ensuring the defendants receive due process and a fair trial, while eliminating their ability to turn the trial into a political circus. Saddam's and the others' security continue to be one of my personal headaches, so I am a big fan of keeping the trial moving.

2006 is the Year of the Police, which means our focus is to get the Iraqi police forces trained and operational. We continue to work to rebuild the Iraqi Army, which assumes responsibility for more battle space each week. It is the ability of the Iraqi Army to take the fight to the enemy that allowed us to turn off two US replacement brigades at the end of 2005. The Iraqi Army is having successes and failures, but is steadily improving. Recently they have conducted a number of truly outstanding operations, both in conjunction with us and on their own. The police are not as far along, hence our focus on them in 2006. What you don't see in the media is the tremendous courage of most of the Soldiers, Policemen, and Judges who take significant risk each day to bring stability to their country. I lost an Iraqi friend last week who was the leader of the security of the prison where we send our convicted terrorists to serve their sentences. Another equally brave corrections officer stepped up immediately to take his place.

The fight against Al Qaida is going well. They have chosen to make Iraq the battleground against the US, and this has enabled us to kill or capture significant numbers of their senior leadership, and put a dent in their funding. They believe they can prevail by killing US Soldiers, and waiting for the US public to tire of the war and casualties, and bring us home. As I talk to Soldiers around Iraq, they overwhelmingly believe in what they are doing and why they are doing it. They know they are winning, and are frustrated by what they see and hear in the news about America questioning why we are here. In my opinion, it is much better to fight these terrorists in Iraq vice in the US.

Our counterinsurgency strategy continues to focus on: offensive operations to kill or capture insurgents; train and reinforce the Iraqi Army and police forces to conduct the counterinsurgency; establish a strong democratic Iraqi government; and rebuild the infrastructure and economy. The interagency process is working fairly well in Baghdad (Washington could take a lesson), with most of my contacts being with the Departments of State and Justice.

One of our two largest challenges is to get the Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds to work together. No one party/sect has a majority in the newly elected Council of Representatives, so learning to compromise and put together alliances in the government will be key to success.

Who is selected to head the Ministries of Defense and Interior (police) is also key; we really need individuals who are secular, and are clearly not tied to any of the various militia groups. The militias are the other major challenge to success here. We will have to disarm them, weed them out of the government, and neutralize their ability to terrorize the citizens of Iraq. This will be at least as challenging as getting the major sects to work together, but not impossible.

On top of these two challenges, we have the Iranian influence to combat. Our neighbors to the east are intent on destroying this attempt at democracy, and infiltrate and support terrorists at every opportunity. The Judiciary continues to be a success story, and it remains strongly independent and resistant to executive branch influence. As a side note, we got our first death sentence in a Coalition case this week; one of the Al Qaida terrorists who participated in the beheading of Nick Berg.

I could not have been prouder than to spend my final Thanksgiving and Christmas in uniform with the outstanding young Americans who are serving here as Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. Thanksgiving morning dawned clear and crisp at 45 degrees with a 20 knot wind. Although it was warm by Minnesota and Korea standards, it was chilly for the desert as we donned our body armor and loaded our HMMWVs for the convoy to Abu Ghraib.

Had a great dinner in the mess hall there with the Soldiers, and spent the afternoon checking fighting positions and guard towers. That evening I spent some talking with the joint service members of our intelligence unit, a section of which is dedicated to finding our one MIA, SGT Keith Maupin. They are out on missions each week, intent on bringing him home.

Troop morale continues to remain high. The Soldiers can see the difference they are making, whether killing bad guys, training the Iraqi forces, or improving the living conditions for Iraqis. They can no longer give beanie babies to the kids, because Al Qaida has taken to placing explosives in them, giving them to kids, blowing their arms off or killing them, and blaming the Americans.

This is a tough fight, and we are once again up against an enemy who has no moral compass. Our kids continue to excel at every mission, and are undaunted in their task. If anyone has any doubts about this generation, they can erase them. 2006 will be a decisive year. We have the opportunity to do a battle handoff to the Iraqis for the lead in the counterinsurgency fight, and begin to reduce our combat presence. Concurrently, we must continue to coach and mentor the Iraqi Government as it continues its journey toward democracy. We will need to be here for awhile, but my assessment is that this is the make or break year.

I'm betting on our Soldiers and the Iraqi people.

Colonel William Ivey, Infantry

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

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March 21, 2006



What NOT to send to your Marine

LtCol Dave Furness sent this cautionary note to friends and family of his 1/1 Marines:

I wanted to take the time today to sit down and ask for your assistance on an issue that I am very concerned about, alcohol and other off limits items being sent in the mail to your Marines and sailors. Today I had the unpleasant duty to forward a member of 1/1 to a General Officers level Non-Judicial Punishment. I took no joy in doing this, but the man was found with alcohol, alcohol that he had received from a family member. I am sure the family member believed they were doing him a favor. To reiterate, it is illegal for any Marine/Sailor/Civilian serving in Iraq to have alcohol. This one incident may very well have ruined his career.

I once again ask you to please not mail any items which, in the possession of your loved one in Iraq, are considered illegal and could get them into serious trouble. Specifically, do not mail alcohol, pornography, firearms, or ammunition.

Posted by Deb at 12:38 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



March 20, 2006



Have you been Sempertoon'ed?

That's a question that GySgt Wolf, Art Director of the Marine Corps Recruiting command, wants us to have fun with. He noted in a recent email, "Humor is the best medicine and Sempertoons is the Military CURE!!!" I agree - judicious use of humor in highly stressful situations is a terrific anxiety reducer and Sempertoons is a wonderful way to smile at the idiosyncrasies of the Corps. He's just started a 4-part series, leading up to Easter, and here's the first one:



A few years ago, Gunny Wolf was profiled in a Defend America News article:

The United States Marine Corps thrives on the ethos of honor, courage and commitment, and Staff Sgt. Charles F. Wolf epitomizes that ethos through art.

He's a stocky 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 160 pounds-from weight he gained during his years of bodybuilding. His face, chiseled like stone, doesn't look mean.

Wolf, a graphics instructor at the Defense Information School here, is a very easy-going person who believes in thinking outside the box to which most people limit themselves. Through his perseverance he has managed to apply his artistic creativity to other aspects of his life.

Growing up, he never believed his interest in art would develop the following it has, he said. Like most kids, he enjoyed doodling on scratch sheets of paper as something to pass the time. His first formal graphic design education was at a vocational school the year before he graduated high school.

"I just believe that everyone doodles or draws in their free time," said Wolf. "Some of us try, and then there are people who have a natural talent for it and excel from an early age."

He joined the Marine Corps in 1987 and started his career as an anti-tank assault man, or dragon gunner. For nine years his artistic creativity remained dormant, except for small requests to draw things like range flags, random sketches, or cartoons during his off-duty time.

"Initially I saw it as an opportunity to boost morale," said the Ashtabula, Ohio, native. "And I never lost that fire for seeing something come to life in front of me-that's the essence of art."

While stationed aboard the USS Blue Ridge in Yokosuka, Japan, he began drawing cartoons, which would soon be referred to as Sempertoons. This assignment fueled Wolf with a plethora of ideas for cartoons. "It was endless, and I saw how my cartoons made people laugh," he said.

Wolf's love for art began to equate to his love for the Corps, but he thought he had to keep the two worlds separate.

"I knew that art was going to take me somewhere, I just had to figure out how to connect the two worlds," he said. "It all came together in one moment, and it was like a big tidal wave hitting me."

As an enlisted instructor at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., the instructor group tasked him with drawing a sketch of the range. His sketch was sent to the graphics department to be drawn on a larger scale, and subsequently, he was sent to graphics to ensure they were duplicating his work correctly.

"I didn't even know that graphics existed," he said. "I walked through that building completely astounded, and that's where the desire to change my (military occupational specialty) evolved."

After the seed was planted, he was sent to his new duty station in Camp Pendleton, Calif., assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, which deployed with the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. This provided another opportunity for him to gather material for his cartoons.

Even though Wolf had done several drawings during his Marine Corps career, he still did not realize the full capability of his talent.

"To be honest, the full impact of art did not hit me until I started doing Sempertoons," said Wolf. "In fact, the first few drawings weren't even that great."

When he returned from deployment, he met with MOS monitors and requested a lateral move to the 4611 MOS, or graphic illustrator.

His request was eventually approved and he reported for duty at the Quantico graphics center for three years, to include six months of on-the-job-training. He then served as the chief of graphics on Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and two-and-a-half years later he was selected to be an instructor at DINFOS.

He now has the opportunity to pass on to younger Marines his talent and knowledge as a graphics illustrator.


He's been promoted since then, and in a recent e-mail, Gunny Wolf commented on the motivation behind his work:

"I live in Virginia with my lovely wife Amelia (My 1st Sergeant) and we are expecting our first child in July. ( I refuse to name the Baby "Sempertoon"...hahha.

Sempertoons is a family friendly way to relax and laugh at situations that sometimes leave everyone in the dark when it come to the Marines. I am most proud that Sempertoons is a window, vehicle and place for all of us to laugh together. Laughing is the universal language that keeps us bonded during tough and hard times. I can promise to everyone reading this that, Sempertoons will always be there for them when they need it.

My vision is to let everyone know this and let them find their own way through the humor. Regardless of the path, when you look around you are still bonded to your fellow brothers and sisters. "Now That's Semper Fi"

I would ask everyone to have fun with the following statement.... "Have you been Sempertoon'ed?"


And, here's an earlier one that you'll enjoy too:



There's more at his Sempertoons website. And his books and new challenge coin would make a marvelous gift for Marines or their parents. With Mother's Day and Father's Day coming up, it's well worth a visit.

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March 08, 2006



USMC Silent Drill Team

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March 07, 2006



Supporting our Injured Troops

USMC Major Steve Danyluk spent a few months in Iraq back in 2004, working to make Iraq a better place for the people who live there. During his stay, he took some wonderful photographs that were debuted at an exhibition hosted by The Wounded Bookshop last June. Now, he's put his photographs on a website and is offering them for sale with all proceeds generated to the Semper Fi Fund, a 501c3 that benefits wounded Marines and their families. If you're looking for a special gift for a special someone, consider purchasing one of his photographs. It will be unique and you'll know that your purchase will be helping a Marine who has put his or her life on the line for your freedom. Here's the link: Steve Danyluk's Photos More pictures can be found here. These would make lovely gifts for parents of Marines . . . and Mother's Day and Father's Day are coming up. Hint.

Posted by Deb at 10:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





AP report from the Syrian Border

One of the most encouraging bits of news from Husaybah is that reporters are now sending reports from the town. Just a year ago, the area was considered too dangerous for anyone but the 200 1/7 Baker Company Marines who were assigned to that remote outpost. Even visiting generals went no further than Al Qaim - 12 miles and a lifetime away.

Conditions have improved. Here's a report on a typical raid that happened last week when Antonio Castaneda, reporter with RCT-7 accompanied a squad of 3/6 Lima Company Marines on a routine patrol:

Yesterday morning I woke up around 4 a.m. to begin the day by walking through the chilly, dark city of Husaybah with about two dozen Marines. The Marines had night vision goggles to help them navigate through the dirt or crudely paved roads; I just tried to follow the sound of the quiet, soft crunch of the pair of boots in front of me and not trip on anything.

The Marines were on a joint mission with dozens of Iraqi soldiers to "sweep" through a neighborhood, essentially house-to-house searches, in this city along the Syrian border. Every home in the area had been searched in November during a major offensive, leading to a sharp reduction in insurgent attacks, but U.S. commanders this time wanted the Iraqi soldiers to get the experience of planning and executing a large-scale operation.

The Iraqis were just waking up when we arrived at their base, gathering in line to pick up their breakfast of two pieces of bread, cheese, and their most prized sustenance: small cups of hot, sweet tea. I sat on a plastic lawn chair and tried to stay out of the cold outside, hoping that the sun would be up by the time we hit the streets.

Over the past year I've been on several of these operations, which have subsequently led me through hundreds of Iraqi homes as U.S. troops search through mattresses, cupboards, backyards and anything else for weapons or insurgent paraphernalia. Many times the Iraqis were ready for the troops, with all their doors and drawers unlocked and their family's AK-47 unloaded and sitting on a table. On a few occasions the families were visibly irate at the intrusion, such as one time in the small town of Bidimnah where a man complained that soldiers tracked mud on his carpet.

After about four hours of searching Thursday, I walked into a courtyard where a group of about five Marines were huddled around a young girl covered in flies. She was partially wrapped in a white flour sack and trembling, apparently from some severe neurological disorder. She was close to death. Her mother spoke with tears in her eyes while some young boys, apparently neighborhood kids, ambled around the yard and curiously watched the Marines grouped around the girl. Every few minutes the girl would let out a short gasp. "This is just so sad," said one Marine, while most stood quietly watching with somber expressions.

One Marine unsuccessfully tried to swat away the dozens of flies hovering around the girl with a towel. The flour sack she was covered in had a large "Made in the USA" tag on its front. The commanding officer, Capt. Richard Pitchford of Norfolk, Virginia, immediately called headquarters for permission to have her evacuated. First a Marine doctor would be sent to see what could be done before a helicopter would be summoned.

"If she could get 24-hour care, she'd probably live for a while. But it sounds like the parents don't want to do that," said Lt. Brent Zamzow of Gaylord, Mich., as he took the girl's vital signs and explained that even advanced treatment would probably only prolong the inevitable by days. An Iraqi interpreter said the family was anxious about having her sent away to a military base for treatment.

By this point the operation was complete, with all the nearby homes searched. Pitchford remained in the courtyard, mostly quiet with the Marines around the girl. In the end, he ordered his Marines to regularly check up on the girl on their patrols to see if any medication or supplies were needed. They closed the gates and left in a long line of armored vehicles.

Posted by Deb at 09:02 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



March 06, 2006



1/7 Marines arrive on the Syrian border

1/7 Marines have landed in Iraq and are settling in for seven months on the Syrian border. First reports are encouraging according to my Marine son who called this afternoon - no IEDs when they toured the town in their LAVs. It's all good.

LtCol Marano, Battalion Commander sent this letter out to families shortly before they left:

We, the Marines and Sailors of the First Team, will soon begin our deployment to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. I would like to share a few thoughts with you, our family and friends, as we leave home one more time. I am the most fortunate man in the world as I have the honor of serving with the bravest and most capable Marines and Sailors in our Corps - your sons and husbands. We have trained hard for eight months and I can report to you today that we are well-led and ready for what is to come. No two deployments are ever the same, and this one will be different from our last. Much has changed in our Area of Operations, and the situation on the ground has changed considerably since the First Team last patrolled Western Al Anbar Province. For the first time, I am optimistic that we are making a difference and will eventually succeed - and I base that optimism on a cold analysis of the facts on the ground. Large numbers of Iraqi soldiers and police are in place or will soon be. In fact, we have an entire brigade of Iraqi soldiers operating with us, not long ago there were none. We will soon have hundreds of Iraqi police operating with us, not long ago there were none. The platoons and companies of the First Team will conduct joint patrols with these Iraqi security forces; my goal is to start turning urban areas back to Iraqi control during our deployment. None of this will be easy. Training Iraqi security forces to do the job that US Forces currently do will be difficult, plus Iraq remains a violent and dangerous place even on a good day. Your Marines and Sailors, however, are up to the job. This battalion has a proud history, your loved ones will be writing a new chapter of it.

I want all the families to know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers and know that we remain in yours. Despite the frequent separations, you have remained strong and have kept the faith with us, and each other, especially during periods of maximum stress and high anxiety. These deployments are much harder on wives than Marines. You must keep the family going by yourself, taking care of everything from children's grades to the leaking radiator while wondering and worrying about your husband and your family's future. Your strength is comforting to us and your support of each other forms the basis of what is a very strong support organization.

I would like to recognize the fine work of the battalion's Key Volunteers. These ladies have provided us the love and support we need as we embark on this latest deployment. They have worked selflessly to make sure that every family has the information they need and is prepared for the hardships of this deployment. I want to thank each one of you from the bottom of my heart.


Each platoon will be working directly with an Iraqi Army platoon. By the time 1/7 leaves next fall, these soldiers will have gained invaluable skills from our Marines - the best trained and most revered fighting force in the world.

However, alliances are formed on arenas other than the battlefield. An early request from 1/7 is for baseball gloves, bats, balls, and other gear so that they can introduce their Iraqi brothers to this most American game. (They know they'll get their butts handed to them on the soccer field but this will help even the score.)

One week down, seven months to go.

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Back at the blogging keyboard

Thanks to all of you who have sent notes wondering where we were. We've been in recovery from Operation Santa (over 12,000 stockings mailed), and I've had my son home on predeployment leave. He left for the sandbox last Monday and has arrived safely at his not-quite-final destination. Thank God. Now, to catch up.

I'll post more on these later, but Sempertoons has graciously offered to provide us with weekly cartoons about life in the Corps. I picked up one of their books while visiting the Marine Base at 29 Palms last week. Good stuff and you'll enjoy it.

Steve Danyluk has put his excellent photographs, taken while he was deployed in Iraq, on the market and all proceeds will support wounded troops. He's a great photographer and I'll have more on this tomorrow.

Marcel Rust, proud father of a junior race car driver in Florida, is spearheading Adopt a Marine. He's taken on the task of making sure that 1/7 Marines who deployed last week are well supplied with love from home. More on that later this week too.

Nice to be back - both here and at home. This has been a week of travel - flew to Florida for a wedding and to California where I missed seeing my son off by 18 hours. The deployment leave window was moved up at the last minute and it was too late to change my ticket - no seats left. That was a disappointment.

I drove my son's truck from the base home. It's big. Three times as big as my car (with 1/3 the gas mileage - ahem) although I only got stopped once for hugging the fog line. The very nice California Highway Patrol Officer who stopped me was a former Marine who had also been stationed at 29 Palms. No ticket, just a gentle suggestion to find a hotel and stop for the night. Good idea. Sleep is a wonderful thing.

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