Military News: 14 May 2007

Here are four articles which I find rather inspiring. I hope you do, too.

This first story is one that really touched my heart. You guys rock!

CJTF-HOA members donate time, supplies and compassion to orphanage.

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti – Nestled in a remote and unassuming part of the city, a local Djibouti City orphanage awaits the arrival of members from Camp Lemonier. The children who live at the orphanage are in need of supplies, donations, and most important of all…love and affection.

Prior to the group’s departure from the base chapel, the seven volunteers made up of U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marines, made last-minute preparations for their trip to the orphanage by loading up supplies. The supplies were donated by both camp members and from a Marine master sergeant’s hometown friends who organized a donation drive to provide the children with gifts of goodwill and compassion. [Continue reading.]

Next we have a successful story of a province by the name of Maysan, albeit it does not come without setbacks and hardships.

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs.

Security authority for Maysan province was recently transferred to provincial Iraqi government. The province was the fourth to do this, and marks a milestone of 75 percent of Southeast Iraq as being transferred to provincial Iraqi control. The province had previously been under the authority of the U.K. military.

The Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team has worked behind the scenes in all this. Not only do they work closely with Maysan officials to create and strengthen transparent and accountable government institutions, but they also advise Iraqis on promoting development in the political and economic areas, and work to help improve essential services. [Continue reading.

If this doesn't show success, I don't know what will.

Dhi Qar PRT successes showing through.

Security authority for Dhi Qar has been under Provincial Iraqi Control for almost six months now, and many successes in the province are starting to show through.

The Iraqis who live in Dhi Qar province are now finding opportunities they never had under Saddam. The Provincial Reconstruction Team, which was set up last year, has been acting as advisers to the Iraqis, helping them determine which steps will best suit them to get Iraq to stand up on its own. To accomplish that goal, the PRT has been working with many different groups in the area, from U.S. and Coalition military to foreign civilian and Iraqi nationals. [Continue reading.]

This province has been in control of themselves ever since July 2006! Wait a minute. I thought they were not standing up? Yeah, maybe those 'reporters' ought to go out there and REPORT!

Muthanna PRT under Iraqi control.

...Muthanna became the first Iraqi province to take the lead on governing its own province. This step allowed the provincial police and Iraqi Army to be the first responders’ to any crisis in the province. However, the PRT still helps the government in taking further steps to helping its people. [Continue reading.]

Please keep your prayers and hopes coming for our three missing men. They are still alive, and we must find them. Thank you.

Rule of Law to Reign Supreme for Victory in Iraq

There is a fabulous article about the path to victory that I believe everyone should read. There are three positions of contention that need to be given special attention to if we desire to see Iraq survive as a civillized nation.

The first is the judical system. When Saddam was in charge, everyone knew the verdict before they went before the court. That is no longer the case. Now when people go to court, the rule of law shall be applied fairly to each person, no matter their standing.

Secondly, the prisons need to be integrated into a place where there is no torture, no abuse, etc. These places shall be integral in the success for a trusted judical system.

Thirdly, the police need to make the Iraqi people feel as though they can trust these guys. They used to be feared, so it will take some time and effort to have this come about. These are the three legs upon which victory actually stands.

Does the military play a part? Definitely! We must keep Iraq as stable as possible for the Iraqi people to start trusting their own police and judicial system again, if not for the first time. How long will this take? I do not know. Why don't you tell me when we leave Germany, Japan, South Korea, Bosnia and Kosovo...

If the link above no longer works, try this one.

Source: CENTCOM News Feed. If you wish to have this feed, just e-mail me. I will help you to get it. Have a great day.

Iraqi Policeman stops chemical attack

Here is an article by Fox News about the terrorists attempt to use chlorine gas as a weapon, but an Iraqi policeman stopped them.

BAGHDAD — Iraqi police detained a man as he was trying to detonate an explosives-laden truck filled with chlorine in Ramadi, the military said Sunday.

The incident occurred Friday afternoon when a white cargo truck stopped near the entrance to a police station, about 150 yards from a water treatment plant in the Sunni city, according to a statement.

Police detained the driver after discovering the truck was rigged with more than two tons of explosives. Five, 1,000-gallon barrels filled with chlorine also were hidden under several 55-gallon drums, the military said.

• Visit FOXNews.com's Iraq Center for more in-depth coverage.

The driver was being held for questioning and the explosives were destroyed by demolition experts, the statement added.

There have been seven chlorine attacks launched since Jan. 28, when a homicide bomber driving a dump truck filled with explosives and a chlorine tank struck a quick-reaction force and Iraqi police in Ramadi, killing 16 people.

The use of the toxic gas in attacks has prompted the U.S. military to warn that insurgents are adopting new tactics in a campaign to spread panic.

It appears to me anyway that the Iraqis are standing up for their own defense. The only problem is, I have been seeing this for a long time now. It is sad that the people on the Left cannot or will not report these incidences...