Major Highways Project in Uganda!

If you are not familiar with the area, then allow to fill you in a little. Do you remember all those floods we read about and saw on TV a few years back? Well, many of those people were trapped, because bridges that were built there did not take into consideration the levels of the flood waters. Even with the bridges, they could not pass to higher grounds.

Please remember, I am not sure if this is where the floods occurred. I am just using this as a frame of referrence and a theory. Why? I'm so glad you asked!

Currently, the surface of the road is two meters above the river bed, but during floods the water level rises to nearly four meters high. The new box culvert bridge will accommodate for the flood water levels.

To fix this issue, the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 will construct a box culvert bridge approximately 20 meters long and five meters wide. The project will consist of backfilling, compacting, reinforcing and re-grading the portion of the road near the culvert that is damaged. On the entrance and exit sides to the new box culvert bridge, the road will be reinforced for approximately five meters to ensure stability of the entire structure. The Seabees will also re-build the Walela Bridge so local villagers have another avenue to travel as well. [Continue reading.]

The Civil Affairs (CA), which is an arm of the CJTF-HOA (Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa), has taken this under their wing. Please read this artice to find out how far they have come and how far they have yet to go. Thank you.

Americans, Wake Up!

It would appear that even after September 11, 2001, some people still do not understand that this is an ideologic war most of all. After all, who is doing most of the bombing of innocents and most of the blaming? I AM TALKING ABOUT THIS CENTURY. Good God.

Maybe I should let someone else speak for a moment.

How many more terror plots will we unravel before one slips through the net and is carried out again domestically? N.Y. City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said after the announcement of the arrests on Face the Nation, “Al Qaida is a philosophy now..it’s a movement.” Well, that is a good first step away from denial. It has only taken six years to get that baby step. But it is not Al Qaeda only. I pray it will not take another 6 years for Americans to comprehend that the philosophical problem is political Islam. The President’s lack of clarity and leadership in naming the ideology of our enemy, the inconsistency of Islamism with American pluralism, and the primary responsibility of Muslims not only to counter terror but to defeat political Islam will continue to give American Islamists the cover they need to grow under his watch with the stamp of approval of the Bush administration. Until we are willing to unravel the ideology which facilitates and apologizes for terror, we are ‘stuck in the mud.’

On June 2, 2007, right after the announcement of the JFK Plot arrests, U.S. Attorney, Roslynn Mauskopf read a statement stating,

“the defendants are charged with conspiring to bomb one of the busiest airports in the United States, located in the one of the most densely populated areas in the northeast…had the plot been carried out, it could have resulted in unfathomable damage, deaths, and destruction.”

This last time the Islamists were driven by a hate for the Kennedy name, but it derives from the same hate for America which is a common manifestation of global Islamism. In the daily practice of medicine, it would be malpractice to have a disease smolder with such a predictable recurrence of acutely possibly fatal exacerbations over a prolonged period of time while a physician only treated the symptoms and ignored the primary cause—political Islam. That is, except in the case of the terminal hospice patient. An unending series of plots across the globe against liberal democracies is our long war against an ideology. That ideology is not terror. It is political Islam.

Would you believe him if he were a Christian? A Jew? How about a Hindu?

Mr. President, as a devout Muslim, I can tell you that the only way the United States can make progress in this war is to have your administration give anti-Islamist Muslims acknowledgement for the centrality of their ideas in this war of ideologies. We can defeat political Islam only if we engage it and marginalize Islamists while positively engaging spiritual Islam. It is time for the administration to set the parameters defining the ideology we are fighting and be critical of organizations which facilitate it. The words of encouragement and admonition to Muslim organizations to lead the charge against radicalism are too vague. The reality is that the priorities, ideologies, and minority politics of the current agenda of the Islamic organizations the administration has courted and which attended last Wednesday’s press conference are far from being on the right page in this conflict.

Yes, he is a Muslim who has been speaking out against these Islamists for years, but who has heard him? Who will give him the time of day? The press?

The informants and so many others have stepped up in connection with other foiled plots despite the pressures against them from Islamists and the MSM. MSM often feed into conspiracy theories about informants, by legitimizing the victimization of Muslims for being “coerced” as informants. The Denver Post made just such a claim as recently as May 18, 2007. Their report claimed that, “Arab-Americans and Muslims are concerned about FBI efforts to recruit them as informants and other tactics designed to prevent terrorism.” This story was, to no one’s surprise, picked up and widely distributed by the Islamist organizations, e.g. CAIR.

And you wonder why CAIR is prevelant with only 1700 members? America had better wake up to real and true threat that we are all facing. If you would like to read his entire article, you will find it here. You may also reach him at his site: American Islamic Forum for Democracy. If you keep up with his writings and read his site often, you may learn a lot more than what the establiment is telling you.

Before I end this post, I just want England and Scotland to know that I have not forgotten them, and they are in my prayers. I am gathering 'news' to try to determine what is really happening over there. I thank God, my Lord in Christ, that everyone is okay...this time. America, WAKE UP!

Hat tip: Thank you, Mr. Jasser.

HOA: Medics educate and Seabees complete project

Cross-posted at Rosemary's Thoughts.

For some reason, the Horn of Africa has gotten my heart. I can see it has gotten the hearts of many of our military men and women as well. They are doing such a fantastic job over there.

In this first article, the medical personnel are taking classes so that they can help those people who live in isolated areas. They just don't want them to die if they could prevent it.

CAMP LEMONIER, DJIBOUTI - In deployed locations, corpsmen and medics can’t be everywhere. It’s important for all service members to become Combat Life Savers so they can be trained in how to save a life in a remote location. The first few minutes of a traumatic injury are crucial to the victim’s survival, which is why it’s important to know at least basic life saving skills.
[...]
“It is just no longer plausible for the medics and corpsmen to provide all the initial care in the modern battle field,” said Ingemunsun. “They are limited and can not help everyone at one time. The more service members that get the proper training, the more people that can be saved.” [Continue reading.]

These people are certainly impressive, if not to you, to me. The deserve our Honor. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the Armed Services.

This next article is a sweet one. When I think of Seabees, I do not think of them doing anything on land. I know. They are not fish, but I just don't. Wait until you read this!

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti – Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 spent the better part of June 13 cutting down trees at the Djibouti Hospital to make room for a community relations project that will include gazeboes that will improve the quality of life of the community.

The Djiboutians originally started removing the trees, but were unable to complete the project because they didn’t have the right tools. The director of the Djibouti Hospital asked Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Charlie Company, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion for assistance. They in turn coordinated with the Seabees to get manpower and tools. [Continue reading.]

These guys are outstanding in my book, and they should outstanding your book as well!

Operation Thanks for Freedom!

Help collect cards, e-mails, etc, to send to the troops for the Fourth of July. Details at DoD Daily News-2. This will remain up until June 9, 2007. Have a blessed day.

Military News: 15 May 2007

There are some difficult articles and some really good articles in today's report. Let's start with a reconstruction in Basra article.

Basrah Public Works Initiative Complements Provincial Reconstruction Teams.

BASRAH, Iraq – Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) began as a concept in Afghanistan, developed by then U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad. They proved to be so successful that when Khalilzad was named Ambassador to Iraq in June 2005, he decided PRTs would be a good way to develop capacity in that country as well. PRTs are now being established in each Iraqi province. [Continue reading.]

This is the story I want everyone to put their hearts and prayers into. This is about the three men missing in action in Iraq.

General Cites ‘Massive Effort’ Under Way to Find Missing Soldiers

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2007 – The U.S. military, coalition partners and Iraqi security forces are making a “massive effort” to find three American soldiers missing in Iraq since May 12, a senior U.S. military officer said today.

“We are using every asset and resource available to the United States and our Iraqi allies in these efforts,” Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq, said during a videotaped release broadcast on the Pentagon Channel today. [Continue reading.]

Here is a story of a man who found himself in a different kind of war and himself.

Former Infantryman Finds Calling in Civil Affairs.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GHAZNI, Afghanistan — It was clear to Army Sgt. Drew Pylant as his convoy pulled up to the district center, framed against the snow-capped mountains of eastern Afghanistan, that he wasn’t fighting in the same kind of war that his father and grandfather fought in.

On an icy February morning in Ghazni Province, many years ago, he pulled up his neck gaiter to try and fight off the penetrating cold as he sat behind his M-249 squad automatic weapon. Even though he spent years running and training with this same weapon, he doubted his skills with it would come in use that day, or ever, because his mission had changed. [Continue reading.]

This is a wonderful article about the first Muslim to be in command of an Aviation Squadron!

First Muslim to Take Command of Aviation Squadron.

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea – Cmdr. Muhammad Muzzafar F. Khan relieved Cmdr. Timothy Langdon as commanding officer of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31 during a ceremony held at sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) May 13.

Khan is the first Muslim to take command of an operational aviation squadron in the U.S. Navy.

The “Topcats” of VS 31 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked aboard Stennis, and currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO). [Continue reading.]

That is quite a mixture of stories. I just wish our media was willing to supply us with such diversity...

Some Good Works Happening in Iraq

It may seem as though it is trivial to us, but I have lived in the campgrounds as child without running water. Where is this leading? Right here:

Anbar Villages Appreciate Water Treatment Investment

RAMADI, Iraq – Residents north of Ramadi, Iraq will soon have fresh, potable water pumped into their homes.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Gulf Region Central district is overseeing the construction of two small water treatment plants as well as the installation of 24,000 meters of water main for Zangora, a community of 48,000 people, in central Iraq. [Continue reading.]

I remember when we moved into the city, the shower and the fresh water were very much appreciated. I was 15 years old. I can only imagine how happy it will make these people. God bless us all.

New blog in Afghanistan, just got there

The name of this site is Bill and Bob's Excellent Adventure, and here is what is written in the 'About me' section:

Citizen soldier with 25 years of service. Volunteered to go to Afghanistan to advise the Afghan National Army as an ETT (Embedded Tactical Trainer.)

View my complete profile.

I'm not sure if it is just one person or two, but I am sure however many it is they will need our support. Let's buck up and keep these guys feeling loved and appreciated. What do ya say? Okay then, head on over there! :)

Let's get moving on those cards for Vets!

When you came to this site (if you came by way of homepage), you noticed a post that will remain up there until June 9, 2007. It is there to call your attention to a campaign we are running to gather over 5,000 cards (we only have 50 so far) to send to our troops who are risking their lives so as we may be free. Is a little card too much to ask? Make one! You don't have to buy one if you really don't have the money. It really IS the thought that counts. Let them know you are still thinking about and praying for them! Thank you. (You will find instructions for Operation Thanks for Freedom is here.)

Did I happen to mention that these cards are for the Fourth of July, otherwise known as Independence Day, for which we are all extremely grateful? Nudge, nudge...

News from CENTCOM: 3/13/2007

CENTCOM has some very good articles today. Not that they don't have them everyday, but these are the ones I received. lol.

There are five altogether:

Two ANP saved by quick response by Army Sgt.
What are the terrorists saying?
Navy’s First Riverine Squadron Deploys.
45th MedCo works closely with Marines to save lives.
PRT Helps Afghanis to Help Themselves.

Happy reading. I really must lay down now. :)

News inside Iraq

Today I was checking out the new look of CENTCOM, and it is very nice. They even have a dictionary for all those alphabet terms! That's for us lay people. :)

While I was over there, I read four articles that I thought might interest you. First there was this one: Suspected terrorists hit in air strike near Arab Jabour. This is a good one, because they killed some terrorists during that air strike. Intel was that these a--holes were responsible for many of the VBIED's and sniper attacks against the civillians in Iraq. They also took some weapons off the street.

Next there was this one: Iraqi, Coalition Forces Battle Terrorists After Investigating IED Blast. This is just one of those slow but sure steps we are taking to build a stand alone Army for the Iraqis. Along side of our Coalition Forces, the Iraqi Army did not run away. Great job, all of you.

Thirdly, there is a humanitarian effort: Two Shammar Tribe villages enjoy civil affairs' school renovations. This is a pretty remarkable story. The NGO's actually hire the Iraqis from the town itself. This may help in the prospect that most people do not have a desire to destroy that for which they have built.

Lastly, the Iraqi Forces did this one all on their own: Iraqi Army, Cavalry take fight to the enemy...again. (I know that Cavalry should be spelled Calvary but since the article used that spelling, I gave them the benefit of doubt. Maybe that is the way it is translated in Arabic.)

This article is very remarkable. The Iraqi Troops handled this one on their own. You are going to read it. :)

Sources: CENTCOM 1, 2, 3 and 4. Since you already have those links above, I am going to also give you the links you may use in case you run into difficulty with those links: 1, 2, 3 and 4.