Military Dog Picture of the Week/ Breaking Iraq
I happened upon the photo above on Twitter from a kind Canadien chap. This is an absolute heart melting photo!
Thanks for sharing Dave……..his caption was, ”Tracer, Trooper & Trigger … Handler Sergeant J. White, CD”
I simply loved it and had to share!
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Completely changing gears here, I wanted to let you all know about a new book coming out that I’m very interested in reading entitled, Breaking Iraq – The Ten Mistakes That Broke Iraq.
The book will be released on March 19, the 10th Anniversary of the war in Iraq and was written by Colonel (Retired) Ted Spain and Terry D. Turchie, a former Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division of the FBI.
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment provide security as their military working dog drinks water after climbing a ridge in the Spin Boldak district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 3, 2013. The unit assisted Afg
Colonel Spain commanded the 18th Military Police Brigade during the ground war and subsequent occupation of Iraq. I served in this brigade with Colonel Spain. He is a great man and leader.
I’ve got a quick and funny story to tell you. In 2003, I flew to Kuwait wearing civilian clothes in business class to fight in this war. These business class tickets were the only ones the government could get us flying into Kuwait at this time. It wasn’t how I envisioned going to war!
I was part of the 709th Military Police Battalion’s small advance party into Kuwait prior to the ground war. Colonel Spain was one of the personnel that met us at the airport and escorted us to the isolated Camp Virginia in the dessert of Kuwait where we prepared for war.
Man I could tell you some great stories about these times…… spending a month in the sand storms of Kuwait or the actual invasion of Iraq.
But back to my point- I need to read Breaking Iraq – The Ten Mistakes That Broke Iraq.
Why?
Lance Cpl. Thomas Foster takes a rest with his military working dog Diamond during a patrol through Boldak, Afghanistan March 6. Foster is a member of Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. (Photo by Sgt. Bobby J. Yarbrough)
There were so many things, as a young Captain, that I didn’t understand during Operation Iraqi Freedom I? I need answers.
I also need to know why Baghdad was essentially a lawless city and the Iraqi Police dysfunctional and ineffective when I showed up with my company for Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
The forward to Breaking Iraq – The Ten Mistakes That Broke Iraq was written by Tom Ricks and in the book Colonel Spain reveals his personal involvement in the pre-war planning, the invasion, and the first year of the occupation.
This is a very short narrative of the ten mistakes:
1.Secretary Rumsfeld’s deployment plans did not include an adequate number of military police to control the routes during the ground war, nor sufficient military police to help control the streets after the ground war. This contributed to the Jessica Lynch fiasco and the chaos on the streets of Baghdad.
2. Law and Order was not given sufficient attention in the pre-war planning. This failed to provide a police system to provide security to the Iraqi citizenry and to instill a sense of trust in our Army.
3. The categories of the thousands of detainees were never clear, causing confusion as to the proper legal treatment. Were they enemy, terrorist, or criminal? What’s the difference?
4. The process of collecting intelligence from the detainees was flawed from the pre-war planning sessions, during the ground war, and during the subsequent occupation. This set the stage for abuse, including the Abu Ghraib Prison scandal.
5. Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, the warden of Abu Ghraib Prison, was the wrong leader at the wrong place at the wrong time. Her appointment resulted in scandal and loss of trust in American forces by Iraqi citizenry.
Spc. Hugo, explosive detection dog with the Tactical Explosive Detection Dog program assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), obeys the order to stay and watched his handler’s gestures carefully on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, Feb. 26, 2013. The TEDD program partners soldiers and dogs to assist in finding road side bombs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. photo by Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton Task Force 3/101 Public Affairs)
6. Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, Commander of all military forces in Iraq during the occupation was over his head, and continued fighting the ground war, long after it was over.
7. The Coalition Provisional Authority, under the leadership of L. Paul Bremer, dismantled the Iraqi Army, and the highest level of the Ba’ath Party. We lost some of the most experienced personnel that were so vital in putting Iraq back together again.
8. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik was more focused on padding his resume, and getting camera time, than helping stand up a viable Iraqi Police Services.
Sgt. Misa, a military working dog with the Tactical Explosive Detection Dog program assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), jumps over a wall of an obstacle course during a demonstration on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, Feb. 26, 2013. The obstacle course is designed to test the dogs possible deployment scenarios, as well as keep them physically fit for duty. (U.S. photo by Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton Task Force 3/101 Public Affairs)
9. Because standing up an Iraqi Police Service was focused on quantity, not quality, we never completely knew who we could trust.
10.President Bush’s coalition of the willing was only a coalition in name. Even those that were willing, were not able. Only a couple of countries contributed to gaining stability in Iraq.
Colonel Spain never held any punches as my Brigade Commander and I’m sure he won’t in his book. For me, Breaking Iraq – The Ten Mistakes That Broke Iraq is a must read.
Every wonder how an Iraqi veteran felt about our withdrawal? Here are my thoughts.
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20 comments on “Military Dog Picture of the Week/ Breaking Iraq”
Leave a Reply
Crikey, I can’t get over the total, intense, 100% concentration and focus of Tracer, Trooper & Trigger! Amazing pic, thank you Kevin.
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Kevin Hanrahan says:
That is a good one. It put a smile on my face!
Jani Muhlestein says: They’re so cute! And so very pleased with themselves. As they should be.
Excellent post, Kevin, I’ve had the same questions, I’ll have to get the book, too. Sometimes we forget how much individual contributions, or lack thereof, go into making or breaking a huge operation.
But, once again, thank you for your service. And for your continued willingness to be there for all of us.
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Hi Jani. I know……they look so proud of themselves!
You are so right….. I’ve always taken these things for granted…..not able to see the bigger picture b/c I’m elbow deep in it.
It is great to take a step back and look at these things after some time has passed. I can’t wait to read this book!
Hi Kevin,
Love the dog photos, as always! I’m not sure I’ll be able to read the book – the topic makes me too angry. Making mistakes in your own life is one thing. Screwing up millions of lives through bad planning and poor execution is unforgivable. Not to mention the dollar cost to ALL tax-paying Americans, money we need for infrastructure here on the continent! It’s one thing to defend freedom around the world, a goal I am heartily behind. It’s another thing altogether to squander lives and resources on a poorly conceived mission. Grrrrrr!
Hugs to you and the pooches,
Carole
PS The commentluv points to a post on our latest spay/neuter campaign. Enjoy!
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Thanks Carole. It is a tough topic but I want to make sure I learn from the mistakes. Maybe someday I would the Colonel Spain of the next war…..
I just hope the politicians are learning from these mistakes as well!I’ll for sure check out your post on what you are doing down south!
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I don’t want there to be a next war for you to be the Colonel Spain of… We deserve some peace. Time to rebuild. To heal. And if they shipped you out again, who would give your faithful readers their bi-weekly dosage of K. Hanrahan?
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Thanks Jani. I hope your wishes come true.
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The Canadian dogs are priceless! Will let friends know about the book; the content is important even if it makes us cringe.
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Thanks Carmen!
It makes me cringe as well but I hope it contains answers to why that conflict dragged on for far too long.
Sally Lowen says: Picture is terrific! I am ordering the book. The 10 mistakes are pretty much the things my husband and I have said many times. This past 10 years has caused so much pain and suffering for our military and your families and those of us who have “no skin in the game” as the saying goes must make our support known. Yesterday a retired AF Vietnam participant was in a coffee shop and the server brought over a $10 gift card from another vet who saw our friends cap. He had tears in his eyes when he told us. I wish I could do something other than say Thank You for each and every one of you and you families! My Mal says thank also -she was 5 years in Iraq.
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Hi Sally, terrific…I already ordered my copy! The link I included has the best deal for the book….at Barnes and Noble.
I still wonder why…when it comes to Iraq. I’m proud of what we did but I will never honestly know why we went there.
Mr. Rachford's Ire says: Now that is the true and faithful “Three Musketeers.” Just add the swords. Love it, thanks.
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Ha! Thanks, this is a fab picture!
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Thank you!
Sally Lowen says: Kevin, have You read UNTIL YUESDAY, A WOUNDED WARRIOR AND THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER WHO SAVED HIM? Can’t recall authors last name, he was a Captain in Iraq, first name Luis -easy to find on Amazon. Well told story which I loved. Have a great weekend with your family. Ordered the Spain book.
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I haven’t Sally. I’m actually reading James Rollins….Bloodline right now. It has a military dog in it named Kane. A pretty darm cool book! I will check this one out though!
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Darla Hobson says:
The author is Carlos Montalvan. I loved that book!
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Thanks Darla!
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Crikey, I can’t get over the total, intense, 100% concentration and focus of Tracer, Trooper & Trigger! Amazing pic, thank you Kevin.
That is a good one. It put a smile on my face!
They’re so cute! And so very pleased with themselves. As they should be.
Excellent post, Kevin, I’ve had the same questions, I’ll have to get the book, too. Sometimes we forget how much individual contributions, or lack thereof, go into making or breaking a huge operation.
But, once again, thank you for your service. And for your continued willingness to be there for all of us.
Hi Jani. I know……they look so proud of themselves!
You are so right….. I’ve always taken these things for granted…..not able to see the bigger picture b/c I’m elbow deep in it.
It is great to take a step back and look at these things after some time has passed. I can’t wait to read this book!
Hi Kevin,
Love the dog photos, as always! I’m not sure I’ll be able to read the book – the topic makes me too angry. Making mistakes in your own life is one thing. Screwing up millions of lives through bad planning and poor execution is unforgivable. Not to mention the dollar cost to ALL tax-paying Americans, money we need for infrastructure here on the continent! It’s one thing to defend freedom around the world, a goal I am heartily behind. It’s another thing altogether to squander lives and resources on a poorly conceived mission. Grrrrrr!
Hugs to you and the pooches,
Carole
PS The commentluv points to a post on our latest spay/neuter campaign. Enjoy!
Thanks Carole. It is a tough topic but I want to make sure I learn from the mistakes. Maybe someday I would the Colonel Spain of the next war…..
I just hope the politicians are learning from these mistakes as well!
I’ll for sure check out your post on what you are doing down south!
I don’t want there to be a next war for you to be the Colonel Spain of… We deserve some peace. Time to rebuild. To heal. And if they shipped you out again, who would give your faithful readers their bi-weekly dosage of K. Hanrahan?
Thanks Jani. I hope your wishes come true.
The Canadian dogs are priceless! Will let friends know about the book; the content is important even if it makes us cringe.
Thanks Carmen!
It makes me cringe as well but I hope it contains answers to why that conflict dragged on for far too long.
Picture is terrific! I am ordering the book. The 10 mistakes are pretty much the things my husband and I have said many times. This past 10 years has caused so much pain and suffering for our military and your families and those of us who have “no skin in the game” as the saying goes must make our support known. Yesterday a retired AF Vietnam participant was in a coffee shop and the server brought over a $10 gift card from another vet who saw our friends cap. He had tears in his eyes when he told us. I wish I could do something other than say Thank You for each and every one of you and you families! My Mal says thank also -she was 5 years in Iraq.
Hi Sally, terrific…I already ordered my copy! The link I included has the best deal for the book….at Barnes and Noble.
I still wonder why…when it comes to Iraq. I’m proud of what we did but I will never honestly know why we went there.
Now that is the true and faithful “Three Musketeers.” Just add the swords. Love it, thanks.
Ha! Thanks, this is a fab picture!
Wonderful photo of the Canadian dogs! They are the picture of devotion!
Thank you!
Kevin, have You read UNTIL YUESDAY, A WOUNDED WARRIOR AND THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER WHO SAVED HIM? Can’t recall authors last name, he was a Captain in Iraq, first name Luis -easy to find on Amazon. Well told story which I loved. Have a great weekend with your family. Ordered the Spain book.
I haven’t Sally. I’m actually reading James Rollins….Bloodline right now. It has a military dog in it named Kane. A pretty darm cool book! I will check this one out though!
The author is Carlos Montalvan. I loved that book!
Thanks Darla!