War On Terror News

Somali Pirates Hijack Malaysian Ship, 23 Crew

30 November 2010 VOA News Somali pirates have hijacked a Malaysian-flagged container ship in the Indian Ocean.

Multiple sources said Tuesday that pirates seized the MV Albedo west of the Maldives islands on Friday.  The ship was en route from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya.

The European Union's anti-piracy force says the Albedo 

Denmark top leadership visits Leatherneck

Regional Command Southwest  

11.29.2010 Story by Sgt. Shawn Coolman CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - The Danish ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense visited Camp Leatherneck and received progress reports on Helmand province, Nov. 29.

Lene Espersen, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs (far left), Gitte Lillelund Bech, Danish Minister of Defense (second from left) discuss topics on Afghanistan with Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, commanding general, Regional Command Southwest aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Nov. 29 at the Camp Viking coffee shop. Topics discussed were security, Afghan National Security Force capabilities and civil military operations. Photo by Sgt. Shawn Coolman

Road maintenance teams up and running in Tagab District

11.29.2010 ISAF Joint Command KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Forces are undertaking a pilot program to train and mentor members of the road maintenance team in Tagab District, Kapisa province.

The maintenance teams, part of the ANSF, are made up of local men trained to provide their own security and to maintain roads in surrounding areas, allowing for infrastructure development to take place.

Beyond maintaining the roads, they also sweep the roads to

Scary fun makes for less stress in life

11/29/2010  By Sgt. W. Zach Griffith

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.  — “Holy crap, this is a bad idea.” That’s what was running through the mind of Lucas Alderette the first time he stood with his toes over the precipice of an aircraft door, the verdant landscape of Florida 13,000 feet below him.

Adrenaline coursed through his body, kicking his heart rate through the roof and slowing down his perception of time so he could see, in great detail, that he was jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Luckily for Alderette, he was strapped to a professional sky diver and in less danger (statistically speaking) plummeting toward the hard Earth at terminal velocity then he was while driving to the drop zone a few hours earlier.

Fifty seconds and 7,500 feet later, the parachute opened and Alderette “had never felt more alive in his life.”

Doing something risky and exciting-while also maintaining a high level of safety- allows us to experience a state of positive stress.

Gunmen Take 9 Hostages in Afghanistan Attack

30 November 2010 VOA News Afghanistan's Interior Ministry says gunmen have attacked a construction company east of the capital, wounding one person and taking nine security guards hostage.

In a statement Tuesday, the ministry said unknown militants took the hostages Monday in Surobi, about 30 kilometers east of Kabul.

The attack came on the same day a man believed to be an Afghan Border Police officer killed six U.S. troops at a training facility in northeastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border.

U.S. officials who declined to be identified confirmed that the six NATO troops killed in the incident were Americans.  

A NATO statement says a gunman wearing an Afghan Border Police uniform turned his weapon on NATO troops during a training mission.  The statement says the assailant was killed during the attack.

NATO has not confirmed the identity of the assailant and said a joint Afghan-ISAF team is investigating the incident.  

In other violence Monday, NATO said a joint Afghan-NATO patrol killed numerous insurgents after multiple engagements in northeastern Kunar province.

A NATO statement says the joint force called for artillery and air support and that initial reports indicate that some 20 insurgents were killed.

Gold Star Mother Offers Inspiration, Hope

11.29.2010 Story by Donna Miles FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Just seven months after her 23-year-old son was killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq, and with three months left before her husband returns from his deployment to Afghanistan, Sheila Patton isn't facing the holidays feeling sorry for herself.

Instead, she's found a calling: helping to bring inspiration and hope to families of fallen soldiers at this post that's suffered a heavy toll in combat losses since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Patton, the wife of Army Command Sgt. Major Gregory Patton, command sergeant major for the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, feels the pain of her son's death as if it had happened yesterday.

Army Staff Sgt. James R. "Jimmy" Patton,

Spanish helicopter unit ready for service in western Afghanistan

11.29.2010 ISAF Joint Command KABUL, Afghanistan – A new Spanish helicopter unit, Aspuhel 19, completed its first tactical mission yesterday with three Cougar AS532s in Herat province.

The unit will support two International Security Assistance Force missions by providing support for Afghan National Security and coalition forces tactical airborne operations and providing medical evacuation if needed.

Forward Operational Base Camp Arena will host the unit for the next 15 months.

“Our main mission is to minimize risks, provide protection and save time, while transporting personnel through the Regional Command West area of responsibility” said Spanish Army Maj. Ignacio Rosales, commander, Aspuhel 19.

This version of the Cougar AS532 has been modified with special armour protection, and has the capability of transporting two tons of personnel or cargo.

Airborne operation sees end of Taliban influence in Helmand village

A Military Operations news article

29 Nov 10 British soldiers and their partners in the Afghan National Police have re-established government control in an area of Helmand province previously under heavy Taliban influence following an operation which began with a helicopter insertion.

Soldiers from D Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and members of the Afghan National Police are inserted by Chinook helicopter into the area of operations  [Picture: Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Operation ZMARAY KARGHA ('Lion Falcon' in English) saw soldiers from D Company of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 SCOTS), and members of the Afghan National Police (ANP) win over the local population and drive out insurgents in the area of Hoorzai.

The aim of the operation was to connect with

Four Islamist Militants Killed in Kyrgyz Police Raid

29 November 2010 VOA News A security official in Kyrgyzstan says four militants were killed during a police raid Monday in the restive, southern city of Osh.

The head of Kyrgyzstan's Security Council, Marat Imankulov, said special forces shot three members of a banned

War In Afghanistan News 30 Nov 2010

War in Afghanistan News reports provided by ISAF Joint Command.  Operations are reported in the following provinces:  Kunar, Ghazni, Helmand, Kandahar, Paktiya, Logar and Wardak.

Close air support sent 20 insurgents to their final resting place.  Multiple weapon caches across Afghanistan were discovered and destroyed.

Unfortunately, 2 children were killed and another was wounded by an IED blast.

VoA: Turkey Leadership Mired in Islamism

WikiLeak Documents Question Turkey's Relationship with US

Istanbul, VoA News:  U.S. diplomats have cast doubts on the reliability of NATO ally Turkey, portraying its leadership as divided and permeated by Islamists. 

Washington describes Ankara as a trusted ally publicly.  But hundreds of thousands of State Department documents leaked Sunday paint a different picture.

U.S. Embassy officials in Ankara describe the Islamist tendencies in the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and say it is unlikely to become a member of the 27-bloc European Union in the future.

Triple Deuce Awarded Meritorious Unit Citation

‘Triple Deuce’ Exceeds Expectations with Afghan National Army
by Petty Officer 1st Class Denise Alford NTM-A

KABUL, Afghanistan - Commander, International Security Assistance Force and Commander U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Gen. David H. Petraeus arrived at the Kabul Military Training Center today to present a Meritorious Unit Commendation to the 2nd Battalion 22nd Infantry Regiment (Triple Deuce) 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Triple Deuce received the award for their exemplary execution of their combat and advisory mission to the Afghan National Army. Petraeus applauded the accomplishments of the unit and shared his appreciation for their success.

“It is great to be with soldiers who have responded exceptionally to this non-standard mission,” he said.

The history of the Triple Deuce can be traced back to the War of 1812 when the original regiment was formed. The regiment has been present in numerous conflicts: Spanish American War, Philippines Insurrection, Vietnam, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Historically, it is rare for a unit to receive an award of this nature while still in theater performing the mission. Typically, it takes six months to one year to receive this award. However, their commitment enabled them to complete the mission far beyond expectations. Triple Deuce was the only battalion with the capability to accomplish this mission.

Show Me Farmer-Soldier Shows Afghans Farming

Returning to his roots: Infantryman shares farming knowledge with Afghans
by Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson CJTF-101

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – He grew up on his father’s farm in Mansfield, Mo. His father was a Marine. His grandfather was a Missouri farmer and a soldier, as was his great-grandfather.

His name is U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Pharris. He is a member of the Khogyani District Agricultural Development Team attached to Company D, 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment. He believes he was destined to be a farmer and an American Soldier.

“My grandfather was a farmer who fought in World War II, and my great grandfather was a Missouri farmer who fought in World War I,” Pharris said. “My dad served in the time that fell between Korea and Vietnam.”

Rakkassans Hunt Down, Eliminate Enemy

Operation Iron Blade II targets insurgents, denies safe haven in Ghazni Province
by 1st Lt. R.j. Peek CJTF-101

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Afghan forces and members of Task Force Iron Rakkasan conducted combined combat operations, taking the fight to an enemy safe haven in Ghazni province Nov. 28.

Soldiers of TF Iron Rakkasan, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, conducted Iron Blade II, a battalion-level operation against a large cluster of villages in the Brimzi area insurgents used as a safe haven for the last several years.

Afghan uniform police and Afghan National Army units combined with Task Force Iron’s three organic infantry companies to attack the safe haven in a pre-dawn operation.

Extreme Makeover, Afghanistan: Balkh Hospital

Balkh public hospital undergoes reconstruction

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – The Balkh public hospital located in Mazar-e Sharif is currently under reconstruction to increase capability for expanded treatment and routine checkups.

“We lost a big part of our treatment possibilities through the fire in our buildings. Although we continue our medical activities we need more space for treatment. There are hundreds of patients every day and it is very hard to treat them fairly,” said Dr. Hamida Elmi, head of the physicians at the Balkh hospital.

Virginia Court Sentences Pirate to 30 Years

Somali Pirate Gets 30 Years for Attack on US Navy Vessel

VoA News: A U.S. court has sentenced a Somali man to 30 years in prison for an attack on a U.S. Navy vessel off the coast of Africa.

A Federal District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, sentenced Jama Idle Ibrahim to 30 years on charges of attack to plunder a vessel, an act of violence against persons on a vessel, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Ibrahim pleaded guilty to those charges in August. Both prosecution and defense agreed at that time that 30 years was an appropriate sentence.

Ibrahim was one of six Somalis accused of the April 2010 attack on the USS Ashland, which they mistook for a merchant ship. He is expected to cooperate in the case against his five co-defendants.

U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride told reporters it was the first sentencing for piracy in Norfolk in more than 150 years.

Two Afghan Kids Killed by Terrorist Explosives

Afghan children killed, wounded in IED strike

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Two Afghan children were killed and one wounded in an improvised explosive device blast in Panjwayi District, Kandahar province, today.

An Afghan National Army and International Security Assistance Force patrol responded to the scene of the blast to investigate the incident. The wounded child was treated on site by ISAF medical personnel.

“The kids in this country are innocent witnesses to insurgent acts of terror and it’s a shame they are continuously on the wrong end of these indiscriminate attacks,” said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command’s Combined Joint Operations Center director. “Our thoughts and concerns are with the victims’ families. We’ll work with our Afghan partners to find those responsible for these attacks and bring them to justice. The people of Afghanistan deserve opportunity to live in a country that’s free of the destruction caused by IEDs.”

Pakistan Fingers 20 Suspects in Mumbai Attack

Pakistan Identifies 20 More Suspects In Mumbai Attacks

VoA News: A Pakistani newspaper says Pakistan has identified 20 additional suspects allegedly involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead.

The online edition of the Express Tribune reports the counter-terrorism wing of a Pakistani federal agency has identified the suspects as members of the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The newspaper, quoting a classified report, said the suspects allegedly provided monetary and logistical support for the attack on India’s financial capital.

Islamists Kidnap Saudi Docter in Yemen

Gunmen in Yemen Kidnap Saudi Doctor

VoA News: Yemeni officials say gunmen in the country’s north have kidnapped the head of a Saudi hospital.

Officials said Monday the Saudi doctor’s abductors have demanded the release of militants in Saudi Arabia. The doctor runs Al-Salam Hospital in Yemen’s northern province of Saada.

A Yemeni news organization (News Yemen) says local officials believe the kidnappers are affiliated with al-Qaida militants.

Earlier this month, the United Nations refugee agency said tensions near Yemen’s northern border with Saudi Arabia are at their highest since Houthi rebels and government forces brokered their truce in February.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been fighting the government since 2004, while al-Qaida’s Yemeni branch has waged a separate battle against the state, mainly in the south.

Video: Marines Report on Pakistan Flood Relief

 In response to severe flooding in Pakistan in the autumn of 2010, the United States responded with a massive humanitarian relief effort. As part of that effort, for two months, Marines with 15th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units saved thousands of lives by using helicopters to deliver world food program supplies to stranded Pakistanis. Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper tells us the Marines with 26th MEU found that compassion can be very rewarding.

 These are Our Marines as dedicated to helping civilians in need as eliminating enemies to safeguard Our Citizens.

Pakistan Convicts 5 Americans For Terrorism

Pakistani Court Seeks Life Imprisonment For Five Americans

VoA News: A Pakistani court said Monday it has accepted a government prosecutor’s request to seek life in prison for five Americans already jailed on terror convictions.

The men, all in their early 20s, were found guilty last June by a court in the eastern city of Sargodha and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Deputy prosecutor Rana Bahktiar told VOA the prosecution is seeking a tougher sentence on behalf of the Punjab provincial government because the initial sentence was too light.

Sticky Bombs Kills Iranian Nuke Scientist in Tehran

Iran Blast

VoA News: Iran Blames Israel, US In Death of Nuclear Scientist

Iranian officials are blaming Israeli and U.S. spy agencies for two separate bomb attacks in Tehran Monday that killed a prominent nuclear scientist and wounded another.

Iran media reported attackers on motorcycles attached bombs to two scientists’ cars early Monday as they were on their way to work at Shahid Beheshti University in northern Tehran.

Troops Bring School Supplies to Faryab

Delivering School Supplies to Faryab Province
CPT Matt Gregor, 10th MTN Div

MAIMANAH, Afghanistan — Just as children in the United States return to school in the fall, children in Afghanistan continue their education after a month-long break during Ramadan.

This year children returned in mid-September, and the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, took the opportunity to fulfill a need that is sought after regularly – school supplies.

Through the Commander’s Emergency Response Program, $50,000 worth of pens, paper, and book bags were purchased on the local economy. The contractor selected for the job went as far as Mazar-e-Sharif, more than 200 km from Maimanah, to find the supplies he needed to fill the order.

Troops Assess Uruzgan Women Issues

FET assesses needs of Afghan women in Uruzgan

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – A coalition forces Female Engagement Team met with the women of Shesh Par village Nov. 21 to assess the needs of local women as the team develops future plans and programs for the Uruzgan province.

These teams provide coalition forces insight on women’s medical, educational and employment needs, and how they may be addressed in a culturally sensitive way.

During the visit, the FET members heard from a midwife who runs a practice along with her 11-year-old daughter. She lacks the funds to purchase and provide proper medication for her patients during the week, whom she rarely charges for services. She also lacks the money to provide heating and lighting for the patients, said a member of the team.

Another need the team uncovered involved the local school, which has been closed for several months, but is scheduled to reopen in three months. The school, which teaches students first through 12th grade, lacks funding and supplies to operate daily.

Members of the engagement team and civil affairs representatives are currently exploring possible solutions to these two specific areas as well as others that were presented during the visit.

Army/Navy Make Way for Kandahar Electricity

Future power plant sight cleared in Kandahar

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 40 and 18, SeaBees, and the 864th Engineer Battalion, 557th Engineer Company, began razing the area around a former Soviet grain processing silo for a future 10 mega-watt power plant and a combat outpost in Kandahar City, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Nov. 18.

The outpost is planned to be home to a team of soldiers of the 122nd Infantry to support their mission in and around Kandahar. The power plant will provide power to the western side of Kandahar city.

The SeaBees were tasked with the demolition of the smaller buildings around the silo, and it was estimated it would take more than two weeks to complete the work.

ADM Mullen Parrots Administration: Timed Retreat based on Ground

Chairman Discusses Afghanistan, Threats from Iran, Yemen
by Jim Garamone Office of the SecDef

WASHINGTON - The United States is "very committed" to begin drawing down its forces in Afghanistan in July, but large numbers will remain, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said on a televised broadcast today.

"We will start drawing down troops next July," Mullen told Fareed Zacharia, host of the CNN program, GPS. Any drawdown will be based on conditions on the ground and via a recommendation from commanders on the ground, he said. It is too soon to know the numbers of troops and locations the drawdown will affect first, he added.

Afghan Border Patrol uniformed Attacker Killed

ISAF investigates shooting incident in eastern Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – An individual in an Afghan Border Police uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Forces during a training mission today, killing six service members in eastern Afghanistan.

The individual who fired on the ISAF forces was also killed in the incident.

A joint Afghan and ISAF team is investigating this incident.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

No Further Information At This Time. (NFI-ATT)

DoD Implements Measures to Prevent Future WikiLeaks

Officials Condemn Disclosures, Detail Prevention Efforts
by Jim Garamone Office of the SecDef

WASHINGTON - Government officials condemned the publication of hundreds of thousands of sensitive, classified State Department cables by WikiLeaks today.

The website published the documents that detail private U.S. diplomatic discussions with foreign governments. The cables are candid reports by diplomats and, seen by themselves, can give an incomplete picture of the relationship between the United States and the foreign governments, White House officials said.

Army Brings New UAV to Iraq

Army unit flies new unmanned aircraft in Iraq
by Spc. Roland Hale 1st ID CAB

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – An Army unit deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq, is shaping the future of the Army’s unmanned aircraft systems program with a handful of its newest aircraft, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle.

The unit, known as Quick Reaction Capability 1-Replacement 1, deployed this June to use the Gray Eagle in combat before the Army fields the aircraft to all of its aviation brigades in the next few years. It is one of two deployed Army units currently flying the Gray Eagle, and it is the only one using it in Iraq.

The unit is attached to the Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, an all-in-one aviation brigade from Fort Riley, Kan. The Gray Eagle’s mission is similar to the mission of the brigade’s Apache and Kiowa helicopters, but as an unmanned aircraft, has stronger ties to the intelligence community. The QRC1-R1 operators are working with aviators from the brigade’s Apache battalion to integrate their mission into the aviation realm.

The Gray Eagle is an extended-range, multipurpose unmanned aircraft designed primarily to provide ground commanders a set of “eyes in the sky.” The aircraft is built on the same platform as the Air Force’s Predator drone, and will provide the Army easy access to the type of support usually provided by Predator-type aircraft.

Futures of Afghanistan?

There's growing momentum in the "anti-war" crowd to retreat from Afghanistan.  While, the War In Afghanistan was not an issue in the 2010 elections, indications are that it'll get growing attention over the next two years.  The current administration has already announced a 4 year plan to abandon an ally led by an elected leader it has been at odds with for 3 years.  Fed by the MSM, few milbloggers will even defend Karzai.  He's under constant attack across the media spectrum.  It is all-out character assassination.

Admiral Mullen has echoed the White House in saying withdrawal will begin in July 2011, that that is set in stone, and will occur based on recommendations by ground commanders and conditions.  I read this as him ordering General Petraeus to recommend withdrawal.

The party in power in Washington has long espoused standoff wars, fought with the fewest possible Troops on the ground and hence political liability for the loss of US lives.  It has preferred US Humanitarian Aid be given through the America bashing United Nations, than to be stamped with a US Flag.  It has ramped up drone attacks in Pakistan while announcing the July 2011 retreat will begin "based on conditions on the ground" even while conditions on the ground grew more heated.

War In Afghanistan News 29 Nov 2010

An airstrike sent another Talib leader to feed the worms in Helmand yesterday.  And things were busy in the province as 3/4 of a ton of explosives were captured in Marjah District.  And the good guys captured a number of Taliban as they ran from their meetings to select the replacement to their previously captured leaders.

Two more surrendered in Paktika Province.

 Tailor the Way you get your War In Afghanistan News
ISAF details follow:

Afghan Police in Baghlan Refine Basic Knowledge

Baghlan police train, unify with development program

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – The first class of the Directed Police District Development program is underway in Baghlan province. The program is designed to train the existing police force in Baghlan province with critical skills necessary for effective police activities.

The program trains both experienced and inexperienced members of the Afghan National Police over the course of six weeks, ensuring that these Afghan National Security Forces work with a common knowledge of Afghan rule of law.

The instructors for the program’s classes are a combination of members of the Afghan National Police, International Security Assistance Forces and Military Professional Resources International advisors.

Detecting & Defeating Roadside Bombs in Afghanistan

Route clearance patrol
by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ernesto Hernandez Fonte RC-South

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - In the still pre dawn hours, a loud cry of “Hooah” can be heard crackling through the cold early morning air that consumes the troops of 510 Route Clearance Company, 20th Engineer Battalion on guard at Combat Outpost Caron.

“Hooaah,” exclaims Sgt. 1st Class Frederick Greenwell from Evansville, Ind., “I’m motivated!”
He jumps on and shakes the Soldiers who aren’t already awake.

RIP PVT Devon J Harris

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

  Pvt. Devon J. Harris, 24, of Mesquite, Tex., died Nov. 27 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with a rocket-propelled grenade.  He was assigned to the Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10^th Mountain Division, at Ft. Polk, La.

His awards and decorations include: the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.

He is survived by father Tennyson Charles Harris, mother Sorainya Delores Harris, brothers Christopher Johnson, David Parker, Michael Rufus, and sisters Ashley Harris, Monica Harris Smith, and Stephanie Rufus.

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

OK Farmer-Soldiers Bring Youth Sports to Gardez

Paktya ADT, PRT assist GIRoA with sports programs for youth, women
By U.S. Army Sgt. John P Sklaney III

Soldiers of the 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team and the Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team conducted a joint mission to Gardez in order to help local officials reinforce bonds between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the citizens of the province.

The primary purpose of the mission was to establish a baseline for youth sports programs and provide advice on female empowerment opportunities. A secondary reason for the mission was to provide groundwork and structure for possible visits of international officials to the province over the next few months.

NYT: China Engaged in Corporate Cyber Attacks

NYT: Leaked Cables Detail Chinese Government Involvement in Google Attacks

VoA News: The New York Times newspaper says that some of the diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks detail how China’s top political decision-making body, the Politburo, directed an attack on Google’s computer systems.

The New York Times reports that one cable says a Chinese source told the American Embassy about the government’s involvement in January. The report quotes cables that say the Google attack was part of a coordinated campaign of computer sabotage that was carried out by government operatives, private security experts and Internet outlaws recruited by the Chinese government.

The cables say that since 2002, the coordinated government-led campaign has broken into American government computers and those of Western allies, the Dalai Lama and American businesses.

China has denied any involvement in the Google attack. At the time, Google did not specifically name the Chinese government, but said the attack originated in China and was highly sophisticated

Afghan Troops Learn Computers from MPs

ANA Soldiers begin computer network training courses
by Sgt. Jason Boyd 46th MP Command

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army soldiers began training in computer networking courses at the Detention Facility in Parwan, Nov. 22, to increase their computer expertise.

The training, taught by members of the 46th Military Police Command, and 193rd Military Police Battalion, teaches ANA soldiers basic computer functions and how to use them to communicate with other facilities around the country.

The curriculum covers types of cables needed to establish a network, computer disassembly and computer function. It also covers how to set up a network allowing for Internet communication between Parwan, Kabul, the United States and around the world.

Talib Leader Killed, Haqqani Leader Captured in Afghanistan

NATO Air Strike Kills Taliban Leader

VoA News: NATO says a coalition air strike has killed a Taliban leader in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Coalition officials say Sunday’s attack hit a Taliban leader responsible for planning and coordinating improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Also Sunday, NATO says it captured a Haqqani leader during an operation in Khost province last week. The capture brings the number of Haqqani leaders captured or killed this month to 20.

Elsewhere in the country, NATO says Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents during operations in Helmand and Paktika provinces overnight Saturday. Among those arrested were two Taliban members accused of coordinating roadside bomb attacks and procuring bullets, rockets and mortars for the group.

Swiss Citizens to Vote on Expelling Foreign Criminals

Swiss Hold Referendum on Expulsion of Foreign Criminals

Lisa Schlein, Geneva, VoA News

Swiss citizens are going to the polls to vote on a referendum to automatically expel foreign criminals.  Opinion polls indicate the measure will pass by a wide margin.

Two competing issues are on the ballot. The so-called Black Sheep Initiative is an idea contrived by the right wing Swiss People's Party. It calls for the automatic deportation, with no right of appeal, of foreigners convicted of crimes ranging from murder and rape to lesser offenses, such as burglary.

The second option, backed by parliament, includes a case-by-case examination to determine deportation and any additional measures.  

Nashville's Troop First Spends Thanksgiving in Helmand

Operation Fore lifts morale during Thanksgiving
by Cpl. Megan Sindelar RC-SW

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Afghanistan – During the Thanksgiving holiday, service members at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, were visited by a group who just wanted to say thank you.

Tom Lehman and Dan Boever, professional golfers, Victor Juhasz, an illustrator, Matt Snook, a Nashville recording artist and Rick Kell, the co-founder of the Troops First Foundation gave up Thanksgiving with their families to travel to Afghanistan, Nov. 24-27, and thank service members for their sacrifices.

The Troops First Foundation is a non-profit organization that strengthens the quality of life in sports-based and wellness activities.