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The president could not have chosen a friendlier audience for a message that he has been trying for months to plant with the majority of the American public, which polls show stopped supporting the war long ago. Bush addressed thousands of troops of the storied 82nd Airborne Division, some of whom returned from Iraq barely two weeks ago and others who are preparing for a fourth deployment this fall. To fatigue-clad soldiers lined up in formation across a parade ground the size of a football field or more, Bush presented a point-by-point definition of the success he says is coming...

A young Sayafiyah boy holds up an Iraqi flag, demonstrating pride in his country. Citizens of Sayafiyah celebrated the openings of the Sayafiyah Governance Center, Veterinary Clinic and Health Clinic on May 20. Photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky. FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — After nearly three months of reconstruction, Sayafiyah residents celebrated the simultaneous openings of the Sayafiyah Governance Center, Veterinary Clinic and Health Clinic on May 20.“This is their day,” said Capt. Joe Johnson, commander of Company C, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.All three of the projects were a...

“Why aren’t we hearing about this in the news?” asks Alisyn Camerota. Well, increasingly we are, most notably in the pages of the righty blogosphere’s favorite whipping boy. CNN traditionally has been good about reporting gains too, including having Yon himself on to explain them. As I write this, this story is beaming out to AP affiliates worldwide. The problem with the coverage is that it takes spectacular gains, like the Iraqi army rolling onto Mookie’s home turf in Sadr City, to break through the media narrative while even minor setbacks, which fit the narrative, are easily assimilated and thus...

KIRKUK — Approximately 75 new Sons of Iraq members witnessed their leaders sign three Sons of Iraq contracts in a signing ceremony in the Ta’mim Province May 19. Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition forces, local tribal leaders and Sons of Iraq members were on hand to witness the signing of three SOI contracts, representing more than 600 hundred SOI members, at the Jawalla Middle School in Rashaad, 48 kilometers south of Kirkuk. The new members complete 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division’s efforts in employing 2,000 SOI members in the Rashaad Valley to help protect its citizens from insurgents’ violence....

5/21/2008 - SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Iraqi air force members are making their mark in history. The fledging air power has proven its effectiveness through the execution of combat missions in Basrah, Mosul and Sadr City, and the year-to-date tally marks for aircraft sorties broke 5,000 last week. The IQAF has roughly 100 pilots assigned to its eight rotary and fixed-wing flying units, making their achievements even more impressive, officials said. "We are now seeing concrete evidence that (the IQAF) have returned to the (sky) and are proving themselves a credible force for safety, security and sovereignty," said...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, May 21, 2008 – Every day, provincial reconstruction teams roll out of bases in Afghanistan with mixed bags of services and skill sets, bound by the necessity of their mission. Army Sgt. Al Walkowiak, a tanker from West Pittstown, Pa., smiles as he hands out a bag of candy to children in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province. Walkowiak is part of a provincial reconstruction team charged with working with the Afghan government to improve the quality of life for Afghan citizens. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Paul David Ondik, 82nd Airborne Division  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution...

The commanding general for Marine Forces Central Command and I Marine Expeditionary Force met with Regimental Combat Team 1’s staff during a battle space tour in the Multi-National Forces-West area of operations, May 14. Lt. Gen. Samuel T. Helland discussed operations with the RCT-1 command and assessed progress in the Anbar region during his short visit. The Marines, sailors and soldiers of RCT-1 are currently operating throughout the Anbar province to include the greater Fallujah and Ramadi areas; maintaining security and stability, eliminating insurgent threats, and working alongside the Iraqi Police and Army towards transition every day. Helland expressed how...

Sadr: Hides in Iran as his Iraq minions lose. May 20, 2008 -- DO we still have troops in Iraq? Is there still a conflict over there? If you rely on the so-called mainstream media, you may have difficulty answering those questions these days. As Iraqi and Coalition forces pile up one success after another, Iraq has magically vanished from the headlines. Want a real "inconvenient truth?" Progress in Iraq is powerful and accelerating. But that fact isn't helpful to elite media commissars and cadres determined to decide the presidential race over our heads. How dare our troops win? Even...

I don't think the Wall Street Journal wants their stuff copied so here is the link: While the media offers mostly images of violence, and many Americans have grown weary of the war in Iraq, I bring hopeful news to Washington this week as I meet with the administration and members of Congress. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121124572497705757.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

RAMADI, IRAQ (May 17, 2008) - Two years ago, Ramadi's police force was essentially wiped out by a strong insurgency that devastated almost every police station, leaving only a small number of officers on the job and a city considered by officials to be uncontrollable and nicknamed the “wild west.” According to an NBC News article from September 2006, a secret report concluding that the United States military could not defeat the insurgents in al-Anbar Province and al-Qaeda was rapidly filling the political vacuity.

RAMADI, IRAQ (May 17, 2008) – Step after step, combat boots hit the pavement. It’s been a few hours for the Marine squad walking the Ramadi streets. Fatigued yet steady, the young men push forward on their routine foot patrol despite the mid-day desert heat; each squad member maintaining a constant alertness with eyes scanning the environment in every direction. The squad leader passes by a familiar face; a local vender who he sees almost every day. Instantly, the look of exhaustion washes away, and a smile is brought to his face. Lifting his hand, he warmly greets the vender...

RAMADI — Step after step, combat boots hit the pavement. It’s been a few hours for the Marine squad walking the Ramadi streets. Fatigued yet steady, the young men push forward on their routine foot patrol despite the mid-day desert heat; each squad member maintaining a constant alertness with eyes scanning the environment in every direction. The squad leader passes by a familiar face; a local vender who he sees almost every day. Instantly, the look of exhaustion washes away, and a smile is brought to his face. Lifting his hand, he warmly greets the vender with, “Al salaam a’alaykum.”...

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2008 – President Bush noted the improved security situation in Iraq’s southern oil city of Basra following meetings with Iraqi Vice President Abd al-Mahdi in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, today. President Bush stands with Iraqi leaders after their meeting May 18, 2008, in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. With him, from left, are: Hoshyar Zeban, foreign minister; Vice President Abd al-Mahdi; and Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih. White House photo by Chris Greenberg  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Bush said he told Iraqi representatives at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East that he’s impressed...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — “Democracy is a new thing in Iraq,” said Sadi Kalif, the newly elected chairman of the South Rasheed Community Council. “When Saddam was in power, there were no elections. They just pointed to a person and said ‘You are in charge’.” After years of war and terrorist activity from insurgents and al-Qaeda in Iraq, the citizens of this area south of Baghdad are learning to trust the path of democracy. They are also discovering the process begins not at the top, but in their own neighborhoods. Members of the South Rasheed Community Council met in...

BASRA, Iraq – A broadcast video production is now available covering people shopping at fruit stands, markets and ice cream shops because they feel the freedom tosafely move around the city of Basra, Iraq May 5.This is a packaged story that covers a joint patrol of Iraq Army and U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Infantry Division team in Basra. The packaged video production story runs 1 minute and 5 seconds. Video highlighting this event is available upon request from the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) by calling (678) 421-6604 or by accessing the DVIDS...

PATROL BASE YUSIFIYAH — A radio station in Yusifyah, about 25 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, aired its first broadcast throughout the nahia May 15. The station will broadcast Iraqi music of various genres throughout the day, as well as weekly and bi-weekly message segments dealing with various ministry departments of the government. “This is for … the people of Yusifiyah,” said Jamal Hussein, radio station manager. “This station is supported … by both the Coalition and Government of Iraq.” A small building in the Yusifiyah Joint Security Station was renovated with new paint and windows, air conditioning, lights and broadcast...

Three Iraqi workers mark off measurements of a wall on one of the buildings comprising the al-Nassir School in al-Buaytha. Photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky. FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — The al-Nassir elementary school in al-Buaytha, Iraq, is getting a face lift. The school, which teaches grades one through six, is being refurbished to improve the quality of life for students and teachers. The school was damaged by insurgents before they were driven out by Coalition forces late 2007. Much of the credit goes to Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, who were some of...

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2008 – More than 300 former members of “Sons of Iraq” graduated to Iraqi policemen during a ceremony at Kirkuk Police Academy on May 15. A Kirkuk Police Academy instructor straightens the beret of an Iraqi police recruit before a graduation ceremony, May 15, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 1st Battalion, 10th Mountain Division   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The students graduated after eight weeks of training here. “The Kirkuk province has shown tremendous progress in the last year. Events like this prove we are taking the necessary steps...

Sheikh Salah (left), a prominent sheikh in Busayefi, cuts the ribbon on a new bridge May 13. The bridge, constructed by an Iraqi company and funded by the GoI, spans the Mercedes Canal and links the communities of Hawr Rajab and Busayefi. Courtesy photo. FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Brightly painted flowers, hearts and polka-dots color the new bridge with cheery symbols.  Most importantly, the bridge’s construction between the communities of Busayefi and Hawr Rajab paints a symbol of unity. Once under the control of insurgents, the communities became isolated; they were also separated from each other by the Mercedes...

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2008 – Iraqi and U.S. forces are making progress while performing counterinsurgency and reconstruction missions across Iraq, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said yesterday. Iraqi and coalition forces continue to make gains in establishing security and enforcing the rule of law in Baghdad, Mosul and Basra over the past week, Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters at a Baghdad news conference. In Basra, Iraqi forces involved in an operation dubbed “Sawlat al Fursan,” or “Charge of the Knights,” are busily removing illegal weapons, fighting and arresting insurgents and...