C-RAM: The weapon system behind the video that went viral

C-RAM: The weapon system behind the video that went viral

A video depicting the defense of an American base from incoming Taliban rockets has gone viral, gaining more than 6 million views every day. The video, which was uploaded a year ago, shows a C-RAM weapon system wreaking havoc in the night. The radar-controlled rapid-fire 20mm gun is formidable, to say the least. It’s comprised […]

129 Raids & 153 Strikes: Air Commandos attached to the 75th Ranger Regiment shine

129 Raids & 153 Strikes: Air Commandos attached to the 75th Ranger Regiment shine

Eight Special Operations Airmen were recognized for their valor during a deployment in Afghanistan as part of a 75th Ranger Regiment task force. The Air Commandos came from the 17th Special Tactics Squadron. In conjunction with the Rangers and other American and Coalition units, they completed 129 direct action raids and 153 kinetic strikes. The […]

US military finally moves Patriot missile batteries in Iraq

US military finally moves Patriot missile batteries in Iraq

The United States is finally moving some air defense systems into place in Iraq after bases that house U.S. troops have been attacked with rocket and missile fire for months. The Pentagon didn’t specify which bases the air defense systems will be deployed to.  However, Al Jazeera reported that according to Iraqi and U.S. military […]

Lebanon: The next Middle East powder keg waiting to explode

Lebanon: The next Middle East powder keg waiting to explode

Lebanon isn’t in the news much these days but has the potential to blow up into a major conflict.  The country is facing a couple of big problems right now Firstly, Lebanon is going through one of the deepest economic crises in the world today — a crisis that puts it in the precipice of […]

The Pic of the Day: Iraqi Special Forces getting the word

The Pic of the Day: Iraqi Special Forces getting the word

An officer with the Qwat Al-Khasah, Special Forces of Iraq, speaks to the soldiers preparing to go out on a mission during the training stage for an upcoming mission with the United States Special Operations Force at Camp Taji, Iraq March 7, 2020. The Qwat al Khasah, Special Forces of Iraq, are leading a coalition […]

Treading carefully: How American troops are protecting Kurdish oil fields

Treading carefully: How American troops are protecting Kurdish oil fields

American troops stationed in eastern Syria have the difficult and dangerous job of guarding the very oil-rich Kurdish-held land. And everyone — the Syrian government, the Russians, the Turks, and ISIS — wants to control it.  The area is developing into a very dangerous place for the American troops: They’ve come under attack from a […]

The little known but vast economic potential of Afghanistan

The little known but vast economic potential of Afghanistan

My personal experiences from Afghanistan have taught me that the Afghanis are resilient people, capable of overcoming natural disasters, political turmoil, and complex insurgencies. Afghanistan’s economic development has been stifled considerably by war and poverty; climate change will only add another hindrance to the list. However, there is a deep desire amongst the Afghan population […]

Spooky 41: How a gunship saved the day in Afghanistan

Spooky 41: How a gunship saved the day in Afghanistan

Last year, a gunship crew from an Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) squadron helped turned the tide in a fierce engagement against ISIS fighters in Afghanistan. The nine-hour operation took place last April in Nangarhar Province. An AC-130U aircraft from the 4th Special Operations Squadron was proving overhead support to a Special Forces assault […]

Another Coalition base in Iraq attacked with rockets

Another Coalition base in Iraq attacked with rockets

Two rockets struck a training base south of Baghdad where U.S.-led coalition troops and NATO trainers are present, Iraq’s military said in a statement on Tuesday. The rockets hit the Basmaya base outside of Baghdad on Monday evening. They impacted near a factory and what was described as agricultural land, but not where any troops […]

Al-Qaeda’s bastions of power: Somalia and Yemen

Al-Qaeda’s bastions of power: Somalia and Yemen

Ever since the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. military and intelligence agencies have been battering al-Qaeda terrorists wherever they have found them. Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, everywhere. What used to be safe havens have now become graveyards. But other bastions have emerged in the meanwhile.  Somalia and Yemen are two of them. Al-Qaeda’s Yemen affiliate was bolstered […]

US base in Iraq comes under yet another rocket attack, several wounded

US base in Iraq comes under yet another rocket attack, several wounded

The Iraqi base that houses American and Coalition troops in Taji was rocked with another rocket attack on Saturday morning. Just three days ago, on Wednesday, another attack at the same base killed two Americans and a British soldier at Taji. Three coalition troops and two Iraqis were wounded in the rocket attack, Coalition spokesperson […]