Identity of popular milblogger LT G revealed

The identity of LT G has been revealed by the press in the United States. I've blogged about it at the Frontline where you will find all the relevant links.

Another update on the end of LT G at Kaboom

I've linked to him regularly, his writing was superb, and his insights candid. But LT G, a US Army officer serving in Iraq, crossed the 'too-much-openness' line and has been forced to close down his blog. He certainly isn't the first and he won't be the last.

I've been covering this for Frontline so if you want to read more about how this US military blogger bit the dust click here and for more on the reaction from bloggers and commenters go here.

LT G sorts out a couple of sheiks in Iraq

If I were a publisher, I'd be giving this guy a book contract. Here's his latest.

A day in the life fighting a counterinsurgency war

Regular readers will know that Kaboom: A soldier's war journal is my favourite US war blog and in my opinion the best milblog currently updating from Iraq.

In his latest post, LT G is interrupted trying to win over some hearts and minds with a game of dominoes out in the local village:

"Fighting in a counterinsurgency war isn’t always sleepless cycles of constant patrols and trying to decipher incomprehensible link diagrams. There are the finer moments; moments and events whose effects on my soldiers’ morale and spirits can’t really be quantified with a pie chart or a PowerPoint slideshow."

War in Iraq: the first 'iWar'?

Lt G at Kaboom wonders what an iWar is, what it means and whether it applies to war in Iraq:

"iWar. Fitting, in that succinct, catchy pop culture kind of way. Perfect for this Era of Irony. No LOL-erskates for the whYkids, but they’ll get over it. iWar. It’s not my phrase, though I appreciate it and am happy to Oscar Wilde it. I got it from an article about blogging in the Iraq War that quoted me in it...

"...I War. Subject. Verb. Where’s the object? We’re still looking for it, five years later. How’s that for iRony?"

The Mahdi Army revolt from the US perspective

Lt G is fighting with the US Army in Iraq. His latest post provides a six day account of his platoon's action during the 'Mahdi Army Revolt'. I particularly like this extract:

Night 1

"A second passes, and then my entire room shakes with inevitability while a M240B machine gun on the roof of the combat outpost returns fire directly above us. I roll out of my bed, getting my legs wrapped up in my poncho liner, and land gracelessly onto my face. SSG Bulldog barrels through our door like a runaway freight train. “It on now, oh yeah, it be on now!” he booms.

"We all start throwing on our gear in great haste with the notable exception of SFC Big Country, who is yawning from his bed, scratching his head. “You probably have time to put on pants Sir,” he advises, causing me to look down at a pair of yellow boxer shorts decorated with shamrocks and beer bottles contrasting sharply with the combat boots, body armor, and helmet I did manage to get on my body.

"I peek my head out the doorway, and not seeing any terrorist hordes coming for my scalp, agree with my platoon sergeant’s assessment. The gunfire above us continues while I find my pants."

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

...get over to Kaboom: A Soldier's War Journal. He's a Lieutenant serving in Iraq. Here are his two latest posts: In My Army, and Graveyard Shift. Lt G's blog is interesting, original and beautifully written.