Operations in Iraq depend on generals making decisions and soldiers executing them. Attending scheduled and unscheduled meetings, on and off base, is a part of the leadership’s decision-making process and flights are needed to support this.

The soldiers of Company B, 207th Aviation Battalion, have the essential mission of supporting Gen. Lloyd J. Austin, commanding general, United States Forces- Iraq, Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick, deputy commanding general of operations, USF-I, and Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter, deputy commanding general for advising and training.

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, conducted a mortar live fire exercise at Destiny Range in Ninewa province, Iraq, June 16, 2011, in preparation for Operation Iron Lion.

Iron Lion is a series of exercises demonstrating cooperative abilities between Iraqi Security Forces as U.S. forces continue the advise, train and assist mission of Operation New Dawn.

Drug Trafficking is a global enterprise that, according to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, generates approximately $394 billion per year.

In Afghanistan, those against progress and the future of the Afghan government use the moneys received from the selling of opium and other drugs to fund their operations that terrorize, injure and kill their fellow Afghan people, as well as members of the international community supporting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for America's firearms industry -- is urging extreme caution should retailers decide to participate in a firearms licensee survey being distributed by anti-gun researcher and activist Garen Wintemute and his colleagues at the University of California at Davis. A letter accompanying the survey, signed by Dr. Wintemute, claims the aim of their research is to better understand "the unique perspective of firearms licensees on important social issues and the firearms business itself."

As we reported to you on Friday, House Republicans got a royal “drop dead" from Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich when he testified before Rep. Darrell Issa’s committee last week.

Weich had earlier written Congress to deny wrongdoing by ATF in connection with allegations that it was intentionally allowing firearms to fall into the hands of Mexican drug cartels. This Justice Department denial by Weich turned out to be false.

Speculation ramps up that ATF’s Melson is headed toward the door

CNN is now reporting, as did the Wall Street Journal and others last Friday that Kenneth Melson, acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, will be resigning this week, possibly within the next 48 hours.

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/atf-s-melson-appears-heade...

Article by Dave Workman

ANTI-GUNNERS RESPOND
Dave Workman reports on the response of anti-gunners to the scandal surrounding "Fast and Furious."
http://www.sofmag.com/fast-and-furious-counter-attack-blame-guns-laws

Administration apologists working ‘Fast and Furiously’ to counter revelations

Obama administration defenders and apologists, along with veteran anti-gunners, are working around the clock to deflect and perhaps derail public outrage over revelations from Congress on the Justice Department’s botched Operation Fast and Furious.

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/administration-apologists-...

Article by Dave Workman

Pakistani officials say U.S. drones fired missiles at a vehicle and house in northwest Pakistan, killing at least 11 militants, including Afghans.

Monday's rare attack in the Kurram tribal region was said to have killed members of the Haqqani network, which has been attacking NATO and Afghan forces in neighboring Afghanistan.