Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is ordering his security forces to crush Islamic insurgents in the Caucasus, saying their criminal activities must be wiped out.

The president met with security officials Tuesday as Russian authorities announced that airstrikes and an attack on a rebel base in Ingushetia killed 17 militants Monday.

The authorities say Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov, who has been charged in the January Moscow airport suicide bombing, may be among the dead. Officials are carrying out DNA tests for confirmation.

Marines with Helicopter Support Team, Landing Support Detachment, Headquarters and Support Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) conducted an HST mission where they attached a bobcat to a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, March 29, aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.

“This tractor is one of many pieces of equipment and material we have sent lately to [Forward Operating Base] Azadi,” explained Sgt. Jonathan D. Fassnacht, the Arrival Departure Airfield Control Group staff non-commissioned officer in charge. “The equipment and material will support improvements on the landing zone.”

An Afghan and coalition force captured a Haqqani leader in Sabari district, Khost province, yesterday.

The leader conducted indirect fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He had direct connections to senior Haqqani leaders in Sabari district.

The joint security force conducted a raid in the district based on multiple intelligence sources. After securing the area, the force identified and detained the Haqqani leader. The security force ensured the safety of all women and children during the operation. No civilians were harmed.

As U.S. and Iraqi forces train battalions of Iraqi army soldiers during Tadreeb al Shamil, the students taking the classes are not the only ones learning new skills and gaining valuable knowledge.

For junior U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq, the opportunity to impart wisdom on their Iraqi counterparts during Operation New Dawn builds leadership traits as well as practical experience in the field, said Spc. Paul Swerda, Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment.

UPDATE: Not Guilty verdict in dog ‘warning shot’ case

Evergreen State gun rights activists may cheer today’s outcome of a self-defense shooting case involving a dog attack that this column discussed here.

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/update-not-guilty-verdict-...

Article by Dave Workman

U.S. FORCES ENGAGE LIBYAN MILITARY
U.S. Navy and Air Force units engaged Libyan naval vessels on 28 March.
http://www.sofmag.com/us-navy-p-3c-usaf-10-and-uss-barry-engage-libyan-v...

Video by 210th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

‘Bordergate’ – Seattle’s gunrunning case: Shades of ‘Project gunrunner?’

Tuesday morning’s Seattle PI.com carries the story of Richard Wayne Wilson, who is linked – but not with criminal charges – to the takedown of a string of “speakeasy” clubs, and who, it is reported, was responsible for smuggling a small number of guns to Mexico.

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/bordergate-seattle-s-gunru...

Article by Dave Workman

Pakistani military officials say friendly fire killed 13 paramilitary troops in the country's northwest as they were battling a militant ambush.

The officials said the attack took place late Monday in the Khyber tribal region along the Afghan border, and that the dead included a colonel and a captain in the Frontier Corps.

A top military commander said Tuesday the troops were killed by their own mortar.

Khyber lies on the main NATO land supply route through Pakistan into Afghanistan and is a home to several extremist groups, including the Pakistani Taliban.