Blogs of War

At least 35 are dead:

Female suicide bombers detonated explosions that rocked two subway stations in central Moscow during rush hour on Monday morning, killing at least 35 people, officials said.

“It was a terrorist act carried out by the female suicide bombers,” said Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, citing Russia’s intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service. “They were specifically timed — for … the train was nearing the station — to make the most damage.

“The blast was caused by 300 to 400 grams of explosives,” he said.

A Web site associated with Chechen separatists claimed responsibility for the attacks. Chechnya is located in an area of Russia known as the North Caucasus, located between the Black and Caspian Seas.

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Update:

The New York Times has photos.

This is a developing story but here’s the initial Reuters alert:

A South Korean naval vessel with more than 100 aboard was sinking on Friday in waters near North Korea and Seoul was investigating whether it was hit in a torpedo attack by the North, South Korean media said.

More from Yonhap:

The 1,500-ton ship sank between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. near the island, but the cause of the accident was unknown, the officials said. A rescue operation was underway, they added.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, they said, adding there was an unspecified explosion in the rear of the ship.

The South Korean government has convened an emergency meeting of security-related ministers, according to the officials.

Updates:

South Korea isn’t takingng any chances as they move into the area:

The South Korean navy has reportedly fired shots at unidentified ships in the direction of North Korea as it investigates whether a sinking vessel in its fleet was struck by a torpedo Friday.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and why they’re so valuable to the war on terror.

1AD mechanics fix vehicles to give troops doing partnership missions the gift of mobility. Story by SPC Naomi Martini, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs.

For more than 60 years, international students have attended Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) to promote cooperation, democracy and human rights throughout the Americas. Ron Andruss reports.

Charlie Wilson, a.k.a. Uncle Charlie, performs some R&B for troops at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq. Sgt. Reinaldo Lopez reports.

More than 40 years after his combat tour in Vietnam, retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Phillip O’Donnell was awarded the Bronze Star. Sgt. Earl Scott reports.

The medal was presented by Senator Jim Webb. His office issued a statement

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today presented the Bronze Star Medal to Warrant Officer Phillip O’Donnell, U.S. Army (Ret.), a Stafford resident and Vietnam veteran who served in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. Although he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service by the Army during that assignment, the decoration was never presented as the result of an administrative oversight.

Senator Webb’s office has been working with the Army on his behalf since January to assist in verifying O’Donnell’s eligibility for the award. Following a review of its available historical records and all documentation provided by Warrant Officer O’Donnell, the Army confirmed the award of the Bronze Star Medal was authorized.

“I am honored to present the Bronze Star Medal to Warrant Officer O’Donnell for his service to our country,” said Senator Webb. “Speaking as a Marine combat veteran of Vietnam, this long-awaited award for his meritorious service is well deserved.”

Warrant Officer O’Donnell served as a pilot in the 336th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopters), stationed at Soc Trang, Republic of Vietnam, from January 1970 to January 1971.

“This is an immense honor,” said O’Donnell. “I never thought I would see this day.”

Editor’s Note: Senator Webb is a Vietnam veteran, having served with the Fifth Marine Regiment, where as a rifle platoon and company commander in the infamous An Hoa Basin west of Danang he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. He currently serves on the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Veterans Affairs.

To view photos of today’s ceremony, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/photos/photogallery/Bronze_Star.cfm

More on the Bronze Star at wikipedia.

Fort Benning salutes the family of Sgt. William Phillips, with the 3-1 Cavalry, because family gives Sgt. Phillips a reason to fight and come home safely.

American service members are not the only ones training for a deployment to Afghanistan. In Macedonia, Army Spc. Jason Nolte shows us how American and Macedonian troops are “aiming” to teach each other valuable lessons.

An Afghan girl recuperating and bonding with the staff at Role 3 Multi-National Hospital on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan after receiving life-threatening injuries from an improvised explosive device. Tech. Sgt. Elicia Summerville has more from Afghanistan.