Nobody crucifies common sense like the US Army. During my morning search for anything MEDEVAC related, several new stories emerged, including one with these illustrative quotes from a Soldier returning from Iraq:

The Army is not resisting Dustoff policy change because our leadership honestly believes the current policy is superior, but rather because of AMEDD’s [Army Medical Department] protectionist attitude toward “their” Dustoff MEDEVAC helicopters. I’m an active duty infantry officer, and I’ve been following the Dustoff issue since you first brought attention to it.

Five the hard way — a poet, a cultural institution, war in Afghanistan and Gwenyth Paltrow looking great at 39. Something for everyone!

Dildos, Dracula, urinating Marines, the Kagans, Michael Yon and cougars round out January. Did I mention agitating dildo machines for our troops overseas?

A Gold Star Mother is one who lost a child in service of the United States. Ms. Keyko Clark-Davis is a recent Gold Star Mother. I was present when her son Chazray was mortally wounded. We have communicated many times. Chazray’s mother is strong and inspirational. She sends this letter in hopes that other Americans will take a few minutes to absorb her message.

YON: On 18 September 2011, Mr. Yon accompanied an element of the US Army’s 1st Infantry Division, the 4–4 Cav, on a nighttime combat operation in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. During this mission the unit was attacked with an Improvised Explosive Device, deafening one soldier, and amputating both legs and one arm of a second—Specialist Chazray Clark.

YON: While reading traffic in a closed forum between current and former military officers, I stumbled across this message from a British officer. I’ve known him since the Iraq days, and he’s also served in Afghanistan. He’s an honest and very smart officer, and so I pay close attention to him.

YON: The MEDEVAC issue continues to grow. There are so many articles and it’s becoming difficult to keep up. The Joint Chiefs of Staff are prepping something for Congress. My guess is that JCS will try deflection and won’t solve the issue. SecDef has done nothing, to my knowledge. And so this is set to become an election issue.

Yon’s guest: I am a Dustoff pilot (Instructor pilot) with over 1000 hours of combat time, and over 300+ combat medevac missions under my belt. In 2004 (Iraq) we flew single ship, responding to thousands of medevac 9-line calls. Not one helo shot down, but we sure got shot at a lot.

Yon: “The Iranians do not hate you nor do they hate ur government. This is all the media. The people have nothing to do with the media Michael. No one is against you here except for those on the government’s side.