UPDATE: I'm bumping this up because it's been a big talker, and I want to keep the conversation going.

A Stryker brigade could receive orders this month to deploy to Afghanistan, the Associated Press reports.

The story focuses on how the new Obama administration and Defense Secretary Robert Gates will handle increasing troop levels in Iraq. More Marines are expected to go, but the story makes it clear a Stryker brigade isn’t a certainty.

From the story: “Their challenge, however, is to get troops out into the hundreds of tiny villages in the volatile southern region, where the Taliban insurgency has been centered. To do that, Gen. David McKiernan, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has asked for more mobile forces and believes the Strykers will allow soldiers to move more easily along the rugged trails to the widely dispersed tribal enclaves.”

But, the story points out, "Army officials have concerns about how to free up the Stryker unit."

Two Fort Lewis Stryker brigades are scheduled to deploy to Iraq this year. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division will leave in early- to mid-summer. 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division is expected to follow by summertime.

The use of Strykers in Afghanistan isn't totally new. The Canadians have used the LAV III, which has the same chassis as the Stryker, with success. And Fort Lewis' 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment have used them there -- but the typically mediaphobic unit won't discuss it.

We're interested in hearing your take. Have you served in Afghanistan and with a Stryker unit in Iraq? Are you one of the Rangers that have used the vehicle in Afghanistan? A Canadian soldier with experience in the LAV? Shoot me an e-mail.

Click below to read the full AP story.

=> Read more!

A bill introduced in the state House of Representatives could be the first step to adding to the capitol campus a memorial to Washington service members killed or declared missing in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The measure, which has 38 co-sponsors, directs the State Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate the design, construction and placement of the memorial. And it sets up an account with the treasurer’s office for private donations. But there aren’t many more details, such as the memorial’s proposed cost or a timeline for creation.

And as of right now, there isn’t a corresponding Senate bill.

Any time an elected official accuses part of the government of “giving us the middle finger,” you know there’s a good story behind it.

My colleague Brent Champaco wrote about opposition from Lakewood to a proposed 600,000-square-foot development at Fort Lewis that would mix mid- to high-end retail, casual-dining restaurants, a health club, a furniture store and other amenities.

Some readers shot back at Lakewood in the comments section.

If you missed it in today’s paper, check out the story.

And if you're interested in AAFES plans, read this.

Flipper and Co. could be guarding a Navy base near you.

The Navy wants to use dolphins and sea lions to help guard Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. The program – officially called the Swimmer Interdiction Security System – was first proposed in February 2007. An environmental impact statement will be presented to members of the public in Silverdale on Feb. 11 and in SeaTac on Feb. 12.

From the Kitsap Sun:

The Navy is considering five options: California sea lions and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins; just sea lions; combat swimmers; remotely operated vehicles; and no change. The sea lions-only option was added after the public suggested it in 2007, said Navy spokeswoman Sheila Murray.

The no-action option wouldn’t comply with terrorism-related requirements enacted after the September 11th attacks. The Bangor base, with 4 miles of shoreline, houses eight nuclear-missile submarines, two conventional-missile subs and one spy sub.

The Navy’s preferred alternative is dolphins and sea lions. It has used them for 40 years — including at Bangor’s sister base in Kings Bay, Ga. — while combat swimmer and ROV programs would have to be developed.

The Sun has been all over this story. Check out much more detail in Monday's article.

(Photo: Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Shawn McDonald, a marine mammal handler assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1, uses tactile reinforcement to bond with his Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. The mammals are participating in extreme shallow water operations during Rim of the Pacific 2008. Photo by U.S. Navy.)