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Photo, caption below.

DUST STORM — A U.S. Army aviation crew chief stands by his CH-47 Chinook helicopter before leaving Bagram Air Base for a mission. Photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class (SW) Arlo K. Abrahamson, USN

Iraqi Air Defenses Fire on No-Fly
Patrols; Vessel Interdictions Up

By Sgt. 1st Class Kathleen T. Rhem, USA / American Forces Press Service

   WASHINGTON, June 26, 2002 — Iraqi air defense weapons fired 10 times on coalition planes enforcing the northern no-fly zone over the past couple of days. The coalition responded Wednesday morning by dropping precision-guided munitions on elements of an Iraqi integrated air defense system.
   U.S. Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters in the Pentagon that 10 is "a significant number" of attacks in two days.
   He also said coalition naval forces, including sailors from the U.S. 5th Fleet, have diverted 21 vessels trying to smuggle oil out of Iraq. Maritime intercept operations board and divert vessels that may be violating U.N. sanctions, Myers noted.
   The 21 vessels were not tankers, but rather smaller dhows, traditional Arab sailing vessels. The chairman said he believes the tanker captains have resorted to downloading their illicit cargo to the dhows because they can more easily evade international forces.
   Myers said he has seen indications Iran has closed off its waters to Iraqi oil smugglers, and he believes this is why the numbers of vessels interdicted has risen. More

Wolfowitz: Al Qaeda is Like a
'Disease' With No Easy Cure

By Linda D. Kozaryn / American Forces Press Service

   WASHINGTON — Success in Afghanistan does not mean victory in the war against terrorism, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz said Wednesday.
   "Al Qaeda is not a snake that can be killed by lopping off its head," Wolfowitz told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It is more analogous to a disease that has infected many parts of a healthy body.
   "There is no one single solution," he said of the terrorist network. "You can't simply cut out one infected area and declare victory. But success in one area can lead to success in others."
   Overall, Wolfowitz said, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan to kill, capture and disrupt terrorists is helping to protect the American people. At the same time, the United States is helping the Afghan people ensure their country does not once again become a terrorist sanctuary.
   Noting the highlights of the nation's "extraordinary military success," he said somewhat less than half of Al Qaeda's top 30 leaders have been killed or captured. The U.S. has custody of more than 500 detainees. Law enforcement agencies in more than 90 countries have arrested some 2,400 terrorism suspects.
   "Our military success in Afghanistan has contributed to that larger success, both indirectly by encouraging others to cooperate, and also more directly," Wolfowitz said. "Abu Zubaydah, one of bin Laden's key lieutenants, was driven out of his sanctuary in Afghanistan and as a result was captured last March."
   Zubaydah's cooperation contributed to the detention of Jose Padilla (also known as Abdullah al Muhajir), who allegedly was planning and coordinating terrorist attacks. A Moroccan detainee led law enforcement officials to two Saudi Arabians planning terrorist attacks in Morocco. A videotape discovered in Afghanistan led to the arrest of an Al Qaeda cell in Singapore that was planning to attack a U.S. aircraft carrier. More

Space, Strategic Commands to Merge Story

. U.S. Forces Return Enemy Fire, Continue Search for Terrorists

. Asst. Sec. Def Clarke, Brig. Gen. Rosa Briefing

Royal Marines (3 photos)

British Royal Marines help with humanitarian assistance to Afghans

. Security (7)	. Rebuilding Chehltun School (8)
. Checks and Services (7)	. Bagram Bridge (5)
. In the Vanguard (7)	. Operation Mountain Lion, #2 (7)
More photos

. U.N. Sanctions on Iraq Enforced

. Wolfowitz Describes Military Ops

. Wolfowitz on Military Ops

. Coalition Strikes Iraqi Defenses

. Air Force Radio News

. Air Force Television News


	. Afghanistan	. Pentagon Reconstruction
	. Bin Laden and Al Qaeda	. Special Ops
	. Coalition Support	. Terrorist Groups
	. Commando Solo	. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
	. "Denial and Deception"	. U.S. Assistance to Afghans
	. Marine Expeditionary Units	. U.S. Policy On Africa
	. Operational Security	. Weather

Click here for more information about various military systems and equipment used in the war against terrorism.

Jun 26, 2002

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U.S. Role in Philippines
Might Extend Past July

By Sgt. 1st Class Kathleen T. Rhem, USA American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON — U.S. special operations troops' current mission of training Philippine military forces ends July 31, but further U.S. involvement under different parameters is likely after that, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Wednesday. More

Profile

Gen. Tommy Franks

What does U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, tell his troops when he visits them? First, he thanks them for their service. Then he thanks them for making the world safe for his grandchildren. "That's what this is all about," he says. "I don't think any commander in chief has ever been more proud of a group of people than I am of them." Story

More Profiles

Leading Man Leads
Drive for 9-11 Victims

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, actor Michael Nouri and the cast of South Pacific decided to do something to help. They asked audiences for donations after every performance, and this week Nouri presented a check for more than $180,000 for Pentagon victims of the attacks. He plans to donate a similar amount for victims in New York. The donations came from "people of every ethnic variety," he said, "all part of the healing force of our wonderful land." Story

Work on Sultan Rasia Girls School - Civil Affairs Team Mazar-e-Sharif is monitoring Phase II of the Sultan Rasia Girls School project. Electrical wiring is complete in the first section, allowing first floor plasterwork to continue. Brickwork and roof preparations continue on the second section. Columns are in place for pouring the concrete roof next week. Septic and water filtration excavation work has begun.

Fuel for Hospital Generators - Civil Affairs Team Herat finalized coordination with the Danish Afghanistan Committee (DAC) to obtain funding for fuel for two 300kw generators placed at Herat Hospital by the Coalition Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force. DAC provided $10,000 to purchase fuel.

. Latest CENTCOM News

. Young Airmen Drive Transformation

. Eight Nations in RIMPAC Exercise

. National Guard, Reserve Update

. Army OKs Drill Sergeants up to 40

. Air Force Releases Promotion Data

Marjorie Champion Salamone

Photo of Marjorie Champion Salamone.     Marjorie C. Salamone, 53, worked at the Pentagon as a U.S. Army budget analyst.
   She earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Auburn University. She was always happy to help others. When a neighbor's basement flooded, she found the water main and turned it off. After a freeze, she helped neighbors relight gas pilot lights. She had a quick wit, a delightful sense of humor and a deep faith in God. She was an inspiration to all who knew her.
   Survivors include her husband of 31 years, Ben, a retired Army colonel and veterinarian; daughters Amanda and Ann Marie; and her mother, Lillian Champion.
   We will not forget her.