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| DEPLOYED — USS George Washington transits the Arabian Sea during a break in flight operations. The Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen are deployed conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Capt. Dana Potts, USN |
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Cheney: ‘We Will Take Every
Step Necessary’ to be Secure |
| Vice president warns of ‘the risks of inaction’ |
| By Linda D. Kozaryn / American Forces Press Service |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2002 — The United States will take pre-emptive action when facing the threat of weapons of mass destruction, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday in Nashville, Tenn.
"Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of a terror network, or a murderous dictator, or the two working together, constitute as grave a threat as can be imagined," he said. "The risks of inaction are far greater than the risk of action."
In an address at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention, the U.S. vice president said wars are never won on the defensive — the battle must be taken to the enemy. "We will take every step necessary to make sure our country is secure and we will prevail," he said.
Cheney outlined the administration's case against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and countered critics' arguments against pre-emptive action. He pointed out that following the Gulf War, Iraq consistently failed to comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions to cease all development of weapons of mass destruction. Instead, the Iraqi regime enhanced its chemical and biological weapons capabilities and continued to pursue their nuclear program. More |
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Cheney: Terrorists Must Face
'Certain, Devastating Response' |
| By Linda D. Kozaryn / American Forces Press Service |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2002 — The United States and the civilized world have only one option against terrorists, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday. "Wherever terrorists operate, we must find them where they dwell, stop them in their planning, and one by one bring them to justice," Cheney declared at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. "Any enemy conspiring to harm America or our friends must face a swift, a certain and a devastating response."
The U.S. has entered a new kind of war against a new kind of enemy, he said. "The terrorists who struck America are ruthless. They are resourceful and they hide in many countries. They came into our country to murder thousands of innocent men, women and children. There is no doubt they wish to strike again and that they are working to acquire the deadliest of all weapons."
In Afghanistan, he noted, the Taliban regime and Al Qaeda terrorists "saw up close and personal the new methods and capabilities of America's armed services." These included precision power from the air, real-time intelligence, Special Forces, the long reach of naval task forces and close coordination with local forces.
The war in Afghanistan is only the beginning of a lengthy campaign, Cheney noted. "Were we to stop now, any sense of security we might have would be false and temporary," he said. "There is a terrorist underworld out there spread among more than 60 countries." More |
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U.S., Coalition Forces Pursue
Terrorists in ‘Mountain Sweep’ |
| More than 2,000 U.S. and coalition forces completed Operation Mountain Sweep in the former Al Qaeda and Taliban areas of southeastern Afghanistan. Story |
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| Mine Clearing Vehicle |
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| A U.S. engineer waits for instructions atop a Hydrema mine clearing vehicle |
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Aug 26, 2002
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SATCOM Delivers Critical
Data for War on Terrorism |
By Airman 1st Class Tarkan Dospil
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs |
In today's information age, satellites are a vital link for global communication. Commanders and troops rely on them to ensure information is at least one step ahead of the enemy in the war on terrorism. At one forward deployed location, that job falls to a satellite communications team from the 114th Combat Communications Squadron of the Florida Air National Guard.
"We operate and maintain satellite ground terminal equipment capable of transmitting and receiving data over great distances," said Staff Sgt. Richard Calvert, a satellite operator whose team is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. "We can transport, set up, and operate satellite ground terminals virtually anywhere in the world in a short period of time, and we can relocate as needed." More
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| Profile |
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Spc. Michael Charles Thompson
and Spc. Janieko Nance |
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| Among the U.S. service members helping fight the war against terrorism are Spc. Michael Charles Thompson and his daughter, Spc. Janieko Nance. Both have been deployed to Afghanistan. Spc. Thompson isn’t worried. “She was trained by the best military in the world,” he says of his daughter, “so I would trust her with my life if it came down to it.” Story
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HONOR GUARD — The 405th Air Expeditionary Wing Honor Guard marches after posting the colors at a forward-deployed location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The colors are posted and retired three times daily for service members who desire to have personal flags flown. Photo by SSgt. Cheresa D. Clark, USAF |
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| Kevin Yokum |
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 U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd class Kevin Yokum, 27, served in the Pentagon as an intelligence officer.
He joined the Navy out of high school and was stationed in San Diego, Ca. He traveled the world but enjoyed returning to his home in Lake Charles, La., where he was well-liked and remembered for his love of sports. He had been stationed at the Pentagon for three years. “Kevin was a young man who was strong of character, honest, and one who always wanted to encourage and help other people,” said his father.
Survivors include his parents Allen and Beulah.
We will not forget him.
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