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| INSPECTING
THE TROOPS — U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Mark
Whitehead, assistant S-2, 930th Army Liasion Team,
conducts a weekly in-ranks inspection of the soldiers
in training at the Afghan National Army compound
in Kabul, Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. Ceasar Fernandez |
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U.S. President Sends Greetings
To Muslims at Start of Ramadan |
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WASHINGTON,
Nov. 6, 2002 — The Bush administration marked the start of the Muslim observance of Ramadan on Wednesday.
In a greeting sent to Muslims around the world, U.S. President
George W. Bush said:
"Ramadan
is a time for fasting, prayer, worship, and contemplation.
Muslims observe this month by renewing their dedication
to caring for those in need, doing good deeds, and strengthening
family and community ties.
"Islam
is a peace-loving faith practiced by more than one billion
people, including millions of American Muslims. The United
States is grateful for the friendship and support of many
Muslim Nations that are vital partners in the global coalition
to fight against terrorism.
"America
remains committed to freedom, justice, and opportunity
for all people and we continue to work together for a
future of peace, tolerance, and understanding.
The
president's greeting was sent to all diplomatic
posts around the world, and Voice of America will air
the message translated into eight languages.
The
president will host an Iftaar Dinner at the White House
on Thursday. Other administration officials, including
Secretary Powell, will participate in Iftaar Dinners as
well.
The White House
is also creating a special Web page including links to
other events throughout the government, including the
U.S. Postal Service's issuance of an Eid stamp. |
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Afghan National Army
Training
Continues Through Ramadan |
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| By Staff Sgt. Rhonda M. Lawson
/ 28th Public Affairs Detachment |
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KABUL,
Afghanistan — Trainers at the Kabul Military
Training Center are adjusting their schedules to
give the 4th and 5th Battalions of the Afghan National
Army a chance to practice their religion during
Ramadan. While training will not stop, it will be
slowed down.
Ramadan, the Muslims’ holy month, begins today.
During this time, they fast each day from dawn to
dusk, for 30 days. They must also abstain from pleasures
like sexual contact, gum chewing and even smelling
flowers. At dusk, according to Tem, an interpreter
at the center, they wash their hands and face, then
go to their mosque and pray. More
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New Command, Control Aircraft
Maintains Battlefield Advantage |
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| by Staff Sgt. A.J. Bosker / Air Force
Print News |
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WASHINGTON — The Air Force currently enjoys a
command and control advantage on the battlefield thanks
to its E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system
aircraft and E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar
System aircraft.
However,
as future success increasingly depends upon an ability
to rapidly engage fleeting or emerging targets and to
counter the enemy's growing technological developments,
the service is developing the next generation system —
the multi-sensor command and control aircraft —
to maintain its decisive advantage on the battlefield.
More |
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| Pen Proves Mightier Than Sword |
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| By Spc. Erica Leigh Foley / 28th Public
Affairs Detachment |
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BAGRAM,
Afghanistan — As U.S. defense officials have repeatedly
said, Afghanistan remains a dangerous place for U.S. and
coalition forces. Most recently, a .22 caliber weapon
disguised as a ball point pen has raised cautions on Bagram
Air Base.
“We
started receiving reports from solders that they have
been approached by local nationals who were trying to
sell these for $30 to $60,” said Maj. Brian O’Hare,
Provost Marshal Office.
Service members purchasing one would be breaking general
order number one and the offenders would be subject to
the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“There
are more dangers than the obvious,” said O’Hare.
If you were to purchase one and tried to use it, could
explode. The malfunctions are high on these items.
“Soldiers
should pay particular attention if you see a local worker
with a pen," he said. "Treat it like (unexploded
ordnance) and be on the alert." |
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| Funny Man |
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| Actor Robin Williams visits with troops at a forward-deployed location. |
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Battle Frogs Leap
To the Challenge |
CENTRAL
COMMAND AREA OF OPERATION — It's three in the morning,
and alarm clocks are going off in the warehouse where
the warriors are sleeping. Rustling sounds can be heard
as the Marines begin to pull themselves out of the rack
to begin another day. Outside the sun hasn't even begun
to show signs of rising. A few scattered buildings stand
silent in the near vicinity.
A few hundred yards away from the warehouse, a handful
of CH-46E 'Sea Knight' helicopters are parked in an orderly
fashion on the tarmac. Their crew affectionately knows
these helicopters, the workhorses of the Marine Corps,
as 'battle frogs.' More |
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U.S. Soldiers at Bagram
Adopt an Afghan Village |
| BAGRAM, Afghanistan — A convoy of seven vehicles drove off Bagram Air Base recently, traveling on a dusty, dirt road to a remote village three miles northeast of the base. The 25 volunteer soldiers in the convoy had one mission — to provide humanitarian aid to Afghans. The Adopt-a-Village program had begun. More |
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History Project
Captures
U.S. Veterans' Stories |
WASHINGTON
(Army News Service) — The great wars
are usually remembered for their bloodiest battles, most
decorated brass and historic treaties - rarely do the
soldiers and civilians on the home front have an opportunity
to voice their individual experiences.
The
Veterans History Project is giving soldiers a chance to
relay these personal stories. Project organizers are encouraging
Americans of all ages to participate in a mission to capture
and chronicle oral histories from America's war veterans.
The stories will become a collection in the Library of
Congress' American Folklife Center, located in Washington,
D.C. More |
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Officials
Consider New
Reserve-Active Mix |
WASHINGTON
(Army News Service) — The Department
of Defense is looking at changing the reserve- and active-component
mix, according to its top civilian leader.
U.S. Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld made that observation Nov. 4 to the
Pentagon press corps amid questions of reports that
Reserve and National Guard soldiers were being overtaxed
with mobilization requirements since last year's terrorist
attacks on this nation.
"There's no question
but that there a number of things that the United States
is asking its forces to do," Rumsfeld said. "And
when one looks at what those things are, we find that
some of the things that are necessary, in the course
of executing those orders, are things that are found
only in the Reserves." More
Reserve,
Guard Officers to Volunteer |
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A Personal
View
Of Ramadan |
 There
are a reported 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide. Seven million
Muslims live in the United States and worship in more
than 2,000 mosques and Islamic centers. Wednesday Muslims
began the month-long religious observance of Ramadan marked
by abstinence, charity and fasting. Ramadan begins in
the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar and ends in early
December.
Here, DefendAmerica
presents a personal look at Ramadan. Rabia Jami, a web
developer on the DefendAmerica staff who was born in Afghanistan,
shared a glimpse of her family life and discussed what
Ramadan means to Muslims everywhere. Story |
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U.S. Personnel
Show
Respect for Ramadan |
BAGRAM,
Afghanistan — For the Afghans who fast, work may
be demanding as the month of Ramadan approaches. Ramadan
began Wednesday and ends with a festival, Eid al Fitr, Dec.
6. During this period, Muslims enforce the duty to keep
the fast of Ramadan — one of five pillars of Islam.
“The workers will
need more breaks and they can’t have water,”
said Capt. Chris Evans, 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, Fort
Jackson, S.C. “Be patient with them; especially
to those guys working for us. They will be tired and thirsty.
To those Muslims training at the Afghan National Army
site in Kabul, you can’t push them harder. They’ll
be tired. They need more breaks.”
Soldiers
who deal with Afghans workers on a day-to-day basis need
to be considerate of the religious beliefs, he said. More |
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| Sept.
11, 2001, marked the beginning of the war on terrorism
and brought a tragic end to thousands of lives.
Here we honor those who died in the attack on the
Pentagon. |
| Pentagon
Attack |
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| Since
Oct. 7, 2001, 53 Americans have died supporting
the war on terrorism. Here we honor those who died
while serving their country. |
| Fallen
Warriors |
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