DefendAmerica 12/10/2003

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Dec 10, 2003

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READY, AIM, FIRE! — Staff Sgt. Sean Purl from the 447th Office of Special Investigations prepares to fire a Styre automatic machine gun at the Baghdad International Airport firing range in Iraq during training by range officers from the Australian Air Traffic Control Detachment, Dec. 4, 2003. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall

U.S. Defense Leaders Outline Conditions for Success in Iraq

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2003 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today outlined the conditions to be met for the coalition to achieve its goals in Iraq: Iraqi self-governance, responsibility for its own internal security and a growing economy that encourages people "to come back to the country rather than leave."
     Also critical, he told Pentagon reporters, is that Iraq remain one country that does not pose a threat to its neighbors and that it "have a governance system that is respectful of the diverse elements within the country – religious and ethnic."
     Rumsfeld acknowledged that achieving these goals, which he called "the vision, the direction, and the hope of the coalition countries," is not going to happen overnight.
     "This is going to take some time," he said. "It has taken time in every country on the face of the earth when they go from a dictatorship to something like that." More

America's Veterans Purchased Nation's Freedom, Myers Says

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Va., Dec. 9, 2003 — Throughout America's history, veterans "purchased the freedom we enjoy today," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers said here today.
Myers spoke to more than 4,000 veterans at the "Salute to Military Aviation Veterans" at the Smithsonian Institution's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. The salute was part of the opening ceremonies for the $311 million center, a part of the National Air and Space Museum. The center opens to the public on Dec. 15, just before the centennial of the Wright brothers' flight on Dec. 17. More

Black Market, Hoarders & Strike Cause Gas Shortage in Iraq

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2003 — Black marketers, hoarding, and a recently-ended transportation strike combined to cause a shortage of gasoline in some areas of Iraq, a senior Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman told reporters at a Dec. 8 Baghdad press briefing. More

Troop Rotations Won't Affect Readiness, Defense Leaders Say

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2003 — Troop rotations in Iraq during the next several months will create a temporary transition time in Iraq – but will in no way affect U.S. readiness in Iraq or anywhere else in the world, Defense leaders told Pentagon reporters today.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld acknowledged that moving a large percentage of the 123,000 combat-experienced troops from Iraq will create a temporary sense of turbulence, which he said "is always undesirable." More

Iraq Weekly Progress Update (Governance, Electricity, Education, Oil, Security, Economics, Health Care)

U.S. Defense Dept. slides with facts &
figures on reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

U.S. State Dept. fact sheet on the latest developments in restoring Iraq's essential services, security, economy & governance.

Defense officials provide an update on the Coalition Provisional Authority & the Iraqi Governing Council agreement that outlines the process of restoring Iraq's sovereignty and the adoption of a permanent constitution.

U.S. Army Helicopter
Forced Down in Iraq; Crew OK

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2003 — A U.S. Army helicopter made a hard landing near Fallujah, Iraq, today, according to U.S. Central Command.
The helicopter's pilot and co-pilot were able to walk away from their OH-58D Kiowa observation aircraft after making an emergency landing south of Fallujah, CENTCOM spokesman Marine Maj. Pete Mitchell said. More

Send your 'Best Wishes' to the men and women in uniform supporting the global war on terror
Send your message
Read other messages

Video Project Sends
‘Hearts Across Water’

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 4, 2003 (Army News Service) — Duty in Baghdad kept U.S. Army Pfc. Al Simons away from his family’s Thanksgiving dinner, but an American Red Cross project is making sure he’ll soon get a recap of the holiday feast.
With Project Video Connect, family and friends can send free visual messages to troops through electronic mail. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Radio

Television

Raid in Huwaji More Photo Essays

Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate)'s Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry carry Kalashnikov assault rifles captured during early morning raids in Huwaji, Iraq, during Operation Lightning Bayonet, Dec. 2, 2003. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Troy Chatwin 8 More Photos

Blast Wounds 31 U.S. Soldiers In Iraq; Stryker Accident Kills 3

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2003 — A car bomb exploded early today outside a U.S. military compound west of Mosul, Iraq, wounding 31 American soldiers, according to U.S. Central Command.
     The good news, said CENTCOM spokesman Marine Maj. Pete Mitchell, was that the vehicle wasn't permitted to get closer to a building where U.S. troops were billeted.
     "It's a testament to the way we are organized over there in terms of force protection," Mitchell pointed out. More

Soldier Dies in Mosul Shooting; Offensive Operations Continue

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2003 — A drive-by shooting attack today on soldiers guarding a gas station in Mosul, Iraq, left one coalition soldier dead, even as coalition forces continue to take the offensive against the enemies of a stable and free Iraq, officials said today at the headquarters of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad.
A U.S. Central Command news release said the soldier who was killed was a member of the Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. More Briefing

Despite Challenges, Engineers Push on with Bridge Mission

By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Liana Mayo / 244th Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion

U.S. Army Capt. Darryl M. Butler, facility engineer for the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, Task Force 1st Armored Division, inspects a new Modified Protection for un-armored Humvees kit before it is lowered onto a Humvee. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chad D. Wilkerson

TIKRIT, Iraq - On a crisp November evening, as shadows stretched along the banks of the Tigris River, six soldiers from the 652nd Assault Float Bridge Engineer Company climbed out of the multi-purpose boat and fanned out along the cliff.
While some pulled security, others pushed through the tall reeds along the river’s edge to retrieve a pontoon that had escaped its restraints when the river rose the night before. More

Army Reserve Unit Renovates Two Abu Ghraib Primary Schools

By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Conrad College / 372nd Mobile Public Affairs Det.

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 9, 2003 — Smiling and laughing, happy school children, in grades 1 through 6, returned to two newly renovated primary schools in the Abu Ghraib area of western Baghdad in November.
A team from the 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Abilene, Texas, managed renovations and repairs at the two schools, Ruqia Primary School and Al-Fayha Primary School. More

U.S. Troops Help Search for Lost Kuwaitis

KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 3, 2003 — A group of Army Reservists working for the 377th Theater Support Command from New Orleans is helping the Kuwaiti government unravel a decade-old puzzle that results from one of that country's darkest periods.
The Reservists, from various Civil Affairs units from around the United States, are working with the Kuwaitis as they try to determine what happened to 605 people-including 572 Kuwaitis and workers from eight other countries-who were taken prisoner by Iraq during its occupation of Kuwait, which began in August 2,1990 and lasted until the liberation on Feb. 26, 1991. More

International Partners

U.S., French Forces Make
History with Commando School

Service members with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa conduct Zodiac training with a French Foreign Legion instructor during French Commando Training at Arta Plage. The training was the first time American forces have gone through the three-week commando course that was held by French Foreign Legion instructors. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bradly Shaver

ARTA PLAGE, Djibouti, Dec. 7, 2003 — Personnel supporting the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa made history recently when they became the first Americans to graduate from the French Commando School here.
Twenty soldiers and five Marines completed the three-week course and received the French Commando medal and a certificate of completion. U.S. Army Master Sgt. Chris Fields said the training with the French is essential to the mission in the Horn of Africa of detecting, deterring and defeating transnational terrorists in the region. More

Delegates' Meeting Focuses on
Ways to Spur Economic Growth

By U.S. Army Spc. Samuel A. Soza / 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE IRONHORSE, TIKRIT, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2003 — Delegates of nearly twenty nongovernmental and international organizations met with military and community leaders recently in the Salah Ad Din province to discuss plans to jumpstart the economy in the Taskforce Ironhorse area of operation.
The goal of the conference was to link the different groups with Iraqi businesses in an effort to stimulate the local economy, while addressing the needs of the Iraqi people, said Lt. Col. Wayne A. Steltz, a native of Virginia Beach, Va., who serves as the operations officer in the 358th Civil Affair Battalion out of Norristown, Pa. More

Operation Rifles Blitz:
'Bandit Troop' Goes on the Offensive

     HUSAYBAH, Iraq — Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Carson, Colo., went on the offensive in one of Iraq’s most volatile towns, Husaybah during Operation Rifles Blitz.
      "It's a nice place to visit, but I would hate to live here," said Pfc. Carl Roush, a scout with Bandit Troop.
      Roush and the others of Bandit Troop recalled their stay in the city’s Baath Party headquarters from Oct. 18 to Nov. 8 and Operation Rifles Blitz began Nov. 20. Story

Global War on Terrorism

. Myers: Transformation Vital to Fighting Global War On Terror

. Rumsfeld in Azerbaijan; Talks Include NATO, War on Terror

On Iraq

. Insurgent Success Rate Down, 4th Infantry Gen. Tells Sec Def

. Bush Surprises Troops, World With Thanksgiving in Baghdad

. Sanchez: More Mobile Force Will Have 'Right Blend' of Units

On Afghanistan

. Rumsfeld Meets with Karzai, Notes Progress in Afghanistan

. Rumsfeld Visits Afghanistan, Praises Reconstruction Team

Military News

. Wolfowitz Accepts Patriot Award On U.S. Defense Team's Behalf

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2003 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
      Pfc. Jason G. Wright, 19, of Luzerne, Mich., was killed Dec. 8 in Mosul, Iraq. Wright was on security duty when his vehicle came under fire from a passing vehicle. Wright died as a result of his injuries.
      Wright was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
      The incident is under investigation.

	U.S. Views — Quotes by President Bush & other U.S. leaders
	Defense Views — Quotes by U.S. defense leaders
	Maps of Iraq — Maps of the nation of Iraq and the region

Secretary of Defense
Donald H. Rumsfeld

“Our force today is … trained, equipped, experienced, combat hardened, benefiting from lessons learned in Afghanistan, benefiting from lessons learned in Iraq, benefiting from lessons learned in the post-major conflict portion of Iraq.”

Remarks during return
flight from Baghdad, Dec. 7, 2003

Provincial Reconstruction Team Will Open Kandahar Location

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Dec. 9, 2003 — The Provincial Reconstruction Team will hold a ceremony Dec. 11 to mark the opening of the its Kandahar location, according to Combined Joint Task Force 180 (Afghanistan) officials.
The team works with the citizens of Kandahar and local leaders to rebuild and develop the community and maintain peace and security in the region. Team activities are coordinated with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, non-governmental organizations and international associations.

. Maps of Iraq

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, December 9, 2003 — A Pakistani engineer working on the Ring Road project near Mukur in the Ghazni province was killed when he and five other workers - two other Pakistani engineers and three Afghans -- were attacked with small arms fire by an undetermined enemy element about 5 p.m. Monday. Local investigating officials report that a suspect has been placed under control for questioning. More

More Afghanistan Update Details

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Army
Capt. Darryl M. Butler

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Dec. 3, 2003) — Ingenuity and improvisation have been hallmarks of the U.S. Army since its inception. Whether it is making something faster, easier, deadlier or safer, soldiers always find a way to improve upon what they are issued.
An improvising reservist has been using his engineering skills to help provide better protection to soldiers riding around Iraq in unarmored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. More

More Profiles

Staff Sgt. Kim Almodovar, a member of the 222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment in Iraq, sends holiday wishes to her loved ones at home in Altadena, Calif.

Seventh-Grade Winners
Offer Their Insights

In his submission to the Weekly Reader’s Operation Tribute to Freedom essay contest, which placed first among seventh-graders, Christian wrote that the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, have left an indelible mark on America that can never be erased. More

. More essays

In Iraq

Coffee House Percolates
With Speicher Soldiers

From left, Sgt. John M Aklan of Sacramento, Calif., Staff Sgt. Michael Lombardo of Columbus, Ohio, Sgt. Tony Pittman of Dexter, Ga., and Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Herrick of Pan Handle, Texas, stand behind the bar at the Java Dustoff, a coffee shop they built to serve fellow members of 57th Medevac Company at Camp Speicher, Iraq.

CAMP SPEICHER, Iraq — In addition to serving their country, four members of 57th Medevac Company are serving up coffee to members of their company and others at Camp Speicher. The Java Dustoff, as the little shed on the edge of the flight line at Camp Speicher is known, was inspired by Sgt. John M. Aklan, a flight medic and native of Sacramento, Calif. More

. U.S. Army Reserve MPs Train Iraqi Police

In Djibouti

Marine Unit Develops New
Skills for Djibouti Deployment

Marines from Task Force Batio, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines fire the 9mm service pistol during a live fire exercise here. Task force Batio took the reigns as force protection for Camp Lemonier, November 19 from Task Force Rawhide. Photo by: SSgt. Timothy S. Edwards CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, Dec. 7, 2003 — The anti-terrorism force responsible for the security of Camp Lemonier and of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa fine-tuned their skills at Marine Corps Security Forces Training Command in Chesapeake, Va. before deploying here in November. More

'On The Ground' Archive