DefendAmerica 12/11/2003

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Dec 11, 2003

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COLE VISITS ROTA — The guided missile destroyer USS Cole moors at Pier 3 Naval Station Rota, Spain, during the Cole's first overseas port visit following its transit from Norfolk, Va., Dec. 9, 2003. The Cole is conducting its first overseas deployment since being damaged by a terrorist attack in Aden, Yemen, Oct. 12, 2000. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Dan Smithyman

Iraqis Stage Widespread Rallies
To Show Support for Coalition

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2003 — Pro-coalition demonstrators gathered throughout Iraq Dec. 10 to protest terrorist actions and urge their fellow Iraqis to take action against anti-coalition forces.
     Coalition Provisional Authority officials reported major demonstrations in as many as eight cities by a sweeping representation of the Iraqi people: Kurds, Shiites, Sunnis and Christians among them. Although the CPA estimated participation at 15,000 to 20,000 people, Iraqi police and media sources cited numbers ranging from 100,000 to 1 million.
     The demonstrations, organized by the Iraqi Reconstruction and Development Council, took place in every major Iraqi city except Tikrit and Mosul, officials said. In Baghdad, the scene of the largest demonstration, an estimated 5,000 Iraqis carried banners and chanted slogans opposing violence by Saddam Hussein loyalists and other insurgents. More

Defense Dept., Coalition Look Into Iraqi Army Resignations

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2003 — Defense Department and coalition officials will look into why about a third of the men in the first battalion of the new Iraqi army have resigned, Pentagon officials said.
     Officials in Baghdad said the first indication is that many of the men left over pay issues. Officials said between 200 and 250 men in the 600-man battalion resigned. Many said they could make about $10 a month more if they entered other Iraqi security forces.
     Pentagon officials said they recognize there is a problem, but they downplayed its importance. "This is one small unit in a massive security effort," said Army Lt. Col. James Cassella, a Pentagon spokesman. "We will look into it, because it is important to recruit and retain personnel for the new Iraqi army." More

RUMSFELD

Space, Missile Defense Is Now ‘America’s Highest Priority’

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2003 - Defending America, its overseas military and its allies from ballistic missiles laden with weapons of mass destruction "is now America's highest priority," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld noted today.
In prepared remarks provided by video feed to attendees of an Association of the United States Army-sponsored space and missile defense symposium in El Paso, Texas, Rumsfeld noted that some rogue states that sponsor terrorism "either have or are working hard to acquire nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction and the long-range missiles necessary to deliver them." 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.

Morale High on USS Cole’s
Maiden Voyage Since Attack

ROTA, Spain, Dec. 10, 2003 (NNS) — USS Cole made its first overseas port visit Dec. 9 at Naval Station Rota, Spain, on its “maiden” deployment since it was bombed in the port of Yemen, Oct. 12, 2000, and subsequent repair in Pascagoula, Miss., at an estimated cost of $250 million.
Despite its history, crewmembers are excited at the opportunity to return to the fight against terrorism. Although few blast survivors remain assigned to Cole, Ensign James Culnen, force protection officer, said the crew is glad to be back at sea doing what the ship was designed to do. “We’re all happy to get [the ship] out,” Culnen said. More

Local Tips Successful for
Task Force ‘All American’

AR RAMADI, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2003 - The 82nd Airborne Division and attached units, also known as Task Force “All American,” continued operations within the Al Anbar Province to provide security and assistance to the Iraqi people, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
During the past 24 hours, the Task Force has conducted 25 offensive operations, six cordon and searches and 19 raids. Soldiers also conducted 178 patrols, including seven joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi Police. More

Send your 'Best Wishes' to the men and women in uniform supporting the global war on terror
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'Treasures' Program Offers
Chance to Support Troops

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2003 — The public's response to the American Red Cross "Treasures for Troops" program has been overwhelming, Gwynn Schneider, associate with Armed Forces Emergency Services, Headquarters ARC, said here Dec. 10.
Although Treasures for Troops is not a holiday program, Red Cross officials said they are committed to having the first 10,000 packages reach deployed service members during December. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Radio

Television

Iraqi Reconstruction Contract Bids to be Limited to Coalition

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2003 — Only nations committed to the Operation Iraqi Freedom may bid on contracts to rebuild Iraq, Pentagon officials said today. Nations that are not part of the coalition cannot serve as prime contractors for any of the $18.6 billion in reconstruction funds provided by Congress as part of the Fiscal 2004 Defense Supplemental.
The administration had three choices: It could limit bids to only U.S. firms; it could open the bids to all nations; or it could limit bids in some fashion, said Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita. “There are countries that made a commitment to Iraq in a certain way,” Di Rita said. More

Bremer: Coalition Will Strive to Ensure Equality for All Iraqis

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2003 — Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, observed Human Rights Day today by promising that the coalition would continue to work to ensure equality for all Iraqis.
"The laws of God and man alike insist that all people, including women, have rights, equality and justice," said Bremer in observing the 54th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations General Assembly's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. More

101st Soldiers Seize Former Regime Supporters, Weapons

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2003 — U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division soldiers seized more than 50 suspected supporters of the deposed Saddam Hussein regime and confiscated weapons today in two separate operations in northern Iraq, according to U.S. Central Command.
Members of the division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team nabbed 52 individuals in an early morning raid covering 34 locations across Mosul, a U.S. Central Command news release reported. More

. U.S. Task Force Raids Net Attackers of Spanish Forces

Operation Bulldog Mammoth More Photo Essays

U.S. Army Spc. Travis Morrone, Company A, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, carries an armload of AK-47 assault rifles confiscated during Operation Bulldog Mammoth in Abu Ghurayb, Iraq, Dec. 4, 2003. The cordon and search mission covered 2,400 apartments and 53 additional buildings, resulting in the capture of hundreds of weapons and 40 detainees. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Stanis 5 More Photos

Operation Bulldog Mammoth Strikes Insurgents' Apartments

By U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Stanis / 1st Armored Division

     ABU GHURAYB, Iraq - Task Force 1st Armored Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team from Fort Riley, Kan. conducted a brigade-sized cordon and search of an Abu Ghurayb apartment complex, northwest of Baghdad Dec. 4, making it one of the largest military operations since President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat operations in May.
     The operation was named Operation Bulldog Mammoth.
     "Cordon and searches are normally at the platoon and company level," said Maj. Dale Ringler, 3BCT operations officer. "Very rarely do we (include) two battalions (plus supporting units) and make it a brigade-sized operation." More

Gamble's Deployment Journal

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2003 — Army Staff Sgt. Zeno Gamble, a Gulf War veteran, is one of the thousands of reservists who have been called to active duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This week, Gamble left his civilian job at the Pentagon for Fort Bliss, Texas. He’ll spend several days there before flying out to Kuwait. During his deployment in the Persian Gulf, Gamble plans to share some of journal entries with the readers of DefendAmerica.mil.

Dec. 1, 2003 — Most of my friends and co-workers are incredulous that I have been activated. They thought this would never happen to me. Heck, I never thought it would happen to me either.
As a civilian, I work in the Pentagon as one of the writers in the Executive Secretariat in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. As an Army reservist, I work for Master Sgt. Peter Judd, the enlisted military assistant to the secretary of defense. I love my work and enjoy the responsibilities I am given. More

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

Global War on Terrorism

. Myers: Transformation Vital to Fighting Global War On Terror

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

On Iraq

. Black Market, Hoarders & Strike Cause Gas Shortage in Iraq

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

On Afghanistan

. Rumsfeld Meets with Karzai, Notes Progress in Afghanistan

. Rumsfeld Visits Afghanistan, Praises Reconstruction Team

Military News

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

. Troop Rotations Won't Affect Readiness, Defense Leaders Say

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

      WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2003 — Defense Department officials announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     The soldiers were killed on Dec. 8 in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq, when their vehicle flipped into a canal. The soldiers are Staff Sgt. Steven H. Bridges, 33, of Tracy, Calif., Spc. Joseph M. Blickenstaff, 23, of Corvallis, Ore., and Spc. Christopher J. Rivera Wesley, 26, of Portland, Ore.
     The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash. The incident is under investigation.

Ninth-Grade Winners
Offer Their Insights

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2003 - Elicia Cataldo of Misawa, Japan, has been taught all her life to be thankful for the freedoms she enjoys, but knows that freedom “was not truly free.”
In her entry in the Weekly Reader’s Operation Tribute to Freedom essay contest, Elicia wrote about the sad separation she felt while her father and his fellow airmen in the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing deployed to Qatar. More

. More essays

	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

“The coalition intends to stay in Iraq as long as it takes to finish the job. We will not be intimidated. We will not cut and run. We will stay the course, and help you secure a future of freedom for your children.”

Remarks in television address to Iraqi people,
Dec. 5, 2003

. Maps of Iraq

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Capt. Darius L. James

U.S. Marine Capt. Darius L. James rehearses before his Christmas performance with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sharon E. Fox

WILMINGTON, N.C. — In high school, a 14-year-old started playing the trombone. At first, it was a hobby; another extracurricular activity. But as the teenager improved and immersed himself in music, his hobby turned into a passion. Darius L. James was first chair trombone in the all-state band and orchestra in high school and was accepted to the University of South Carolina on a full music scholarship.
Sixteen years later, James--now Capt. James, a logistics officer for the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism), --till has a passion for making music. More

More Profiles

U.S. Army Sgt. Amy Abbott from the V Corps Headquarters, deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where she works in the Coalition Press Information Center, sends holiday greetings home to Crestview, Fla., and Andalusia, Ala. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyrone Walker

In Iraq

Improvised Armor Adds Protection

Staff Sgt. Roman Moreno of the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade, an Army Reserve unit from Norristown, Pa., removes panels in his Humvee, which will latter be outfitted with armor plating. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Melissa Walther

BAGHDAD, Iraq — As convoys throughout Iraq continue to come under attack, some soldiers are adding additional protection in the form of innovative armor plating on their vehicles.
Members of the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade weren’t satisfied with relying on sandbags to fortify their vehicles. More

. Coffee House Percolates With Soldiers

'On The Ground' Archive