DefendAmerica - Home Page 01/06/2004

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Jan 06, 2004

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ROUGH RIDING — A soldier from the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division ground guides a High Mobility Multiwheeled Vehicle over rocks that were placed in a hole on a road in order to make it passable for military traffic on the way to Tangay in the Daychopan region of Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2003. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Horace Murray

82ND AIRBORNE COMMANDER

Coalition 'On a Glide Path
To Success' in Western Iraq

By Jim Garamone /American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2004 — Coalition forces have "turned the corner" in western Iraq, said Army Maj. Gen. Charles H. Swannack Jr., 82nd Airborne Division commander, during a Baghdad press conference today.
     The general also said the coalition is "on a glide path to success" in the region. He said attacks against Task Force All-American forces have decreased almost 60 percent in the past month.
     The task force covers Anbar province in western Iraq. The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is part of the force. More

Afghan Constitution Paves
Way for Democracy, Elections

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2004 — Delegates to Afghanistan's Loya Jirga agreed on a new, democratic constitution for the nation Jan. 4.
     The agreement came after more than three weeks of "robust" debate that "thoroughly considered all aspects of the draft" and led to a "genuine political process," said a State Department spokesman. The Loya Jirga began debate on the draft constitution Dec. 14.
     "This document lays the foundation for democratic institutions and provides a framework for national elections in 2004," President Bush said in a written statement. More     Statement

Expanded Army Stop-Loss To
Affect 7,000 Deployed Troops

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2004 — The Army's expansion of the stop loss/stop movement program is expected to affect about 7,000 active-duty soldiers deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Col. Elton M. Manske, chief of the Army's Enlisted Division, said the expansion, to be announced "within days," will affect only soldiers already in theater who have upcoming service expiration dates or approved or scheduled retirement dates. More

Video Dispels Claims That
Troops Desecrated Mosque

By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2004 — Coalition Provisional Authority and military officials in Baghdad, Iraq, today showed reporters a video as proof that coalition and Iraqi security forces took extra care not to desecrate the holy site during a raid of a mosque Jan. 1.
Some media reported protests by angry Sunni Iraqis, who accused U.S. soldiers of ripping pages from the mosque's Quran during a New Year's Day raid at the Ibn Taymiyah mosque near the Iraqi capital. More

Coalition, Iraqi Police Seize Weapons, Capture Suspects

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.

. Maps of Iraq

Chief of Naval Operations
Plots Course for 2004

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2003 — In the Chief of Naval Operation's Guidance for 2004, Adm. Vern Clark praises sailors’ performance and the progress they made last year and calls on Navy leaders to “accelerate our advantages” this year.
“Our Navy's performance in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom demonstrated more than just combat excellence. It proved the value of readiness. It highlighted our ability to exploit the vast maneuver space provided by the sea,” Clark wrote. “It demonstrated the importance of the latest technology in surveillance and attack. Most importantly, it reaffirmed the single greatest advantage we hold over every potential adversary: the genius of our people contributing their utmost to mission accomplishment.” More

Transformation

New Publication Explains Role
Of Network-Centric Warfare

     WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2004 — The Defense Department's Office of Force Transformation has produced a new publication explaining the importance of network-centric warfare.
    According to DoD officials, the term broadly describes the combination of emerging tactics, techniques and procedures that a networked force can use to create a decisive warfighting advantage. It's one of DoD's major initiatives to transform the military.
    Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has said that "U.S. forces must leverage information technology and innovative network-centric concepts of operations to develop increasingly capable joint forces. New information and communications technologies hold promise for networking highly distributed, joint and multinational forces." More

More About Defense Dept. Transformation

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

     WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Capt. Eric T. Paliwoda, 28, of Texas, was killed on Jan. 2 in Balad, Iraq. Paliwoda was in his command post when it came under mortar attack. He died of injuries sustained in the attack. Paliwoda was assigned to 4th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), based in Fort Carson, Colo.
     Sgt. Dennis A. Corral, 33, of Kearney, Neb., died on Jan. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq. He was in a convoy going to the Baghdad International Airport when his vehicle went out of control and rolled over. Corral was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Radio

Television

Task Force 'All American'
Patrols Net Weapons, Capture Personnel

RAMADI, Iraq, Jan. 6, 2004 – During the last 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units, also know as Task Force “All American," conducted 196 patrols, 16 of which were joint patrols with Iraqis, and carried out five offensive operations. During these operations, 27 enemy personnel were captured. Entry was denied to 55 personnel at the border crossing at Trebil all due to insufficient documentation.
In 3rd Brigade’s area, paratroopers conducted a cordon and search near Al Karmah. The operation resulted in the capture of six enemy personnel, including the two primary targets of the mission, and the confiscation of five AK-47s, a 9mm pistol, eight grenade fuses, blasting caps, detonation cord, miscellaneous documents. More

Tournament of Roses Parade More Photo Essays

Riding on the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve float in the Jan. 1 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., are, from left, Dan Weidmann, president of Weidmann Remodeling-Renovation; Capt. Kris Marshall, an Army National Guardsman deployed to Afghanistan and Weidmann's employee; and Jennie Marshall. The three won all-expense-paid trips to the parade after Marshall's mother won the "Heroes Among Us" essay contest, sponsored by the National Military Family Association and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Photo courtesy of Dan Weidmann 7 More Photos

Coalition Aids Samarra
Pharmaceutical Company

SAMARRA, Iraq, Jan. 5, 2004 — A partnership forged between Coalition forces and an Iraqi business during the war may now spur the rejuvenation of Samarra’s economy.
“When we first came to Samarra we were looking for a place to stay, and we temporarily occupied the grounds,” said Capt. Dave Fujimoto, a 418th Civil Affairs Battalion team chief. “That is when our relationship with State Drug Industry started.” More

Kirkuk Airmen Provide Humanitarian Supplies to Kurdish Refugees in Iraq

By U.S. Air Force Capt. Stan Paregien / 506th Air Expeditionary Group

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gary Garvey, who meets with local residents, was amoung airmen and soldiers who delivered several loads of donated boxed goods sent from the United States in Kirkuk, Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alicia Sarkkinen

KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq, Jan. 5, 2003 — The words of a Kurdish refugee woman living in a tent on the outskirts of Kirkuk keep ringing in the ears of all who heard it.
“This is no life for my children here,” the mother cried out as chaplains and armed escorts from the Air Force and Army stationed here made their way through a curious and gathering crowd. The six servicemembers were there to deliver food, clothing and toys for the children living in poverty. More

Language Skills Help Doctors Treat Bulgarian Suicide Bombing Victims

By Capt. Carrie Clear / 447th Air Expeditionary Group

BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq, Jan. 5, 2004 — Imagine how frightening it must be to lie in a hospital bed and not be able to understand the people taking care of you. Now imagine how frustrating it would be if you are the doctor or nurse trying to care for a patient who cannot tell you where they hurt.
A call went out Jan. 3 for anyone who spoke Bulgarian or Russian to help medical professionals at the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron here. They needed to gather information from three Bulgarian soldiers who were injured when a suicide bomber drove a fuel truck into their building. More

Gamble's Deployment Journal

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. Gamble left his civilian job at the Pentagon Dec. 7. Gamble plans to share some of his deployment journal entries with DefendAmerica.mil.

Dec. 24, 2003 - When teaching your 7-year-old son how to write in cursive, it is probably not a good idea to start him out with the word "Djibouti."
I tried before I left the States, and my son Mackenzie quickly became frustrated trying to write the word. I was proud nonetheless that he came very close to getting it just right. It makes me happy to know that he is motivated to learn cursive, although his school does not teach it until the third grade. More

Global War on Terrorism

. Navy Chemical Detection Know-How To Bolster Security

. Defense Officials Announce Military Commission Panel

. Heightened Security Not Tied to Saddam Hussein's Capture

Iraq

. 1st Armored Div. Commander Optimistic About Iraq's Future

. Coalition Battles Oil Industry Sabotage, Gasoline Smugglers

. 5 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq; Operation Nets 66 Prisoners

Military News

. Small Business Loans: Temporary Relief for Reservists, Guardmen

. Army Officials: Stop-Loss to Expand to Include More Troops

. Transformation in Action: Ops. Enduring & Iraqi Freedom

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Send your 'Best Wishes' to the
troops waging the global war on terror.

Send your message

Read other messages

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

High School Football
Heroes Meet Army Heroes

U.S. Army First Sgt. Cynthia Barren walks off the field with her player counterpart from the West squad and greets a fan before the start of the Army-sponsored

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan.4, 2004 — Heroes of the high school gridiron met heroes of the war on terrorism during pre-game activities at the U.S. Army-sponsored All-American Bowl Jan. 3.
More than 80 soldiers who earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star or Purple Heart during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom were each matched with one of the nation’s top high school football players and introduced at the start of the All-American Bowl contest between the East and West squads. More

SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS — Comedians Colin Quinn, Laurie Kilmartin and Jim Norton sign autographs for troops following a United Service Organization comedy show at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, Jan. 1, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Verlin Levi Collins

Profile

U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Scott Smullen

Staff Sgt. Scott Smullen receives the Soldier's Medal for heroism in Afghanistan from Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg commander. U.S. Army photo by Ken Kassens

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Army News Service), Dec. 30, 2003 — U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Scott Smullen, a soldier with the 27th Engineer Battalion, recently received the Soldier's Medal at Fort Bragg, N.C., for his actions in Afghanistan.
While serving as a squad leader in C Company, 27th Engineer Battalion, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he risked his life to save an injured soldier. More

More Profiles

	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

U.S. Army Maj. Gen.
Charles H. Swannack Jr.
82nd Airborne Division Commandery

""We have turned the corner (in Western Iraq), and now we can accelerate down the straightaway. There's still a long way to go before the finish line, but the final outcome is known."

Remarks during Baghdad briefing, Jan. 6, 2004

. Maps of Afghanistan

In Iraq

Air Force Halts Convoys in Iraq

Airman Michael Holder, assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, stands guard as a herd of camels cross the road during a convoy Dec. 29. Animals can carry improvised explosive devices, and security forces airmen must treat them as hazards. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. C.E. Lewis

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN), Jan. 5, 2004 — With the closure of the Tallil Tavern Dining Facility, the dangerous 150-mile convoy trip from here to Kuwait has ended for the Air Force convoy team.
“Most of the convoys were for food supplies,” said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron superintendent. More

'On The Ground' Archive