DefendAmerica - Home Page 01/28/2004

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Jan 28, 2004

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ARRIVING TO SEARCH — Iraqi children stare with curiosity as soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Brigade arrive to help search and secure a site where large amounts of weapons and munitions were discovered buried behind a house in Al Ramadia, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Roberts.

Coalition Supports U.N. Plan To
Evaluate Iraq Election Potential

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2004 — Coalition officials in Baghdad expressed strong support today for a United Nations plan to send a team to evaluate the feasibility of holding direct elections before June 30.
Dan Senor, senior coalition spokesman, told reporters in Baghdad that he welcomes U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's announcement that he will dispatch a security team to Iraq. The team will assess the security situation on the ground to determine the feasibility of sending an electoral team. More

‘Today’s Generation’ Faces
New Kind of War, Cheney Says

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2004 - A new generation of American service members has picked up the gauntlet thrown by terrorists and has accepted new responsibilities in the world, Vice President Dick Cheney said at Aviano Air Base, Italy,
Jan. 27.
"Today's generation of our military has been called to fight in the first war of the 21st century - a war that began on September 11th, 2001, when enemies struck the United States and murdered thousands of our fellow citizens," Cheney said to assembled airmen, their families and their Italian allies. More

Remarks at Caserma Ederle Army Base, Italy

Remarks at Aviano Air Base, Italy

Cheney Urges European Allies To Help Spread Democracy

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2004 — Vice President Dick Cheney urged European allies to join with the United States in spreading democracy and the rule of law in the Middle East. Cheney spoke Jan. 26 at the Pallazo della Minerva in Rome to Italian government leaders. He continued a theme he developed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 24.
He told the Italians that "civilized leaders" must do everything in their power to stop another terrorist attack. More Remarks

'No Doubt' Terrorists Would Use WMD If Given Opportunity

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

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2004 — If al Qaeda and other terrorists were given even "half an opening," they would use weapons of mass destructions within the United States, said the Defense Department's official responsible for homeland defense.
"That's a chilling but hard reality," Paul McHale, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense told members of the Reserve Officers Association here today. 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.

. White House Fact Sheet: Progress in Iraq

. Iraq Update . Maps of Iraq

. Iraq's 55 Most Wanted

. Saddam's Iraq - Reign of Terror

Spirit of America Supports
Efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2004 — To Los Angeles businessman Jim Hake, winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi and Afghan people requires personal - not just governmental - intervention.
That's why Hake founded Spirit of America, a nonprofit group that seeks donations to support grassroots efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan forged in the name of friendship. More

Company Keeping
Free Phone Bank Open

Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 24, 2004 — Due to overwhelming demand, MCI has extended free phone calls for soldiers at the company’s Baghdad International Airport phone bank until February.
“The use of the phone center was extended because of soldiers emailing MCI to say thank you,” said James S. Strom, program manager for MCI government markets in Vienna, Va. More

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

Send your message Read others

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Thousands Gather, Pledge
To Support New Iraq

MOSUL, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2004 - More than 2,000 former members of the Baath Party turned out at the Mosul Public Safety Academy to renounce their membership in the party, to denounce violence and to pledge support to a new, free and democratic Iraq.
The ceremony is the largest held in the Nineveh province to date, officials said. The Baath Party is the party of deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Former officers in Saddam's Iraqi army who also were Baath Party members filed into the academy and signed an agreement that disavowed their party affiliation and pledged to cooperate fully with the Coalition Provisional Authority in serving the people of Iraq. More

Three Soldiers Killed
In Attack Near Ramadi

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2004 - Three American soldiers were killed and another was critically wounded in Iraq today by an improvised explosive device in Khalidiyah, just east of Ramadi.
The dead and wounded soldiers all were under the operational control of the 82nd Airborne Division. Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials said an Iraqi also was killed in the explosion, and several others were wounded. More

Radio

Television

Iraqi Job Fair More Photo Essays

Iraqis who arrived early at a job fair held by the British Army's 1st Battalion, 1st Light Infantry Brigade at the stadium in Al Amarah, Iraq, express happiness at being toward the front of the growing line. More than 11,000 Iraqis began arriving at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 26, 2004, to register for 2,500 manual labor jobs. The British soldiers pulled riot patrol to keep the Iraqis from trampling one another during the long wait in line. Royal Air Force photo by Cpl. Gary Wort 7 More Photos

Guard Leaders Address Troop
Concerns During Bagram Visit

By U.S. Army Sgt. Alex Delgado / 211th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Jan. 27, 2004 - The adjutants general from several states visited here Jan. 23 and attended a Town Hall Meeting for members of the National Guard.
Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbot from Utah, Maj. Gen. William Cugno from Connecticut, Maj. Gen. David Poythress from Georgia, and Maj. Gen. John Smith from Ohio, along with Lt. Col. Austin Smith, an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve representative, responded to concerns voiced by National Guard soldiers. More

Afghan Army Training Combat Medics

Afghan National Army Private Mirwais inserts a saline infusion IV during a training session at the Kabul military forces hospital. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Richard Sater

POL-E-CHARKI, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2004 (Army News Service) — The Afghan National Army has begun training its own combat medics to provide baseline care for soldiers in the field through a collaborative effort with the U.S. Army.
About 80 medics have graduated so far, and the second class is due to complete the course this month. A third group will begin training in the spring, officials said. More

Cheney: Democracies Must
Work Together Against Terror

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2004 — Vice President Dick Cheney called on all democratic nations to support the war on terror during a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 24.
Terrorism is a real threat, Cheney told the audience. He said that 19 men armed with "box cutters and airplane tickets" killed 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001. Terrorists armed with chemical, biological or nuclear weapons could kill 300,000 and would not hesitate to use them. More Remarks

Resort Hotel Recognized for R&R Service

LAKE DOKAN, Iraq, Jan. 27, 2004 - Iraqi workers at the Ashour Hotel, a hotel in northern Iraq that has been a rest and relaxation site for many Task Force Ironhorse soldiers, were recognized recently for providing outstanding service.
“They were great,” said Sgt. 1st Class William R. Reid, a native of Hayden, Ala., who serves as liaison officer at the hotel. “They understand why we’re here - they’re glad and they show it by taking good care of the soldiers.” More

Some Iraqis Civil Defense Troops
Eligible for Hazardous Duty Pay

TIKRIT, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2004 (Army News Service) - Iraqi Civil Defense Corps troops who have been working with Coalition forces are enjoying the benefits of incentive pay.
Like their American counterparts, ICDC members have begun receiving hazardous duty pay, in addition to their base pay, said Staff Sgt. Laura Blunt of the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas. More

Dragoon Doctors Share Medical
Expertise with Iraqi Colleagues

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2004 - Last week, soldiers from the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment medical team shared their knowledge and expertise with their Iraqi colleagues.
Lt. Col. Kelly Murray, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment Surgeon and Capt. Evelyn Rodriguez, the 2nd Squadron Medical Officer, guided a group of Iraqi instructors through the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics course. More

War on Terrorism

. Enemy 'Still Lurks' Out There, Nation Must Remain Vigiliant

. Bush Says Nation Will Prevail, ‘Bring the Terrorists to Justice’

. Officials Explain Commissions That Will Try Terror Detainees

Iraq

. Three Airborne Div. Soldiers Missing Following Accidents

. 101st Brigade Transfers Authority to Strykers

. Coalition Officials: Iraqi Army First Brigade Nearly Complete

Military News

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

     WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the identity of three soldiers listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldiers under the operational control of the 101st Airborne Division were involved in two incidents in Mosul, on Sunday, Jan. 25.
     Reported as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown are:
     Staff Sgt. Christopher Bunda, 29, of Washington State. On Jan. 25 Bunda's boat capsized during a river patrol on the Tigris River. He is assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, Fort Lewis, Wash.
      1st Lt. Adam G. Mooney, 28, of Cambridge, MD., and Chief Warrant Officer Patrick D. Dorff, 32, of Min. Mooney and Dorff's helicopter went down in the Tigris River during a search. They are assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Iraqi Native Helps
Train U.S. Soldiers

FORT POLK, La., Jan. 23, 2004 (Army News Service, Jan. 23, 2004) -- A native-born Iraqi, who began her career as an elementary school teacher in Baghdad, now works as a translator and cultural specialist for the U.S. Army at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk.
Daily, Noora Alshahlan translates news broadcasts into Arabic for broadcast into “the box,” a training area established to replicate the situation in Iraq. More

	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

Vice President Richard B. Cheney

"Civilized people must do everything in our power to defeat terrorism and to stop he spread of weapons of mass destruction."

Remarks to the World Economic Forum,
Jan. 24, 2004

Profile

U.S. Air Force
Tech. Sgt. Yancy Mailes

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2004 — With history occurring here every day, there needs to be someone to make sure it is never lost. The person who makes sure that happens is Air Force Tech. Sgt. Yancy Mailes, 332nd Expeditionary Air Wing historian, deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
"I collect the raw documentation that allows future researchers to write in-depth studies on our success or failure with this operation," Mailes said. More

More Profiles

. Maps of Afghanistan

In Iraq

Dedicated Airmen Fix,
Manage Base Vehicles

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Juan Hurtado removes a caliper from a Humvee on Jan. 22. Airman Hurtado is a vehicle mechanic with the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and is deployed from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bob Oldham

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- When a vehicle breaks down here, airmen do not have the luxury of calling a commercial roadside assistance team for help. Instead, a team of 48 people work behind the scenes 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep the base’s fleet of vehicles on the road. More

Big Game Set for Task
Force Ironhorse Resort

FORWARD OPERATING BASE IRONHORSE, TIKRIT, Iraq, Jan. 27, 2004 - The Task Force Ironhorse Resort is bringing the biggest sporting event of the year to the big screen.
Super Bowl XXXVIII will be shown live at 2:25 a.m., Feb. 2 on “the biggest screen in Tikrit - the theatre,” said Sgt. 1st Class Celeste Proctor, the resort’s event coordinator. Until then there is plenty of time for speculation about the game’s outcome. More

'On The Ground' Archive