DefendAmerica 02/05/2004

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Feb 05, 2004

Saddam's Capture - A Video from Golf Troops' Perspective

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SUNRISE ON THE ARABIAN SEA — After transiting the Straits of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, Enterprise sails east into the sunrise. The carrier group is underway in the North Arabian Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Edward I. Fagg

Bush Says Strength, Purpose
Required to Win Terror War

By K.L. Vantran / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2003 — The struggles and challenges the United States and its allies face in the war on terror are similar to those Winston Churchill knew, President Bush said here today.
“Today we are engaged in a different struggle,” he said at the Library of Congress, which features an exhibit on Churchill. “Instead of an armed empire, we face stateless networks. Instead of massed armies, we face deadly technologies that must be kept out of the hands of terrorists and outlaw regimes." More

Terror War Underscores Need
To Manage Demand on Force

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2004 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that one effect of the global war on terrorism is a significant increase in operational tempo and an increased demand on the force.
Rumsfeld told the senators that operations in Iraq are causing a spike in the number of forces deployed and putting stress on the military—but that proper management of force demand, not more troops, is the proper solution. Story

Proposed Budget Provides Tools to Manage Force

Rumsfeld Defends Intelligence Community Before Congress

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2004 — No administration official put pressure on any analyst to manipulate intelligence data to hype the threat of Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction programs, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today.
Rumsfeld testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He defended intelligence analysts saying that the men and women in the intelligence community have a tough and often thankless job. More

Spanish President Pledges to Continue Support in Terror Fight

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2004 — Spain stands with the United States in the fight against terrorism, Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar told a joint session of Congress today.
Spain has a brigade and a headquarters serving with the Multinational Division Central/South based in Hillah, Iraq. A number of Spanish soldiers have been killed or wounded. More

Cordon and Search Operation Nets Rocket Attack Suspect

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2004 — Soldiers conducting a cordon-and-search operation near Fallujah, Iraq, captured a man suspected of conducting rocket attacks on coalition field operating bases, Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials announced in a news release today.
The captured suspect was the target of the operation. The soldiers — from 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division - confiscated 10 57 mm rockets, a 122 mm rocket, an AT-5 anti-tank missile, seven circuit boards and a variety of ammunition. 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

. Mass Graves

Troops Working to Create
Safe Environment in Al Anbar

AR RAMADI, Iraq, Feb. 3, 2004 - The Iraqi Civil Defense Force and Task Force “All American” troops continue operations to root out enemy personnel and weapons that bring violence and instability to the Al Anbar province.
U.S. Central Command officials reported today that during the last 24 hours, members of the 82nd Airborne Division and its subordinate units conducted 248 patrols, 10 of them joint patrols, and two offensive operations. More

Soldier Wounded in Iraq
To Tie Knot on National TV

NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2004 — A 10th Mountain Division soldier recovering from injuries sustained in Iraq and his fiancée from Syracuse, N.Y., will "tie the knot" on national television Feb. 6 after a week of "courting" on Live with Regis & Kelly.
Spc. 1st Class Robert Fleming and fiancée April Zehr will get "the wedding of their dreams during Live's Wedding Week," said Ann Marie Williams-Gray, the segment producer. More

Hawaiian Church Donates Inspirational Dog Tags to Troops

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — Around the necks of soldiers deployed in Iraq are their military dog tags. They go where the soldiers go and are their identity in peace and war. More

North Carolina Student Club
Expresses Appreciation to Troops

Carolina Troop Supporters, an organization made up of North Carolina college students, is committed to showing appreciation, care and support to the U.S. military, both at home and serving overseas. Story

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

Send your message Read more messages

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Aircraft Land Safely
After Collision

MANAMA, Bahrain, Feb. 3, 2004 — Two F-14A Tomcats operating from USS Enterprise in the Red Sea collided with each other while conducting basic daytime fighter maneuvers Feb. 2. No one was injured during the incident, and both aircraft landed safely aboard Enterprise. More

New Generator to Boost Iraqi Electric Grid

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Feb. 3, 2004) - A secret convoy successfully crossed Baghdad’s 14th of July Bridge in the dark hours of Jan. 27, moving between armed guards through the capital city under cover of night toward an unspoken destination.
The convoy of 18 vehicles hauled one 198-ton, 125-megawatt generator, and its 220-ton turbine, that once installed would support stable and reliable power on the Iraqi national electric grid. More

Animal Shelter Opens in Baghdad

An Iraqi child points to puppy in the Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare facility during its grand opening in Baghdad Jan 21. The new facility is the base for the society’s operations and will provide animal welfare services ranging from spaying and neutering to pet adoption.U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chad D. Wilkerson

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 3, 2004 — The coalition forces’ contributions to the nation of Iraq are focused toward improving the lives of its citizens. In some cases, however, the benefits are not limited only to people.
With the help of military personnel from 1st Armored Division and V Corps and funding from the 22nd Signal Brigade, Iraqi veterinarians cut the grand opening ribbon at the Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare in central Baghdad Jan 21. More

Operation Clothes for Kids Reaches Target

A boy smiles at receiving a new suit delivered Jan. 13, 2004 to his school in Taji, Iraq as part of Operation Clothes for Kids. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. David Bennett

TAJI, Iraq, Feb. 2, 2004 — As the soldiers walked down the narrow walk, curious children peeked out of their classrooms recently, eying the large cardboard boxes that they were carrying. The grade school children jostled for position in line as shoes, winter coats, denim pants and simple dresses came spilling out of the open boxes.
Standing in the middle of the activity, Lt. Col. Steven A. Maglio, the chaplain for 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) Artillery, has been coordinating Operation Clothes for Kids, which is an effort to bring clothing to needy Iraqi children. More

Iraqis Securing Iraq 7 More Photos

An Iraqi Civil Defense Corps member stands proudly during the opening ceremony of the Joint Operations Center in Tuz, Iraq, Jan. 31, 2004. The center, considered a major step forward as Iraqis assume increased responsibility for maintaining security in Iraq, will house the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, the Iraqi Police Department and emergency responders and will be in direct communication with coalition forces. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey A. Wolfe

Photo Essay Archive

'Red Tail' Wing Moves to Balad Air Base

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq, Feb. 2, 2004 — The famed “Red Tails” were on the move recently when they relocated from a base in southern Iraq to just north of Baghdad.
The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing flag was furled here before being flown to its new home at Balad Air Base, where the wing was reactivated Jan. 30. The move is part of the Central Command Air Forces effort to consolidate forces from Tallil, Baghdad International Airport and Kirkuk AB into one location. More

Explosives Team Does Bang-up Job

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 4, 2004 — Having a bang-up time while deployed is not something these airman want to do. Actually, the farther away from booms and bangs, the better.
As part of the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and Misawa Air Base, Japan, put their lives on the line and their training to the test to ensure the safety of others here and in the area of responsibility. More

War on Terrorism

. U.S.-Coalition Forces Continue Offensive Operations in Iraq

. Terror War Needs Funded in Proposed 2005 Defense Budget

. Turkish Prime Minister Thanks Bush for Anti-Terror Support

Iraq

. Death Toll Rises in Irbil Attack

. Wolfowitz Checks on Coalition Progress, Meets with Troops

Military News

. Experience Shows Anthrax, Smallpox Immunizations Safe

. Deploying Marine Reservists Hone Combat Skills

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Honoring the Fallen

Mural Pays Tribute
To Fallen Servicemembers

Artist Stewart Wavell-Smith was inspired to paint this 8-foot-tall by 28-foot-long mural to honor fallen servicemembers, portray the complex role of the U.S. military and to raise money through donations for the surviving spouses and children of fallen servicemembers. The Enduring Freedom Mural was unveiled at the U.S. Central Command headquarters Jan. 30. U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Erin Dorrance

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Feb. 3, 2004 — Bayshore patriots wave flags, kindergartners write thank you letters and spouses send pictures, all supporting servicemembers fighting during Operation Enduring Freedom. Stewart Wavell-Smith took a different approach to show his appreciation to the military, especially those who give the ultimate sacrifice — life. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz

“The Middle East for the last 20 years has been heading down the wrong road. We've seen some of the results of that on September 11th. The Iraqi people have a chance now to start turning the course of history and putting it on the right road.”

Remarks in Baghdad, Jan. 31, 2004

Defense Views
Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Profile

U.S. Army
Sgt. Lissette Hussein

Army Sgt. Lissette Hussein poses here with her two daughters, Reiwan, 6, and Hadder, 3, while she was in Ecuador for rest-and-recuperation leave during December. Courtesy photo

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait — Whether married, engaged or dating someone, a deployment can be tough for servicemembers because of the separation from loved ones.
Deployments can be especially hard for parents who have to leave their children behind. More

More Profiles

. Maps of Afghanistan

In Southwest Asia

Civil Engineer's Work
Improves Troop Life

Senior Airman Christopher Holmes tightens a support rope on a replacement tent cover at a forward-deployed location. Airman Holmes is a structural specialist with the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lynne Neveu

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 2, 2004 — Every day, airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are seen doing a multitude of tasks, from digging trenches for electrical wiring to setting up restroom facilities.
More

In Iraq

Marksmanship Unit Trains
Soldiers in Baghdad

Cavalry scouts with Fox Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, practice fighting stances during a close-quarters combat marksmanship course at Camp Muleskinner in Baghdad Jan 29. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chad D. Wilkerson

BAGHDAD, Iraq - To maintain an efficient and effective fighting force, soldiers never stop training. Even while conducting combat operations in a foreign land, soldiers must test and refine their fighting skills to stay one step ahead of their enemies on the battlefield. More

'On The Ground' Archive