DefendAmerica 02/08/2004 - Sunday Edition

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Feb 08, 2004

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

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Transcripts

SAFE LINE — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mathew D. Shelton runs to the safe line on the flight deck of USS Enterprise after connecting an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft to one of the ship's catapults, Feb. 2, 2004. Enterprise is underway in the Red Sea on a scheduled deployment in support of the war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Justin McGarry

Bush Defends Iraq Decision,
Says Saddam Threatened U.S.

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2004 — President Bush said he is a "war president," and he makes every foreign policy decision with that in mind.
     Bush spoke on NBC-TV's Meet the Press. He told interviewer Tim Russert that Saddam Hussein is a "madman" and he made the right decision to remove the Iraqi dictator from power.
     Bush said nothing is more vital to a president than accurate, timely intelligence. And this is tough to come by in an intelligence war against "shadowy networks (and) individuals who deal with rogue nations." More

U.S. and European Officials
Work to Strengthen Bridges

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 7, 2004 — Twelve months ago talks among security officials meeting here were stressed and contentious by many accounts. Today, many of those same officials are working together to move forward and overcome those rifts.
A year ago, the United States stood against NATO allies France and Germany in urging for the use of force against Iraq. Now, Iraq is liberated, and those countries are planning how best to guide the Iraqi people toward secure and prosperous self-government. More

Troops Continue Forward Steps In Taking Iraqi War to Enemy

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2004 — The hands-on work of patrols, raids and picking up targeted individuals continues in Iraq.
Coalition forces are taking the fight to the enemy and responding to enemy challenges, according to news releases on recent coalition activity. Coalition troops are also benefiting from increased intelligence from local people. More

Progress Continues in Iraq on Political, Military Fronts

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

Bush Announces Members
Of Intelligence Commission

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2004 — President Bush today announced seven members of an independent commission that will look into U.S. intelligence capabilities.
The commission will especially study prewar U.S. intelligence about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, and compare that to what the Iraq Survey Group has found. "We're also determined to make sure that American intelligence is as accurate as possible for every challenge in the future," he said. More

Military to Play Big
Role at Pro Bowl Game

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2004 - Representatives of all five military services in Hawaii will get a special honor this weekend as they take to the Aloha Stadium field in Honolulu to participate in Pro Bowl activities Feb. 8.
The game, which will bring together the top players in the American and National conferences of the National Football League, also will assemble the best and the brightest from throughout the U.S. military in Hawaii. More

Dad to Bike Across Country
In Support of Son, Troops

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2004 — One of Dan Forant's favorite photos is of his young son wearing an Army helmet. And, one of the duo's favorite pastimes is cycling. Today, Spc. Dan Forant III sports his own Army gear as an infantryman in Iraq.
The elder Forant will soon bicycle from New York to California in support of his son and others serving in the war on terror. Story

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

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Radio

Television

Raid in Al Fallujah 5 More Photos

Soldiers with Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, provide security while soldiers with 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, search a shop suspected of producing and selling anti-coalition compact disks and digital video disks in Al Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 24, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Charles B. Johnson Photo Essay Archive

Rumsfeld, Conference Attendees Discuss Security Improvements

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 7, 2004 — The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is potentially the greatest threat to world security, and the most frightening scenario is one in which terrorist groups acquire weapons of mass destruction, according to a recently released European Union security strategy report.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld discussed this conclusion and ways to combat terrorism, during a speech to world security officials and experts here today. More

Rumsfeld: 2003 a Busy Year for NATO Countries

Defense Ministers Looking to Expand NATO's Role in Afghanistan

Army Meeting Requirements for 'Up-armored' Humvees in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2004 (Army News Service) — The Army is meeting Central Command's requirements for up-armored Humvees for operations in Iraq and doing it in a timely manner, according to Maj. Gen. N. Ross Thompson III, commanding general for the Army's Tank-automotive and Armaments Command. More

'Operation Devil Siphon' Stems
Flow of Black Market Fuel

Soldiers of the 1/5th Field Artillery Bn, 1st Infantry Division, stop a truck loaded with propane as a part of Operation Devil Siphon in an effort to end black market fuel sales in the Ar Ramadi area. Photo by Pfc. J.H. French

AR RAMADI, Iraq, Feb. 6, 2004 (Army News Service) - In a country as oil rich as Iraq, fuel is in remarkably short supply. One reason is black marketers buy up the fuel to sell at elevated prices.
"Operation Devil Siphon" is the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team's way of bringing an end to the black market and re-establishing Iraq's fuel infrastructure. More

Navy Cargo Handlers Prepare to Deploy

By U.S. Navy Cmdr. Tom Gresback / Naval Expeditionary Logistics

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Feb. 5, 2004 (NNS) - More than 500 Naval Reserve Expeditionary Logistics Support personnel have been mobilized to active duty and are preparing to deploy overseas to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Reservists will depart from Norfolk, Va., in February to assist in what is being called the largest rotation of troops since World War II. More

Donations Arrive in Iraq, Afghanistan

By U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adam Johnston / 18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan, Feb. 5, 2004 (AFPN) — Donated goods collected here and nine other bases are beginning to arrive in Iraq. A similar donation program in Afghanistan is expanding to weekly visits, after a year of monthly deliveries.
In January, workers here shipped nearly 500 pounds of school supplies, children's clothes and other items to Iraq. Story

War on Terrorism

. 'Robust' Special Operations Critical to Terror War

. Coast Guard Tackles Security Challenges in Post 9-11 World

Iraq

. Mortar Attack Kills U.S. Soldier

. Olympic Hopefuls Will Train in U.S. for Summer Competition

Military News

. Pentagon Decides Against Internet Voting This Year

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today that the following servicemembers died while in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During a recent examination of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps records, it was determined that these deaths had not been identified and announced as Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom casualties. This updates the record and honors those who gave their lives in the Global War on Terrorism. More

New Tax Laws Address
Guard, Reserve Duty

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 6, 2004 (Army News Service) - The Internal Revenue Service is helping taxpayers use a new law that adds deductions for some reservists, expands the definition of combat zone, and provides income exclusions for military death-benefit payments and certain home sales. More

More Afghanistan Update Details

. Maps of Afghanistan

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"After we were attacked in 2001, I said time would pass and people would assume that the threats to our country had gone away. That's false comfort. The terrorists continue to plot against us. They still want to harm us. This nation will not tire, we will not rest until this threat to civilization is removed."

Remarks in Charleston, S.C., Feb. 5, 2004

Defense Views
Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Sgt. Major Juan D. Williams

Look around the office of Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific sergeant major, Sgt. Major Juan D. Williams and you'll see what is most important to him -- the Marine Corps and his family. His walls, which holds 27 years of well-earned memories, tell why he enlisted for the eighth time Jan. 14, at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Danielle M. Bacon

CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii — There is no missing him as a Marine, whether it's in uniform or not. Not that the hair cut alone is a dead give away, but it, combined with a bulldog physique and an intense stride, immediately gives away the sergeant major of Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Desert Hawk: Silent Eye in the Sky

Senior Airman David Tillery (left) and Tech. Sgt. Lloyd Joyner look over Desert Hawk after a mission. The 7-pound unmanned aerial vehicle allows security forces to see beyond a base's perimeters and provide accurate, real-time visual assessments of detected threats. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. A.C. Eggman

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq, Feb. 5, 2004 — At first glance, it appears to be an airplane model a child might pull off a local toy-store shelf. But unlike the recreational remote aircraft, this force-protection asset is no toy. More

New Dining Facility Opens at Kirkuk

In Djibouti

Troops, Business Leaders Meet

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, Feb. 3, 2004 — Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa along with the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce met with local business leaders recently to discuss the future of business in Djibouti. Story

In Bahrain

Seabees Renovate Animal Sanctuary

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) — Seabees deployed to Bahrain teamed up with the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to make life a little better for local abused and abandoned animals. Story

'On The Ground' Archive