DefendAmerica 02/09/2004

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Feb 09, 2004

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

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CONVOY SECURITY — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Lyerla, an engineering aide assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 15, maintains security for his convoy with an M-60 machine gun while driving through Al Hillah, Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson

Rumsfeld Supports Preemption
To Confront Terrorist Threats

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2004 — Maintaining that the best defense against threats is a strong offense, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told attendees at an international security conference in Munich Germany, on Feb. 7 that the United States has no option but to maintain its policy of preemption—particularly confronted with terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
During a joint press conference Feb. 8 in the Croatian capital of Zagreb, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader expressed his agreement with the concept of "preventive action" and promised to give "serious consideration" to sending military support to Iraq.

Rumsfeld Staunchly Defends Preemption to European Officials

Croatian PM Voices Support for U.S. Policy of Preemption

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

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.
     Forant plans to leave his home in Cohoes, N.Y., near Albany, March 1 and head toward New York City. Story

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troops waging the global war on terror.

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Radio

Television

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

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

'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

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

. '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

Momentum Continues
In Enduring Freedom

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 7, 2004 — In coordination with the Islamic Transitional Government of Afghanistan, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan continues to train the Afghan National Army, provide civil affairs support, and disrupt, deny, and destroy terrorist and anti-government forces in order to establish a stable and secure Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
Two weapons and ammunition caches were turned in to coalition forces in Konar province Feb. 5. Officials call this another demonstration of the Afghans continuing rejection of violence. 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

Secretary of Defense
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"On September 11th, we saw the willingness of freedom’s adversaries to kill on a massive scale. In the months since, the killing has continued: in Bali, Baghdad, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Casablanca, Riyadh, Istanbul, Mombasa and this weekend, Moscow. Unless the spread of terrorism is stopped attacks will grow bolder and still more deadly."

Remarks in Munich, Feb. 7, 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