DefendAmerica 02/11/2004

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Feb 11, 2004

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

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SURVIVAL TRAINING — Soldiers from the 210th Aviation Regiment "Knighthawks" conduct Survival Evasion Resistance Escape training with a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter in the mountains surrounding Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 6, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Dave S. Thompson.

Intell Successes and Failures
Provide Lessons for the Future

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2004 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told Pentagon reporters today the challenge at hand is for the United States and its allies to determine the best way to confront increasingly lethal threats when faced with imperfect knowledge.
     "That's something that this country and other countries and societies are going to have to deal with," he said.
     Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged that intelligence is "not a perfect art," but said the nation’s policy makers can learn much from both intelligence successes and failures. Story

Letter Seeks Bin Laden's Help
In Derailing Coalition Progress

By John D. Banusiewicz /American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2004 — A 17-page letter seized in the capture of an al Qaeda courier last month reveals an enemy "terrified" that Iraq is on the road to freedom and self-government, a coalition military official said at a Baghdad news conference today.
Analysts have concluded the letter was written by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi -- a suspect in numerous terrorist bombings in Iraq and long believed to have al Qaeda ties – and was intended for the terror organization's top leadership, perhaps even for Osama bin Laden himself. The letter, coalition officials have said, seeks al Qaeda's help in instigating ethnic violence to derail progress toward a free and stable Iraq. More

Coalition Captures Iraqi Fugitive

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2004 — Another fugitive featured in the deck of 55 playing cards signifying the "most wanted" members of Saddam Hussein's regime is in coalition custody. Muhsin Khadr al-Khafaji was captured Feb. 7, Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials announced today.
Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, the task force's deputy operations director, said Khafaji is being held "at a safe location" and is in good health. He was No. 48 on the "most wanted" list and served Saddam's Baath Party as a regional commander and as party chairman for the Qadisiyah district. More Briefing Transcript

Insurgents Attack Detainees

AR RAMADI, Iraq, Feb. 10, 2004 — Several mortar rounds struck the grounds of the Abu Ghurayb prison at approximately 6 p.m. Feb. 9. Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials reported that neither coalition personnel nor the prison population suffered any casualties. However, there was one civilian wounded and damage to one civilian vehicle.
Iraqis on the scene transported the casualty to a nearby medical facility, officials said. A platoon from the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was dispatched to the launch site and successfully apprehended four suspects. 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 Deter Ambush,
Kill 10 Insurgents

MUQDADIYAH, Iraq, Feb. 10, 2004 — Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment killed 10 armed men who appeared to be establishing an ambush position north of Muqdadiyah on Feb. 9 after they failed to respond to the soldiers' orders, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials. More

Bolling Cub Scouts, Colonel
Donate Gifts to Wounded Troops

U.S. Air force Col. Dan Koslov visits a local Cub Scout pack he donated money to. The Scouts used their holiday party savings to buy donations for injured servicemembers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber Whittington

BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. Feb. 9, 2004 — “Two, four, six, eight. Who do we appreciate? Colonel Koslov!” exclaimed a group of excited Bolling Cub Scouts from Den 2, Pack 343. That was the Scouts’ response when Col. Dan Koslov returned twofold their gift of selflessness at their Feb. 2 meeting.
The Scouts recently bought necessity items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant for sick and wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, who often arrived at the hospital with just the uniform on their backs. The Cub Scouts' decision to sponsor the project as part of their annual service project did not come without a price, though. More

Send your Valentines Day message to the troops waging war on terrorism.

Jason, I just wanted to tell you that I love you and miss you very much. I can't wait until I can hold you again. Happy Valentine's Day, Baby. Love, Brooke

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Army Leaders Assess
Intelligence in Iraq War

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. (Feb. 9, 2004) — In the Silent Warrior Conference Room at Fort Huachuca, Jan. 23, there were more stars to be seen than on a cold, clear winter's night. Among them was Lt. Gen. William S. Wallace, V Corps commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom and now commanding general of the U.S. Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Story

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2004 — The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers in Iraq who were supporting Operation Iraq Freedom.
     Two soldiers died in Sinjar, Iraq, Feb. 9 when a collection of unexploded ordinance, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar rounds detonated while being moved to a demolition point. Killed in the incident were Sgt. Thomas D. Robbins, 27 of Schenectady, N.Y., and Sgt. Elijah Tai Wah Wong, 42, of Mesa, Ariz. Robbins was assigned to Troop A, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment (Stryker), Fort Lewis, Wash. Wong was assigned to the 363rd Explosive Ordnance Company, Army National Guard, Casa Grande, Ariz.
     Defense officials also announced the recovery of remains of Staff Sgt. Christopher Bunda, 29, of Washington. Bunda was originally listed as "Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown" when his boat capsized during a river patrol on the Tigris River on Jan. 25. His remains were recovered today. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, based at Fort Lewis, Wash.
     The incidents are under investigation.

Radio

Television

Rumsfeld Visits Germany 7 More Photos

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld answers questions from the press at the 40th Munich Conference on Security Policy. The secretary as well as other Ministers of Defense met to discuss mutual defense policies abroad. Defense Department photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr. Photo Essay Archive

Armored Vehicles Stand Up
To Roadside Bomb Threats

By U.S. Army Cpl. Joe Niesen / 350th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

U.S. Army Pfc. Lester Rhodes, an RG-31 armored car operator with Taskforce 'Pathfinder,' compares the vehicle to an 'armored Cadillac'. U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Joe Niesen

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIDGWAY, Iraq-The U.S. Army has a few new weapons to use in its war against the threat of improvised explosive devices on Iraq's roadways.
Soldiers from the 82 nd Airborne Division's Task Force Pathfinder now use the Husky, Meerkat, Buffalo and RG-31 armored car. More

Coalition Forces Approve
Roadway Cleanup Funds

AR RAMADI, Iraq, Feb. 8 — Coalition forces Feb. 7 approved $20,000 for a rubble removal project along Highway 1, between Khalidiyah and Ar Ramadi, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials in Baghdad.
Approximately 40 Iraqis will be employed removing trash and debris within 100 meters of both sides of the road. Officals said cleaning the highway will do more than improve the landscape; it will also reduce the threat of improvised explosive device attacks against commuters. More

Afghan Army Medics to Graduate

By 211th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

POL-E-CHARKI, Afghanistan, Feb. 9, 2004 — Healthy soldiers fight better. That’s a prescription for victory.
A nation building an army must build medical capability into its plans. The Afghan National Army --developing steadily into a credible, combat-ready fighting force--is doing just that. Under a collaborative effort with the U.S. Army, the Afghan army has begun training its own combat medics to provide basic medical care for soldiers in the field. More

Mannheim-Based Reserve Unit
Returns Home from Iraq

SCHWETZINGEN, Germany, Feb. 8, 2004 - After serving more than a year on active duty supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Army Reserve's 280 th Rear Operations Center based in Mannheim, Germany has returned home and demobilized in a ceremony held yesterday. Soldiers will be taking leave until their official demobilization later this month.
"The 7 th Army Reserve Command family and your nation are proud of what you have done and glad that you are all safely home," said Brig. Gen. Richard M. Tabor, commander of the 7 th Army Reserve Command at the unit's welcome home ceremony. "You epitomize all the best traits of our nation's citizen soldiers throughout history." The command is the 280 th 's higher headquarters. More

Guardsmen Receive Combat Awards

By U.S. Army Spc. Kristopher Joseph / V Corps Public Affairs

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas Keith Ales, command sergeant major for the Mississippi National Guard's 223rd Combat Engineer Battalion (Heavy), prepares to be pinned with the Bronze Star by Maj. Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general of Task Force Ironhorse, Feb. 5, 2004, in Tikrit, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Benjamin R. Kibbey

CAMP SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq, Feb. 6, 2004 — Members of a Mississippi National Guard unit received recognition Feb. 5 from the 4th Infantry Division for their contributions made during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Thirty-one members of the 223rd Combat Engineer Battalion (Heavy) were awarded the Bronze Star for individual accomplishments by Maj. Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse. In addition, four soldiers from the battalion were presented with Purple Hearts for injuries sustained as a result of direct enemy actions. More

War on Terrorism

. Rumsfeld Staunchly Defends Preemption to European Officials

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

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

. 'Robust' Special Operations Critical to Terror War

. Coast Guard Faces Increasing Security Challenges

Iraq

. Letter Shows Terrorists' 'Desperation' In Iraq

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

. Rumsfeld, Conference Attendees Discuss Security Improvements

. Mortar Attack Kills U.S. Soldier

Military News

. Explosion Kills Two Soldiers, Injures Five in Mosul Region

. Army Changes Enlistment Lengths to Support Stabilization

. U.S. and European Officials Work to Strengthen Bridges

. Troops Continue Forward Steps In Taking Iraqi War to Enemy

. New Tax Laws Address Guard, Reserve Duty

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Army Advises Checks
Of Ad-Hoc Armor

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 10, 2004) — Some Reserve and National Guard units alerted for deployment started putting steel plates on their Humvees and trucks in late fall after getting e-mails from friends already in Iraq recommending additional protection for soft-skin vehicles -- in some cases, getting help from their local civilian communities in doing so. More

Black History Month

Black Airmen Express Pride
In Support for War on Terror

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D., Feb. 9, 2004 — From the buffalo soldier of wars past to the KC-135R Stratotanker pilot of today supporting the war on terrorism, blacks have and continue to play a large role supporting the U.S. military.
With the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, many blacks here said being a part of those operations is a reason to be proud and builds on their heritage. More

Single Marines Not Forgotten
As Deployment Time Nears

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Feb. 9, 2004 — In the weeks leading up to unit deployments, sometimes the single marine gets forgotten in the flurry of family readiness briefs geared toward spouses and children.
The 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Command Element has ensured this is not the case for its single marines and sailors. More

Soldier Wounded in Iraq
Marries on Regis and Kelly

On the Feb. 6 "Live with Regis and Kelly," Spc. Robert Fleming and his new bride April (center), their family and friends, along with show hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, raise their glasses as the couple is toasted live via satellite by Fleming's Army unit in Fallujah, Iraq. Photo courtesy of Buena Vista Television

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2004 — An Army specialist wounded in Iraq and his fiancée from Syracuse, N.Y., were married Feb. 6 on Live with Regis and Kelly as millions watched across the country.
U.S. Army Spc. Robert Fleming of the 10th Mountain Division and his fiancée April Zehr got "the wedding of their dreams during Live's Wedding Week," said Michael Gelman, the show's executive producer. More

More Afghanistan Update Details

. Maps of Afghanistan

Defense Leaders Speak

Vice President Richard B. Cheney

"We and our friends and allies in many countries have inflicted heavy loses on ... al Qaeda's leadership and on their foot soldiers, tracking them and finding them in hiding places from Pakistan to Indonesia. Those not yet captured or killed live in fear, and their fears are well founded."

Remarks in St. Louis, Feb. 7, 2004

Defense Views
Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Cpl. Lisa C. White

Marine Cpl. Lisa C. White holds up 13 inches of her own hair, which she donated to the Locks of Love charity. Her hair will be used to make wigs for children who have lost their hair from skin diseases or chemotherapy. Photo courtesy of Cpl. Lisa White

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII — A corporal with Marine Aircraft Group 24 took the simple task of changing her appearance to a whole new level.
Though getting a hair cut is a pretty routine activity, this nuclear, biological and chemical defense specialist decided to put a little more thought behind her actions. Story

More Profiles

In Iraq

Training Scenarios
Keep Pilots Sharp

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Miguel Gastellum, a pilot with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, performs a pre-flight check on his Black Hawk helicopter, Feb. 1, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Melissa Walther

CAMP SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq – Hovering and banking, swooping and climbing, touching down for just a moment before leaping into the sky once again, the two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters appeared to be involved in dance over the hilly terrain outside of Camp Speicher. More

Soldiers Surprise Students
With School Supplies

Students in the Al-Jasmine Primary School in the Mustansyria neighborhood show off donated school supplies. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jean-Pierre Brown

Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 7, 2004 — As on any day in Baghdad, the sun rose on the students of the Al-Jasmine primary school in the Mustansyria neighborhood. But on this bright day, the students were in for a big surprise. More

'On The Ground' Archive