DefendAmerica - Home Page 02/13/2004

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Feb 13, 2004

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

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CONTROLLED BURN — A firefighter at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, initiates a controlled burn of a mountain of trash collected from areas throughout the weapons storage area. Members of the 355th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron conducted a massive clean-up effort to make the area safe and functional. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Eugene Ladoucer

Explosive Device, Small Arms Attack Kills Soldier, Hurts 2

By American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004 — One 16th Military Police Brigade soldier was killed and two others were wounded late Feb. 12 in an attack using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire, Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials in Baghdad, Iraq, announced today in a news release.
The wounded soldiers were evacuated to the 31st Combat Support Hospital for treatment. No information was provided on their condition. The soldiers' names are being withheld until their families are notified. Other task force news releases today reported Feb. 11 and 12 military activities in northern Iraq. More

IRAQ DEPLOYMENT

Myers Praises Guard Troops,
Families for Service, Sacrifice

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Feb. 12, 2004 — "We'll be good. … We'll be careful, and we'll be back," was what Army Brig. Gen. Danny H. Hickman promised the thousands of family members gathered here today. Hickman will lead the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade – a part of the North Carolina National Guard – to Iraq next month.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, participated in the deployment ceremony for the brigade. Story

Myers Salutes Troops, All Who Serve the Nation

Defense Leaders Urge Proper Funding to Face Terror Threats

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2004 — Acknowledging that the president's budget request for fiscal 2005 represents "an enormous amount of money," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told Congress today it funds investments that ensure the nation's ability to face future threats, including those posed by terrorists.
Rumsfeld told the House Appropriations Committee the $401.7 billion budget request will cover operations and initiatives needed "because our nation is engaged in a struggle that could well go on for a number of years." More

Bomb Kills 2 Soldiers; Coalition
Campaign Focuses on Zarqawi

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2004 — Two Task Force 1st Armored Division soldiers are dead and another is wounded after a roadside bomb attack in western Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 11.
The soldiers were conducting a mounted patrol in western Baghdad at about 9:30 p.m. when the attack occurred, according to a Combined Joint Task Force 7 news release. More Briefing

$10 Million Reward Announced for Terrorist Leader

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

Guardsman Arrested for Attempting to Aid al Qaeda

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004 — A Washington Army National Guard soldier whose unit is deploying to Iraq was arrested Feb. 12 at Fort Lewis, Wash., for attempting to pass information about military capabilities to al Qaeda operatives.
Spc. Ryan G. Anderson was taken into custody without incident by military and federal law enforcement officials. More

Valentine's Day

Internet Carries Cupid's Arrows

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004 — With 114,000 service members deployed to Iraq and another 11,000 in Afghanistan supporting the war on terror, Cupid's arrow is going to have to travel a few extra miles this Valentine's Day.
Many soldiers are using the Internet to send flowers and candy to loved ones at home and the cyber-waves are expected to overflow Feb. 14 with Valentine's Day wishes. Story

Send your Valentine's Day message to the troops waging war on terrorism.

"As Valentine's Day approaches what better time to remember those of you who are protecting our freedom. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for serving our great country. Be safe."
Walt and Carolyn Jones

Send your message Read more messages

Kent State University to
Honor Military, Families

KENT, Ohio, Feb. 12, 2004 (Army News Service) - When the Kent State University men’s basketball team tips off against rival Bolling Green Saturday, television cameras will show the nation more than two teams battling for victory before a sold-out crowd. Story

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Some Reservists Eligible
For New Health Benefits

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today that the department will implement the “2004 Temporary Reserve Health Benefit Program” for certain eligible Reserve Component sponsors and their family members.
The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act and the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2004 authorized new health benefits, some permanent and some temporary. More

Radio

Television

Top U.S. Commanders Escape Injury in Iraq Convoy Attack

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2004 — The top military commander in Southwest Asia and the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division escaped injury today when their convoy was attacked while entering an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps battalion headquarters in Fallujah, Iraq. More

Jason's Dream 9 More Photos

Jason Dahl died a hero while piloting United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Somerset, Pa., Sept. 11, 2001 after terrorists stormed the cockpit. Jason's dream had been to fly an F-16 fighter jet, but he never lived to get his chance. The Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing gave his wife, Sandra, the honor. Here, Sandra Dahl shows some items that she carried in her pocket during her F-16 flight, including a photo of her husband in his pilot uniform, an "ace of spades" that she found in his flight suit, and a photo of the couple cutting the cake at their wedding. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darin Overstreet Photo Essay Archive

New York Reservists, Abu Ghraib
Residents Celebrate Rebuilding Efforts

Sgt. Amy Fish, a member of the direct support team of the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, based in Utica, N.Y., and local Abu Ghraib community officials cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Abala Medical Clinic west of Baghdad Jan 24. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chad D. Wilkerson

BAGHDAD, IRAQ, Feb. 12, 2004 — In the western region of Abu Ghraib, the community has plenty to celebrate. In less than two months, their water is safer to drink, the condition of the mosque is better, and residents now have a medical clinic close at hand.
During a ribbon cutting ceremony the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserves unit based in Utica, N.Y., gathered with the residents of a small community within the Abu Ghraib neighborhood district to celebrate the completion of a medical clinic, the restoration of a mosque and a new water system. More

First Iraqi Platoon Leaders Graduate

Soldiers from the Platoon Leaders Basic Course graduated Feb. 9 in Al Qayyarah. The Iraqi soldiers took part in two weeks of intensive leadership training. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeremy Heckler

MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, Feb. 9, 2004) – The next step in building a stronger Iraqi army began as the first officers graduated from the Northern Iraq Regional Training Center Platoon Leader’s Basic Course in Al Qayyarah Feb. 9.
The ceremony marked the completion of two weeks of training designed to provide the Iraqi military with strong leaders. Eleven officers of various ranks received their graduation diploma as dignitaries looked on. More

West Virginia Reservists, Dutch Marines
Train to Combat Narco-Terrorism

By U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Mike Dougherty

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Justin McCrory of Kilo Co., 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment traverses a single rope for 60 meters over water in the fifth event of the Nassau Run, a test of endurance and teamwork. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew Williams

CURACAO, Netherlands Antilles, Feb. 12, 2004 — The many facets of the war on terror has carried Marines to various parts of the planet, from Afghanistan to the Philippines to the Horn of Africa. This year, it took a group of reservists to the Caribbean island of Curacao, where they trained to combat the gathering threat of Narco-Terrorism.
Marines from Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment left their Marine Corps Reserve Center in Moundsville, W.Va. to travel to Curacao to train alongside their Royal Dutch Marine counterparts. More

War on Terrorism

. U.S. Troops Work Closely with Iraqi Police and Security Forces

. Rumsfeld Staunchly Defends Preemption to European Officials

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

Iraq

. Coalition Captures Iraqi Fugitive

. Letter Shows Terrorists' 'Desperation' In Iraq

Military News

. DoD Won't Seek More Funding For Terror War Until January

. Congress Authorizes Korean Defense Medal

. Army Changes Enlistment Lengths to Support Stabilization

. National Guard, Reserve Update

'Patriot Express' Flights
Diverted to Support Deployments

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Feb. 12, 2004 (AFPN) — Air Mobility Command officials have temporarily cancelled several Patriot Express missions between the United States and Europe to use those aircraft to fill requirements for the massive Southwest Asia rotation of forces. Air Mobility Command is supporting the movement of 250,000 troops in 60 days, a feat military leaders have called "historic." More

Marine 'Sweathogs' Prepare
For Six-month Iraq Deployment

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, Feb. 13, 2004 — An order from President Bush to aid in the fight against global terrorism is a reason the Marines of Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 are finding themselves heading to another deployment to the Middle East.
This month, over 650 Marines from the squadron, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, will be packing and heading out for six months to support combat operations and air strikes over Iraq. More

Transformation

Old Technology Supports
Modern-Day Mission

Marine Lance Cpl. Jason Kovach, a helicopter dynamic component mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-29, turns over a stripped-down internal auxiliary fuel cell on the flightline. The tank will be completely refitted before it is returned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-263. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Arthur Stone

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C., Feb. 11, 2004 — Pilots at Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-263 recognized the need to extend their mission range during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their solution came in the form of 14 Vietnam-era internal auxiliary fuel cells, stored away in dust and cobwebs in a warehouse here on Camp Geiger. More

More Transformation News

More Afghanistan Update Details

. Maps of Afghanistan

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"There's no question but that there are extremists in there (Iraq), foreigners coming in from other countries, and there is also no question...that there are former regime elements that would like to think they could take the
country back....They're not going to."

Remarks in Capitol Hill, Feb. 12, 2004

Defense Views
Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Profile

U.S. Army Pvt. Dwayne Turner

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., Feb. 11, 2004 — A 101st Airborne Division soldier who, despite being critically wounded himself, repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to treat wounded comrades in Iraq received the Silver Star here Feb. 5. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Kansas, Iowa Reservists
On Call for Emergencies

LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq, Feb. 12, 2004 ― Imagine using the Jaws of Life to free a comrade from mangled vehicle wreckage or saving the life of a fellow soldier who is somewhere in a blazing inferno. Imagine all this in temperature which sometimes climb to a blistering 130 degrees and you never know who among the onlookers is waiting for the chance to shower you with bullets or fire a rocket propelled grenade. Story

'On The Ground' Archive