DefendAmerica - Home Page 02/13/2004

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Feb 14, 2004

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

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CURIOUS KIDS — A soldier with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, talks with Iraqi children Feb. 4, 2004, in Baghdad. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Rucker

CONFRONTING DANGER

Terrorists Must Lose Race
For Weapons of Mass Murder

Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2004 — When suicidal terrorists used commercial airliners as bombs on Sept. 11, 2001, it raised the prospect of even worse dangers: terrorists armed with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons, President Bush said in his weekly radio address today.
     "The possibility of secret and sudden attack with weapons of mass destruction is the greatest threat before humanity today," he emphasized.
     The president said America is confronting this danger with open eyes and unbending purpose. But he warned that America faces the possibility of catastrophic attack from ballistic missiles armed with weapons of mass destruction. More

Nat'l Guard Unit's Deployment 'Different' Than Active, Reserve

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Feb. 14, 2004 — It is different when a National Guard unit deploys.
      The nation's "total force" includes active duty and reserve component service members. And while the missions that like units go on are identical, there are differences in the way active duty and reserve components deploy.
     These differences were apparent at the Feb. 12 deployment ceremony for the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade. The unit is the first National Guard combat brigade to deploy since the end of World War II. Story

Wolfowitz to Troops: Afghan,
Iraq Efforts Made World Safer

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004 - Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz hosted an early Valentine's Day lunch today to thank soldiers wounded in the war on terror for their service and to assure them that America holds a special place in its heart for them. "We in the Defense Department truly love you and the country loves you," Wolfowitz said.
"You are very special guests, and each one of you is an American hero," Wolfowitz told the soldiers, all patients at nearby Walter Reed Army Medical Center. "You've been to war, you've faced its demands with courage and you've borne its wounds." Story

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

Soldier Killed, 9 Wounded in Afghanistan Mine Explosion

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2004 — One U.S. soldier was killed and nine were wounded by a mine Feb. 13 near Ghazni, Afghanistan.
     A U.S. Central Command news release said four of the wounded soldiers were treated on the scene and the others were taken by helicopter to the 452nd Combat Support Hospital at Bagram Air Base. No report was available on their condition.
     The names of the soldiers are being withheld until their families are notified.

Task Force Pays Iraqi
Informant $1 Million for Tip

AR RAMADI, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2004 - Task Force All American paid $1 million to an Iraqi informant who gave them information leading to the arrest of Khamis Sirhan al-Muhammad, a major figure in the anti-U.S. insurgency who was listed as #54 on the Coalition's 55 most wanted list.
"The capture of this key financier and facilitator was a major blow to the anti-coalition forces in Al Anbar," said Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and Task Force All American.

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

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

"To All the Troops~Happy Valentine's Day! Thanks for putting yourselves in harm's way to preserve life & humanity for the rest of the world, like all those before. Please take care & know that your dedication & sacrifices are honoured. We pray for your safe & speedy return home.
Blessings to each & everyone!" ~MeeWah Reynolds, Virginia Beach, VA.

Send your message Read more messages

Internet Carries Cupid's Arrows

Radio

Television

Panel to Review Detainees Housed at Guantanamo Bay

By K.L. Vantran / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004 - Suspected terrorists held at U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will have the opportunity to appear before an administrative review panel, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for detainee operations said here today.
The panel will review each detainee's case annually to determine if that detainee continues to pose a threat to the United States, said Paul Butler. More Transcript

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

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. 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

Navy Hospital ‘Devil Docs’ Deploy

By Loren Barnes / Naval Hospital Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 13, 2004 (NNS) — Tears, prayers, well-wishes, hugs and kisses sent 24 Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Branch Medical Clinic personnel on their way as they boarded a bus in the early morning of Feb. 8, bound for deployment to the Middle East.
Capt. John Sentell, commanding officer, reminded the deploying personnel that Naval Medicine has made tremendous strides in battlefield medicine in recent years, and that these advances have paid off in Iraq. More

Marine Unit Prepares to Deploy

By U.S. Marine Cpl. Kat Johnson

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

'Sweathogs' Bid Farewell Before Iraq Deployment

Air Force 'Patriot Express' Flights
Diverted to Support Deployments

By Cynthia Bauer / Air Mobility Command

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

‘Bulldog’ Brigade Renovates Abu-Gharib Schools

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

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 13, 2004 — Slowly but surely, changes are being made in Abu-Gharib.
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion 70th Armor Regiment and the 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, a reserve unit from Abilene, Texas assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, worked to renovate and repair several schools in the Abu-Gharib section of Baghdad. 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

. Bomb Kills 2 Soldiers; Coalition Campaign Focuses on Zarqawi

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

. Coalition Captures Iraqi Fugitive

. Letter Shows Terrorists' 'Desperation' In Iraq

Military News

. Defense Leaders Urge Proper Funding to Face Terror Threats

. 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

Racing Team to Salute
Guard, Reserve Employers

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004 - A "dream team" of all-stars will race this year in NASCAR Busch Series salute to supportive employers of National Guardsmen and reservists.
The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and Richard Childress Racing have teamed up for the effort. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Transformation

Air Force Secretary Reveals
Future Systems at Symposium

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004, AFN -- Air Force Secretary James G. Roche laid out plans to improve special operations, close-air support and battlefield management systems and recommended a trio of new battle management aircraft Feb. 12 at the Air Force Association’s 2004 Air Warfare Symposium in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. More

Air Force Chief Seeks
Warfighting Improvements

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004, AFN -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper outlined new ways to make 21st century airmen faster, more efficient warfighters. Speaking at the Air Force Association’s 2004 Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 12, Jumper stressed the importance of exercising air and ground forces together in ways that ensure Army leaders know what air and space power can do for them. More

'Transformation Flight Plan' Provides Roadmap to Future

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004, AFN -- Air Staff officials have put the finishing touches on the “Transformation Flight Plan,” which spells out the future direction of the Air Force.The TFP, a 176-page document, can be accessed through a link on the Air Force’s Internet home page at www.af.mil or on the office of force transformation Web site at www.oft.osd.mil. More

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

Reserve Family Programs Honored

More Afghanistan Update Details

. Maps of Afghanistan

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"Terrorists and terrorist states are in a race for weapons of mass murder, a race they must lose. They are resourceful — we must be more resourceful. They are determined — we must be more determined. We will never lose focus or resolve. We will be unrelenting in the defense of free nations, and rise to the hard demands of our dangerous time."

Weekly Radio Address, Feb. 14, 2004

Defense Views
Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Master Sgt. Alexander Arrieta

Poised for action, Marine Master Sgt. Arrieta practices the fundamentals of sight alignment and trigger control as he aims in down range for a 25-yard slow fire relay. U.S. Army photo by Cpl Isaac Pacheco

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. —"Ready on the right?" "Ready on the left?" "All clear, ready on the firing line!" A hail of gunfire explodes from pistols held by members of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany's shooting team. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Air Force Squadron
Clears Munitions Dump

A firefighter 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

KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq, Feb. 12, 2004 (AFPN) — Munitions airmen are generally proud to tell people they work in the “bomb dump,” the endearing term often used to describe a base’s munitions storage area. An exception, however, might be when the dump is, well, a dump. More

In Afghanistan

Texas Reserve Cargo
Unit Operates 24/7

Spc. Jenifer Caona ground guides for Spc. Amado Castellano as they load mail onto an aircraft.

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2004 — Cargo; it’s as constant as the North Star. Everything from bullets and beans, to troops, trucks, and tools, is transported to those who need it. More

'On The Ground' Archive