DefendAmerica - Home Page 02/17/2004

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Feb 17, 2004

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

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LIFE SAVER — Members of B Battery, 1st Battalion 94th Field Artillery 1st Armored Division present an reward to an Iraqi Facility Protection Service member for reporting an improvised explosive device to coalition forces in northeast Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 13, 2004. The incentive program is designed to help rid the streets of these deadly weapons. Coalition soldiers destroyed the device without injury or damage. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Rucker

AFGHANISTAN

U.S., Coalition Strategies Force
Terrorists to Change Tactics

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2004 — U.S. and coalition actions in Afghanistan have forced terrorist groups operating there to change their strategies. So coalition forces continue to adapt their tactical approach in response, the top U.S. general in that country said today.
Army Lt. Gen. David Barno, commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, explained that Taliban forces used to attack coalition elements in large numbers, until they realized that would get them killed in large numbers. Today terrorists go after soft targets in smaller numbers, Barno said from Afghanistan in a video teleconference.More

Outreach Programs Point Iraqis Toward Road To Democracy

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2004 - Education and understanding are what it'll take to establish democracy across an Iraqi society largely operated by centuries-old insular tribal customs and mores, a U.S. military official said in Baghdad today.
Coalition Provisional Authority and U.S. State Department public outreach policy in Iraq seeks "to engage all Iraqis by educating them to the opportunities and responsibilities of the new democratic era," explained Army Lt. Col. Alan King, an authority public outreach official. More

Coalition Increases Rewards in
Search for Insurgents in Iraq

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2004 - An enhanced, three-tiered reward program is the coalition's latest weapon against insurgents in Iraq, officials announced at a Baghdad news conference today.
The program's top tier covers the 10 members of the "Top 55" most-wanted members of Saddam Hussein's regime who remain at large. An informant will reap $1 million for tips leading to the capture of any one of them, said Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Combined Joint Task Force 7. More

Dangerous Detainees Important To Intell Effort, Rumsfeld Says

By Linda D. Kozaryn / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2004 – The United States is a nation at war, and detaining enemy combatants is a part of that war, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Feb. 13.
Detaining dangerous enemy combatants prevents their return to the fight and provides intelligence to help prevent future terrorist acts, the secretary told members of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Those at Guantanamo Bay, he said, include senior al Qaeda and Taliban operatives, as well as rank- and-file soldiers who fought against the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan. 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

All Soldiers To Wear
U.S. Flag Insignia

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2004 (Army News Service) — All soldiers can now wear the U.S. flag insignia on the right shoulder of their utility uniform, as a continued reminder that the Army is engaged in a war at home and abroad.
“The flag has been around for years to identify deploying troops. Now based on the Army’s joint expeditionary mindset, the flag represents our commitment to fight the war on terror for the foreseeable future,” said Sgt. Maj. Walter Morales, the uniform policy chief for G1. More

Commander Visits 'Old Guard'
Troops in Horn of Africa

CAMP LEMONIER, Dijoubti, Feb. 17, 2004 — The regimental commander of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” visited the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa this week to meet with Old Guard soldiers deployed here.
Col. Chuck Taylor toured the region with the Regimental Command Sergeant Major Harry Wimbrough and regimental chaplain Maj. Raymond Robinson inspecting quality-of-life and getting a chance to view missions of Bravo Company. More

Marine Sgt. Maj. Visits
Georgia Train and Equip Troops

KRTSANISI, Georgia, Feb. 16, 2004 — Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, 15th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, visited the Marines, soldiers and sailors of Task Force Georgia Train and Equip Program recently.
Estrada toured the American and Georgian facilities at Krtsanisi 9/11 training area as well as the Kodjori training area on his one-day visit. He also dined and spoke with the task force Marines, soldiers and sailors. Estrada discussed the upcoming deployments to Iraq and various troop rotations. More

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the department has changed the status of 1st Lt. Adam G. Mooney, 28, of Cambridge, Md., from duty status whereabouts unknown to a non-hostile casualty. Mooney was listed as duty status unknown on Jan. 25 in Mosul, Iraq, when his helicopter went down in the Tigris River during a search for a missing soldier. On Feb. 14, his remains were recovered. Mooney was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation (Fort Drum), however, in support of mission requirements, he was attached to 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
     Spc. Eric U. Ramirez, 31, of San Diego, Calif. died Feb. 12 in Abu Gireb, Iraq, when he was attacked by small arms fire, a rocket propelled grenade and an improvised explosive device. Ramirez was assigned to the 670th Military Police Company, Army National Guard, National City, Calif.
     Pvt. Bryan N. Spry, 19, of Chestertown, Md., died Feb. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his vehicle rolled into a water-filled ditch. Spry was assigned to Company A, 2-504th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Radio

Television

Military Chiefs on Capitol Hill 9 More Photos

Adm. Vern Clark, chief of Naval Operations, Gordon R. England, secretary of the Navy, and Gen. Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, listen to questions by members of the House Armed Services Committee concerning the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the Navy. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera Photo Essay Archive

V Corps Troops Return Home
From Iraqi Freedom Deployment

MANNHEIM, Germany, Feb. 17, 2004 -- Enthusiastic families, friends and co-workers were on hand at Tompkins Barracks Feb. 11 to greet soldiers of V Corps Artillery, the command element for the corps’ field artillery assets, marking the end of their year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As chance would have it, the unit's homecoming ceremony occurred on the same date it deployed 140 of its soldiers exactly one year ago. More

Family, Friends, Fresh Paint
Greet Returning Soldiers

Spc. Jeremy Kersey, a member of V Corps’ Alpha Company, 302nd Military Intelligence Battalion, kisses his six-month old son Jacob upon the unit’s return to Patton Barracks in Heidelberg, Germany Feb. 13 from a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo

HEIDELBERG, Germany, Feb. 17, 2004 - An extra-special treat greeted soldiers of the Alpha Company of V Corps' 302nd Military Intelligence Battalion when they returned here Feb. 13 at the end of their year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As family and friends greeted them, those troops got an added bonus -- newly renovated living quarters for them at their home station on Heidelberg’s Patton Barracks. "Being deployed, you always miss the little things the most," said Spc. Edward Dingman. "Coming back to something like this, I really feel loved and appreciated." More

Terrorists Know Time Running Out as Iraqi Sovereignty Nears

Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2004 - As the June 30 turnover of sovereignty in Iraq to the Iraqi people approaches, terrorists trying to start a civil war in the country know their window of opportunity is closing, the Coalition Provisional Authority administrator said today.
Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III told "ABC News This Week" host George Stephanopoulos the 17-page letter written by fugitive Jordanian terrorist Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi seeking help from top al Qaeda leaders shows Zarqawi knows the terrorists are failing and that their time is running out. More

War on Terrorism

. Panel to Review Detainees Housed at Guantanamo Bay

. 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

. Terrorists Must Lose Race For Weapons of Mass Murder

. Some Iraqi Cities Not Ready For Local Control, Kimmitt Says

. Bomb Kills 2 Soldiers; Coalition Campaign Focuses on Zarqawi

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

. Coalition Captures Iraqi Fugitive

Military News

. Air Force 'Patriot Express' Flights Diverted to Support Deployments

. Some Reservists Eligible For New Health Benefits

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

. Myers Praises Guard Troops, Families for Service, Sacrifice

. Defense Leaders Urge Proper Funding to Face Terror Threats

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials Identify
Enduring Freedom Casualty

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Nicholes D. Golding, 24, of Addison, Maine, died Feb. 13 in Ghanzni, Afghanistan, as a result of an AT-46 (anti-tank) mine explosion. Golding was assigned to Company C, 2/87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. The incident is under investigation.

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

More Afghanistan Update Details

. Maps of Afghanistan

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"On September the 11th, 2001, America and the world saw the great harm that terrorists could inflict upon our country, armed with box cutters, mace and 19 airline tickets....No one can now doubt the determination of America to oppose and to end these threats to our security."

Weekly Radio Address, Feb. 14, 2004

Defense Views
Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Profile

U.S. Navy
Senior Chief Mike Allen

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Feb. 1, 2004 -- The flightline at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, was a welcome sight to a Patrol Squadron 2 senior chief flight engineer as his P-3 Orion descended, successfully logging his 10,000th flight hour, Feb. 1.
When Senior Chief Mike Allen reached a "year in the air," or 8,060 hours aloft, in August 2002, he never imagined that the next big milestone for aviators was less than two years away. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Camp Falcon Weather Team
Helps Put Steel on Target

Spc. Kate Waters meteorological team crewmember, assigned to the 1st Armored Division Artillery Combat Team, prepares a weather balloon during a recent meteorological team mission to gather weather data for various field artillery positions around Baghdad. U.S. Army photo

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 16, 2004 — For three soldiers, having one of the Army's smallest military occupational skills, and to some, probably the most unknown job supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, can be frustrating and rewarding at the same time. More

Soldiers 'Register' Mortars
To Ensure Accurate Aim

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 13, 2004 — Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, mortar section registered, or "zeroed," their weapons system recently in southern Baghdad, in a process designed to detect the slight variations of each weapon when aimed and fired at the target.
"Our goal is to put rounds on the target," said Sgt. 1st Class David Yomes, 32, a mortar section sergeant from Tacoma, Wash. More

'On The Ground' Archive