DefendAmerica - Home Page 02/18/2004

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Feb 18, 2004

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

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CALL FOR SUPPORT — U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Estes of the 341st Military Police Company calls for explosive ordnance disposal support after encountering an improvised explosive device along the main supply route between Logistical Support Area Anaconda and the border of the 1st Armor Division's area of responsibility in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Luster

Bush Thanks Fort Polk Troops, Pledges Vigilance in Terror War

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2004-President Bush credited soldiers and their families at Fort Polk, La., today with “serving with skill and bravery in the war on terror” and leaving “no doubt that that the enemy will be defeated and freedom will prevail.”
The commander in chief thanked troops at this northwest Louisiana post that has trained and deployed more than 10,000 troops in the war of terror. More Remarks

Coalition Continues Offensive Operations in Iraqi Freedom

ByJohn D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2004 - Calling the military situation in Iraq "relatively stable," Combined Joint Task Force 7's deputy operations director detailed recent military activity during a Baghdad news conference today.
Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said the past week has seen an average of 17 engagements daily against coalition military forces, just over four per day against Iraqi security forces and fewer than two per day against Iraqi civilians. More

Fear of Free Iraq Fuels Terror Attacks, Kimmitt Says

U.S., Coalition Forcing Taliban
To Change Tactical Response

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. 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

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

Coalition Ups Rewards Program

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. More

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

USS George Washington
Joins 5th Fleet

ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea, Feb. 17, 2004 (NNS) — The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group navigated through the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea to join forces with the U.S. 5th Fleet Feb. 16.
The transit into 5th Fleet places the George Washington Carrier Strike Group at the tip of the spear in the global war on terrorism, and on a new level of involvement in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. More

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

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

. Dangerous Detainees Important To Intell Effort, Rumsfeld Says

. Terrorists Know Time Running Out as Iraqi Sovereignty Nears

. 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

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

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 job 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. More

'On The Ground' Archive