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Feb 20, 2004
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| Government |
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| Military |
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| Help Fight Terror |
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| Transcripts |
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| NEW FRIENDS — U.S. Army Capt. John Naastad befriends local children in the town of Pitav, Afghanistan, Feb. 19, 2004. Naastad, assigned to the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion, is a member of a Coalition Provincial Reconstruction Team that recently conducted an assessment in Afghanistan's Mraawara Valley. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Horace Murray. |
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| Bomb Kills 2 Soldiers, Injures 1 As Coalition Pushes Forward |
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| American Forces Press Service |
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2004 — Two Task Force All American soldiers were killed and one was wounded in a roadside bomb explosion near Khaldiyah, Iraq, Feb. 19. Two Iraqis, a translator and a policeman, also died in the attack.
The unit was on patrol northwest of the city when it was attacked with an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire, according to a Combined Joint Task Force 7 news release. The release said the wounded soldier was taken to a military hospital, where he was in serious condition. More |
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Exercise Tests U.S. Response
To Threats Against Homeland |
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| U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs |
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PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., Feb. 19, 2004 — Aircraft hijackings, threats from a fictitious country testing its strategic capabilities, and attacks on maritime and port security events by domestic terrorists are among the simulated scenarios facing U.S. Northern Command forces during exercise “Unified Defense ’04.”
Some 50 local, state and federal agencies in Texas, Alaska, Virginia, Colorado, and Washington D.C., are participating in the Feb. 19-25 exercise. Story |
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| Troop Rotations in Full Swing; Patrols, Searches Continue |
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| By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service |
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 WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2004 — The rotation of troops into and out of Iraq is in full swing, DoD officials said today.
More than 40,000 troops scheduled to deploy to Iraq have moved into theater, and 35,000 of those set to come home already have departed, said Army Brig. Gen. David Rodriguez, a Joint Staff spokesman. More Briefing |
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Bremer Thanks U.S. Troops,
Says June 30 Date Should Hold |
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| By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service |
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| WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2004 — The civilian administrator of the coalition in Iraq today thanked American soldiers now returning to their home bases for their service in Iraq, and reaffirmed the June 30 target date for the return of sovereignty to the Iraqi people. More Briefing |
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| Transformation |
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Myers Stresses Role of
Transformation in War on Terror |
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2004 — The United States is doing "pretty well" in the war on terror, but more needs to be done and more progress is necessary to transform American military capabilities, Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers said Feb. 18.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke at a "Space at the Crossroads" conference. The audience came mostly from industry, and Myers seemed to relish the chance to speak on military transformation and what it means for civilian partners. More |
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Defense Agency Supports
Wheelchair Donations in Iraq |
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2004 — Several hundred Iraqis have new-found mobility, thanks to a public-private partnership that provides wheelchairs to victims of war, disability and disease. About 280 wheelchairs donated through the Wheelchair Foundation are being distributed throughout Iraq. Story |
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Marine Maintenance Center
Prepares Armor to Protect Vehicles |
| MARINE CORPS
LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga., Feb. 19, 2004 — Every
day American and coalition soldiers face deadly attacks
by guerrilla forces in Iraq, making use of improvised explosive
devices, remote-controlled mines, rocket-propelled grenades
and small arms fire. More |
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New Technology Helps Families,
Deployed Loved Ones Stay in Touch |
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| NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2004 — The reigning Miss USA, Susie Castillo, visited the United Services Organization here to send her regards, using new technology, to service members who are presently serving outside the United States. More |
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 Sign
an On-line Thank You Note |
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| Valentine's
Day Messages to the Troops |
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2004 — If music is the universal language, then the message emanating from a Steinway concert grand piano at a concert today in Baghdad, Iraq, was one of friendship and support. 
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England, Feb. 18, 2004 (USAFENS) — The 492nd Fighter Squadron is preparing for the next Air Expeditionary Force rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom by training with some of the tactical ground controllers who will direct their close-air-support missions. 
OPERATION
ENDURING FREEDOM — With dark-brown hair pulled
back into a perfect bun, and deep-brown, thoughtful
eyes, Air Force Senior Airman Laurie Vroman demonstrates
pride and precision in her duties.
MANAS
AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan, Feb.
19, 2004 — One of the key
missions of the 376th Air
Expeditionary Wing here is
providing fuel to the fighters
and bombers supporting coalition
warfighters in Afghanistan. 
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, BAQUBAH, Iraq, Feb. 18, 2004 — From the times when Civil War commanders sent intelligence collectors hundreds of feet up and over enemy troops in hot air balloons until today, tactical commanders have relied on eyes other than their own to track enemy movement.