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Feb 24, 2004

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ARABIAN GULF SUNSET — USS Higgins and USS Detroit finish a replenishment at sea as the sun sets. USS Detroit is currently underway in the Arabian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Joshua E. Helgeson.

Polling Data Shows Majority
Of Iraqis Want U.S. To Stay

By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2004--- Even after the June 30 handover of authority in Iraq, the majority of Iraqis would prefer some form of U.S. security force in their country, coalition authorities said today.
     Dan Senor, senior spokesman for the Coalition Provisional Authority, told reporters during a briefing in Baghdad that polling data indicates the majority of Iraqis "don't want the U.S. to go."
     "The important part is that the overwhelming majority of Iraqis recognize that there is a role for U.S. forces after the June 30 handover," he said. More

Rumsfeld Meets Top Leaders, Troops, Iraqis in Baghdad Visit

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, Feb. 24, 2004 — Meetings with military and civilian officials and visits with U.S. troops and Iraqi security forces in Baghdad Feb. 23 marked Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's fourth visit to Iraq since the country's liberation.
The day was to have culminated with the secretary having dinner with troops at the Baghdad International Airport dining facility. But when he was inundated with requests from soldiers and airmen to allow a friend to take their picture with him, Rumsfeld spent most of the visit doing just that. More

Bremer Calls U.N. Report on Iraqi Elections 'Constructive'

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, Feb. 24, 2004 — A United Nations report that says elections in Iraq can take place late this year or early in 2005 if preparations begin now is helpful, the Coalition Provisional Authority administrator said Feb. 23. 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

Myers Reaffirms Commitment
To Fighting War on Terror

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2004 - It wasn't a choice between combating Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq or going after al Qaeda, the nation's top military officer told members of the Council of Foreign Affairs here Feb. 23. The United States had to do both.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers assured the audience that "nobody has taken their eyes off the al Qaeda ball" as operations in Iraq continue. More

Operation Devil Clinch
Nets Insurgents, Weapons

A paratrooper from 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Division Artillery Combat Team, 1st Armored Division stands ready with a 50-caliber machine gun during Operation Devil Clinch. U.S. Army photo

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 24, 2004 — During a midnight raid Feb. 21, paratroopers from the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, went out and got exactly what they came for - bad guys and things that bad guys have that they aren’t suppose to have.
Seized items included rocket-propelled grenade launchers and more than $23,000 in U.S. and Iraqi currency. Story

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"In 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, people will look back, Iraqis will look back ... on each of you and know in their hearts that what you've done is to help build a new Iraq, an Iraq that's free, an Iraq that's whole, an Iraq that's at peace, an Iraq that is a friend to its neighbors. . . and you'll be able to tell your children that you were a part of that."

Remarks at the Baghdad Police Academy, Feb. 23, 2004

Radio

Television

Djibouti Training 6 More Photos

Master Sgt. Terry Butterfield, a production superintendent, Staff Sgt. Laurence Shaw, a crew chief and Staff Sgt. Francisco Casimirlewis, a sheet metal craftsman from the 16th Helicopter Maintenance Squadron, examine a buckle in the metal frame of a MH-53 helicopter. Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa service members are deployed to Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, Africa, to combat terrorism in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt.Matthew Hannen Photo Essay Archive

USS Miami Returns From Deployment

By U.S. Navy Journalist 1st Class Mark A. Savage / Navy Region Northeast

GROTON, Conn., Feb. 20, 2004 (NNS) — The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Miami returned to Naval Submarine Base New London Feb. 12, following a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and U.S. Central Command's Area of Responsibility. More

U.S. Troops Work to Rock the Vote in Iraq

As a part of Operation Rock the Vote, Spec. Jason K. Secrist, a team leader with the 346th Psychological Operations Company talks to a member of the local community about upcoming Iraqi government elections and other issues that concern the public. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. J. H. French

AR RAMADI, Iraq — Coalition Forces are working overtime to help Iraqis understand what democracy is and what the coalition's role in the new Iraq will be. The 346th Airborne Tactical Psychological Operations Company, from Columbus, Ohio, is working with 1st Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team as a part of Operation Rock the Vote to spread the coalition's message in the Ar Ramadi area. More

Army Jumpmasters Keep Skills Fresh in Iraq

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIDGWAY, Iraq — The long line of paratroopers forms at the mouth of an empty hangar on an abandoned Iraqi airfield preparing for a jump into combat. The soldiers are thoroughly checked and ready to board the plane.
With that, the inspection is finished, all the parachutes are taken off and packed into a shipping container, and the soldiers drive back to their jobs. There is no jump on this day. The soldiers were involved in the Jumpmaster's Refresher Course held throughout the 82nd Airborne Division's area of operation in western Iraq. More

Task Force Collects 5,000 Munitions, Detains 21

MOSUL, Iraq, Feb. 22, 2004 — During operations conducted from Feb. 15 through Feb. 22, soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, under the operational control of Task Force Olympia, collected more than 5,000 weapons and explosives and detained 21 suspects in connection with anti-Coalition activities, according to Combine Joint Task Force-7 officials. More

War on Terrorism

. Ridge Announces New System, Database

. Marshall Center Launches Counterterrorism Course

. America is Making Progress in War on Terror Says Bush

Iraq

. U.S. Task Force Troops Assist Iraqis Following Bomb Attack

. Rumsfeld Praises Iraqi Resolve to Fight for Freedom, Liberty

Military News

. More Pay for 1,500 Soldiers in War Zone

. Exercise Tests U.S. Response to Threats Against Homeland

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Valentine's Day Messages to the Troops

Due to the volume of Valentine's Day messages received, DefendAmerica will display these messages through Feb. 24.

More Afghanistan Update Details

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Dustin Tuller

Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy Arevalo Photo by Sgt. Jennie Haskamp

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2004 - A standing-room-only crowd watched, teary-eyed but smiling, as a Florida Army National Guardsman was ceremoniously retired from military service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here Feb. 21. Soldiers, civilians and children filled the conference room for the occasion. Story

More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Airmen Come
Face-to-Face with Evil

Special Agent Tony searches for a suspected Taliban weapons cache here. Agent Tony is a member of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations' anti-terrorism specialty team deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Brian Davidson

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) — For a group of specially trained airmen serving in Afghanistan, coming face-to-face with evil is just "another day at the office" as they conduct counterintelligence and anti-terrorism operations.
Tasked with providing military leaders current, accurate information about enemy threats, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations’ anti-terrorism specialty team is trained and equipped for rapid, worldwide deployment to the most harsh and hostile environments. More

Marksmanship Course Takes
Aim at Kandahar Air Field

Soldiers in the Infantry Mountain Leader Advancement Rifle Marksmanship course apply techniques from class while on the range at Kandahar Air Field. U.S. Army photo by Spc. C. Elijah Spencer

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb. 19, 2004 — Close attention to detail is represented in every part of military life and the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division have taken that attention to detail to a new level with the Infantry Mountain Leader Advancement Rifle Marksmanship Course.
“What we try to do here is make soldiers that make every single round count. We teach them what happens and why. This gives them a better understanding of rifle marksmanship,” said 1st Sgt. Scott J. Baughn, senior instructor for the course. Story

'On The Ground' Archive