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Feb 27, 2004

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TROOP VISIT — Joyce Rumsfeld (center), wife of Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, greets soldiers at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, with Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander, Combined Joint Task Force 180 (second from left), and Paula Dobriansky (right), Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs. Rumsfeld also accompanied Dobriansky and her delegation on a visit to the Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Vernell Hall

Defense Secretary Reaffirms Commitment to Afghanistan

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2004 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld reaffirmed the U.S. and coalition commitment to helping Afghanistan's people rebuild their nation under President Hamid Karzai's leadership.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Karzai after meeting at the presidential palace here Feb. 26, Rumsfeld said NATO partners will play an increasing role in the effort. More

Afghan President Karzai Says Taliban Movement is Defeated

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2004 — The Taliban is dead as a movement or a military factor in Afghanistan, the country's president said here Feb. 26, and former Taliban leaders seeking to return home will be allowed back if they don't have criminal records.
President Hamid Karzai held a joint news conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld after they met in Afghanistan's presidential palace. More

War on Terrorism: Homeland Defense is a 'Must Win' Game

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

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2004 — The mission of homeland security is like playing an "away game and a home game," said the U.S. military's homeland defense commander. In war, just as in sports, it's the away game that you "want to win," but it is the home game that you "must win."
Air Force Gen. Ralph Eberhart, head of U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., used the analogy to explain his views on how to handle the nation's security challenges. More

Iraq Progress: 'Tide of Change' Now Inevitable, Sanchez Says

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2004 — Attacks on U.S., coalition and Iraqi security forces in Iraq will not stop the country's march toward self-governance and democracy, a senior U.S. military officer said today at a Baghdad press conference. 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

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"...Twenty-five million Iraqis are liberated and finding their way towards a freer economy and a freer political system. And they no longer have to fear the killing fields that we found in Iraq -- where tens of thousands of Iraqis are buried, one on top of another. The world is a vastly better place with Saddam Hussein in prison, and the Iraqi people free."

Remarks in Kazakhstan, Feb. 25, 2004

Defense Views

Soldiers Discover Weapons

     BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2004 — Task Force 1st Armored Division soldiers discovered and seized a weapons cache in the Al Rashid district Feb. 24, according to Combined Joint Task Force-7 officials.
     Artillerymen from 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment, Division Artillery Combat Team were on a routine mounted patrol when they discovered the stockpile. The soldiers found and confiscated 50 122 mm artillery rounds, 36 125 mm artillery rounds, 200 14.5 mm rounds, 10 fuses and two hand grenades.
     An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the munitions in place.

Defense Dept. Introduces
Global War on Terror Medals

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2004 — Military members serving at home and abroad in the war on terrorism will now be recognized for that service. Defense officials announced today the final approval of two new medals and their criteria. More

Troop Rotations Underway in Iraq

KUWAIT NAVAL BASE, Kuwait, Feb. 26, 2004 (NNS) — The transition from the previous force rotation of Operation Iraqi Freedom to the current one is now underway. Troops and equipment are continuing to flow into Kuwait Naval Base and the port of Ash Shuaybah under the guidance of U.S. 5th Fleet’s Commander Task Force 51 and the Army’s 359th Transportation Battalion. More

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

Radio

Television

The Striped Beagle

U.S. Army Reserve Maj. David L. Barber recently deployed to the Persian Gulf with the 172nd Corps Support Group. Along with his duties as the unit's legal advisor, Barber began publishing his own newsletter The Striped Beagle. With his permission, DefendAmerica.mil will publish excerpts giving you another glimpse of what daily life is like for America's troops in the field.

Kuwaiti Campout Provides Message from Space
UDAIRI RANGE, Kuwait -- Sleeping under the dessert sky on a clear night is an awesome experience. I spent 25-27 January 04 at the Udari Range receiving additional training in convoy operations and defensive tactics in close quarters.
The range is in the middle of nowhere with Bedouin shepherds and their camels and goats as your only neighbors. In the Udari dessert you sense that things haven’t changed much over the last 8000 years, other than some Bedouins now have an old pickup truck outside their tent. More

Vet Care in Roza Sharif 4 More Photos

Army Col. Earl Morgan, a veterinarian with Headquarters Company, Combined Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force, gets ready to give dewormer to a monkey brought to the site during a civil medical assistance misison by the Task Force's civil affairs team in the village of Kuhday Dad , Afghanistan, Feb. 16, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gul A Alisan
Photo Essay Archive

Hospital Corpsmen Receive
Bronze Star for Actions in Iraq

By Judy Lazarus / Naval Service Training Command

NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES, Ill., Feb. 25, 2004 (NNS) — Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alan P. Dementer and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kenneth W. Ball were both awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for heroic action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, in a ceremony Feb. 23 at Naval Hospital Corps School at Naval Station Great Lakes.
Rear Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, Commander, Navy Region Midwest/Naval Service Training Command presented the medals. "This is a great Navy day," Rondeau said. "We are honoring two enlisted Sailors. They walked the walk of honor, courage and commitment." More

Spc. Oscar Torres meets his three month old son, Oscar Jr., for the first time. Torres was one of about 150 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade to arrive at Caserma Ederle, Vicenze, Italy, from Iraq Feb. 19, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tara Sherlock 5 More Photos

War on Terrorism

. Homeland Security Official Lists Accomplishments, Goals

. U.S. Still Faces Terror Threat Despite Damage to al Qaeda

. Homeland Security Official Cites Challenges, Success

. Guantanamo Detainees Face Conspiracy Charges

. Ridge Announces New System, Database

Iraq

. Coalition Provides Details on Terrorist's Death, Updates Ops

. Rumsfeld in Kazakhstan; Talks Focus on Military Relationship

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

. Coalition Raids Lead to Several Captures

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

Military News

. Battle Dress Uniforms in Short Supply

. Service Members Can Apply for Expedited U.S. Citizenship

. More Pay for 1,500 Soldiers in War Zone

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. David E. Hall, 21, of Uniontown, Kan., died Feb. 25 in Kabul, Afghanistan, in a non-hostile accident. Hall was assigned to 805th Military Police Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, U.S. Army Reserve, Raleigh, N.C. The incident is under investigation.

CHARITY RUN — Coalition personnell based at Basrah Airport, Southern Iraq, take part in a half marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. About 420 soldiers, sailors and airmen struggled against 40 mph winds to finish the grueling 13-mile event. The troops raised over $4,200 for MacMillan Cancer Relief and three deprived schools in the Basrah area. Royal Air Force photo by Gary Wort

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

More Afghanistan Update Details

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Army
Maj. Jay P. Nelson

With help from Sgt. Caroyen Minter of Fort Bragg's 528th Medical Detachment, then-1st Lt. Jay Nelson attends an occupational therapy session in 1994 to improve the movement in his hands. five days a week. At the time, Nelson attended such sessions five days a week to recover from severe burns. U.S. Army photo

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Ten years ago next month a tragic midair collision of two military transport aircraft at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., resulted in 24 deaths and more than 100 injuries. One survivor, Army Maj. Jay P. Nelson, has his burns to remind him daily of the accident. More

More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Marine Reserve 'Red Dogs'
Support Ground Troops

Marines of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 prepare an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter for it's next mission. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lana D. Waters

BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2004 — For the last three months, the Reserve Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, Marine Aircraft Group 42, have had a new home in Afghanistan. The “Red Dogs,” who originate from Atlanta and Belle Chasse, La., packed up their bags, six AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters and three UH-1N helicopters in late October to come here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. More

In Qatar

All-Weather Friends
Vital to Air Operations

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar, Feb. 26, 2004 (AFPN) — It really does all depend on the weather when it comes to planning air operations. This holds true at the Combined Air Operations Center here, the central hub for air and space operations dealing with operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and in the Horn of Africa region. More

'On The Ground' Archive