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Feb 27, 2004

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IRAQ DEPLOYMENT — Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 personnel load gear on a commercial airliner Feb. 19, 2004, before departing Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. for a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Amber Castro

WOLFOWITZ ON TRANSFORMATION

U.S. Forces Must Work with Local People to Win Terror War

By K.L. Vantran / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2004 – One key to winning the war on terrorism is "getting the people who are on our side, able to fight with us," Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said here today.
And "the war is not an excuse to delay transformation – it is a reason to accelerate it," he said, quoting Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Story

Iraqis Continue Leading U.S. Troops to Weapons, Suspects

By American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2004 — Iraqi citizens continue to point U.S. troops to sites where weapons and ammunitions are being found – even in some cases hand delivering turn-in of the deadly munitions.
Over the past week there have been at least four incidents where Iraqi civilians have led U.S. troops to hidden stockpiles of weapons and ammunition, coalition officials report.In Mosul, a concerned group of citizens in northwestern Iraq led soldiers to a large cache of weapons, according to a Central Command release. Story

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

Karzai Says Taliban Movement is Defeated

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

Deputy Defense Secretary
Paul Wolfowitz

"There's something about American ingenuity and American civic culture that's combined with American military courage that is producing incredible results in Iraq, in Afghanistan and around the world."

Transformation Conference, Feb. 27, 2004

Defense Views

Soldiers Detain Suspects,
Find Explosive Device

MOSUL, Iraq, Feb. 28, 2004 — Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division under the operational control of Task Force Olympia in conjunction with Iraqi Police in Mosul, detained personnel suspected of anticoalition activities in northern Iraq earlier today, according to U.S. Central Command officials. More

Iraq War Veteran
Meets With Students

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2004 — As her unit moved toward Baghdad, liberated Iraqis "were tearing down things in celebration of the fall of the regime," Army 1st Lt. Emily Woolsey, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, recalled during a Feb. 26 visit with seventh- and eighth-graders. More

Transformation

Software Saves Time for
Marine Buildup in Kuwait

CAMP VICTORY, Kuwait, Feb. 26, 2004 — As Marines here continue to assemble their fleet of vehicles and stockpiles of gear, a team of 1st Force Service Support Group Marines is using some new software that could become the standard for prepostioning operations in the future. Story

More Transformation News

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.

On to Iraq
IRAQI AIR SPACE, Jan. 30, 2004 — This evening I boarded a C-130 in Kuwait and flew to Iraq. The last time I was in a C-130 I parachuted out. In fact when we touched down at 2033 (8:33 p.m. local time) that was the first time I had ever landed in a C-130. I have flown in one on three occasions, but always landed via parachute.
Our home for the foreseeable future is Camp Anaconda in Balad, Iraq. Our temporary housing is crowded, but as other units rotate out our living conditions will improve. We are in a building rather than tents, although the temporary interior plywood walls and flimsy exterior doors make it seem like a tent. More

Rumsfeld on the Road 8 More Photos

While waiting Feb. 22, 2004 for his aircraft to refuel in Shannon, Ireland, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld surprises soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard on their way to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rumsfeld posed with the troops and wished them a safe deployment. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr. Photo Essay Archive

U.S. Team Cares for People, Livestock

By Lance Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

Army Staff Sgt. Johnny A. John and Army 2nd Lt. Kristy R. Linginfelter, both with the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion, clean the foot of a child during a recent Medical Civic Action Program. Defense Dept. photo by Lance Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

ALI SABIEH DISTRICT, Djibouti — A convoy of vehicles passes over countless miles of mountainous lava rock terrain in eastern Djibouti with one mission in mind, to improve the health of the people in the region.
Two teams from the the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion treated more than 450 people in the villages of Guistir and Assamo recently. More

Ceremony Recognizes Iraqi
Civil Defense Corps Leaders

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2004 - The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps officially welcomed and recognized its new commissioned officer leaders during a formal ceremony taking place at Martyrs’ Monument Feb. 25. “Today is an historic day for these men, for their families, for Baghdad and for the people of Iraq,” Brig. Gen. Martin Dempsey, 1st Armored Division commander told those on hand to observe the event. More

Hospital Corpsmen Receive Bronze Star for Actions in Iraq

War on Terrorism

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

. 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

. Troop Rotations Underway in Iraq

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

. 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

. Defense Dept. Introduces Global War on Terror Medals

. Battle Dress Uniforms in Short Supply

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

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on Feb. 25 in Habbinayah, Iraq, when the OH-58 helicopter in which they were flying crashed. Both soldiers were assigned to the 4th Squadron, Outlaw Troop, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo. Killed were: Chief Warrant Officer Stephen M. Wells, 29, of Mass., and Chief Warrant Officer Matthew C. Laskowski, 32, of Phoenix, Ariz.

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

In Kyrgyzstan

Military Working Dogs Help
Keep Base Safe, Secure 24/7

Staff Sgt. Kelly Minnix and Houby, a military working dog, check a vehicle for explosives before entering the base. Sergeant Minnix is a dog handler with the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. When not biting perps, Houby dispenses advice to the troops through a column in the base paper. U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Brus Vidal

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan, Feb. 26, 2004 (AFPN) — When military people are in trouble, they call the cops. When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit. Working dogs here provide explosive detection support and establish a force-protection presence that will halt or deter hostile action against coalition forces. More

'On The Ground' Archive