DefendAmerica - Home Page 02/27/2004

Home Page - DefendAmerica
[NOTE: Because of increased web traffic, you may experience delays. Please be patient.]

Feb 29, 2004

Government

Military

Help Fight Terror

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Transcripts

ARABIAN GULF— A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to the "Wolfpack" of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 flies past the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer after delivering equipment to Camp Doha, Kuwait. USS Boxer departed for the Arabian Gulf Jan. 14, 2004. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christopher Elmini

IRAQ

Interim Constitution Imminent;
Military Operations Continue

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2004 - Although it was apparent the Iraqi General Council would miss the U.S.-suggested deadline to establish an interim constitution, Iraqi General Council member Mawaffak Rubaie asserted late Feb. 28 that the signing of the document is imminent, noting, "Failure is not an option."
Speaking to reporters at a Baghdad press conference, Rubaie insisted, "We have to get this document signed and dusted and finished with … this is a must. All Iraqi people are waiting for us to release this document." More

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. More

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. 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

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

Marines Arrive in
Kuwait for Iraqi Freedom II

CAMP VICTORY, Kuwait, Feb. 28, 2004 — Elements of the I Marine Expeditionary Force have begun staging in Kuwait in preparation for Operation Iraqi Freedom II. 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 Marines

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

. Defense Secretary Reaffirms Commitment to Afghanistan

. 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

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