DefendAmerica 03/11/2004

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Mar 11, 2004

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PROWLER MAINTENANCE — Maintenence personnel from U.S. Navy Electronic Attack Squadron 142 "Gray Wolves," from Whidbey Island, Wash., perform daily maintenance on an A-7 Prowler at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, March 7, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gul Alisan

Iraq's Reconstruction Contracts
Moving Smoothly, On Schedule

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 — Iraq's reconstruction is proceeding smoothly and on schedule, the U.S. head of reconstruction in Iraq told Pentagon reporters today.
Retired Navy Rear Adm. David J. Nash said the $18.4 billion aid package approved by Congress last fall rapidly is translating into tangible, on-the-ground improvements in Iraq's infrastructure, internal security and services. More Briefing Video

Iraqi Reconstruction Contracts Awarded

Attack Kills 3 in Iraq; Coalition
Continues Offensive Operations

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 — Two Defense Department civilians and an Iraqi translator were killed in a March 9 attack in Hillah, Iraq, coalition officials said today.
Senior Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman Dan Senor said that the FBI is leading an investigation of the incident. He said some details in wire reports of the attack are incorrect, but he declined to specify which ones. More Briefing

Insurgent Forces in Western Iraq
'In Disarray,' Losing Numbers

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 — Anti-coalition forces in western Iraq are "pretty much in disarray," Army Maj. Gen. Charles H. Swannack Jr., commander of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, told journalists today during a Baghdad press conference.
Deployed to Iraq since September, Swannack's Task Force All-American patrols the Anbar province in western Iraq, which includes the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi. All of his 18,000-member force is slated to complete re-deployment back to Fort Bragg, N.C., sometime in May. More Briefing

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

Free Guide Helps Families

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 — A new, free guide being offered by the National Fatherhood Initiative is designed to help service members maintain their important role in their children's lives during military deployments. More

Detainee Dies in Custody

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 10, 2004 — Palestinian terrorist Abu Abbas, also known as Mohammed Abbas, died on March 8, 2004, according to U.S. Central Command officials. Initial reports indicate that he died of natural causes. U.S. forces have held Abbas since he was captured in Baghdad on April 14, 2003. Abbas planned the 1985 hijacking of the Italian cruise liner, the Achille Lauro, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Release

Defense Leaders Speak

Army Maj. Gen. Charles H. Swannack Jr.
82nd Airborne Division commander

"Those fighting against the Iraqi people and (the) coalition need to listen, need to pay attention and understand that the Iraqi people want freedom, they want prosperity, and they want democracy."

Baghdad briefing, March 10, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Richard S. Gottfried, 42, of Lake Ozark, Mo., died March 9 in Tampa, Iraq, when struck by an improvised explosive device. Gottfried was assigned to the 1st Division Support Command, 1st Infantry Division, Kitzengen, Germany.

http://www.defendamerica.mil/homecoming/archive.html

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

Radio

Television

New Hope in Ghazni 4 More Photos

Soldiers from the Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team, based in Ghazni, Afghanistan, raise the U.S. flag during the opening ceremony for the new team, March 4, 2004. The team will help the Afghanistan government rebuild the southeastern region of Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann Photo Essay Archive

Rumsfeld Says Full Funding
Needed to Continue Terror War

By Donna Miles / American Forces press Service

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld warned March 9 that progress toward democracy in Iraq should not be interpreted as a sign that the terrorist threat is under control and that the military can now endure budget cuts.
Rumsfeld told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that despite this week's signing of an interim constitution in Iraq, the terrorist threat in that country and elsewhere continues, and America must ensure its military is capable of responding to that threat. More Briefing

Exercise Tests Navy, Bahraini Response

By U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Shawnee McKain

MANAMA, Bahrain, March 9, 2004 (NNS) — A simulated terrorist attack put emergency personnel to the test recently during Exercise Desert Sailor 2004, an annual exercise held aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, to ensure military emergency response efforts are well coordinated with local Bahraini directorates in case of an actual emergency. More

Colorado National Guard MP Unit Returns

By Spc. Scott Griffin / Colorado Army National Guard

DENVER, March 7, 2004 — Howling wind knocked over trees and sent semi-trucks scattering across Colorado roadways, but the Colorado Army National Guard’s 220th Military Police Company were unfazed by the elements. During the last 13 months, the soldiers weathered gunfire and missile attacks, and temperatures ranging from freezing in the winter to a blistering high of 158 degrees. They returned from their deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to the cheers and applause of friends and family. Story

War on Terrorism

. State Department: Dobriansky Discusses U.S.-Afghan Women's Council

. Plan Establishes 12 More WMD-Civil Support Teams

. Al Qaeda Leadership Damaged, But Still Committed to Attacks

. EUCOM Deputy Says Al Qaeda 'Has an Interest In North Africa'

. Women's Rights, Military Ops Draw Spotlight in Afghanistan

. Malaysia Joins Container Security Initiative

Iraq

. CPA Chief Approves Iraq's Interim Constitution

. Task Force Commander Says Insurgents 'Desperate, Isolated'

. Iraqis to Have 'Lead Role' in Bringing Saddam to Justice

. Labor Secretary Chao: Women's Role in the New Iraq Government

. U.S. Marines Return to Iraq

. Iraqi Governing Council Signs Interim Constitution in Baghdad

Military News

. Survey: Deployments Cited Among Stress Factors

. DoD Announces Transformational Instrumentation Research Grants

. DoD to Award $8.4M for Science, Engineering Research

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Weapons Caches Found;
Coalition Forces Attacked, Return Fire

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 10, 2004 — Weapons caches were found and destroyed in the vicinity of Khowst, Ghazni and Gardez, March 9, 2004, according to Combined Joint Task Force-180 officials. These caches included more than 200 122mm artillery shells, 250 107mm rockets, 175 82mm mortar rounds, tens of mines, grenades, rocket propelled grenades and large and small caliber ammunition. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Tyson Foods Logo to Salute
Guard, Reserves, Employers

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 — In a show of support of deployed Guardsmen and reservists and their employers, Tyson Foods has announced plans to put the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve logo on all products the company ships to military facilities worldwide. More

Kirstie Alley
‘Cheers’ For Troops

Master Sgt. Gary Babcock shows Golden Globe-winning actress Kirstie Alley the inner workings of the KC-135 Stratotanker engine. Ms. Alley visited here March 8 to show her support for the troops. Sergeant Babcock is assigned to the 22nd Maintenance Squadron here. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Harold Barnes III

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan., March 9, 2004 (AFPN) — Golden Globe-winning actress Kirstie Alley crossed into the blue March 8 during her “wild ride” here. She returned to her hometown of Wichita to raise money for the 1922 Orpheum Theatre with her show “Kirstie Alley’s Wild Ride” and wanted to visit one of the first places she worked — McConnell — and show support for the troops. Story

Actor Ernest Borgnine Hails Sailors

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

Dan Neese

MANILA, Philippines — Dan Neese gets strange looks when he invites people for dinner and gives them his address. Mr. Neese resides at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial here, the final resting place for 17,206 Americans from World War II. Mr. Neese is the cemetery's superintendent. Story More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Airmen Deliver
Radio Communications

Staff Sgts. Vincent Bess (left) and Andre Locust install a radio-communications antenna for a secondary repeater for the security forces squadron here. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) — What do you get when you take the rim of an old tire, bolt wood into the lug nut openings, and secure an 11-foot fence pole to it? After attaching an 8-foot rod to the top of the pole, the answer is a ground-radio antenna that makes the communication needs of security detail soldiers here. More

'On The Ground' Archive