DefendAmerica 03/11/2004

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

Mar 11, 2004

Government

Military

Help Fight Terror

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Transcripts

TAKING AIM — A sniper sights potential enemy targets moving along the rooftop of a nearby building during a search mission in Al Fallujah, Iraq, March 10, 2004. The paratrooper is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Charles B. Johnson

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 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. 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

Myers in Brazil; Talks
Include War on Terror

BRAZILIA, Brazil, March 11, 2004 — Terrorism and military relations between the United States and Brazil were among the subjects in a series of high-level meetings here March 10 for Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Story

Airmen Credited for
High Readiness Rate

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 — During operations in Iraq, the Air Force experienced some of the highest mission-capable rates in recent history, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, told the members of a Senate Armed Service Committee subcommittee hearing March 9. Story

West Point Opens
Doors to Afghan Applicants

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 11, 2004 — For the first time, Afghan candidates may have an opportunity to attend West Point this fall. Thirteen Afghan nominees were interviewed and tested by three U.S. soldiers last month, to determine Afghanistan’s six most qualified nominees to apply to West Point later this year. Story

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

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

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

Radio

Television

Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Bacon, 355th Maintenance Group, cradles his newborn daughter Alianne as his wife looks on. Bacon served a four-month deployment to Iraq. The soldiers were greeted by family and friends at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 6, 2004.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lanie McNeal
3 More Photos 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

Medical Center Treating Leishmaniasis Cases

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 (Army News Service) — Health-care providers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center have treated almost 400 patients infected with leishmaniasis since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom last year.
Patients receiving, or who have received care at Walter Reed for Leishmaniasis, have been treated as outpatients, without having to spend any nights in the hospital, according to medical center officials. 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

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

Military News

. Free Guide Helps Families

. Survey: Deployments Cited Among Stress Factors

. National Guard, Reserve Update

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.

. 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

U.S. Army
Spc. Brian Carter

Army Spc. Brian Carter, a member of the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, also serves with the Governant Support Team, the liaison to the Al Anbar Ministry of Education for the 304th and is the military advisor to the provincial director of education. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Vernon O'Donell

AR RAMADI, Iraq — Army Spc. Brian Carter, a member of the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, is spearheading a vital civil initiative He is a member of the Governant Support Team, the liaison to the Al Anbar Ministry of Education for the 304th, and is the military advisor to the provincial director of education. 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