DefendAmerica 03/11/2004

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Mar 11, 2004

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SECURITY WATCH — U.S. Army Sgt. Aubrey Caplinger, left, and Spc. Gabriel Vega maintain security atop an Avenger air defense system during a Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team event in Ghazni, Afghanistan, March 10, 2004. The soldiers are assigned to Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment and are deployed in dsupport of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann

Madrid Attacks Stress Need For Cooperation, Myers Says

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

BUENOS AIRES, March 11, 2004 — Today's terrorist attack in Madrid, Spain, is a terrible tragedy and another unfortunate reminder that all nations must work together to defeat such extremism, Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers said here today.
Four explosions at the Madrid train station killed 192 innocent men, women and children and wounded more than 1,400. In a press conference following a meeting with Argentine Vice President Daniel Osvaldo Scioli, Myers said it is too early to say exactly who launched the attacks. More

Myers Touts Military Contacts in Paraguay

Iraqi Security Responsibilities
Increase, But More Work Needed

By Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2004 — As Iraq's security forces continue to grow, so will their responsibilities, providing a basis for local control, Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, Combined Joint Task Force 7 commander, told reporters today.
Under the local-control initiative, coalition forces are increasing the Iraqi security forces' responsibilities as their capacities increase over time, Sanchez said. More Video

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

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

Troops Get Tax Break
For Combat Zone Service

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2004 — American troops serving in designated combat zones in support of the war against terrorism continue to get a tax break from Uncle Sam. More

Soldiers Detain Personnel,
Foil Power Line Sabotage

MOSUL, Iraq, March 11, 2004 — Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained personnel suspected of anticoalition activities and conducted ongoing weapons-collection operations in northern Iraq, according to U.S. Central Command officials. Coalition soldiers also foiled the sabotage of power lines in Mosul. More

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

President George W. Bush

"We stand strongly with the people of Spain. I appreciate so very much the Spanish government's fight against terror, their resolute stand against terrorist organizations like the ETA. And the United States stands with them."

Response to Madrid Bombings, March 11, 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

Helicopter Squadron Takes Off in Iraq

By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte / 3d Marine Aircraft Wing

A flight maintenance Marine waves instructions to a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter to have the pilot begin its taxi down the runway to the take-off point. The Marines are part of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, which began its flight operations in Iraq February 28. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq, March 11, 2004 — Pilots and crews of Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 began their first flight operations here recently.
These are the first flight operations in Iraq to take place for Marine Aircraft Group 16 since its return to the country after the main combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Marines Settle In, Prepare to Relieve Army in Iraq

By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. S.B. Valliere

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIDGEWAY, Iraq, March 11, 2004 — Nearly half of the Marine Corps 1st Force Service Support Group has arrived and is getting settled in to its bases in Iraq, steadily preparing to receive the reigns from the Army here. More

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

USS Philippine Sea to Return from Deployment

NORFOLK, Va., March 11, 2004 (NNS) — The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea and embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light 44, Detachment 3 will return to its homeport of Mayport, Fla., March 12 after completing a five-month deployment with the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group in support of the global war on terrorism.
During the ship’s deployment, Philippine Sea served as the overall command ship for Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Persian Gulf. More

War on Terrorism

. Myers in Brazil; Talks Include War on Terror

. Rumsfeld Says Full Funding Needed to Continue Terror War

. State Department's 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'

Iraq

. Attack Kills 3 in Iraq; Coalition Continues Offensive Operations

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

. CPA Chief Approves Iraq's Interim Constitution

. Task Force Commander Says Insurgents 'Desperate, Isolated'

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

Military News

. Free Guide Helps Families

. Survey: Deployments Cited Among Stress Factors

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

    WASHINGTON — Defense Department officials announced the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
      Spc. Edward W. Brabazon, 20, of Philadelphia, Pa., died March 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-hostile gunshot wound. Brabazon was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
     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.

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

. Maps of Afghanistan

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 Southwest Asia

Deployed Airmen
Learn Convoy Skills

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) — The grizzled, old retired Army instructor imparted combat wisdom to his students — the most important thing he wanted them to take away from the training was when they drive into combat areas, they better look like death coming down the road. A threatening target is much less inviting than a meek one. Story

In Afghanistan

Task Force Soldiers
Pursue Taliban Target

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SOLERNO, Afghanistan (Army News Service) — The word came in. An intelligence report said a possible Taliban commander was nearby and task force leaders quickly formulated a plan to seal off the village. More

In Iraq

Airmen Keep Track of
Northern Iraq Weather

KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (USAFENS) — “We’re pioneers!” exclaimed Tech. Sgt. Maurice Arnold, 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather flight chief recently when asked about his job. “We’re beta-testing in this environment. We are doing forecast studies of the main things that impact operations here, like fog, dust and rain.”. More

'On The Ground' Archive