DefendAmerica 03/12/2004

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Mar 12, 2004

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CALIFORNIA HERE I COME — Sailors man the rails of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu as she transits San Diego Bay returning from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, March 9, 2004. Five San Diego-based ships of the Expeditionary Strike Group 1 returned home following the six-and-a-half-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark A. Mead

President Bush Honors 9/11
Victims, Condemns Terrorism

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2004 — President Bush helped break ground March 11 for a memorial honoring victims of the World Trade Center attacks, after reminding America to remain vigilant against terrorism and condemning yet another horrific terrorist incident earlier in the day in Madrid.
Earlier in the day during a visit to an auto-parts factory on Long Island, Bush reflected on the psychological and economic consequences of the Sept. 11 attacks. Story

Nations Must Work Together to Defeat Extremism, 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. 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 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

Two Soldiers Killed
By Explosive Device

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 12, 2004 — Two soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team of Task Force All American were killed and another soldier was injured when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device March 11, 2004, according to Combined Joint Task Force-7 officials.
The soldiers were providing a convoy escort northeast of Habbiniyah. More

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

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

Iraq

. Iraq's Reconstruction Contracts Moving Smoothly, on Schedule

. 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

Military News

. Airmen Credited for High Readiness Rate

. Free Guide Helps Families

. Survey: Deployments Cited Among Stress Factors

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2004 — Defense Department offials announced today the death of two Department of the Army civilians who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The civilians who were both assigned to the Coalition Provisional Authority, based in Arlington, Va., died March 9 in Al-Hillah, Iraq.
Killed were: Fern L. Holland, 33, (home of record not available) and Robert J. Zangas, 44, of Prince William County, Va. The incident is under investigation.

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

. Maps of Afghanistan

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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