DefendAmerica 03/12/2004

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Mar 12, 2004

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SEARCHING OUT INSURGENTS — Soldiers from 1st Infantry Division's 1st Engineer Battalion search a farm for evidence in an area where insurgents ambushed U.S. troops and set off an improvised explosive device in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by by Spc. Lee Davis

Special Operations Troops Are 'Taking the War to the Terrorists'

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2004 — U.S. special operations troops have become a key military weapon in the war on terrorism, the Defense Department's top special operations official told U.S. House of Representatives' members here March 11.
Special operators are "taking the war to the terrorists before it can be fought on our own soil or that of our allies," Thomas W. O'Connell said in testimony before the House Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. More

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

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

Naval Coastal Warfare
Reserve Units Deploy

NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif., March 12, 2004 (NNS) — More than 350 sailors and Coast Guardsmen making up Reserve units of Naval Coastal Warfare Group 1 left Naval Air Station North Island for the Persian Gulf recently. The command will be on an eight-month deployment as part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation of forces and in support of the global war on terrorism. More

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. 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

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.

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 / 3rd 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

Reserve Medics Assist Returning Troops

By U.S. Army Maj. Thomas Johnson / Medical Support Unit-Europe

HEIDELBERG, Germany, March 11, 2004 –The 7th Army Reserve Command’s Medical Support Unit-Europe recently assisted United States Army Europe Regional Medical Command personnel during annual training as reserve medical and administrative personnel provided support services to soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

USS Port Royal Returns Home

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, March 11, 2004 (NNS) — USS Port Royal returned home to Pearl Harbor March 11 following a six-and-a-half month deployment with Expeditionary Strike Group 1. The 350 crew members assigned to Port Royal returned to “the Navy’s best homeport” following operations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. More

Marine 'Evil Eyes' Helicopter
Squadron Returns from Deployment

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 taxis along the flightline at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar after returning March 8 from a six and a half month deployment throughout the western Pacific with Expeditionary Strike Group 1. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John Sayas

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif., March 11, 2004 — More than 250 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines returned home in formation here March 8, 2004, after a six-month deployment throughout the western Pacific in support of the global war on terrorism. 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

. Iraqi Security Responsibilities Increase, But More Work Needed

. 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

. West Point Opens Doors to Afghan Applicants

. Troops Get Tax Break For Combat Zone Service

. Airmen Credited for High Readiness Rate

. Free Guide Helps Families

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Transformation

Competition to Showcase
Unmanned Vehicle Technology

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2004 — Operation Iraqi Freedom is demonstrating the value of unmanned vehicles to support American forces and save lives. This weekend, the Defense Research Projects Agency will tap into exciting innovations in the robotics field when as many as 21 robotic vehicles face the clock during a 200-mile field test. The first one to the finish line gets a $1 million cash prize. Story

Exchange Business Operations Plan to Merge

. Maps of Afghanistan

Rock Star Ozzy Osbourne,
Wife Tour Battleship Missouri

Heavy Metal rock star and reality television hit Ozzy Osboune and his wife Sharon, tour the battleship USS Missouri while filming their MTV show "The Osbournes" in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Devin Wright.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, March 12, 2003 (NNS) — Rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon brought the their MTV reality show, "The Osbournes," to the Navy March 9, when they visited and toured the USS Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Ozzy spoke passionately about the freedoms the United States offers its people. “I’m British, but the U.S. provides the greatest amount of freedoms, personal freedoms,” he said. More

Campaign Salutes Guard
Soldiers, Families, Supporters

WASHINGTON — The Army National Guard has launched the "Freedom Salute Campaign," a program designed to recognize Army National Guard soldiers, their families, and others who have supported them as they answered the call to duty-both at home and abroad. Story

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

'On The Ground' Archive