DefendAmerica 03/14/2004 - Sunday Edition 2

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Mar 14, 2004

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READY TO ROLL — Senior Airman Dustin Treadwell waits by for his convoy to depart for a mission during his deployment to Southwest Asia from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 8, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James C. Dillard

War In Iraq Was 'The Right Thing to Do,' Secretary Says

By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2004 — As the one-year anniversary of the war in Iraq approaches, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told television viewers today he stands behind the president's decision to go to war, although weapons of mass destruction, one of the justifications for the invasion, have not been found.
Rumsfeld, appearing on the CBS program "Face The Nation" with Bob Schieffer, said that he still believes the war with Iraq was "the right thing to do," and that he's glad "it is done." More

Powell: Bombings in Madrid
Show 'Terror Must Be Fought'

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2004 — As new evidence points to the possibility that al Qaeda is responsible for the March 11 bombings in Madrid, Spain, America's top diplomat today noted in a television interview here that no country is immune to terrorism.
The Spanish commuter train bombings, which killed 200 people and wounded more than 1,400, shows "there is a war on terror that must be fought," Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said to interviewer Chris Wallace on the "Fox News Sunday" program. More

Saying 'Terrorism is Terrorism,' Rice Pledges Support to Spain

CPA Announces Measures to
Tighten Border Security in Iraq

By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2004 — The Coalition Provisional Authority announced a new policy today to tighten border security in Iraq, an effort officials say will help stem the flow of terrorists and foreign fighters entering the country.
During a briefing from Baghdad, senior coalition spokesman Dan Senor told reporters the new policy calls for "increased personnel, new technology and tighter procedures," beginning at the Iranian border. He said the new policy is the first stage in a multi-stage effort to address security problems at Iraq's porous borders. More

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

Rumsfeld, Pace Reflect on
Leadership at Town Hall

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2004 — Leadership isn't about power. It's about responsibility and what you do with the authority that's been entrusted to you, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told troops and DoD civilians during a Pentagon town hall meeting today. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"Today I thank you ... military and civilian ... you are the men and women behind the troops, the ones who enable them to do the jobs that they do every day. So I thank each of you for your service."

Town Hall Meeting, March 12, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Six Soldiers Killed in
Roadside Bomb Attacks

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2004 — Deadly roadside bomb attacks in Iraq this weekend left six U.S. soldiers dead, Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials said in a press release. More

Iraqis Citizens Learn to
Spread Word Through Media

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 13, 2004 — In another move toward a democratic society, a dozen Iraqi nationals have learned the meaning of a free press and the role of the media. More

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004 — DoD officials announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Army Staff Sgt. Joe L. Dunigan Jr., 37, of Belton, Texas, and Spc. Christopher K. Hill, 26, of Ventura, Calif., died Mar. 11, in Fallujah, Iraq, when their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. Both men were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan.

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

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

Radio

Television

ASHLEY AT THE PENTAGON — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld poses for a picture with Ashley Pearson during a tour of the Pentagon on March 11, 2004. Pearson and her family are visiting Washington D.C., at the invitation of President Bush. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr.
5 More Photos

5th-Grader Gets Spotlight At Town Hall

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2004 — Eleven-year-old Ashley Pearson had no idea how much excitement she'd stirred up when she sent a letter to President Bush earlier this year asking what she could do to help save the county and telling the troops that she believes in them. More

Gen. Myers: Too Soon to Know Who's Behind Attacks in Madrid

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

BUENOS AIRES, March 13, 2004 — It is still too soon to say definitively who launched the terrorist attacks in Spain March 11 that killed almost 200 people and wounded more than 1,400, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a press conference here March 12.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, on a visit to the region to improve military- to-military ties, said the "heinous terrorist attacks" reinforce the need to combat the scourge of terrorism around the world. He said the United States stands "shoulder-to-shoulder" with Spain in the war on terrorism. More

‘Win the Peace’ Coalition Delivers Hope for Future

A school boy selects a backpack donated by 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen. More than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene products were donated. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bob Oldham

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 11, 2004 (AFPN) -- More than 200 students at a school outside Nasiriya, Iraq, received a surprise delivery of school supplies donated by “Win the Peace,” an unofficial, organization made up of airmen with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at a forward-deployed location.
The group raised funds for the shipment from airmen here in December. They were able to purchase the supplies at discount prices from local vendors who were interested in contributing to the program. More

U.S. Military Community Pulls
Together, Sends Iraq Donations

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, March 11, 2004 (USAFENS) - Iraqi children and adults will soon be wearing clothes donated by the Kaiserslautern Military Community and it all started with a mass e-mail that reached Mrs. Kristi Jens, a community volunteer.
“… In this village, live several men, women and children who are walking around with no shoes, socks and tattered clothing,” Spec. Kate Medina, C 47th Forward Support Battalion, stationed in Iraq, wrote in a mass e-mail Dec. 3. “It is so sad. I am asking that you help me with this in any way that you can.” 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

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

. Nations Must Work Together to Defeat Extremism, Myers Says

. Myers in Brazil; Talks Include War on Terror

. Rumsfeld Says Full Funding Needed to Continue Terror War

Iraq

. Insurgent Vehicle Attack In Iraq Kills Coalition Soldiers, Civilians

. State Department's Harrison Discusses Iraq Exchange Programs

. 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

Military News

. Rumsfeld Conveys Thanks to Military Community for Support

. Bus Crash Kills 3 Sailors, Injures Dozens

. 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

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. More

Bush Honors 9/11 Victims, Condemns Terrorism

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. More

Transformation

Unmanned Vehicles Vie for $1 Million

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

Officials Study Force Posture Overseas

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2004 — Defense officials are examining how best to adjust force posture to meet future threats and hope to come to some conclusions in coming months, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy Andy Hoehn said in an interview about the global posture review. 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. Story

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. Marine Corps
Staff Sgt. Shawn R. Stringham

Marine Staff Sgt. Shawn R. Stringham, a senior drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, finds freedom in motocross. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO — A bright sun illuminates the Southern California desert tracks, as sunbeams glare off the chrome of the avid rider's helmet. Marine Staff Sgt. Shawn R. Stringham, a senior drill instructor here, uses motocross to clear his mind from recruit training and has discovered a camaraderie within the sport that is similar to that found in the Marine Corps. Story More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Marines Patrols Keep
Bagram Area Secure

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Mike Rose, from Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, participates in security patrols supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the Bagram area March 1, 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John E. Lawson Jr.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — A cloud of fine sand filled the air, dusting the goggles of the Marines patrolling the dirt roads surrounding Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. The humvees bounced along the road approaching the town of brittle clay buildings as local children rushed from their houses, lining the streets to shout at the Marines and give them the ‘thumbs up.’ More

Shopping Options Expand for Troops

'On The Ground' Archive