DefendAmerica 03/16/2004

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Mar 16, 2004

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DONATION — U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Chaplain) Kenneth Sampson, Combined Joint Task Force 180 Chaplain, signs a Certificate of Understanding with elders from the village of Charikar, Afghanistan, during a luncheon at a Bagram dining facility on March 9, 2004. The Chaplains arranged the luncheon to donate 30,000.00 Afghanis ($600.00) to the village elders to use on the Charikar Central City Mosque entrance park and foothill park site. The money was donated by several Appelton, Wisc., religious organizations and U.S. Army Chaplains. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann

Translator Killed in Mosul Attack

By American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 — A translator for coalition forces in northern Iraq was killed and two family members were injured today in an attack in Mosul, Iraq.
     The translator and the family members were in their vehicle when it was struck by small-arms fire. They were taken to an Iraqi hospital in Mosul. Iraqi police are investigating this attack.
     "These deliberate attacks show a total disregard for innocent human life," said Brig. Gen. Carter F. Ham, the Task Force Olympia commander in Mosul. "Killing and injuring innocent Iraqi citizens shows the murderous and cynical intent of terrorists to undermine freedom and progress in Iraq." More

16 YEARS LATER

Halabja Revisited

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 — Sixteen years ago today, 5,000 innocent Iraqi civilians perished under a barrage of mustard gas; nerve agents sarin, tabun and VX; and possibly cyanide.
The brutal attack, launched by their own government, earned Saddam Hussein the dubious distinction of becoming the first world leader in modern times to have used chemical weapons on his own people. More

Afghan, Pakistani Detainees
Transferred from Guantanamo

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the transfer of 23 Afghan and three Pakistani detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for release.
The decision to transfer or release a detainee is based on many factors, including whether the detainee is of further intelligence value to the United States and whether he is believed to pose a threat to the United States. There is a process to review the status of detainees. 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

Air Mobility Command Central
To Historic Troop Rotation

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., March 15, 2004 (AFPN) — Defense Department officials have challenged those from Air Mobility Command to play a central role in the Southwest Asia troop rotation by moving 250,000 people in 60 days. That roughly equates to the number of passengers who can sit in 720 wide-body commercial aircraft or the entire population of Louisville, Ky. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"The Iraqis are going to be better able to provide for their own security, more likely to make progress with respect to their economic and essential service side of the equation if, in fact, there's an Iraqi face on the government, and they have a voice and some important role in governing their country."

CBS Face the Nation interview,
March 14, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Jocelyn L. Carrasquillo, 28, of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., died March 13, on the main supply route in Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle. Spc. Carrasquillo was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, from Wilmington, N.C. The incident is under investigation.

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

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

Radio

Television

Preparing to Respond 6 More Photos

Larry Hagen, lead firefighter with the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron, sprays an area needing saturation because of the release of a simulated chemical agent during a major accident response exercise at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., March 9, 2004. The Wing Inspection Office conducts emergency response exercises quarterly to ensure base personnel are prepared in the event of a terrorist attack using weapons of mass destruction, chemical or biological attack, suspicious package, nuclear threat or any other major incident. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Laura K. Smith Photo Essay Archive

The Striped Beagle

U.S. Army Reserve Maj. David L. Barber deployed to the Persian Gulf with the 172nd Corps Support Group. Along with his duties as the unit's legal advisor, Barber launched his own newsletter The Striped Beagle. With his permission, DefendAmerica.mil will publish excerpts, giving you a feel for what daily life is like for America's troops in the field.

Support from Home Lifts Troops' Spirits
1LT A.J. Salazar and SSG Claudia Pedroza continue the legal mission during a Force Protection Battle Drill

1LT A.J. Salazar and SSG Claudia Pedroza continue the legal mission during a Force Protection Battle Drill

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq (Feb. 21, 2004) - A few days ago I moved into the "pool house" (see page two) and took up residence with my roommate Maj. Kirk Williams. Maj. Williams is a fifth grade school teacher in Dallas, Texas and a husband and father of two children. Kirk is our resident singer and the unit's standard for "cool." His Support our Troops blanket was a gift from the school where he teaches. More

Finance Soldiers Train Iraqi Counterparts

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 15, 2004 — Soldiers from 1st Armored Division's 8th Finance Battalion, and the 1st Cavalry Division's 15th Finance Bn., conducted a three-day course to give Iraqi Civil Defense Corps members a lesson in "paying for freedom." 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 purchased the supplies at discount prices from local vendors who were interested in contributing to the program. More

Afghan National Army Troops
Work for Future of Their Nation

By U.S. Army Spc. Zia Ul Haq / 211 th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, March 12, 2004 – With every rocket attack and detonated land mine, it is clear that coalition forces need help from the Afghan people to completely defeat terrorists in Afghanistan. This need has led to the creation of the Afghan National Army. More

Air Defenders Train as Police
For Deployment to Afghanistan

By Jon Myatt / Florida Department of Military Affairs

1st Lt. Craig Fournier, of HHB, 2nd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery, and his wife Stephanie, share soldier readiness processing Saturday afternoon at the West Palm Beach Armory. Fournier is the battalion's intelligence officer. Photo by Jon Myatt

WEST PALM BEACH, March 15, 2004 — Air defense artillerymen always train and deploy with their eyes to the sky, so when the soldiers of the Florida National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery were informed they were being deployed to Afghanistan as military policemen, many were surprised.
The Florida National Guard received word two months ago that the battalion would be retrained as military police officers at Fort Dix, N.J. The Army needs more MPs to help wage the global war against terrorism. More

Marines Use Fiber Optics to Link Forces

By Marine Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III / 3d Marine Aircraft Wing

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq, March 12, 2004 — Since the late '80s people have been fascinated with the power of a new invention that can send information at the speed of light using only cable as thick as a pencil.
Now, Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38 has arrived in Iraq with a plan to connect more than 20 miles of fiber-optic cable to assist the Marines and sailors supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom II. More

War on Terrorism

. U.S. Troops May Have Clashed With Iranian Guards at Border

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

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

. Bush Honors 9/11 Victims, Condemns Terrorism

Iraq

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

. CPA Announces Measures to Tighten Border Security in Iraq

. Insurgent Vehicle Attack In Iraq Kills Coalition Soldiers, Civilians

Military News

. Rumsfeld, Pace Reflect on Leadership at Town Hall

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Transformation

New Mine-Finding Device
Removes Troops From Threat

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay, March 12, 2004 — Researchers dug in deep here recently for the advanced testing of a new mine-finding apparatus that allows for airborne reconnaissance and recognition of mine fields and other hidden dangers that could await American troops in times of conflict. More

Airmen Injured; Afghans
Turn in Weapons Caches;

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 15, 2004 - Two U.S. airmen were wounded by a mine at Bagram Air Base, March 13, 2004, according to Combined Joint Task Force-180 officials. One airman was seriously injured and was medically evacuated to Germany. The other airman is under observation at Bagram. The people of Afghanistan continue to cooperate with coalition forces by turning in weapons caches. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Schwarzenegger ‘Pumps Up’
Deploying Guard Soldiers

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger shakes hands with National Guard soldiers of the 81st Armor Brigade (Separate) at the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, Calif. U.S. Army photo be Spc. by Jacob A. McDonald

FORT IRWIN, Calif., Army News Service, March 15, 2004 — California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the National Training Center and Fort Irwin March 12 to speak to soldiers of the California National Guard deploying to Iraq. “I’m here not just as the governor,” Schwarzenegger said. “First, I wanted to come here to talk to you and pump you up before you ship out.” More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Matt Hayden

Rhode Island Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matt Hayden is completing his year of Operation Iraqi Freedom duty in Qatar. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar - Army Staff Sgt. Matt Hayden was reasonably sure in early March that he could be home in Rhode Island instead of pulling military police duties here in Qatar, near the capital city of Doha, where he was completing his year of active duty as a National Guard soldier helping to fight the global war against terrorism. More More Profiles

In Iraq

Marine Chopper Squadron
Prepares for Iraq Mission

Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 give hand signals to a crane operator while they reattach one of the main rotor blades of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter after it was transported via cargo plane to Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. Laforte.

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq, March 12, 2004 — A crew of Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 toils during the warm, Iraqi winter days and another works through the chilly winter nights for one particular purpose – to get the squadron's eight CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters fully operational and in the air as soon as possible. More

In Djibouti

Old Guard Troops Conduct
Personnel Recovery Training

NEAR CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti - A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 attempts to receive fuel from a C-130 Hercules during a aerial refueling drill here Mar. 8. The squadron, while supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, performs many aerial functions for the service members here such as transportation of personnel and equipment. Photo by: Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

NEAR CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, March 15, 2004 — Marines from Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 and soldiers from 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” Bravo Company took part in joint personnel recovery training here last week. More

'On The Ground' Archive