DefendAmerica 03/16/2004

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Mar 16, 2004

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AWAY SHE GOES — Flight deck directors position an aircraft onto catapult three while an F/A-18C Hornet from Carrier Airwing launches from catapult four on USS George Washington, March 10, 2004. The Norfolk, Va.-based nuclear powered aircraft carrier is on a scheduled deployment in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Robert Brooks

U.S., Dutch Leaders Say World
Must Stand Against Terrorism

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 — The world must stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorists, President Bush and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said here today.
At a press availability in the Oval Office, Bush said terrorist attacks are meant to shake the coalition's will. "They'll never shake the will of the United States," the president said. "We understand the stakes. And we will work with our friends to bring justice to the terrorists." More

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. 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

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

Defense Dept. Continues
Efforts to Reduce WMD Threat

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 — The Defense Department continues to work with Russia, former Soviet states, and other countries to prevent the proliferation of deadly weapons of mass destruction and to keep them out of terrorists' hands, a senior Defense Department official told a Senate Armed Services Committee panel last week. More

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.
Defense officials have called the troop movement the largest troop movement since World War II. 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, March 14, 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

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

U.S. Army Lethal Snipers Lead the Way

By U.S. Army Sgt. Fred Minnick / Task Force Olympia

Pvt. Josh Watson looks for possible enemy forces in a large crowd with his M-14 sniper rifle. Watson belongs to 1st Platoon, Company B, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Fred Minnick

MOSUL, Iraq, March 16, 2004 — Lurking in the shadows of infantry patrols, security perimeters and raids, Army snipers are becoming the worst enemy for terrorists in northern Iraq. These highly skilled soldiers are stealthy, disciplined and precise. More

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

Getting ‘Beans & Bullets' to the Troops

A team of 501st Forward Support Battalion Supply Support Activity workmen prepares a pallet of used tires for shipment. Courtesy photo.

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 15, 2004 — In Baghdad, Iraq, American soldiers of the 501st Forward Support Battalion and Iraqi civilians are working side by side completing missions that influence the readiness of every unit within the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
The 501st Forward Support Battalion's Supply Support Activity, is responsible for receiving, processing, issuing and storing parts for the brigade's fleet of vehicles and providing food and water to the Brigade Combat Team's soldiers. More

Civil Affairs Endeavor Provides
Medical Care to Afghan Civilians

Seaman Luis Fonseca, a corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, examines an Afghan child’s ears during a medical civil affairs program at an Afghanistan hospital here. The corpsmen treated about 160 local patients during the March 7 and 8. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John E. Lawson Jr.

KABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan, March 9, 2004 — During a recent operation corpsmen from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines conducted a medical civil affairs program here March 7 and 8.
During the two-day MedCap, a Navy lieutenant and four enlisted corpsmen treated about 160 patients at a local hospital, according the Lt. Kenny Uy, assistant battalion surgeon. He said the sailors saw Afghan patients with ailments ranging from coughs and colds to worms and nutritional deficiencies. More

War on Terrorism

. Afghan, Pakistani Detainees Transferred from Guantanamo

. 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

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.

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

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 Kuwait

Expeditionary Force
Marines Train in Kuwait

Sgt. Dennis Kranc, of Chicago, with I Marine Expeditionary Force's Personal Security Detachment provides cover fire during training Feb. 28 at Camp Victory, Kuwait. The security element is responsible for safeguarding the commanding general for I MEF. The bulk of the team is composed mostly of Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Matthew J. Apprendi

CAMP VICTORY, Kuwait, March 11, 2004 — In case the commanding general ever needs to be evacuated from a "hairy situation," they're the guys tasked with getting it done. So they train to drive like Hollywood stunt men and firefight their way out of jams - for example, being pinned down by a larger enemy force. The I Marine Expeditionary Force's Personal Security Detachment is busy honing those force-protection skills in Kuwait before moving on to Iraq. More

In Iraq

Miramar Marines Support
Operation Iraqi Freedom II

Cpl. Patrick Riley, supply clerk, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, pounds a steel bar into the ground while making a horseshoe pit. Riley, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom deployed to Iraq last year with First Marine Division. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq, March 11, 2004 — July 2003 marked the return of the last units from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. Now, less than one year after their return home, the Marines and sailors of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3 have returned to provide the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing with logistical support and force protection. More

In Kyrgyzstan

Air Force Surgical
Team Ready for Duty

Maj. Delia Zorrilla checks surgical supplies. She is part of the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group's surgical team. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. William J. Seabrook Jr.

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) — It may seem like a small medical team to some, but people here need not worry about their emergency surgical needs. The five-person U.S. Air Force surgical team, an operational surgical component of the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group, is ready for duty. More

'On The Ground' Archive