DefendAmerica 03/17/2004

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Mar 17, 2004

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INCOMING SUPPLIES — Iraqi children await their turn to recieve school supplies from members of the 332 Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq, at school in the town of Al Anwar, Iraq, Mar. 6, 2004. A school children in Tampa, Fla., held fund raising events to raise money for the supplies. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II

U.S. Troops in Iraq Experience 'Roller Coaster' of Highs, Lows

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., March 17, 2004 — Home along with his soldiers after a one-year deployment in Iraq, the commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) called the division's experiences in Operation Iraqi Freedom "a roller coaster" of highs and lows.
Since the first elements of the division began leaving their sprawling post that straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee border north of Nashville in February 2003, Army Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus said they experienced amazing high points in Iraq. More

Adaptability Key to Success in Iraq, 101st Commander Says

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., March 17, 2004 — One year ago today, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was at Camp New Jersey, the division's holding area in Kuwait, awaiting orders to move north and cross into Iraq at the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Today, with all members of the division's "Screaming Eagles" back here at their home post, division commander Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus credited his soldiers' adaptability to ever-changing situations for ensuring the division's success in Iraq. More

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 Remarks

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

Paratroopers Attacked
Near Habbaniyah

AR RAMADI, Iraq — Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment were attacked by an improvised explosive device northeast of Habbaniyah Tuesday. After securing the site, soldiers discovered the body of an Iraqi female approximately 300 meters from the road. The body appeared to have been there for a number of days. More

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

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

" I think terrorists will kill innocent life in order to try to get the world to cower ... they'll kill innocent people to try to shake our will ... they'll never shake the will of the United States. We understand the stakes. And we will work with our friends to bring justice to the terrorists."

White House, March 16, 2004

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld

" ... With 50 million people liberated and the circumstances in Afghanistan and Iraq getting better every day, one has to recognize the accomplishment that's been achieved. "

Radio Days, March 16, 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

16 YEARS LATER

Halabja Revisited

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 — Sixteen years ago, 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

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. Troops Proud of Terror War Mission, Making Great Progress

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 — The United States cannot defend against every terrorist threat, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told a radio audience in Philadelphia today.
"The only way to deal with it is to go after the terrorist in the terrorists' havens where they exist," Rumsfeld said. It is better to deal with terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq, than in the United States, he said. More Transcript

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

MAJ Kirk Williams enjoys a little support from the folks back home

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

War on Terrorism

. Homeland Security Task Force Will Study First Responder Funding

. Afghan, Pakistani Detainees Transferred from Guantanamo

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

Iraq

. U.S. Remains Committed, 'Will Stay the Course,' Armitage Says

. Translator Killed in Mosul Attack

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

. CPA Announces Measures to Tighten Border Security in Iraq

Military News

. Rumsfeld, Pace Reflect on Leadership at Town Hall

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of three soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on March 13, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device struck their military vehicle. All three soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Killed were: Staff Sgt. Clint D. Ferrin, 31, of Picayune, Miss., Sgt. Daniel J. Londono, 22, of Boston, Mass., and Pfc. Joel K. Brattain, 21, of Santa Anna, Calif. 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. Afghan civilians 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 Marine
Logisticians Return to Iraq

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 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