DefendAmerica 03/17/2004

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Mar 17, 2004

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MAIL CALL — U.S. Army Pfc. Teresa Owens helps carry packages from one of four pallets delivered to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, March 15, 2004. Many volunteers turned out at the base post office to help unload a very large shipment of mail. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith

White House Condemns Deadly 'Attack on Innocent Civilians'

By Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2004 — A bombing today in Baghdad is "a terrible terrorist attack on innocent civilians," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said, adding the attack would not deter progress toward a free Iraq. News reports citing military officials at the scene say the blast killed at least 27 people and wounded at least 40.
"This remains a time of testing in Iraq," McClellan said. "The stakes are high. The terrorists know the stakes are high, but they will not prevail. We will meet this test with strength and with resolve." More

Cheney Says U.S. Will Never
Ask Permission to Defend Itself

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2004 — Though the United States always will seek cooperation from allies in the global war on terror, there's a difference between leading a coalition of many nations and submitting to the objections of a few, Vice President Dick Cheney said in California today.
"The United States will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country," Cheney told an audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley. He was there to mark delivery of a former Marine One presidential helicopter for display. More

Spanish Troop Pullout Would Convey a ‘Terrible Message’

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2004 — A withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq would encourage global terrorists that their strategy of violence and mayhem is working to undercut U.S.-coalition resolve, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz told CNN correspondent John King March 16.
Newly elected Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has vowed he would pull out the 1,300 Spanish soldiers in Iraq by the June 30 transfer of sovereignty, unless the U.N. assumes authority in the war-torn country. 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

Appeasement Doesn't Work,
Joint Chiefs Chairman Says

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2004 — History has shown that appeasement doesn't work, Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers said here today. He spoke at the Foreign Press Center and gave his assessment of the coalition in Iraq a year after the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 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

"We need to make sure that the people who are being recruited into that world of terrorism to kill innocent men, women and children are fewer and fewer and we need to make sure that the funds that go to that kind of disorder and crime and backs against humanity are fewer and fewer."

Interview with Nick Childs, BBC, March 16

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

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.

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

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

Radio

Television

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

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus stops to pick up a young Iraqi boy when his convoy stopped in Karbala, Iraq, April 6. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason L. Austin

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

School Supplies 5 More Photos

Air Force Maj. Keith Pelquin from the 332nd Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq, hands out school supplies to children in the town of Al Anwar, Iraq, March 6, 2004. The supplies were provided by a school in Tampa, Fla., through fund raising events by the children. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II Photo Essay Archive

'Just Around the Corner'

Iraqi Freedom widow meets husband's returning soldiers

Sherry Orlando and Susan Johnson embrace, as the flight carrying more than 200 members of the 716 MP battalion returns March 6.

     FORT CAMBPELL, KY, March 6, 2004 — She waited outside Hangar 2 in the damp pre-dawn air for a sign of landing lights.
     Her husband would have been among the more than 200 716th Military Police Battalion soldiers returning to Fort Campbell that day.
     U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kim Orlando did not live to enjoy the reunion, but Sherry Orlando met the plane anyway.
     "My military family is still here," she said. More

Training Unit Creates Iraqi Town at Fort Drum

By U.S. Army Maj. Matt Leonard / 78th Division

Soldiers call in a 9-line medical evacuation request after a suicide bomber wounds their company commander during a mission readiness exercise. The 78th Division conducted the exercise at Fort Drum. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Matt Leonard

FORT DRUM, N.Y., March 17, 2004 — As news of Saddam’s capture was reaching the airwaves across the world, the 2nd Battalion of the 108th Infantry was taking casualties at Fort Drum.
The 2-108th, New York National Guard, mobilized and reported to Fort Drum for a rotation supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their mission in country is to provide a secure and stable environment in their area of operations. 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.

Cool by the Pool

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq, March 3, 2004 - Have you ever heard of the "dog days of .March?" Well, the mercury stopped just 4 degrees shy of 90 on this third day of March. The rainy season is over and Spring - so to speak - is just around the corner. More

Florida Reservists Take on Community Missions

The B Team, 478th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Miami, Fla., will provide Civil Affairs aid to the Karkh District. Courtesy photo.

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 17, 2004 — The 478th Civil Affairs Battalion from Miami, Fla. recently arrived in Baghdad to replace the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion from Greensboro, N.C. The newly arrived Army Reserve unit has not wasted any time in getting out into the community and continuing the projects established by the 422nd and establishing new projects with the local advisory councils. More

Iraqis Look to Modernize Farm Sector

Health Care Improves for Iraq's Children

Army V Corps’ Special Troops Battalion Returns

HEIDELBERG, Germany, March 16, 2004 — Families, friends and colleagues gathered in the Casablanca Room on Campbell Barracks here March 12 to celebrate the official return of V Corps’ Special Troops Battalion from its yearlong deployment in Southwest Asia. More

173rd Infantry Brigade Soldiers Welcomed Home

CASERMA EDERLE, VICENZA, Italy, March 16, 2004 — In what seemed like a never-ending line of desert camouflage uniforms and tan boots, the soldiers of the 173rd Infantry Brigade (Airborne) filed onto a muddy football field March 12, formed ranks and faced the audience and visiting dignitaries. More

War on Terrorism

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

. U.S. Troops Proud of Terror War Mission, Making Great Progress

. Homeland Security Task Force Will Study First Responder Funding

. Afghan, Pakistani Detainees Transferred from Guantanamo

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

Frequent Flyer Miles Help Wounded Troops, Families

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2004 — Airline passengers with Northwest Airlines’ WorldPerks frequent flyer miles now have a unique opportunity to help service men and women wounded or injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to officials at the Fisher House Foundation. More

'Lt. Dan' Committed to
Soldiers, Iraqi Children

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 (Army News Service) — “Now, you listen to me. We all have a destiny. Nothing just happens, it's all part of a plan,” said Lt. Dan in the movie Forest Gump. Now 10 years after the film’s release, actor Gary Sinise said he is realizing just how true his words were as he supports soldiers serving in the Global War on Terrorism. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Fewer Marine Reservists
Mobilized for Iraqi Freedom II

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii, March 15, 2004 — Although mobilized Marine reserve personnel are slowly dropping in numbers, they're still playing an active role in Operation Iraqi Freedom II. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Master Sgt. Douglas G. Henry

Marine Master Sgt. Douglas G. Henry, a maintenance chief for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, has been in the helicopter-maintenance field for 21 years in the Marine Corps. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Danny L. Patterson

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Japan — Douglas G. Henry had dreams when he was a lad growing up in London. He wanted to be a track-and-field Olympian, and he most passionately wished to become an American. Now a U.S. Marine master sergeant, Henry never became an Olympian, but he never lost sight of his dream to become a U.S. citizen. More More Profiles

In Kuwait

Marines Hustle to
Toughen Iraq-Bound Vehicles

Cpl. Russell L. O'Brien, a mechanic with 1st Force Service Support Group, smoothes out welds on a wire-takedown bar he fabricated for a humvee Feb. 25, 2004, at Camp Victory in Kuwait. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIDGEWAY, Iraq, March 15, 2004 — As Marines continue rolling into Iraq, leaders in Kuwait bustle to outfit as many military convoys as possible with extra protection for passengers from ambushes and improvised explosives. More

In Djibouti

Troops, Locals Work Together
For Safety, Security, Education

Spc. Nathan See entertains a throng of Djboutian children from the village of Aseyla during a mission to provide force protection for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Eric M. McKeeby

DJIBOUTI, Africa, March 16, 2004 — Combined Joint Task Force-Old Guard soldiers providing force protection joined Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa engineers as they traveled to various villages in Djibouti last week to control quality of project sites in these villages. More

'On The Ground' Archive

Guard Bureau's New Enlisted
Advisor Connects With the Troops

Command Sgt. Maj. John Leonard Jr. asks an Army National Guard soldier on duty in Qatar how well he was trained for his mission before being deployed to support the global war against terrorism. Leonard is the new senior enlisted advisor for the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar, March 15, 2004 - The young woman from Texas, active Army Sgt. Tawanda Fulton-Baxter, insisted that she had to talk to National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. John Leonard Jr., “off line” about finance policies and procedures. More

WELCOME HOME — U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles Lipps, of New Orleans, holds his daughter, Hannah, for the first time. Lipps' unit, U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308, returned to Gulfport, Miss., March 11, 2004, after deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PAC Jeff Murphy