DefendAmerica 03/18/2004

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Mar 18, 2004

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GUARD DUTY — A U.S. Army soldier guards the perimeter of the Jalalabad Provincial Reconstruction Team site in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, March 16, 2004. Soldiers are in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sandra Watkin Keough

Coalition Officials Revise Iraq
Hotel Death Toll Downward

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

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2004 — Coalition officials said today that the March 17 bombing of Baghdad's Mount Lebanon Hotel killed only seven people, not 27 as previously believed. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Combined Joint Task Force 7, briefed reporters on the bombing at a Baghdad news conference.
Kimmitt said a suicide bomber triggered the device inside a vehicle and died in the explosion. More

Wolfowitz: Iraq on the Path to Democracy, New Free Society

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2004 — In the week that marks the one-year anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz commented on various aspects of the operation in a series of radio interviews March 16.
In an interview with Eric Westervelt and Juan Williams on National Public Radio, Wolfowitz wondered why some people ask in hindsight why the United States didn't do more with incomplete intelligence information before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, yet criticize U.S. action in Iraq on the grounds that pre-war intelligence lacked certainty. More

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 Bremer Statement

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

Soldier Killed, Seven
Wounded in Mortar Attack

BALAD, Iraq, March 18, 2004 — A 13th Corps Support Command soldier was killed and seven were wounded in a mortar attack at approximately 12:45 p.m., March 17, 2004, at Logistics Base Seitz near Baghdad, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
Three of the wounded were medically evacuated to the 31st Combat Support Hospital, where one died of wounds. More

Operation Iron Promise Begins

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

Officials Release
Predator Accident Report

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va., March 17, 2004 (AFPN) — Operator error caused an RQ-1L Predator remotely piloted aircraft to crash Dec. 11 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, according to Air Force officials. More

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"Because America and our allies acted, a state sponsor of terror was put out of business. The Iraqi regime gave cash rewards to the families of suicide bombers and sheltered terrorist groups. But all that's over. When Saddam Hussein went down, the terrorists lost an ally forever."

Fort Campbell, Ky., March 18, 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

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. More

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

. Spanish Troop Pullout Would Convey a ‘Terrible Message’

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

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

Iraq

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

. Adaptability Key to Success in Iraq, 101st Commander Says

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

. Translator Killed in Mosul Attack

Military News

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

     WASHINGTON, March 17, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Sgt. William J. Normandy, 42, of Augusta, Ga., died March 15, in Camp Virginia, Iraq (north of Kuwait City), of non-combat related injuries. Sgt. Normandy was assigned to the Army National Guard, 1st Battalion, 86th Field Artillery, from Montpelier, Vt.
     Master Sgt. Thomas R. Thigpen, Sr., 52, of Augusta, Ga., died March 16, in Camp Virginia, Kuwait (north of Kuwait City), of non-combat related injuries. Master Sgt. Thigpen was assigned to the Army National Guard, 151st Signal Battalion, from Greenville, S.C.
     First Lieutenant Michael R. Adams, 24, of Seattle, Wash., died March 16, in Al Asad, Iraq, when the barrel of the .50 caliber weapon mounted on his tank struck him. Lt. Adams was a member of the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
     These incidents are under investigation.

Honoring the Fallen

Women Soldiers: Fighting,
Dying for Their Country

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2004 (Army News Service) — Through the course of liberating Iraq, women soldiers have conducted air missions, kicked down doors, disarmed mines and shed their own blood. Sixteen women soldiers have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. When 19-year-old Pfc. Rachel Bosveld found out that she was going to Iraq she said, “‘Dad I get to go,’ not I have to go,” her father, Marvin Bosveld, recounted from Wisconsin. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Nimitz Sailors Visit
NASCAR in Las Vegas

NORTH ISLAND, Calif., March 17, 2004 (NNS) — Four USS Nimitz sailors helped represent the Navy recently at a NASCAR Busch Series race held in Las Vegas. The No. 14 Navy “Accelerate your life” Chevrolet Monte Carlo ran in the Sam’s Town 300 and was dedicated to the ship and her crew. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Army
Spc. Daemon Lowell

Spc. Daemon Lowell, an interrogator assigned to the Division Artillery Combat Team, Task Force 1st Armored Division, conducts preventive maintenance checks and services on his section’s vehicle. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Bell

CAMP STEEL FALCON, Iraq — Being able to gather information that helps prevent terrorist attacks against the Iraqi people or coalition forces provides a military intelligence soldier with the motivation to continually improve. Working behind the scenes, Spc. Daemon Lowell, 22, who calls Virginia Beach home, is a human intelligence collector. 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