DefendAmerica 03/19/2004

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Mar 19, 2004

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A YEAR IN IRAQ — On March 19, 2003, the United States and its coalition partners launched the first air strikes of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In a matter of weeks, Saddam's decades-old regime had been removed, liberating 25 million Iraqis from one of the world's most brutal tyrannies. Click here to view some of the thousands of images military photographers captured of the U.S.-led mission to free Iraq.

Fort Campbell Troops Say Bush Visit Gives Hope, Inspiration

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., March 18, 2004 — Excitement rippled through the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) parade field as President Bush promised thousands of soldiers just returned from Iraq that the United States won't stop short in waging the war on terror.
The president and first lady arrived here today to the booming cheers of thousands of 101st Airborne Division soldiers who waved flags, hoisted children on their shoulders and peppered the president's message with applause and "hooahs." More Remarks Video

President Praises 'Screaming
Eagles' During Kentucky Visit

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2004 — Calling the present "a crucial hour in the history of freedom," President Bush today lauded the U.S. Army's "Screaming Eagles" for their service in Iraq.
The nation's commander in chief got a warm welcome as he visited troops from the 101st Airborne Division, the 5th Special Forces Group, and other units at Fort Campbell, Ky. Many of the soldiers present today have only recently returned from duty in Iraq, where they spent the past year. More Remarks

Coalition Forces Meet Shifting Threats, Launch 'Iron Promise'

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2004 — As the threats shift in Baghdad, coalition forces are shifting to counter them, said Army Maj. Gen. Martin Dempsey during a press conference today in Baghdad.
Dempsey commands the 1st Armored Division, which has control of the capital city. He said the Iraqi security forces are playing a greater role in the defense of their own territory. Coalition forces in Baghdad have launched Operation Iron Promise, designed to counter the new threats. More Briefing

Remembering the 3rd Infantry
Division's Thunder Runs

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2004 — The "Thunder Runs" of the war in Iraq seemed to come from nowhere. One day the fighting was far to the south, and seemingly the next, soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division were liberating Baghdad. 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.

. Iraq Update . Maps of Iraq

. Iraq's 55 Most Wanted

Two Marines Die in
Al Anbar Province

AR RAMADI, Iraq, March 19, 2004 — Two Marines with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force were killed as a result of enemy action in the Al Anbar province March 17, 2004, while conducting security and stability operations, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials. More

Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

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

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

President Bush Visits Fort Campbell 10 More Photos

FORT CAMPBELL VISIT - Maj. Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell, Ky., introduces President George W. Bush at Fort Campbell, March 18, the eve of the first anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Gary Burton 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

Airmen Support U.S. Special Operations in Africa

By U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Phillip Ulmer / 435th Air Base Wing

TIMBUKTU, Mali, March 18, 2004 (USAFENS) — Bringing U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s combat might to the fight, airmen from bases throughout Europe are supporting special operations forces along the fringes of the Sahara Desert, in Northwest Africa, in the continuing global war on terrorism. 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.

Of Thee I Sing

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq — Just a few miles from the banks of the Tigris River just south of Balad stands a mosque. I see this mosque daily and, ironically, it reminds me of home. There is no mosque in my neighborhood at home. More

Army Engineering Battalion
Helps Community Help Itself

NORTH BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 18, 2004 — For decades, Iraqi civilians living on the outskirts of Baghdad have had no representation in the governing of Baghdad. Many of the residents were considered squatters and denied all government services, such as power and water. More

War on Terrorism

. Pakistan May Have No. 2 Al Qaeda Leader Surrounded

. Appeasement Doesn't Work, Joint Chiefs Chairman Says

. White House Condemns Deadly 'Attack on Innocent Civilians'

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

Iraq

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

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

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

Military News

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Tracy L. Laramore, 30, of Okaloosa, Fla., died March 17, in Baji, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle went over an embankment and flipped over in the river. Spc. Laramore was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, Schweinfurt, Germany. The incident is under investigation.

Intelligence is Everything,
1st AD Commander Says

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2004 — In a war on terrorism, intelligence is everything. Knowing the enemy and taking the fight to the enemy is the best way to deal with terrorists, the commander of the Army's 1st Armored Division said during a news conference today in Baghdad. More

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 is a human intelligence collector. More More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Aid Station Keeps Task
Force Phoenix Ready to Fight

1st Lt. Robin Sunday, a registered nurse at the Camp Phoenix Aid Station, prepares to administer intravenous fluid to a patient. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Robert R. Ramon

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 18, 2004 — When most Americans are in need of emergency medical care, help is usually just a quick phone call away. U.S. soldiers serving at Camp Phoenix here may not have a phone readily available, but medical assistance can be there just as quickly. More

'On The Ground' Archive