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.

War on Terrorism the Calling of a Generation, Bush Says

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 — The war on terrorism is "an inescapable calling of our generation," President Bush said today at the White House.
Bush marked the one-year anniversary of the start of military operations to topple Saddam Hussein with a measured statement of coalition goals. He spoke to an audience of military, legislative and international allies in the East Room of the White House. More Remarks

Powell: U.S. 'Will Prevail,'
Remains Committed to Iraq

By K.L. Vantran / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 — The United States will not shrink from its task of giving Iraqis a country that is based on democracy, freedom and individual rights, Secretary of State Colin Powell said today in a briefing from Baghdad.
"We must not let anyone believe that we won't prevail," he said. "We will prevail. We owe it to the Iraqi people. The Iraqi people deserve it. They want to live in a democracy." More

Rice: Must 'Wait and See' in
Search for Al Qaeda Terrorist

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

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 —Whether al Qaeda's second-in-command is, indeed, surrounded in a firefight near the Afghanistan border in Pakistan remains unknown, the president's national security advisor said in television interviews today.
"We'll just have to wait and see" whether Osama bin Laden associate Ayman al- Zawahiri is cornered, Condaleezza Rice said. More

Myers Reviews Year in Iraq,
Speaks of War on Terrorism

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 — One year after combat operations began against Saddam Hussein's Iraq, now more than ever is the time for the international community to pull together against terrorism, said the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers said on CNN's "American Morning," ABC's "Good Morning America" and "Fox News Morning" that America should pay tribute to the members of the armed forces on duty around the globe. "They are the reason that we're being successful," he said on CNN. More

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 Iraq

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

"One year after the armies of liberation arrived, every soldier who has fought, every aid worker who has served, every Iraqi who has joined in their country's defense can look with pride on a brave and historic achievement. They've served freedom's cause, and that is a privilege."

Remarks at the White House, March 19, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Enduring Families II Supports
Deployed Troops' Families

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(March 18, 2004) — Operation Enduring Families is back again, and Ruth Mushallo, director of Family Service Center, Marine Corps Community Services, said this time it is refined, retuned and designed to provide even better support and unique opportunities for families waiting for their servicemember to come home. More

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

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

Radio

Television

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

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 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

'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. 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

'Bulldog Brigade'
Trains Iraq’s New Soldiers

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 19, 2004 — At Camp Cook, the former Iraqi military installation in Taji just north of Baghdad, a small contingent of U.S. and Australian soldiers are teaching a new Iraqi army the tactics and skills necessary to defend their country. More

GAO: Saddam Took $10 Billion From U.N. Oil Program

Iraqi Delegation Examines Democracy in the United States

War on Terrorism

. Coalition Officials Revise Iraq Hotel Death Toll Downward

. Coalition Forces Meet Shifting Threats, Launch 'Iron Promise'

. Pakistan May Have No. 2 Al Qaeda Leader Surrounded

. Appeasement Doesn't Work, Joint Chiefs Chairman Says

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

. 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. Marine Corps
Lance Cpl. Brian Walker

Marine Lance Cpl. Brian Walker. U.S. Marine Corps photo

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Behind his Coke-bottle glasses is a man with the tools to be a commissioned officer but the desire to live the enlisted life, leading Marines from the front with skills derived from his maturity and college education.
Lance Cpl. Brian Walker, a Marine recruit here, was forced to put his knowledge and skills to use when he arrived at the Depot three months ago. More More Profiles

In Iraq

Marine Unit Supplies
Fuel For Al Anbar Operations

AL ASAD, Iraq, March 18, 2004 — Fuel fumes drift through the air as the warm, Iraqi sun cuts through the rolling dust cloud that precedes the approaching convoy of rumbling vehicles. A sergeant signals his Marines to get ready for the approaching vehicles. He doesn't want to be caught off guard. The convoy is almost upon them when the Marines spring into action, rushing forward with their ... fuel nozzles? More

In Afghanistan

Keeping Operation Enduring
Freedom Mission Airborne

Staff Sgt. Shannon Walline uncoils a fuel hose as he sets up for an A-10 Thunderbolt II refueling operation. Sergeant Walline is deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Szczechowski

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, March 18, 2004 (AFPN) — Back home, when a thirsty Air Force aircraft needs to be gassed up, fuels management flights have a 30-minutes-or-less response time to provide the fuel. More

'On The Ground' Archive