DefendAmerica 03/19/2004

Home Page - DefendAmerica
[NOTE: Because of increased web traffic, you may experience delays. Please be patient.]

Mar 19, 2004

Government

Military

Help Fight Terror

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Transcripts

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.

Rumsfeld Says Iraqi Progress Evident, Despite Difficulties

By K.L. Vantran / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 — Although the security situation in Iraq has been difficult, U.S. and coalition forces have made much progress since Operation Iraqi Freedom began one year ago, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here today.
"They're tracking down and finding the terrorists," he said in an interview with American Forces Radio and Television Service. More

Bremer: June 30 Deadline for
Iraq Sovereignty Stands Firm

By K.L. Vantran / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 — As reports of explosions in Baghdad scrolled across the bottom of the television screen today, the Coalition Provisional Authority administrator told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that the majority of Iraqis do not blame the United States for terrorist acts.
"You can always find somebody on the streets to give an interview who will blame us in the heat of the emotion," Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III said in an interview from Iraq. More

War on Terrorism the 'Calling of Our 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 Says U.S. 'Will Prevail,'
Reaffirms Commitment 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. 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

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

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

    WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier and two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    U.S. Army Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, 44, of Chicago, Ill., died March 17, in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a mortar attack. Phipps was assigned to the 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Paris, Ill.
     U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Brandon C. Smith, 20, of Washington, Ark., and Pfc. Ricky A. Morris Jr., 20, of Lubbock, Texas. died March 18 as a result of enemy action in Al Qaim, Iraq. Both Marines were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

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

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

Radio

Television

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. More

Gen. Myers Reviews Year in Iraq,
Speaks of War on Terrorism

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 — Now more than ever, the international community must pull together against terrorism, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today, one year after combat operations began against Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Story

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

Romanians Send Supplies
To Equip Growing Afghan Army

Soldiers cross-check part of a 90-ton shipment of military supplies at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. The Romanian government donated the weapons-related equipment and supplies to the Afghan National Army. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Ramon

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 19, 2004 — Much-needed donations for the rapidly growing Afghan National Army have arrived at Kabul International Airport here.
A massive Antonov AN-124 Condor heavy transport aircraft touched down at the airport, as U.S. and Romanian soldiers waited anxiously to unload the nearly 90 tons of supplies and equipment donated by the Romanian government. More

Marine Unit Plays Pivotal
Role in Successful Transfer of Authority

AL ASAD, Iraq, March 18, 2004 — Third Marine Aircraft Wing Marines and sailors, who have been in the Al Anbar Province for approximately one month, are assisting the I Marine Expeditionary Force and 1st Marine Division in completing their transfer of authority from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. 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

. Intelligence is Everything, 1st AD Commander Says

. 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

. Combat Surgery Artwork Presented to Navy Surgeon General

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Transformation

Transforming Training Not Easy, Officials Tell House Committee

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004 — Transforming the military's joint training capabilities sounds simple, but the task is not easy, Pentagon officials told the House Armed Services Committee here March 18. More

Marines Demo New Gear

U.S. Marine Corps First Sgt. Christine Lott tries on the improved helmet. The new helmet is more comfortable than the current Kevlar helmet, and can stop 9mm rounds. The helmet currently in use only stops shrapnel. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Virgil Richardson

MARINE CORPS RECRUITING DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, S.C., March 19, 2004 — The Infantry Combat Equipment team from Marine Corps Systems Command was here recently to show off improvements and replacements currently being made to the Corps' combat gear. More

Military Leaders Focus on
Future of Unmanned Aircraft

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2004 — With 10 different unmanned aerial vehicle systems flying over Iraq and Afghanistan, military leaders met with members of Congress to discuss the rapidly changing role of unmanned aerial vehicles in military operations. More

More Transformation News

Marine Effort Supports Families

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

. Maps of Afghanistan

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. More More Profiles

In Kuwait

Embark Marines:
Have Gear, Will Travel

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Chad T. Hutchinson guides Lance Cpl. David C. Moore in palletizing forks for convoy transport on March 13, 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. A.C. Mink

CAMP UDAIRI, Kuwait, March 18, 2004 — Marines are used to waiting — waiting in line for shots, waiting in line for the computer, waiting in line for a haircut. However, the embarkation Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 are waiting for trucks that will take the rest of their gear north into Iraq. More

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. The convoy is almost upon them when the Marines spring into action, rushing forward with their ... fuel nozzles? Story

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