DefendAmerica 03/22/2004

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

Mar 22, 2004

Government

Military

Help Fight Terror

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Transcripts

FIRE DRILL — Crash and salvage team members aboard USS Boxer participate in a fire drill on the flight deck. Boxer recently completed the offload of Marine Corps aircraft and personnel in support of troop rotations in Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Elmini

Transportation, Supply Efforts
To Improve Logistics System

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2004 — The Defense Department's top transportation and supply organizations have joined forces to fix a combat supply system that at times didn't perform well during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As U.S. and coalition forces raced toward Baghdad last year, some units reportedly experienced a shortage of "bullets and beans" – an alarming state of affairs in the deadly serious business of waging war. More

Terror War 'Inescapable Calling Of Our Generation,' Bush Says

By Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2004 — In his weekly radio address to the nation, President George W. Bush told the American people that the war on terror isn't a figure of speech, "it's the inescapable calling of our generation."
Bush noted that terrorists are offended not merely by coalition policies. "They're offended by our existence as free nations," he said. "No concession will appease their malice. No accommodation will satisfy their endless demands. No course of therapy will cure them of their hatred. More Remarks

Military Accuses Six Soldiers
Of Abusing Detainees in Iraq

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2004 — The military is going to prefer charges against six soldiers accused of abusing detainees at the Abu Gharib prison, coalition officials announced today.
The charges against the six personnel are a result of a criminal probe begun in January, according to a coalition official. The six personnel have been administratively reassigned, pending investigation results. Story

Rumsfeld Praises Troops' Effort; U.S. Committed to Iraq Mission

By Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2004 —Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told CNN's Larry King that it's important the American people understand what a wonderful job the American military is doing in Iraq.
Rumsfeld appeared on King's nightly show March 19, the first anniversary of the Iraqi war's start. He talked about how well "these volunteers who serve in the Army, in the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marines, and the National Guard and the Reserves are doing for our country." 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

"There can be no separate peace with the terrorist enemy. Whatever it takes, we will seek and find and destroy the terrorists."

Radio Address, March 20, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

'Iron Promise' Targets Enemy

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 21, 2004 — In day three of Operation Iron Promise, Task Force 1st Armored Division continues to target known enemy locations and aggressively carry out cordon and search operations looking for Former Regime Elements and other extremists who pose a threat to the Iraqi people and stand in the way of a new Iraq, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials. More

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Doron Chan, 20, of Highland, N.Y., died March 18, near Balad, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle was cut off by a civilian vehicle. The military vehicle swerved, crossed into oncoming traffic, and flipped over. Chan was assigned to the Army Reserve's 411th Engineer Brigade, New Windsor, New York. The incident is under investigation.

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

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

Radio

Television

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. More

School Days 9 More Photos

A young Afghan girl, dwarfed by the loom, threads wool string over her latest line of colored pattern. Most rugs take up to 60 days to complete. Staff Sgt. Ron Burke 211th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment 9 More Photos Photo Essay Archive

American Donations
Give Local School a 'Kick Start'

By Staff Sgt. Ron Burke / 211 th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

     KABUL, Afghanistan, March 18, 2004 - One by one, small, round faces fill the upstairs window of the old brick building as the vehicles come to a stop in the courtyard. Some of the faces quickly disappear while others proceed to move up and down, jumping as they recognize who just arrived.
     Minutes later, people stream from the entrance of the Global Education Society here in Kabul to greet the members of the 213 th Area Support Group as they exit their vehicles.
     Amid the greetings and the waving from the children on the balcony, Ramazan Zaib, the manager and coordinator of the school-orphanage emerges from the crowd to welcome Lt. Col. Platte Moring and Sgt. Maj. Terrance Werley.
     "You are back," says Zaib. "Yes, and we brought more 'stuff,'" retorts Werley smiling broadly. More

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

'Ready First' Brigade Helps Iraq’s Heavy Lifters

Harder, member of the Iraqi Olympic Weightlifting Team, lifts 205 kilos (451 pounds) at the new training facility in the Mustinsiria area of Baghdad March 16. U.S. Army photo

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 22, 2004 — As part of an on-going effort to build a better Iraq, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, has given financial and engineering support to the renovation of the Iraqi Olympic Weightlifting Team’s training facility. More

Iraqi Police Receive Specialized Forensic Training

War on Terrorism

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

. 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

. Gen. Myers Reviews Year in Iraq

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

. Iraqi Delegation Examines Democracy in the United States

. Bremer: June 30 Deadline for Iraq Sovereignty Stands Firm

. War on Terrorism the 'Calling of Our Generation,' Bush Says

. Powell Says U.S. 'Will Prevail,' Reaffirms Commitment to 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

Military News

. Transforming Training Not Easy, Officials Tell House Committee

. Fort Campbell Troops Say Bush Visit Gives Hope, Inspiration

. President Praises 'Screaming Eagles' During Kentucky Visit

. Combat Surgery Artwork Presented to Navy Surgeon General

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Theodore Roosevelt Leads
The Way in Anti-terror Training

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, March 20, 2004 (NNS) — USS Theodore Roosevelt is raising the standard when it comes to the Ship’s Self-Defense Force and the Theodore Roosevelt is leading the way with a Ship’s Self-Defense Force Academy. The force consists of a group of sailors whose duty is to protect the ship. As part of the security force, their primary purpose is being the first line of defense against anti-terrorism/force protection threats, but that role is expanding. More

Weapons Found; Patrol,
Anti-Coalition Militia Clash

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 22, 2004 — Since March 15, there have been over 20 weapons caches found in the vicinities of Bagram, Sharona, Ghazni, and Khowst, according to Combined Joint Task Force 180 officials.
On March 17, 2004, a coalition patrol contacted eight Anti-Coalition Militia northeast of Deh Rawod. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Enterprising Girl Scouts
Support Deployed Troops

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan, March 19, 2004 — Deployed troops in Iraq, as well as Korea, will soon be receiving 600 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, thanks to the efforts of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts on station contacted family members and friends back in the States and asked them to buy a box or boxes to be sent to deployed troops. Story

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

1st Marine Div.
Tests Medical Response

CAMP CHAMPION, Iraq, March 13, 2004 — Navy Seaman Helen M. Gappa approached the scene she described as organized chaos. Marines were sprawled on the ground, crying out for help. From what she was told arriving on the scene, rocket-propelled grenades landed inside the 1st Marine Division's compound. Fortunately, the enemy assault and the injured Marines were staged. 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