DefendAmerica 03/22/2004

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Mar 22, 2004

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REPLENISHMENT AT SEA — A sailor moves a pallet of BLU-111 500-pound bombs through the hangar deck of USS John C. Stennis during a vertical replenishment at sea with the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento. Stennis spent over nine hours alongside the replenishment oiler Sacramento transferring over 900 pallets of ordnance and supplies in preparation for an upcoming deployment in support of the war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas

Coalition, Iraqi Forces Continue Operations Despite Violence

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

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2004 — Violence continues in Iraq, and coalition forces continue their efforts to kill or capture enemies of the coalition and the Iraqi people.
At a press briefing today in Baghdad, Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Combined Joint Task Force 7, provided details of various recent incidents and operations. In the 24 hours leading up to the briefing, Kimmitt said, the coalition conducted 1,336 patrols, 20 offensive operations and 16 raids, and captured 69 anti-coalition suspects. More

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

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

'A Year in Iraq' Images

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

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 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. They are the first line of defense against anti-terrorism/force protection threats and that role is expanding. Story

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

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

Radio

Television

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. More

Exchange Service Opens Movie Theater in Iraq

DALLAS, March 22, 2004 (Army News Service) — The Army & Air Force Exchange Service opened a “Reel Time” theater in Balad, Iraq, March 18 and now is sending the latest Hollywood movies to troops deployed there. More

'Ready First' Brigade Helps Iraq’s Heavy Lifters

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

Makhmur District Mayors Select Election Dates

Iraqi Police Receive Specialized Forensic Training

Hawaii's 'Easy Riders' Return Home

Lt. j.g. Grant Stark, a pilot with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37, embraces his wife Anna after returning from a six-month deployment with Expeditionary Strike Group 1 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alexis R. Mulero MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay, March 19, 2004 -- After six months of being the "Eagle in the Sky" for the tactical defense of Expeditionary Strike Group 1, 25 sailors and two SH-60B Seahawks that make-up Detachment 1 of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37 returned home, March 11.
The "EasyRiders" had been deployed in the western Pacific in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard the Guided Missile Cruiser USS Port Royal, which was part of the Navy's first-ever Expeditionary Strike Group. More

War on Terrorism

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

. Coalition Officials Revise Iraq Hotel Death Toll Downward

Iraq

. Military Accuses Six Soldiers of Abusing Detainees in Iraq

. Rumsfeld Says Iraqi Progress Evident, Despite Difficulties

Military News

. Rumsfeld Praises Troops' Effort

. Transforming Training Not Easy, Officials Tell House Committee

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

   WASHINGTON — Defense Department officials announced the death of a soldier and a Marine who were 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, N.Y.
     Cpl. David M. Vicente, 25, of Methuen, Mass., died March 19, due to enemy action near Hit, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

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

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Profile

U.S. Air Force
Staff Sgt. Charmaine Carrington

Air Force Staff Sgt. Charmaine Carrington (left) drives her blood-stained glove into the face of opponent Dora Vallerjo during a January 2003 decisive win in the 138-pound class. U.S. Air Force photo from Airman Magazine

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — From the first day she seriously considered boxing almost three years ago, Staff Sgt. Charmaine Carrington felt she had what it takes to be one of the best female amateur boxers in the country. Flash forward to present day: that’s exactly where she is after winning the 145-pound championship at the U.S. Armed Forces Championship in December. More More Profiles

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

'On The Ground' Archive