DefendAmerica 03/23/2004

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Mar 23, 2004

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REPLENISHMENT — A CH-46 Sea Knight assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 transfers ordnance to the flight deck of USS John C. Stennis during a vertical replenishment at sea in the Pacific Ocean, March 20, 2004. Stennis spent more than nine hours alongside the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento transferring more than 900 pallets of ordnance and supplies in preparation for an upcoming deployment in support of the ongoing global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Third Class Mark J. Rebilas

Rumsfeld Says U.S. Focused
On Terrorism Issue from Outset

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, March 23, 2004 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld joined other high-ranking officials in the Bush administration March 22 in disputing claims made by a former White House counterterrorism official.
     Former antiterrorism chief Richard Clarke alleges in a new book and has said in interviews that President Bush and his advisers were slow to recognize the threat posed by al Qaeda before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and were too preoccupied with attacking Iraq to respond appropriately after the attacks.
     "The (National Security Council) began the process of working through a plan to deal with al Qaeda from the early days of the administration," Rumsfeld said outside the Pentagon March 22. More     Remarks

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.
     In the northern zone of operations, coalition and Iraqi security forces conducted 75 patrols, three offensive operations, and detained nine anti- coalition suspects, Kimmitt said. More     Briefing

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 supply shortages, an alarming situation in the deadly serious business of waging war. More

One Year Later, Paratroopers Remember Jump Into Iraq

VICENZA, Italy, March 23, 2004 — It has been almost a year since about one thousand paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade parachuted into war, opening up the northern front in the effort to liberate Iraq. The March 26, 2003, jump was recently classified as a combat jump and the paratroopers who participated in it will now be able to stick their chests out with pride showing off the gold star, or “mustard stain,” that crowns their parachutist wings. 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

Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"...When we came into this Pentagon three years ago we began the process of helping the department move from being capable of dealing with just armies, navies and air forces and focusing more on the asymmetrical threats including terrorism. That has been a focus of ours from the outset."

Media Availability, March 22, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Operation Iron
Promise Targets Extremists

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 23, 2004 — Operation Iron Promise is a Task Force 1st Armored Division operation targeting 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 U.S. Central Command officials.
In addition to enemies captured, the Task Force seized 14 AK-47 assault rifles and a pistol. More

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

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

Radio

Television

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Fenton hugs his daughter, McKenzie, for the first time after a four-month deployment to Iraq. Fenton, who is assigned to the 355th Maintenance Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., returned home March 16.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lanie McNeal
6 More Photos

Heidelberg Welcomes V Corps Home from Iraq

HEIDELBERG, Germany, March 22, 2004 (Army News Service) — One year to the day after U.S. forces first crossed from Kuwait into Iraq, the deafening sound of artillery resonated throughout Campbell Barracks as hundreds of soldiers in desert uniform — now war veterans — participated in the official ceremony to welcome V Corps home from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Elsewhere, troops were returning to Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Hood, Texas and other installations across the Army. More

Korean Coalition Partners to
Open Information Technology Center

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq, March 23, 2004 - The 1100th Construction & Engineering Support Group, Republic of Korea, will host an opening ceremony of the new Information Technology Center for Dhi Qar University in An Nasiriyah Thursday, March 25, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The construction group, operating out of Tallil AB, provided construction support and assisted in the renovation of the school's sewer system and overall infrastructure. Additionally, the unit has provided humanitarian support by donating necessities such as clothes, medicine, electric fans, first aid materials and more than 200 wheelchairs.

Tennessee Reservists Ready to Protect
Coalition Troops, Work with Local Community

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ST. MERE, Iraq, March 18, 2004 — India Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment took control of force protection at Forward Operating Base St. Mere, Iraq from members of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, March 13.
The Nashville, Tenn., reserve unit was mobilized Jan. 5 to serve with the 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. More

Makhmur District Mayors Select Election Dates

Iraqi Police Receive Specialized Forensic Training

Army Maintenance Unit Practices Combat Tactics

By U.S. Army Spc. David Foley

Opposition forces, right and front, attack a convoy using MILES gear and a 50-caliber machine gun simulator. U.S. Army photo

FORT BENNING, Ga., March 19, 2004 -- Soldiers of 598th Maintenance Company conducted a three-day field problem on Fort Benning recently to prepare for deployments to Iraq.
The soldiers arrived at Lae Field, secured the perimeter and started setting up tents. By the next afternoon, the field was a self-contained tent city, complete with concertina wire and armed guards. More

War on Terrorism

. State Dept. Designates Ansar al-Islam as Terrorist Group

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

Iraq

. Remembering the 3rd Infantry Division's Thunder Runs

. Military Accuses Six Soldiers of Abusing Detainees in Iraq

Military News

. Rumsfeld Praises Troops' Effort

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Marine Casualty

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Andrew S. Dang, 20, of Foster City, Calif., died March 22, due to hostile fire near Ar Ramady, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of six soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Honoring the Fallen

Task Force’s Fallen
Soldiers Remembered

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 23, 2004 — Task Force 1st Armored Division soldiers know “Freedom Rest” as a place of rest and relaxation, with amenities that remind visiting soldiers of home. On March 21, during memorial and dedication ceremonies, Freedom Rest became distinguished for something more than an R&R stop when a building on the former Republican Guard compound was renamed in the memory of Pfc. Rachel K. Bosveld. Story

More Transformation News

1st Marines Convoy
Operation Breaks Record

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ST. MERE, Iraq, March 18, 2004 — The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group completed the longest convoy in the unit's history March 11, traveling over 800 km from staging areas in Kuwait to Forward Operating Base St. Mere, Iraq. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Navy Lt. Joseph Coffey

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea — The Military Chaplain's Association bestowed the honor of Navy Chaplain of the Year on USS George Washington’s chaplain, Lt. Joseph Coffey, March 2. Each year, the association awards one chaplain from each service with the Distinguished Service Award. Coffey was selected out of 700 eligible Navy chaplains worldwide. More More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Deployed Marines Test
Communications Equipment

Sergeant Abdiel Garcia tests communications equipment during a communications exercise March 15. Communications platoon, Headquarters Company, 6th Marine Regiment, conducted the two-day exercise to test, troubleshoot and train with various communication systems and equipment for use in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John E. Lawson Jr.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, March 21, 2004 — Communications Platoon, Headquarters Company, 6th Marine Regiment, held a two-day communications exercise at Camp Bulldog here recently. The exercise was intended to test the platoon’s communication capabilities in Afghanistan, according to 1st Lt. Greg A. Lizak, assistant communications officer. More

'On The Ground' Archive