DefendAmerica 03/24/2004

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Mar 24, 2004

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WE DO WINDOWS — Airman George Henry cleans the USS George Washington's tower windows while underway in the Arabian Gulf in support of the war on terror, March 19, 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Rex Nelson

New Provincial Reconstruction
Team to Open in Afghanistan

By American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2004 — A new provincial reconstruction team in Khowst opens March 25, bringing the total of provincial reconstruction teams in the country to 12. Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan officials said four more teams are scheduled to open in the next several months.
The teams serve as a catalyst for stabilization, building relationships and enabling Afghanistan's reconstruction and development, officials said. PRTs serve as a catalyst for stabilization, building relationships and enabling Afghanistan's reconstruction and development, officials said. More

Acting Army Secretary Visits
Afghanistan, Lauds U.S. Troops

By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kelly McCargo / Army News Service

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 23, 2004 — Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee visited senior U.S. civilian and military leaders in Afghanistan, March 20-21, as part of his latest Southeast Asia military tour.
“You just can’t say enough good things about our soldiers because they’re doing such a marvelous job and under very difficult conditions,” Brownlee said. “We’re lucky to have young Americans who are willing to serve their country in uniform in this time of war … and they’re all volunteers.” More

Rumsfeld: No Available Intel
Could Have Prevented Sept. 11

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld tells members of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States in Washington, D.C., the events of Sept. 11, 2001 changed the world and proved the severity of the terrorist threat, March 23, 2004. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt Jerry Morrison

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2004 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told members of the September 11 Commission today that he knew of "no intelligence" that would have prevented the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He said the tragedy served to "waken the world to new threats and the need for action."
Rumsfeld told the members of the commission that terrorists will attempt another attack on the United States. “We can’t know where or when or by what technique,” he said. More Remarks

Terrorism Major White House Concern, Powell Tells Panel

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. More Remarks

One Year Later,
Troopers Recall 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

"...On September 11th , our world changed — and while it may be tempting to think that once this crisis has passed and our nation has healed, things can go back to the way they were — we cannot go back. The world of September 10th is past. We have entered a new security environment, arguably the most dangerous the world has known."

9-11 Commission Testimony, March 23, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Monument to Honor 101st
Airborne Division Soldiers

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2004 — A new monument under construction at Fort Campbell, Ky., will honor soldiers who have served in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) throughout its history, including those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the war on terror. More

Reserves Wrap Up At Fort
Campbell As Active Units Return

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2004 — For soldiers of the Army Reserve's 3397th Garrison Support Unit, the war on terror begins about 150 miles from their unit headquarters in Chattanooga, Tenn. — at the front gates of Fort Campbell, Ky. More

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

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

Radio

Television

September 11 Commission 5 More Photos

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumfeld (center) tells the National Commmission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States the events of Sept. 11, 2001 changed the world and proved the severity of the terrorist threat, March 23, 2004. Joining him are Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz (left) and Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt Jerry Morrison 5 More Photos Photo Essay Archive

Iraqi Physicians Learn Emergency Infant Care

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 24, 2004 — The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Camp Dragoon aid station took on the role of a teaching hospital when six local doctors completed a neonatal resuscitation course March 20.
Lt. Col. Kelly A. Murray, regimental surgeon and course program director, teamed with Maj. Linda G. Slayton for the daylong class which taught their Iraqi colleagues emergency resuscitation techniques for newborn infants. More

Video: CPA Officials Discuss Iraqi Health Care Improvements

Screaming Eagles Enjoy
Pleasures of Redeployment

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2004 — For 18,000 soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) recently returned from a year in Iraq — and for some, more months in Afghanistan — there's no place like home.
The "Screaming Eagles" said they returned to Fort Campbell, Ky., after deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom with a newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. More

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

Marines Return from Afghanistan

Soon after his return to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Staff Sgt. Ken Newlon, radar technician for Marine Air Control Squadron-4, meets his wife Cheryl and youngest daughter Jennifer on the flightline. Newlon was deployed and away from his family for three months and says it feels great to be back with them. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Danny L. Patterson

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan — After nearly two years deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the final 17 Marines of Marine Air Control Squadron-4 returned to Okinawa March 11.
Marines of Marine Air Control Squadron-4 began supporting Operation Enduring Freedom when a Tactical Air Operations Center detachment deployed to Noble Eagle in Guam in October 2001 to control air space, route aircraft and provide data-link communication. More

War on Terrorism

. U.S.-African Partnership Helps Counter Terrorists in Sahel Region

. Ridge: U.S. Helps Foreign Ports Implement Security Measures

. Transportation, Supply Efforts To Improve Logistics System

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

Iraq

. Coalition, Iraqi Forces Continue Operations Despite Violence

. Remembering the 3rd Infantry Division's Thunder Runs

Military News

. Rumsfeld Praises Troops' Effort

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Iron Promise
Captures Suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 24, 2004 — Task Force 1st Armored Division soldiers captured 12 individuals suspected of planning attacks on Coalition forces March 22, day five of Operation Iron Promise, according to U.S. Central Command officials. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Mother's Concern Leads
To Charitable Organization

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2004 — Patti Patton-Bader likes to call herself “the ordinary mother of an ordinary hero.” When her son, Army Spc. Brandon Varn, was deployed to Iraq last year, Patton-Bader began a letter-writing campaign that has since blossomed into a nonprofit foundation supporting deployed U.S. troops. More

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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 AIR BASE, 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

FAMILY REUNION — Miss New York Jaclyn Nesheiwat hugs her sister Army Captian Julia Nesheiwat during lunch at the Coalition Provisional Authority headquarters dining facility in Baghdad, March 17, 2004. Captain Nesheiwat is deployed in Iraq, and her sister arrived here to visit the troops deployed in Iraq. U.S Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Eric T. Sheler