DefendAmerica 03/24/2004

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Mar 24, 2004

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LIFTOFF — An F-14B Tomcat from Fighter Squadron 11 launches off the deck of USS George Washington during evening flight operations in the Arabian Gulf, March 22, 2004. The Norfolk, Va.-based nuclear aircraft carrier is on a scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho

Bremer Salutes Iraqi Council,
Announces New Departments

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, March 24, 2004 — The Coalition Provisional Authority's senior official today announced the coming creation of several new Iraqi-run government departments.
     Addressing members of the Iraqi Governing Council and the Baghdad City Council in Baghdad, Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III noted he'd soon establish government defense, anti-corruption and information departments.
      Bremer saluted the governing council, noting Iraq's citizens owe "thanks for its courageous statesmanship in writing the Transitional Administrative Law and setting Iraq on the path to sovereignty, elections and democracy." Story

WOLFOWITZ 9/11 TESTIMONY

Pre-emptive Strike Unlikely to
Have Prevented 9/11 Attacks

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

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2004 — Striking al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan earlier in the year would not have prevented the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told a special commission here March 23.
Wolfowitz, along with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, appeared before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. More

CIA Chief Says U.S. Has Maintained Focus on al Qaeda

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. 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. Story Remarks

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

One Year Later, Airborne
Troops Recall Jump Into Iraq

VICENZA, Italy, March 23, 2004 — It has been almost a year since about 1,000 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

British Soldiers Hurt
In Basra Demonstration

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2004 — Thirteen British soldiers were wounded by a grenade attack and one was injured by the crowd during March 22 protests in Basra, Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials announced. More

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

Officials Work to Implement
Reserve, Guard Health Benefits

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2004 — The Defense Department is working as quickly as possible to implement enhanced Tricare healthcare benefits for reserve component sponsors and their family members, according to defense officials. 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

Task Force Soldiers Dedicate
Iraqi Elementary School

SALIHIA, Iraq, March 22, 2004 (Army News Service) — Villagers began to smile and wave as Company A, Task Force 1-27 Infantry soldiers rolled up in their tactical vehicles for the Salihia elementary school dedication recently.
Since it was funds from the task force Infantry Commander's Emergency Relief Program that paid for the school construction project, the soldiers became the guests of honor to the newly-built school. More

Video: CPA Officials Discuss Iraqi Health Care Improvements

Acting Army Secretary Visits Afghanistan

By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kelly McCargo

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. More

Army Focuses on Getting Equipment to Troops

By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Marcia Triggs

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2004 (Army News Service) — Every Thursday senior leaders on the Army staff spend an hour validating equipment requirements from commanders to ensure needed capabilities get in the hands of deploying troops.
Additional body armor, more up-armored Humvees and battlefield robots are examples of requests that have been heard and approved by members of the Army Strategic Planning Board. More

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

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, 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

. Terrorism Major White House Concern, Powell Tells Panel

. 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

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

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

Transformation

Defense Dept. Report Cites
Need for More Base Cuts

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2004 — The U.S. military still has too many bases and other infrastructure, Raymond F. DuBois, deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment, told reporters at a Pentagon media roundtable March 23. Story

More Transformation News

. 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

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

Retired U.S. Army
1st Sgt. Billy Colwell

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2004 — During his March 18 visit to Fort Campbell, Ky., to thank the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) for their service in Iraq, President Bush pointed to retired Army 1st Sgt. Billy Colwell as an example of the volunteer spirit he said makes America strong. More More Profiles

In Iraq

1st Marine Division
Colors Fly Again in Iraq

Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, commanding general of 1st Marine Division, and Sgt. Maj. Wayne R. Bell, the division sergeant major, uncase the

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, March 20, 2004 — The scarlet and gold of 1st Marine Division’s colors was unfurled and a new page in the history book was begun as the Camp Pendleton, California-based unit relieved the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division March 20, 2004. Story

'On The Ground' Archive

FAMILY REUNION — Miss New York Jaclyn Nesheiwat hugs her sister Army Capt. Julia Nesheiwat during lunch at the Coalition Provisional Authority headquarters dining facility in Baghdad, Iraq, March 17, 2004. 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