DefendAmerica 03/25/2004

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Mar 25, 2004

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REENLISTMENT — U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Natalie Bigham with the 107th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron raises her right hand to take the oath of allegiance from Lt. Col. Glenn Schmidt during her reenlistment ceremony at Freedom Air Base in Kirkuk, Iraq, March 23, 2004. Holding the flag are Maj. William Hargrove and Senior Airman Mike Squier. All are deployed from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Glenn Wilkewitz

Troop Levels Must Address
Challenges of 21st Century

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2004 — Any report on specific changes to U.S. troop levels based in various parts of the world is speculation, because the department still is working with friends and allies around the world on those levels, senior Defense Department officials said at a Pentagon news conference today. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed news reports that final decisions had been made in how to adjust the U.S. military's global "footprint" to better address challenges of the 21st century.
Defense Department began looking at the U.S. global posture almost as soon as the Bush administration took office, Rumsfeld said. More Briefing

Marine Deployment to Support Coalition Forces in Afghanistan

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

      WASHINGTON, March 25, 2004 — Some 2,200 Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit will follow long-established plans and deploy shortly to Afghanistan, Joint Staff officials said here today.
     The unit, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., left home Feb. 18 and exercised in Albania. The unit will deploy to Afghanistan and aid other coalition forces there to deny sanctuary to terrorists and to capture or kill al Qaeda or Taliban members.
      The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is capable of special operations. It includes the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced); and Service Support Group 22. More

Bomb Kills U.S. Soldier in Iraq

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2004 — A 1st Infantry Division soldier was killed and two others were wounded today by an improvised explosive device near Baqubah, Iraq, according to a Combined Joint Task Force 7 news release.
The soldiers had arrived at the scene after the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps reported an improvised explosive device. As the soldiers investigated, it exploded, the news release said. The wounded soldiers were reported to be in stable condition at a nearby military hospital. More

New Provincial Reconstruction Team Opens in Afghanistan

By Combined Joint Task Force 180

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 25, 2004 — The newest coalition-led Provincial Reconstruction Team officially opened its doors in Khowst today following a ceremony at the site, according to Combined Joint Task Force 180 officials. The Provincial Reconstruction Team will serve the whole of Khowst Province.
This opening represents another step in the Provincial Reconstruction Team expansion process aimed at extending the reach of the Afghan central government by delivering security and dramatically accelerating reconstruction, development, and long-term stability across Afghanistan. More

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

"...Our country still bears scars from Sept. 11. We all saw the anguish of family members present at this week's hearing. And we've seen the resolve of the men and women in uniform who are determined to prevent another Sept. 11. For our parts, none of us can walk the corridors of this building without reflecting on the lives that were lost here, as well as in New York, and in Pennsylvania."

Defense Dept. Briefing, March 25, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Army Report Addresses
Troop Suicide Rates

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2004 — A new Army report reveals that soldiers committed suicides at elevated rates during 2003, with those deployed to Iraq and Kuwait experiencing the greatest increase. More Video

Transformation

Land Warrior System to Improve
Soldier's Ability on Battlefield

Spc. Akili King, representing Program Executive Officer Soldier, demonstrates the Land Warrior System, a modular integrated fighting system that includes everything an infantry soldier wears or carries on the battlefield. Photo courtesy of Program Executive Officer Soldier

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2004 — Although the complete Land Warrior System -- a modular, integrated fighting system that includes everything an infantry soldier wears or carries on the battlefield -- is not due to be fielded until 2007, troops already benefit from several of its components. Story

More Transformation News

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

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

Radio

Television

Marines Assume Duties in Iraq 3 More Photos

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, commanding general of 1st Marine Division, and Sgt. Maj. Wayne R. Bell, the division sergeant major, uncase the "Blue Diamond's" colors during a relief-in-place ceremony at Camp Blue Diamond, Iraq, March 20, 2004. The Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based unit relieved the Army's 82nd Airborne Division of its duties in this war-torn country. In all, nearly 20,000 Marines will conduct security and stabilization operations in the region to turn over full power of Iraq to its citizens. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald 3 More Photos Photo Essay Archive

COMMENTARY

The American Soldier:
One Year Into Operation Iraqi Freedom

By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Sparks
Fort Hauchuca Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2004 (Army News Service) — When I was asked to write an editorial reflecting on the one-year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom, initially I thought it would be too easy to transfer my thoughts to my fingers -- yet this piece was a struggle. More

Afghan Villagers Celebrate School Reopening

Afghan kids are all smiles as they cheer on soldiers before the school's grand reopening. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kelly Hunt

BAGRAM, Afghanistan, March 25, 2004 — On the outskirts of Kabul, people from the small village of Chenari recently had something to celebrate - the grand reopening of Chenari School March 2, in Kabul Province.
The newly renovated school includes nine classrooms, new windows, doors and blackboards. More

1st Marine Expeditionary Force
Takes Responsibility for Western Iraq

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, March 24, 2004 —"General Sanchez, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force is ready for duty."
With those words, Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, took responsibility for the Al Anbar province in western Iraq at a transfer of authority ceremony March 24 at Camp Fallujah, Iraq. More

Soldiers, Marines Help Improve Schools

Army First Lt. Peter L. Haglin, a fire support officer for Company B, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment helps an Iraqi school official with a donation for improvements such as new schoolbooks and sports equipment for the students. The Kansas City, Mo., soldier has handled one of the many civil affairs projects in the city which will be turned over to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-1 in April.

CAMP MAHMUDYAH, Iraq, March 21, 2004 — Schools here are back in business, teaching students about geography, politics and world affairs - all subjects strictly regulated by deposed dictator Saddam Hussein.
Many still are in need of improvements, however, lacking in items such as books and sports equipment, even though they are operational. Soldiers, working with the Marines that will soon relieve them, took on the challenge of improving education for Iraqi children. More

Video: Rumsfeld: U.S. Troops Helping to Ensure Freedom in Iraq

Iraqi Museum Specialists Receive Training in U.S.

War on Terrorism

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

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

. Rumsfeld: No Available Intel Could Have Prevented Sept. 11

. U.S. Coast Guard to Begin Inspecting Foreign Ships in July

. U.S. Seeking U.N. Action To Keep WMD From Terrorists

Iraq

. Remembering the 3rd Infantry Division's Thunder Runs

Military News

. Monument to Honor 101st Airborne Division Soldiers

. Officials Work to Implement Reserve, Guard Health Benefits

. Reserves Wrap Up at Fort Campbell as Active Units Return

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Fort Campbell Families Adjust
To Newfound Togetherness

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2004 — The emotional reunions are almost over, with all but a few hundred of Fort Campbell's 20,000 troops now home from Iraq. Yellow ribbons are slowly coming down from trees and telephone poles around the Kentucky post at the Tennessee border. More

Army Farm Helps in
Fight Against Bioterrorism

FORT DETRICK, Md., March 24, 2004 (Army News Service) — The farm runs like most agrarian ventures: its workers muck stalls, feed animals, grow hay and bale it when the weather cooperates. But this farm, dubbed the Large Animal Research Facility, is home to valuable assets in the fight against bioterrorism. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

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Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Pfc. Will Hamilton

A Marine congratulates Marine Pfc. Will Hamilton after he received a Purple Heart for a gunshot wound suffered in Haiti. Hamilton serves as a rifleman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Mike Dougherty

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Pfc. Will Hamilton was on the tail end of a nighttime patrol on the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 14 when the course of events changed his life. As the 19-year-old infantryman was within yards of his base camp set up at the presidential palace, his squad came under fire. More More Profiles

In Southwest Asia

Gen. Abizaid Urges
Troops “Stay with Team”

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 25, 2004 (AFPN) — Talented people are the reason why today’s U.S. armed forces are the best they have ever been, said Army Gen. John Abizaid, the commander of U.S. Central Command, during a visit with 380th Air Expeditionary Wing airmen here. He urged them to “stay with the team” as the United States continues to fight the long-term war against terrorism. More

In Afghanistan

U.S. Soldiers Support
Jordanian Field Hospital

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, March 25, 2004 – A team of 20 soldiers works relentlessly behind the scenes to maintain a firm foundation of around-the- clock logistical support to the Jordanian Medical Field Hospital. The Jordanian hospital, located in the northern province of Balkh, provides medical care to countless Afghans, but it's the daily support of the U.S. soldiers that keeps this facility running. More

In Kuwait

Big Apple of Kuwait Reopens

CAMP NEW YORK, Kuwait, March 24, 2004 (Army News Service) — After three months of not having any visitors, Camp New York is starting to fill its vacancies again. Camp New York was rebuilt in early December to provide facilities for service members coming through Kuwait during the Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation of troops, which began in January and will last through May. More

'On The Ground' Archive