DefendAmerica 03/29/2004

Home Page - DefendAmerica
[NOTE: Because of increased web traffic, you may experience delays. Please be patient.]

Mar 29, 2004

Government

Military

Help Fight Terror

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Transcripts

ANTI-TERROR TEAM — Left to right, Marine Cpl. Alfred F. Torrissi, Lance Cpl. James G. Hindes and Gunnery Sgt. Cullen D. McPeek survey the horizon from the top of their building in Al Asad, Iraq, March 28. 2004. The three analysts have served together throughout the past few years, serving in Afghanistan and Iraq with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and in Iraq again with Marine Aircraft Group 16. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte Related Story

Myers Thanks Italian Defense
Minister for Terror War Support

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, left, chats with Italian Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, Italy's new chief of defense, during a March 29 Pentagon meeting. Photo by Salli Sobsey

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2004 — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked the new Italian chief of defense at the Pentagon today for Italy's staunch and ongoing support for the war on terror.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers hosted the visit by Italian Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, who traveled to Washington to attend a defense aerospace industry seminar this week. Myers noted that Italy has been a strong supporter in the war on terror, with significant contributions to operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and Africa. More

U.S.-Funded Projects to Propel
Iraqi Economic Renaissance

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2004 — After enduring decades under a corrupt state-run economy, the Iraqi people are poised for an economic renaissance through reconstruction projects funded by an $18.4 billion American grant, senior U.S. and Iraqi officials announced today in Baghdad.
"The waiting is all but over. The partnership between the American and Iraqi people for the reconstruction of Iraq is on the move," Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, Coalition Provisional Authority administrator, told reporters during a news briefing. More Briefing

Military Police Kill 4 Drive-by
Shooting Suspects in Mosul

By American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2004 — Military police killed four anti-coalition suspects in Mosul, Iraq, March 28 after stopping a car matching the description of a vehicle used in a drive-by shooting earlier in the day, Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials said in a news release.
Early in the day, anti-coalition forces engaged a Task Force Olympia military police patrol in Mosul with small-arms fire. The military police pursued but were not able to apprehend the suspects. Late in the afternoon, a second patrol noticed a vehicle similar to the one that engaged the soldiers earlier. Four suspects opened fire when the MPs approached the vehicle. The MPs returned fire, killing all four suspects, the release said. More

Afghan Militia Members Turn in
Weapons at Kandahar Ceremony

By American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2004 — Civilian militia members were scheduled to lay down their arms today in a ceremony in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
This morning's disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration commencement ceremony was scheduled to include a parade of 1,000 demobilizing soldiers, and weapons collection was set to begin this afternoon, according to a Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan news release. More

Rumsfeld: 9/11 Commission's Task 'Legitimate, Important'

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2004 — The Defense Department's top civilian today said he supports the 9/11 commission's investigation into the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, while noting the necessity of preventing future terrorist acts.
"The commission has got a legitimate task to do, and it's an important task," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told host Chris Wallace on the Washington-based "Fox News Sunday" television program. 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

Transformation

Special Ops Forces Must
Modernize to Win Terror War

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2004 — With the help of special operations forces, the United States has made significant progress in the war on terrorism, Thomas W. O'Connell, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 25. But sustaining that progress is not without its costs, he added. More

More Transformations News

Air Force C-17 Crew
Wins Aeronautical Trophy

ARLINGTON, Va., March 26, 2004 (AFPN) -— One year after they led the biggest combat airdrop since Operation Just Cause in Panama in December 1989, five airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., are the winners of the National Aeronautic Association's Clarence Mackay Trophy for 2003. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"We're trying to stop him (bin Laden), preferably capture him, and prevent him from continuing to operate the al Qaeda network, and fund and finance not just that network, but probably some affiliates, as well."

Interview with ABC, March 28, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

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

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

Radio

Television

Honoring a Fallen Marine 6 More Photos

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment pray during a March 24, 2004 remembrance ceremony for Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew S. Dang. Dang, a combat engineer with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. Dang, of San Francisco, was killed during a raid in the town of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, March 22, 2004. The battalion paused operations to honor Dang and his contributions to the Marine Corps during a March 26 ceremony. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald 6 More Photos Photo Essay Archive

Response Team Looks Back at
Mission Goals, Achievements

By Maj. James Lowe / 786th Security Forces Squadron

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, March 26, 2004 (USAFENS) — March 27 holds special meaning for members of the 86th Contingency Response Group - it marks their accomplishment, dedication and perseverance during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Last year on that day, 20 members of the 86th Contingency Response Group parachuted into northern Iraq along with more than 1,000 members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade from Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy. More

Soldiers Reflect on a Year in Iraq

By Staff Sgt. Stephen Hudson / Florida National Guard

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., March 25, 2004 (Army News Service) — They’re back now. The soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s three infantry battalions are home and the sands of a Southwest Asia desert are rapidly becoming a distant memory.
They returned home wearing smiles and faded desert camouflage fatigues. After a year of combat foot patrols in Iraq these soldiers, now home, have an opportunity to reflect on a year in Iraq. More

Iraqi Police Chief Takes a
Bite Out of Explosive Device for Marines

CAMP HURRICANE POINT, Iraq, March 25, 2004 — Marines here received a welcome addition to their unexploded ordnance pit recently from the chief of Iraqi police in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
The chief discovered a spent American-made 155 mm howitzer casing near his home and called his fellow police officers to help disarm the improvised explosvie device. After rendering the bomb safe — by cutting the wires with his teeth — the chief turned the device into Marines from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. More

Airmen Support Special Ops in Africa

By 1st Lt. Phillip Ulmer / 435th Air Base Wing

TIMBUKTU, Mali, March 26, 2004 (AFPN) — Airmen from bases throughout Europe are supporting special operations forces along the fringes of the Sahara Desert in the continuing war on terrorism.
Currently, soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Stuttgart, Germany, are training African soldiers in Mali and Mauritania to provide tactical military training for the Pan Sahel Initiative. More

USS Bataan to Return
From Operation Iraqi Freedom

ABOARD USS BATAAN, March 26, 2004 (NNS) — The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan will return to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk March 31, after a 72-day underway period in support of the ongoing Operation Iraqi Freedom troop rotation.
This is the second stint of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for Bataan, which returned from an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment in June. More

War on Terrorism

. Global Community to Reaffirm Long-Term Commitment to Afghanistan

. U.S. to Pledge Additional $1 Billion for Afghanistan in Berlin

. Guard, Reserve and Employers Named 'Citizen of Year'

. Cheney Tells Troops America Must Remain on Offensive

. Troop Levels Must Address Challenges of 21st Century

Iraq

. Remembering the 3rd Infantry Division's Thunder Runs

Military News

. Wolfowitz Pins Wounded Soldier with Purple Heart

. Land Warrior System to Improve Soldier's Ability on Battlefield

. Army Report Addresses Troop Suicide Rates

. Fort Campbell Families Adjust To Newfound Togetherness

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

     WASHINGTON — Defense Department officials announced the death of two Marines and a soldier who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Leroy Sandoval Jr., 21, of Houston, Texas, died March 26, due to hostile fire in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
      U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Timothy Toney, 37, of Manhattan, N.Y., died March 27, due to a non-combat related incident at Camp Wolverine, Kuwait. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
     U.S. Army SSgt. Wentz Jerome Henry Shanaberger III, 33, of Naples, Fla., died March 24 in Iraq when he was investigating a suspicious vehicle and came under attack by individuals using small arms and an improvised explosive device. SSgt. Shanaberger was assigned to the Army’s 21st Military Police Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIIIth Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.

'Band of Brothers'
Series Features Soldiers

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2004 (Army News Service) -The personal experiences of six soldiers will be featured as part of the “Band of Brothers” mini-series on the History Channel. The segments feature soldiers who have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan talking about their experiences serving overseas and what their Army service means to them. Story

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Air Force
Col. Linda McTague

Air National Guard Col. Linda McTague is the first woman to command an ANG wing, and historical records show she is the first woman to command an Air Force fighter squadron. Courtesy photo

WASHINGTON — Even before Women’s History Month became a national event in 1987, Air Force Col. Mary Kay Higgins was well on her way to making history. As a captain in 1980, Higgins became one of the first woman to earn both pilot and navigator ratings. More
More Profiles

In Iraq

Marine Engineers Bolster
Defenses at Iraqi Base

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ST. MERE, Iraq, March 26, 2004 — As the 1st Force Service Support Group settles into Iraq, its combat engineers here wasted no time fortifying the base from regular mortar attacks. Arriving in Iraq March 14, 2004, a company from the 7th Engineer Support Battalion quickly noticed several safety concerns and quickly took steps to fix the problems that they found. More

In Afghanistan

Air Force Engineers
Build Up Bagram

BAGRAM, Afghanistan , March 26, 2004 — There’s been some talk lately about “rockin’ and rollin’ ” and “getting in a rhythm” here. The words aren’t used to describe a morale-boosting concert for the men and women at Camp Cunningham; they’re referring to how the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group civil engineer flight has been going about its business. More

In Kyrgyzstan

'Dirt Boyz' Digging In

Tech. Sgt. Rob Carrillo uses a sighting tram at a fuels farm construction site here. He is deployed from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. U.S. Air Force photo by James Westfall

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan, March 26, 2004 (AFPN) — Airmen of the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron woke up to a South Dakota blizzard which closed sections of Interstate 90 and the Rapid City airport. Within a week, some of the same airmen began waking up in the snow-covered foothills of the Ala Too Mountains in Kyrgyzstan as part of the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. More

'On The Ground' Archive