DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 04/08/2004

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

Apr 08, 2004

Government

Military

Help Fight Terror

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Transcripts

REFUELING — Soldiers aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter land to refuel on a firebase at Orgun-E, Afghanistan, April 7, 2004. Army aviation assets are playing a critical role in helping U.S. soldiers and coalition forces destroy remnants of the Taliban regime and the al Qaeda terrorist network during Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann

Marines Prepared, Trained for
Iraq Mission, Says Commander

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — Although the rules of engagement specifically identify mosques as protected structures, Iraqi insurgents forfeited that protection when they used a mosque in central Fallujah, Iraq, April 7 to launch attacks on U.S. forces, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade told reporters at Camp Pendleton, Calif., today.
Marine Maj. Gen. Keith Stalder said that when a platoon-size group of enemy forces occupied the mosque and the grounds immediately surrounding it and fired on Marines, that mosque lost the protection of the law of war. More

Afghanistan Was First Priority
After 9/11 Attacks, Rice Says

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — Senior U.S. officials decided to focus on the al Qaeda-Taliban connection in Afghanistan rather than on Iraq shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice told the 9/11 panel here today.
After high-level discussions held at Camp David, Md., a few days after the attacks Rice told Thomas H. Kean, chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, that President Bush and his senior advisers decided to target al Qaeda's sanctuary in Afghanistan. More Remarks

Bremer Urges Arbaeen Pilgrims To Remain Vigiliant, Cautious

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — Security conditions in southern Iraq prompted the coalition's civilian administrator to issue a statement promising the best possible effort to protect Arbaeen pilgrims while urging them to be vigilant and careful.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are expected to converge on the southern city of Najaf for Arbaeen that starts April 9, a religious observance that commemorates the martyrdom of a Shiia religious leader. More

Rice: No Warning Al Qaeda
Would Use Planes as Bombs

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — Although the U.S. government was aware of the al Qaeda threat, senior policy makers had received no warning that the terrorists would use planes as bombs to attack the homeland, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice told the 9-11 panel here today.
     Rice acknowledged to Thomas H. Kean, chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, that she and other senior government officials were "quite cognizant" of al Qaeda prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and realized that "something had to be done."
More    Remarks

Guard, Reserve Leaders Discuss
Budget, Deployment Issues

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — National Guard and Reserve leaders met before a Senate subcommittee reviewing the fiscal 2005 military budget here April 7and discussed transformation goals and spending requirements, as well as deployments, stress on the force and the war on terrorism. More

Deployed Troops Step Up
Anti-Malarial Protections

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — It's peak mosquito season in Iraq, and U.S troops deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom are taking steps to protect themselves against malaria.
More

Corps' Top Leaders
Visit Marines in Iraq

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, April 8, 2004 — Marines here heard it straight from the top. Nothing is more important to the Marine Corps than the mission in Iraq. "There is no more important mission in the Marine Corps than the one you're performing right now," said Gen. Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps. More

Marine Leaders Visit Al Asad

Iraq Establishes
National Security Agencies

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 7, 2004 — Iraq took an important step this week by establishing three national security agencies: the Ministry of Defense, the Ministerial Committee for National Security, and a new intelligence service.
Coaltion Provisional Authority officials said these agencies will be headed by civilians, with oversight by the National Assembly, and will cooperate closely to combat terrorists and insurgents. More than 200,000 Iraqis now serve in the Iraqi security forces.

Defense Leaders Speak

National Security Advisor
Dr. Condoleezza Rice

"The terrorist threat to our nation did not emerge on September 11th, 2001. Long before that day, radical, freedom-hating terrorists declared war on America and on the civilized world. ... A band of vicious terrorists tried to decapitate our government, destroy our financial system, and break the spirit of America. As an officer of government on duty that day (Sept. 11, 2001), I will never forget the sorrow and the anger I felt. Nor will I forget the courage and resilience shown by the American people and the leadership of the President that day."

Remarks to 9/11 Commission, April 8, 2004

Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez,
Coalition Ground Forces

"There is no place within the democratic system of Iraq for a renegade militia that chooses to intimidate and terrorize the people while seeking to control the basic institutions of the country with a violent power play."

Coalition Provisional Authority Briefing, April 8, 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

Training for Iraqi Freedom 4 More Photos

U.S. Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit board a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan during fast rope training in preparation for Saipan's upcoming scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Apr. 5, 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Gary L. Johnson III Photo Essay Archive

Coalition Goal: Pacify Fallujah

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — Coalition forces are working to pacify Fallujah and other parts the Sunni Triangle area, and they are destroying the militia led by Muqtada al-Sadr in the central and southern areas of Iraq, the commander of coalition forces in Iraq said today. More Briefing 7 Photos from Fallujah

Army's Task Force Rock Returns

MANNHEIM, Germany, April 8, 2004 — More than 70 soldiers from 44th Signal Battalion, 7th Signal Brigade returned to Germany April 6, 2004, after a year-long deployment to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. They are the final wave of 44th soldiers redeploying from Iraq. More

Air Force Commands Work to
Improve War on Terror Support

By U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Toni Tones / U.S. Air Forces in Europe

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, April 8, 2004 (USAFNS) – Today’s military environment encompasses high operations tempo with deployments around the world and commanders at all levels seeking the support needed to accomplish their global missions.
This is especially true for major command commanders in the Air Force today as they fight the Global War on Terrorism. More

Airman, Soldier Receive Bronze Stars

By Carolyn Knothe / 82nd Training Wing

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, April 8, 2004 (AETCNS) — The stars at night got bigger and brighter deep in the heart of North Texas as two Sheppard sergeants received Bronze Stars.
Senior Master Sgt. A. J. Alderete, 80th Operations Support Squadron, and Army Staff Sgt. Michael Whitehead, 366th Training Squadron, were recipients of the Bronze Star for their meritorious service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Injured Airman Returns to Minot As a Hero

By U.S. Air Force Maj. Dani Johnson / 5th Bomb Wing

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D., April 5, 2004 (ACCNS) — A 5th Security Forces Squadron airman whose actions have been attributed to saving another airman’s life at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, returned here March 22.
Airman 1st Class Joshua Beach used self-aid buddy care procedures on Airman 1st Class Anthony Pizzifred, also a member of the 5th Security Forces Squadron, after he stepped on a landmine during a patrol March 13. More

War on Terrorism

. Technology Helps Get Supplies to Warfighters

. Dept. of Homeland Security Announces WMD Exercise Participants

. NATO, Russia Discuss Cooperation on Terrorism Issues

. Ultimate Success in Afghanistan Demands Ongoing Commitment

. Task Force Ready When Terror Hits Home

Iraq

. Air Support Helps Marines Breach Wall, Reach Insurgents

. Sadr Group Influence Wanes Among Iraqi Shiia Population

. LAPD Shares Explosive Expertise with Marines

. Coalition Vows to Defeat Iraqi Insurgency, Restore Order

. Iraq Operation Nets Targets; 12 Marines Killed in Al Anbar

. Ambassador Negroponte Pledges Support of Oil-for-Food Probe

Military News

. First Stryker Brigade Proves Its Worth in Iraq

. North Korea Threatens Northeast Asian, World Security

. Guard, Reserve Program Looks At Mobilizations, Civilian Jobs

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Honoring the Fallen

Camp Dedicated to
2nd Armored Cavalry Soldier

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 8, 2004 — Camp Muleskinner, home of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s support squadron, was renamed in honor of a fallen trooper April 1. The base was renamed “Camp Cuervo” in memory of Pfc. Ray D. Cuervo, Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, who was killed in action during a combat reconnaissance patrol in Baghdad on Dec. 28, 2003. More

Defense Officials
Identify Marine Casualties

     WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Killed were:
     Lance Cpl. Marcus M. Cherry, 18, of Imperial, Calif., and Pfc. Benjamin R. Carman, 20, of Jefferson, Iowa. Both died April 6, due to hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
     Lance Cpl. Shane L. Goldman, 20, of Orange, Texas, died April 5 due to injuries received from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Tyanna S. Felder, 22, of Bridgeport, Conn., died April 7, in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained on April 4 in Mosul when her convoy vehicle was hit with an improvised explosive device. Felder was assigned to the Army’s 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash. The incident is under investigation.

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

. Maps of Afghanistan

Marines Put 'FAST' in
Fast Roping Exercise

FORT PICKETT, Blackstone Va. -- In an effort to achieve future wins for the Marine Corps team, approximately 250 Marines from 3rd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) Company, Marine Corps Security Forces Battalion, recently trained at the Army National Guard Maneuver Training Center, Fort Pickett. More

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Cpl. Sven Hestrand

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., April 7, 2004 — When the Air Force unveiled its new exercise program many airmen did not think much of it, but for some it was an eye-opener and more of an incentive to get in shape. That is what Master Sgt. Michael Moss thought. More

More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Task Force Phoenix
Welcomes Oklahoma Guard

Oklahoma National Guard soldiers exit a C-17 Globemaster airplane that delivered them to Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Robert R. Ramon

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 8, 2004 — The C-17 Globemaster III made its way to the end of the runway at Kabul International Airport. As the door opened, soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard stepped from the red-lit interior into the darkness of Afghanistan. More

'On The Ground' Archive