DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 04/09/2004

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Apr 09, 2004

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HUMANITARIAN AID — U.S. soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment and coalition partners from the Republic of Korea distribute blankets and humanitarian supplies in a village near Bagram, Afghanistan. April 9, 2004. By improving the lives of Afghan people, the coalition is helping bring stability to the country and eliminating conditions favorable to remnants of the former Taliban regime and to al Qaeda terrorists. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann

Abizaid Says 1st Armored Div. Soldiers to Stay If Needed

By U.S. Army Sgt. Merrion Lasonde / 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 9, 2004 — U.S. forces will remain in Iraq as long as necessary to bring peace and stability to Iraq according to the commanding generals of the U.S. Central Command and Task Force 1st Armored Division.
Speaking at an impromptu press conference following a mission briefing, Gen. John Abizaid, commander, U.S. Central Command, and Maj. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Task Force 1st Armored Division commanding general, addressed the current situation in Iraq April 8. More

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

Rice: No Warning Al Qaeda Would Use Planes as Bombs

Bremer Urges Arbaeen Pilgrims To Remain Vigilant, 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

Iraqi Security
Forces Maintain Order

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2004 — Iraqi security forces are actively defending Iraq from insurgents and extremists, according to Coalition Provisional Authority officials.
Civil defense forces are conducting 25 to 30 percent of current operations inside Fallujah, and police forces are on duty in Baghdad, Karbala, and other cities to maintain order, particularly as Iraqis gather
this weekend for the religious observance of Arabeen. These forces represent the vast majority of Iraqis, who favor an end to violence and are eager to continue Iraq's progress toward democracy.

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 mosquito season in Iraq, and U.S troops deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom are taking steps to protect themselves against malaria. The high-risk season for malaria in Iraq runs from April 1 through Nov. 1. 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

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

Polish Troops Pull Security 9 More Photos

A Polish Army soldier patrol leader debriefs his team after completing an afternoon patrol around the perimeter of Camp Babylon, Iraq, March 21, 2004. This was during Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky A. Bloom Photo Essay Archive

Marine Aircraft Unit Repositions
Forces to Support Vigilant Resolve

By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte / 3d Marine Aircraft Wing

A Marine Corps AH-1W Cobra flies over the outskirts of Al Ramadi, Iraq, April 6. The helicopter was providing escort to a CH-46 Sea Knight, which was conducting a casualty evacuation mission in the middle of the city during Operation Vigilant Resolve. The Cobra belongs to Marine Light Attack Squadron 167, which is in the Sunni Triangle area in support of the operation. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte

AL TAQADDUM AIR BASE, Iraq, April 9, 2004 — Marine Aircraft Group 16 recently moved elements of its Marine Light Attack Squadron 167 in support of Operation Vigilant Resolve, which began early this month.
The move occurred April 5-6, and flight operations for the squadron kicked off as soon as boots and skids were on the deck. More 7 Photos from Fallujah

'Gunners' Recognize Heroes

By U.S. Army Cpl. Benjamin Cossel / 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Lt. Col. William S. Rabina, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery commander, attached the

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 9, 2004 — Wounded warriors from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, and the healers who cared for them were honored at a ceremony April 5.
In addition to honoring individual soldiers for the heroism, the “Gunners” battalion was recognized for its service during Operation Iraqi Freedom with a Presidential Unit Citation. More

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

Iraq

. Coalition Goal: Pacify Fallujah

. 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

Military News

. Marine Leaders Visit Al Asad

. First Stryker Brigade Proves Its Worth in Iraq

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

     WASHINGTON — Defense Department officials announced the death of two Marines and two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Marine Capt. Brent L. Morel, 27, of Martin, Tenn., died April 7 from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
     Marine 2nd Lt. John T. Wroblewski, 25, of Oak Ridge, N.J., died April 6 due to injuries received from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
     Army Staff Sgt. George S. Rentschler, 31, of Louisville, Ky., died, April 7, in Baghdad, Iraq, when his military vehicle was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade. Rentschler was assigned to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
     Army Spc. Scott Q. Larson Jr., 22, of Houston, Texas, died April 5, in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his convoy was ambushed. Larson was assigned to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armor Division, Ray Barracks, Friedberg, Germany.

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. Maps of Afghanistan

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

WELCOME HOME — Lauren Delarosa awaits the arrival of her father, Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Delarosa, a reservist with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, at the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, Belle Chasse, La., April 7, 2004. The squadron is returning home from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew Z. Williams