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Apr 12, 2004

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FORT HOOD — President George W. Bush (center); Jenna Welch (left), the first lady's mother; and First Lady Laura Bush thank U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James E. Simmons, acting commander of Fort Hood, Texas, as they prepare to board Marine One for the flight from Fort Hood to Crawford, Texas, April 11, 2004. The Bush family and members of the president's staff attended Easter services at the 13th Corps Support Command Chapel and visited with 1st Cavalry Division wounded in an attack in Iraq a few days earlier. U.S. Army photo by Steve Bibiano

Marines Take Fire in Fallujah
While Negotiations Continue

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2004 — Coalition Provisional Authority and Iraqi officials are continuing negotiations with insurgents in Fallujah and southern Iraq, CPA officials said in Baghdad today.
Fighting across Iraq has caused about 70 U.S. and coalition combat deaths since April 1, Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt told reporters at a Baghdad news conference. The general estimated enemy casualties to be "10 times" over coalition forces' losses during that period. More

Marines Took Fight to Streets in Fallujah

President Celebrates Easter With Families at Fort Hood

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

President George W. Bush talks with Darnall Hospital Commander Col. Bernard L. DeKoning following his visit with the wounded soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, April 11, 2004. U.S. Army Photo by Steve Bibiano

     WASHINGTON, April 11, 2004 — President and Mrs. Bush visited Fort Hood, Texas, today to observe Easter with the families of deployed soldiers.
     "It's our honor to have celebrated this holy day with family members whose loved one is in Iraq," the president said. "Fort Hood has made a mighty contribution to freedom in Iraq and to security for the country. I value my time with the family members and those who sacrifice on behalf of the country."
     The president acknowledged that the spike in violence over the last week in Iraq has been difficult, but he said a free Iraq will make for a safer world. More

Apache Helicopter Crew Killed During Shootdown in Baghdad

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

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2004 — Both crewmembers of an Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter died today when insurgents shot down their helicopter near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.
Meanwhile, near the walled suburb of Abu Ghraib outside of Fallujah, there are still reports of fighting despite a call for a cease-fire, Coalition Provisional Authority officials reported at a Baghdad news conference. More

Building Iraqi Security Forces Must Continue, Sanchez Says

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2004 — The commander of coalition forces in Iraq said today that continuing to build Iraqi security forces is key to a successful transfer of sovereignty.
Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez said the refusal of some Iraqi army members to join in the fighting in Fallujah uncovered some "significant challenges." More

Sovereignty Transfer on Track

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2004 - Delaying the scheduled June 30 transfer of sovereignty in Iraq because of recent violence would play into the enemy's hands, President Bush said today in his weekly national radio address. More

Bremer Blames Violence
On 'Poison' in Iraqi Society

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2004 — A "poison" that built up through Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq is responsible for the recent wave of violence in the country, the coalition's civilian administrator said today. "There is a lot of poison still in this society, and it's got to come out," said Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III. Story

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2004 — Defense Department officials have announced the names of 10 Marines, three soldiers and one sailor killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"I know what we're doing in Iraq is right. It's right for long-term peace. It's right for the security of our country. And it's hard work."

Remarks at Fort Hood, April 11, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Transformation

New Software Helps
Track Airman's Fitness

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2004 — The Air Force recently released a tool to help Airmen keep track of their fitness efforts.
The Air Force Fitness Management System, available to all airmen through the Air Force Portal, provides a history of their fitness scores and allows unit fitness managers to enter new scores. More

New Command Integrates
Navy's Anti-Sub Mission

SAN DIEGO (NNS), April 12, 2004 — Historically, the Navy's surface ships, airplanes and submarines have conducted their anti-submarine warfare training and operations independently of one another. The newly established Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Command integrates these efforts under a single authority to make them more efficient. More

More Transformation News

Group Supports
MPs, Working Dogs

Military working dogs wear donated Doggles, eyewear designed especially to protect dogs' eyes from heat and desert sandstorms, while working in Iraq with their military police partners. no photo credit

FORT MONROE, Va., Army News Service, April 9, 2004 — The military police motto "of the troops and for the troops" has been taken to heart by some American citizens concerned for the Army's four-legged troops: the military working dogs. More

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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

Maintainers Keep Choppers Flying

Marine Lance Cpl. James M. Cazel and Sgt. Eric P. Macey maintain choppers from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte

AL TAQADDUM AIR BASE, Iraq, April 10, 2004 — Technicians from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 have been working almost non-stop for the past three days since the squadron sent the Marines and a group of helicopters, to the area known as the Sunni Triangle, in support of Operation Vigilant Resolve.
"We have to work together to get our planes up because the ground guys are depending on support from the helicopters," said one unit member. "The way I look at it, we're protecting Marines and doing our part." More

Marines Conduct Casualty Evacuations

Marines carry a wounded comrade onto a CH-46E helicopter for casualty evacuation in Ramadi, Iraq, April 6, 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte

AL TAQADDUM AIR BASE, Iraq, April 10, 2004 — Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., is flying casualty evacuation missions into the heart of the Sunni Triangle's most dangerous places for the singular purpose of pulling their wounded brethren out of the fire.
Since the squadron's arrival in Iraq less than two months ago, they have wasted no time in performing all the missions required of a "Phrog" squadron, according to Staff Sgt. Michael A. Miller, A CH-46E helicopter crew chief. More

Bremer Announces Key Iraqi Appointments

Baghdad, Iraq, April 12, 2004 — Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III announced the appointments of a new Minister of Interior and a new National Security Advisor during a meeting Friday morning in Baghdad. Following consultation with the Iraqi Governing Council, Ambassador Bremer named Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaiday as the new Minister of Interior and Dr. Mowaffak Al Rubaie as the new National Security Advisor. More

Donated Goods Lift Spirits in Iraq

Iraqi children show off their new, donated frisbees given out by Marines from 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division during a visit April 6. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, April 9, 2004 — Warriors from 1st Marine Division and Jim Hake, founder of Spirit of America, have similar aspirations: to help the Iraqi people and to build better relations between Americans and Iraqis.
But that's easier said than done. More

War on Terrorism

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

. Rice: No Warning of Al Qaeda Using Planes As Bombs

. Technology Helps Get Supplies to Warfighters

. Dept. of Homeland Security Announces WMD Exercise Participants

Iraq

. Delaying Sovereignty Transfer Is Enemies' Wish, Bush Says

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

. Coalition Forces Overpowering Pockets of Resistance in Iraq

. Coalition Seizes Weapons, Suspects in Afghanistan Ops

. Marines Prepared, Trained for Iraq Mission

. Bremer Urges Arbaeen Pilgrims To Remain Vigilant, Cautious

Military News

. Guard, Reserve Leaders Discuss Budget, Deployment Issues

. Deployed Troops Step Up Anti-Malarial Protections

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Combat Device Approved
For Expeditionary Ribbon

WASHINGTON (AFPN), April 9, 2004 — Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper have approved the addition of a gold border to the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon to signify satisfactory participation in combat operations.
"This gold border, signifying participation in combat operations, reflects the global, expeditionary nature of airpower and our Air Force," Jumper said. More

Enduring Freedom
Ops Continue

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 12, 2004 — In coordination with the Islamic Transitional Government of Afghanistan, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan continues to train the Afghan National Army, provide civil affairs support, and disrupt, deny, and destroy terrorist and anti-government forces in order to establish a stable and secure Afghanistan. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Lance Cpl. Brett T. Newman

Marine Lance Cpl. Brett T. Newman builds furniture for office spaces at Camp Hurricane Point, Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP HURRICANE POINT, Iraq — Waking up to the sounds of machine-gun fire and Muslim prayer songs is nothing new for Marine Lance Cpl. Brett T. Newman, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
The 35-year-old from Albuquerque, N.M., first joined the Marine Corps in March 1988 at the age of 18. 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 before coming to a stop. As the door opened, soldier after soldier made the trip out of the red-lit interior into the darkness of Afghanistan, and for most, it was their first time here. More

In Iraq

Security, Humanity Rule Day
At Marine Detention Facility

CAMP AR RAMADI, Iraq, April 11, 2004 — It's home sweet home for enemy combatants in the Ar Ramadi area if units with 1st Marine Division capture them.
Surrounded by barricades, fencing and layers of razor-sharp wire, the detention facility here is manned by military policemen attached to 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. More

Marines Live High Life
Deep in Iraqi Desert

When not providing security to the camp here or patrolling the outside area, Marines with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division use the space near their living area as a soccer field. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP MUDAYSIS, Iraq, April 7, 2004 — Marines like it rough. Just ask the artillerymen of Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
The battery, which is currently performing as an infantry unit, is here supporting 1st Marine Division's security and stabilization mission. More

'On The Ground' Archive