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Apr 14, 2004

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KEEPING WATCH — A soldier with 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Brigade, 10th Mountain Division scans the field during his guard duty at Sarobi, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gul A. Alisan

Bush: America Grateful to Troops Protecting Nation

President George W. Bush responds to questions during a prime-time press conference in the East Room of the White House on April 13, 2004. White House photo

     WASHINGTON, April 14, 2004 — President Bush lauded America’s service members during a live, televised news conference from the White House last night.
      The president noted the past few weeks have been tough in Iraq. “Coalition forces have encountered serious violence in some areas of Iraq,” he said, but maintained the outlook for Iraq is still positive.
     “It's not a civil war; it's not a popular uprising. Most of Iraq is relatively stable,” Bush said. “Most Iraqis, by far, reject violence and oppose dictatorship.” Remarks

Fallujah Stable as Coalition
Conducts Hunt for Zarqawi

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

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2004 — The security situation in Fallujah, Iraq, remains stable, and coalition forces there are engaged in a "robust hunt" for al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, believed to be in or near the city, coalition officials said.
"We believe right now Fallujah to be the hotbed for foreign fighters who are in Iraq, in which we include Zarqawi," senior coalition spokesman Dan Senor told reporters in Baghdad today. Story

Coalition, Iraqi Forces Work Together to Find Hostages

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

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2004 — Coalition officials said today the whereabouts of as many as 40 hostages in Iraq from 12 countries are unknown. Some countries are urging their citizens not to go to Iraq or to leave the country, after several aid workers, contractors and coalition soldiers have gone missing.
Senior coalition spokesman Dan Senor confirmed at a Baghdad news conference that the FBI is working with coalition and Iraqi security forces to seek out the "hostages and their takers," and that a number of other law enforcement agencies from the international community are involved with the investigation. Story

Myers Explains U.S. Position On Iraq to Arab Journalists

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     MANAMA, Bahrain, April 13, 2004 — Events in Iraq dominated the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's news conference following meetings with Bahraini leaders here.
      Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers spoke to a group of mostly Arab journalists following meetings with the king of Bahrain, the defense minister and the chief of staff of the Bahraini Defense Force.
     American embassy officials said that Iraqi civilian casualties are a concern to many people in this Persian Gulf nation. Their concern was sparked, in part, by a front-page newspaper picture of a dog eating from a dead body in Fallujah. More

Myers Says Iraq's Problems Can Be Solved Over Time

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

MANAMA, Bahrain, April 13, 2004 — People around the world are going to have to realize the coalition effort in Iraq is a long-term project, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers arrived here today for meetings with Bahraini leaders. On the flight over, he said the problems in Iraq can be solved, but it will take time. Story

Myers Arrives in Bahrain to Discuss War on Terrorism

Marines Capture Terrorists

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 13, 2004 — Today Marines captured two known terrorists and three individuals suspected of terrorist activity, according to officials at Combined Joint Task Force 7. More

One Soldier Killed, One Wounded; Contractor Wounded

TIKRIT, Iraq — One 1st Infantry Division Soldier was killed and one Soldier and one civilian contractor were wounded in an improvised explosive device attack on their convoy south of Baghdad at around 12:30 a.m. April 13.
The wounded were evacuated to a military medical facility near An Najaf. The wounded are in stable condition. The names of the dead and wounded are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

     WASHINGTON, April 13, 2004 — The Department of Defense has announced the names of two soldiers and three Marines killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Army Spc. Justin W. Johnson, 22, of Rome, Ga., died April 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Johnson was assigned to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
     Army Spc. Peter G. Enos, 24, of South Dartmouth, Mass., died April 9 in Bayji, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his patrol vehicle. Enos was assigned to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry
Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany.
      Marine Lance Cpl. Phillip E. Frank, 20, of Elk Grove, Ill., died April 8 from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
      Marine Cpl. Daniel R. Amaya, 22, of Odessa, Texas, and Marine Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray, 19, of Patoka, Ill., died April 11 from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
     They were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Defense Leaders Speak

Vice President Richard B. Cheney

"We know the methods of terrorism, and we understand what is at stake in the fight against global terror. ... The world shares your outrage today at the barbaric kidnapping of three Japanese citizens in Iraq, and stands with you in your determination to bring your people home safely."

Remarks at the Washington Post-Yomiuri
Shimbum Symposium, April 13, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Disabled Terror War Vets
Hit the Slopes at Snowmass

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo., Army News Service, April 12, 2004 — Soldiers who lost limbs in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom spent a week at the 18th Annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. More

Group Supports
MPs, Working Dogs

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

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

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

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

Radio

Television

'Task Force Danger' Sweeps Tikrit 8 More Photos

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. The buildings, called bunkers, belonged to the Iraqi military but were abandoned some time after the first Gulf War. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald Photo Essay Archive

Marines Suspend Offensive, Deliver Aid

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, April 13, 2004 — Marines from the 1st Marine Division held their positions in and around Fallujah as the Iraqi Governing Council worked to broker a bilateral cease-fire with leaders in the city. Story

In Face of Ambushes, Marines Keep on Trucking

FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 13, 2004 — As Marines strive to regain control here, one motor transportation company leads the charge through continuous ambushes hell-bent on cutting logistics lines feeding front-line troops engaged in Operation Vigilant Resolve. More

Operation Puts Aviation Mechanics in a Fix

TAQADDUM AIR BASE, Iraq, April 10, 2004 — The weary Marine slowly lowered himself into his chair off to the side of the flightline in the hot, Iraqi sun. The 21-year-old's eyes started to close when he noticed four pilots running up the flightline, trying in vain to maintain speed and throw on vests and helmets at the same time. Smith and his Marines jumped up and caught up to the pilots. They got tagged again. Story

George Washington 'Hornets' Support Operation

MANAMA, Bahrain — F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing 7, flying from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Arabian Gulf, participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve in April 8 and 9. More

Terrorists Block Aid Convoy to Fallujah

     CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 12, 2004 — Convoys of humanitarian relief to the people of Fallujah were blocked or delayed by attacks over the last few days, according to CJTF-7 officials.
     On April 12, a convoy carrying food, water and blood was delayed and rerouted when Coalition forces escorting the convoy discovered improvised explosive devices along its route.
     A second humanitarian convoy was hit by IEDs and small arms fire before it reached the city. Coalition forces returned fire and called in a helicopter gunship to destroy the enemy. The convoy safely reached the city. 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

. DoD Ready to Step Forward In Event of Homeland Attack

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

Iraq

. Iraq, Not U.S., Holds the Key To Solving Security Issues

. Marines Take Fire in Fallujah While Negotiations Continue

. Building Iraqi Security Forces Must Continue, Sanchez Says

. Sovereignty Transfer on Track

. Bremer Blames Violence On 'Poison' in Iraqi Society

Military News

. Guard, Reserve Leaders Discuss Budget, Deployment Issues

. Deployed Troops Step Up Anti-Malarial Protections

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Infantry Troops Find Bomb Cache

TIKRIT, Iraq, April 13, 2004 — Task Force Danger Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment discovered 45 150-pound bombs near Kirkuk at about 12:23 p.m. April 12. The site was secured and an explosive ordnance disposal team was sent to assess the cache.

Transformation

DoD Seeks Technology
For Anti-Terrorism Fight

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2004 — The Defense Department is seeking out technology
suitable for use in combating terrorism. In fact, much of the progress in the war on terror has come from technological developments, a defense official said recently. Story

More Transformation News

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

AF Senior Master Sgt.
Lawrence Bakula &
Army Pfc. James Bakula

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Lawrence Bakula and Army Pfc. James Bakula

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq — One joined during the height of the Cold War, the other long after the Berlin Wall crumbled. One wears dress blues, the other, greens. One has more than 25 years of service, while the other — just barely eight months. More

More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Sergeant's Nightly Movies
Benefit Deployed Airmen

Air Force Staff Sgt. Eugene Prado (left) sets up equipment for movie night here with assistance from Staff Sgt Joshua Lansberry. Both sergeants are assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. ir Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Szczechowski

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, April 12, 2004 (AFPN) — When the sun sets on Camp Cunningham, the outdoor break area and meeting place known as the “Pradotorium” begins to buzz with a little more activity than it does during the day. 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 . More

Marines Live High Life 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. More

'On The Ground' Archive