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Apr 15, 2004

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CAR WASH— A soldier washes a vehicle at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Wash rack operations ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 252 wash points throughout Kuwait as servicemembers cleaned over 40,000 vehicles for redeployment back to their home stations. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Karima Mares

Two U.S. Soldiers Dead; Enemy
Employs New Tactic in Iraq

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2004 — Two American soldiers died in Iraq April 14, one of them as a result of enemy action, and five others were wounded. Also in Iraq, coalition officials reported a new tactic used by terrorist forces: using aid convoys to smuggle arms.
Two attacks with improvised explosive devices near Samarrah left one soldier from Task Force Danger dead and another five wounded, according to a news release from Combined Joint Task Force 7. More

Army's 1st Cavalry Div. Takes On Baghdad Responsibility

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 15, 2004 — Task Force Baghdad, made up mostly of the 1st Cavalry Division, has assumed responsibility for Baghdad and its environs from the 1st Armored Division.
Maj. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey handed over the responsibility to Maj. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli in a "no-fuss, no-muss" manner. "We weren't going to have a ceremony for this," said Army Lt. Col. Jim Hutton, the public affairs officer for Task Force Baghdad. "Our people have more important things to do." More

The Hunt Continues 9 More Photos

U.S. Army 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, soldiers pass through a valley during a mission in Orgun-E, Afghanistan, April 5, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gul A Alisan Photo Essay Archive

Transformation

Defense Officials Approve
New Civilian Personnel Plan

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2004 — Senior leadership in the Defense Department approved the plans for the new National Security Personnel System, Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England announced April 14. More

Defense Dept. to
Streamline Exchange Service

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2004 — The Defense Department will streamline business operations across the military exchange system, much like private sector retail chains did years ago, a former chief of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service said today. More

More Transformation News

Reservists Win Heroism
Award for Iraq Rescue

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., April 14, 2004 (AFPN) — A daring, nighttime combat rescue last year in Iraq earned three aircrews from the 920th Rescue Wing here an award for heroism. More

U.N. Official Sketches Out Iraq Government After June 30

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2004 — U.N. special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi emphasized today that Iraqi elections scheduled for January 2005 are "the most important milestone" for the country in its progress toward sovereignty.
"There is no substitute for the legitimacy that comes from free and fair elections," he said during a Baghdad news conference. "Therefore, Iraq will have a genuinely representative government only after January 2005." More

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of two Marines and a soldier who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Vice President Richard B. Cheney

"...Today we know that the peace and stability that all civilized nations seek are under threat, as new and grave dangers continue to gather. In nations around the globe, terror networks have plotted against civilized people, and have grown bolder in their destructive ambitions."

Remarks in Shanghai, China, April 15, 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

Myers, Abizaid Hold Strategy Session on Situation in Iraq

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 14, 2004 — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commander of U.S. Central Command held discussions about the situation in Iraq here today.
     Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers and Army Gen. John Abizaid spoke for about an hour and 20 minutes after Myers arrived from meetings in Kuwait.
     A Joint Staff official characterized the discussions as "frank, productive, a good give-and-take." The chairman is in Iraq following meetings with leaders in Bahrain and Kuwait. More

Chairman Visits Italian Brigade At Multinational Division in Iraq

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     TALLIL, Iraq, April 14, 2004 — A visit with foreign members of the coalition force in Iraq was the first stop for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff here today.
     Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers visited with Italian members of the Multinational Division Southeast. Italian Brig. Gen. Gian Marco Chiarini, the commander of the 132nd "Ariete" Brigade briefed the American officer and his staff.
     The brigade, which is a mix of regular army and police, patrols the area in and around Nasiriyah. More

Army Spec. Manuel Ramirez from the 647th Quartermaster Company based at Fort Bragg, N.C., hugs his wife Jessica after returning to Pope Air Force Base following a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. Ramirez was among a small group of soldiers who returned home April 14. AFPS photo by Donna Miles 2 More Photos

Pope Families Welcome
Loved Ones Home From Deployment

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., April 15, 2004 — Balloons, hand-painted "welcome home" signs, ear-to-ear smiles and a few tears greeted airmen and a small group of soldiers who returned here April 14 following deployments in Southwest Asia.
"It's great to have them back," said Lt. Gen. William Welser III, commander of 18th Air Force at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., who greeted the plane. More

Myers Thanks Kuwaiti Leaders For 'Steadfast' War Support

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, April 14, 2004 — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff arrived here today for talks with Kuwaiti leaders.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers , who traveled here from Bahrain, is meeting with Prime Minister Sheihk Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah, Defense Minister Jabir Mubarak Hamad al-Sabah and his counterpart, Air Force Lt. Gen. Fahad Ahmad al-Amir, the chief of staff for the Kuwaiti military. More

USS Hyman G. Rickover Returns from Deployment

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) — The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) returned to Norfolk Naval Station April 10 after a six-month deployment.
Rickover, assigned to Commander, Task Force 69, U.S. 6th Fleet, deployed Oct. 10 to conduct joint operations in the Northern Atlantic in support of the global war on terrorism. More

War on Terrorism

. DoD Ready to Step Forward In Event of Homeland Attack

Iraq

. Myers Explains U.S. Position on Iraq to Journalists in Bahrain

. Fallujah Stable as Coalition Conducts Hunt for Zarqawi

. Coalition, Iraqi Forces Work Together to Find Hostages

. Myers Says Iraq's Problems Can Be Solved Over Time

Military News

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Honoring the Fallen

Marine Regiment
Memorializes Fallen Warrior

CAMP AL QAIM, Iraq, April 13, 2004 — Twenty-one-year-old Lance Cpl. Elias Torrez III, a radio operator, was driving back to base when his convoy was ambushed in the city of Sa'dah. More

Iraq to Sign U.N.
Convention on Torture

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2004 — The Iraqi delegation to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva has announced Iraq's intention to sign the 1984 U.N. Convention
against Torture, according to Coalition Provisional Authority officials.
This convention makes it incumbent on the Iraqi government to pass domestic legislation to protect Iraqis against torture. The officials said this is another example of respect for international law in the new Iraq and illustrates another way Iraq is reintegrating into the international community.

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Erwin Kohlmorgen

JUTIAPA, Guatemala, April 15, 2004 — There is a common thread when service members living and working on Base Camp Quetzal here discuss Army Staff Sgt. Erwin Kohlmorgen. They all have respect and a genuine fondness for him. More

More Profiles

REUNION IN KUWAIT — U.S. Army Master Sgt. Margaret Bruner reunited with her son, 2nd Lt. Lee M. Bruner III, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, after 6 months apart. Master Sgt. Bruner, NCOIC for the 336th Finance Command, recently arrived in Kuwait from Concord, N.C. 2nd Lt. Bruner just returned from Bayji, Iraq, where he served with 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor, 4th Inf. Div., which is in the process of returning to Ft. Hood, TX. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Karima Mares

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In Iraq

Marines Maintain Order in the Skies

AL ASAD, Iraq, April 14, 2004 -- For the air traffic controllers of Detachment Alpha, Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II meant a chance for them to put their training and certifications to use. More

In Kuwait

'Cable Dawgs' Battle
Desert to Set Up Commo

CAMP NEW YORK, Kuwait, April 14, 2004 — When Camp New York reopened its doors to soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in early January, service members had no mode of communication. More

'On The Ground' Archive