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Apr 19, 2004

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TACTICAL AIR PATROL — Senior Master Sgt. Tim Tyvan, a U.S. Air Force tactical air control party Airman from the 116th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, Balad Air Base, Iraq, conducts a patrol with members of the U.S. Army 1st infantry Division Apr. 11, 2004. The area is being cleared of threats so the TACP can call in a air-strike. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Aaron Allmon II

Commander Calls War on Terror 'National War for Our Survival'

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2004 — The war on terror isn't a conflict limited to Afghanistan and Iraq, but rather, "a national war for our survival as a nation," according to the commander of the Defense Department's largest warfighting organization, the Army's 18th Airborne Corps.
Army Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, who commands about 85,000 soldiers in four combat divisions – all of which have seen combat in Southwest Asia – told the American Forces Press Service last week at Fort Bragg, N.C., that the war on terror boils down to defending the United States against the forces of evil. "Evil is out there, and evil wishes to attack us," he said. More

Cease-Fire Agreement Reached in Fallujah; 13 U.S. Troops Killed

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2004 — U.S., coalition and Iraqi officials have agreed "to implement a full and unbroken cease-fire" in the city of Fallujah, chief Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman Dan Senor said today in Baghdad.
The agreement, Senor told reporters at a press briefing, was reached over a series of meetings over the past several days. More

Bremer: Insurgents Won’t Be
Allowed to Shoot Way to Power

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

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2004 — Iraq's Transitional Administrative Law offers hope for the country's future, and outlaws who oppose it will not be allowed to "shoot their way to power," the Coalition Provisional Authority administrator told the Iraqi people in an April 18 nationally broadcast address.
"The forces of darkness hope to obstruct the path to Iraqi sovereignty, elections and democracy," Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III said. "The vast majority of Iraqis want a peaceful, democratic Iraq. The path to that Iraq has been well defined." More

Barrier Around Fallujah Aims to
Stop Insurgents' Supplies, Mobility

By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 19, 2004 — Marine Corps and Army engineers finished construction of a barrier around much of Fallujah April 15, 2004, which blocks off the majority of pathways leading into or out of the city, and is expected to deter insurgents from bringing in weapons and gear.
Fallujah, a hotbed for insurgent activity, is the focus of I Marine Expeditionary Force's Operation Vigilant Resolve, launched April 4 to re-establish security in the city and to account for the March 31 murders of four U.S. civilians. More

Exercise to Aid in Chemical,
Biological Weapons Detection

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today that an atmospheric dispersion survey will be held in and around the Pentagon from April 19 to May 15, 2004. The survey will advance knowledge about the weather conditions and movement of simulated airborne contaminants around and inside the Pentagon. More

Marines Look to Retirees
To Fill War on Terror Jobs

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2004 — The Marine Corps is looking for a few good retirees – about 150, to be exact. The commandant of the Marine Corps recently authorized the expanded use of the retired Marine population to help fill the more than 2,500 existing Global War on Terrorism-related billets. More

Iraqi Forces Capture
Anti-Coalition Leader

TIKRIT, Iraq, April 19, 2004 — Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers captured a suspected anti-coalition leader near Tikrit at about 2:30 a.m. April 18, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials. The individual, Hakeem Badour Khalaf, has been implicated in the deaths or injuries of at least three people, including two U.S. soldiers and an interpreter. He was detained and transported to a nearby coalition base for questioning.

Transformation

Former Comptroller
Cites Accomplishments

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2004 — The Defense Department's outgoing comptroller cited transformation as the main focus during his three-year tour. Dov S. Zakheim retired from government service April 15. In an interview a few days earlier, he had cited some of the changes that occurred on his watch. More

Pioneer Gives Ground
Commanders an Eye in the Sky

A Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle launches into flight at Al Taqaddum, Iraq, March 20, 2004, using a rocket-assisted takeoff. U.S Marine Corps photo by Capt. Kolter R. Miller

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq, April 19, 2004 — As infantry Marines fight through the streets of Fallujah they have an ally in the sky. They may not be able to see or even hear it, its help is invaluable. The Pioneer, an unmanned aerial vehicle piloted, can assist with everything from forward aerial reconnaissance, to artillery fire adjustment and even search and rescue efforts. Story

More Transformation News

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced the death of three soldiers and a Marine who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

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

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Television

Marine Sgt. Phillip J. Fryar, a team leader with Scout Platoon, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division uses a high-powered scope to scan an area from a rooftop near Fallujah, Iraq, March 27, 2004. Fryar leads a security detail for Regimental Combat Team 1. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen
More Photos

Small Platoon Takes on Big Challenge

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 15, 2004 — It's easy to feel safe when you've thousands of Marines ready to come to your defense. The commander of Regimental Combat Team 1, though, has a few more reasons than the average Marine, however. Story

Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, fire against terrorists operating in Fallujah, Iraq April 7, 2004. Marines suspended offensive operations after isolating and systematically clearing portions of the city. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi

Iraqi policemen fall into formation to begin a full days' worth of combat techniques and weapon handling April 13, 2004. The Al Qaim Police Academy graduted the first class to complete the three-week training course April 17. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Macario P. Mora Jr. More Photos

Marines Pin Hopes on New Iraqi police

     CAMP AL QAIM, Iraq, April 14, 2004 — They're a little rough around the edges. They're still learning how to walk, talk and perform as the law of the land.
      For Marines here, though, the newly-graduated police force in this western Iraqi city is the hope for a better future here.
      "The fate of this nation depends on its ability to take care of itself," said 1st Lt. Sean M. Gavigan, officer-in-charge of the Al Qaim Police Academy. "Its security forces need to know how to defend (Iraq) against those who oppose it. If not, we will fail." Story

Sandy Hanke (at right) gives a boisterous welcome home to soldiers with the 43rd Area Support Group, 3rd Brigade, 7th Infantry Division and the 113th Medical Company, Combat Stress Control, an Army Reserve unit from Las Alamedos, Calif., as they arrive home after a year in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lorie Jewell 6 More Photos

Soldiers Arrive Home to Rousing Welcomes

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 16, 2004 (Army News Service) — In a gymnasium festooned with welcome-home signs, banners, buntings and balloons of every size and color, Sandy Hanke teetered on the edge of a bleacher seat, locking her eyes on a set of double doors and muttering.oStory

War on Terrorism

. Defense Official Explains U.S. Strategy to Fight War on Terror

. Joint U.S.-Pakistani Efforts Put Pressure on Taliban, al Qaeda

Iraq

. Rice: Violence Won't Stop Iraqi Power Turnover

. Insurgents in Iraq Going 'to Any Lengths' to Stop Progress

. U.S., British Leaders Pledge Support for Democratic Iraq

. Iraqi Interim Defense Minister Appoints Three Top Generals

. CPA: New Iraqi Air Force Achieving "Real Military Capability"

Military News

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Honoring the Fallen

Red Team
Remembers Fallen Soldier

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 18, 2004 — Hundreds of Red Team soldiers gathered mid-morning to pay respects to one of their fallen brothers during a memorial service here, April 14. Private 1st Class Adolfo Carballo, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, died April 10 when he was struck by a rocket propelled grenade during a patrol in south Baghdad. Story

Coast Guard to Begin
International Port Security Visits

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2004 — The U.S. Coast Guard announced the establishment of an International Port Security Program that will help the United States and its maritime trading partners better protect the global shipping industry by facilitating the implementation of security improvements in ports around the world. More

Coast Guard Prepares for Security Deadline

Maritime Exercise Kicks Off

MEDITERRANEAN SEA, April 14, 2004 — The U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez, Military Sealift Command ship PFC Eugene A. Obregon and a P-3C surveillance aircraft operating out of Sigonella, Sicily, are joining assets from four other nations to begin Clever Sentinel 04, a multilateral maritime interdiction training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. More

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"The best way to secure our homeland, the best way for us to do our duty, is to stay on the offensive against the terrorist network. We began the offense shortly after September the 11th. We're carrying out a broad strategy, a worldwide strategy, to bring the killers to justice."

Remarks in Hershey, Pa., April 19, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Team Conducts
First Aid Classes

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 19, 2004 — The Herat Provincial Reconstruction Team held first aid classes for the Girl Scouts at the Mehry Girl’s School, April 15, 2004, according to Combined Joint Task Force 180 officials. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

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Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Cpl. Dennis C. Nelson

Marine Cpl. Dennis C. Nelson primes his 1972 Harley-Davidson Super Glide gas tank for a new coat of paint at the Auto Skills Center on his base. Nelson says he saved several hundred dollars by doing the job himself with the help of the ASC staff. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anthony C. Bart

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif., April 19, 2004 — Marine Cpl. Dennis C. Nelson, recalled to active-duty to support Marines deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, made use of his spare time at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center here by using the Auto Skills Center to restore and paint a 1972 Harley-Davidson Super Glide. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Marine Lance Cpl. James R. Yakubsin, 21, displays the goggles that saved his eyesight. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

Protective Gear Proves
Itself Again and Again

CAMP MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq, April 17, 2004 — It's heavy, hot and cumbersome. It also saves lives. Protective gear Marines wear in Iraq is performing as advertised. Helmets, Interceptor vests and even goggles are keeping Marines alive and in the fight in Iraq. More

'On The Ground' Archive