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Apr 21, 2004

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SECURITY IN SADR CITY — A U.S. soldier from 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Calvary Regiment, provides security during a patrol around Sadr City, Iraq April 14, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky A. Bloom

Rumsfeld Says Requirements
To Drive Troop Levels in Iraq

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, April 20, 2004 — There is "no intention" to keep the 20,000 American soldiers extended in Iraq any longer than 90 days in the country and 120 days in the theater, Defense Department officials said today.
     But if U.S. Central Command commander Army Gen. John Abizaid decides he needs 135,000 U.S. service members in Iraq, rather than the 115,000 planned, then other troops will come in, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said at a Pentagon news conference.
     What DoD will do remains to be seen. As with all military operations, the enemy will have a say in what the coalition will do, said DoD officials. Officials said they have any number of plans ready for any number of situations. More

Fear Biggest Problem in Iraq,
Deputy Tells Senate Committee

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2004 – The biggest problem facing Iraq is that fear of the former regime still pervades the country, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said here today.
Wolfowitz told the Senate Armed Services Committee a "blanket of fear woven by 35 years of repression where even the smallest mistake could bring torture or death" won't go away in a few months, or even in a year or two. More

Bush: Patriot Act Vital to Protect U.S. Citizens, Secure Homeland

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2004 – Ensuring the safety of the public is a government's top responsibility, President Bush said April 19. And the USA Patriot Act allows governments at all levels to protect their citizens.
Bush explained that Americans' thinking on how to protect this country changed after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. People realized "the best way to secure our homeland … is to go on the offensive against the terrorist network(s)," he said during a speech in Hershey, Pa. More

Insurgents Attack From Mosque As Talks Continue in Fallujah

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

WASHINGTON, APRIL 20, 2004 — Even as coalition and Iraqi officials are trying to move forward with peace talks in Fallujah, U.S. Central Command reported today that insurgents attacked coalition forces from a mosque in the city April 18.
A CENTCOM news release reported that anti-coalition forces fired on the crew of an M1-A1 tank from a building next to the mosque. The tank crew returned fire, destroying the building and killing an insurgent who was armed with a rocket- propelled grenade, the news release said. More

Barrier Around Fallujah Aims to Stop Insurgents' Supplies, Mobility

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

Terror War Demonstrates
Need to Update Doctrine

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2004 – Current military doctrine needs an overhaul to better address the challenges confronting U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, the commander of the 18th Airborne Corps told the American Forces Press Service last week at the corps headquarters at Fort Bragg, N.C. More

NEA Project Helps Troops
Write About War Experiences

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2004 – The National Endowment for the Arts is offering a series of writer's workshops led by accomplished authors to help troops and family members in telling their wartime experiences. More

Some Soldiers to Get
Reenlistment Bonuses

WASHINGTON (Army News Service), April 18, 2004 – An estimated 5,000 soldiers who re-enlisted last year may be eligible for a pay bonus.
Bonuses up to $5,000 will be paid retroactively to soldiers, between the ranks of specialist and staff sergeant, with 17 months to 10 years in service, who re-enlisted between March 18 and Sept. 18, 2003. More

Cash for Guns Program
Yields Dividends in Iraq

U.S. Army Capt. Joseph Pace and Staff Sgt. James Seginak from the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry question an Iraqi at Forward Operating Base Thunder. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andy Miller

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Army News Service, April 19, 2004 – Small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades have been collected for destruction by the 1st Cavalry Division in a program that exchanges money for weapons and information. More

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2004 – The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of five soldiers and four Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Country music entertainer Sherrie Austin receives a round of applause after singing a song for crewmembers aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, April 16, 2004. The carrier recently returned to Norfolk, Va., after a six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lance H. Mayhew Jr.

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

Radio

Television

Marines Recall Ar Ramadi Battle

A Marine from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment points his rifle in a firefight during a patrol in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Photo courtesy by Maurizio Gambarini, Deutsche Press Agentur

CAMP COMBAT OUTPOST, Iraq, April 16, 2004 -- Marine Lance Cpl. Deschon E. Otey's nights are still plagued by thoughts from four days of intense fighting.
Otey and the rest of the infantrymen from Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division lost nearly 20 of their buddies during operations in Ar Ramadi April 6 to 10. More

Marine Fights On Despite Gunshot Wound

CAMP HURRICANE POINT, Iraq, April 17, 2004 -- Marine Sgt. Kenneth Conde Jr. didn't even realize he was shot until someone told him. In the mid-afternoon hours of April 6, Conde's unit, 3rd Mobile Assault Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, received orders to help evacuate two casualties from Company G wounded during a firefight in the city of Ar Ramadi. More

Marines from Charlie Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion., 6th Marines, the ground combat element of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), assault an objective during training near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jemssy Alvarez More Photos

Marines Sharpen Combat Skills in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, April 17, 2004 -- The chatter of machine guns, thumping of mortar rounds, popping of rifles, and shouted orders of squad leaders punctuated the calm twilight hours near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan as the grunts of Charlie Company further sharpened their combat skills. More

Marines Train Against Iraqi 'Weapon of Choice"

Marine Sgt. Stefan M. Plescha teaches II Marine Expeditionary Force Marines about the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher D. Reed

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., April 19, 2004 — The possibility of death is a reality Marines must constantly face as they embark upon Security and Stabilization Operations in Iraq. The prime source of death has been Improvised Explosive Devices, according to instructors at Engineer Training Area 3 here. “The enemy has found an easy way to get at us,” said Gunnery Sgt. Eric J. Schnitzler, officer in charge of Engineer Training Area 3. More

Marine Lance Cpls. Ryan J. Foiles (left) and James K. Butson, 3rd Platoon, Company C, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, carry a "wounded" pilot during a mock Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission, April 17, 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jemssy Alvarez More Photos

Marines Train to Rescue Downed Pilots

ABOARD THE USS BELLEAU WOOD, April 17, 2004 -- Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady became a household name when he evaded capture by Bosnian Serb forces for six harrying days after his F-16 Falcon jet was shot down while patrolling over the country. U.S. Marines were the ones to go in and rescue him. Marines just from 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are training to respond to a similar mission today. More

War on Terrorism

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

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

Iraq

. Bremer: Insurgents Won't Be Allowed to Shoot Way to Power

. Rice: Violence Won't Stop Iraqi Power Turnover

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

Military News

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Wolfhound Troops Begin
Afghanistan Deployment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan – Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment moved into Afghanistan April 19, at multiple positions in the Eastern province of Paktika, kicking off their year-long deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. More

Marine Trainers Wrap Up
Kandahar Deployment

POLE-E CHARKHI, Afghanistan (April 15, 2004) – The Marines of the Afghanistan National Army Training Detachment have concluded nearly two months of combat operations with the Commando Battalion, Quick Reaction Force Brigade, Afghanistan National Army, in southern Afghanistan. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

"We are hitting the enemy very hard, and we are devastating them. But our troops are also very compassionate. Their strength of character in the end, I believe, will be a major factor in determining Iraq's future."

Senate Armed Services Committee, April 20, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

. Maps of Afghanistan

War on Terror Exhibit
Attracts Thousands

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2004 – A new exhibit at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville, N.C., features hundreds of vivid photos and artifacts that show the contributions of airborne and special operations soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. More

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Pfc. Jose M. Nunez

BAGRAM AIR Base, Afghanistan, April 20, 2004 – When Marine Pfc. Jose M. Nunez first checked into his unit, his peers thought rumors that he had been a major-league baseball player were a joke. Now serving his country here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Nunez does have a major-league history, and it’s no joke. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Corpsmen Choose
Between Life, Death

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Barry C. Gibson, the triage officer for 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division kneels over a Marine role-playing a wound victim during a training session. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

CAMP MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Barry C. Gibson makes life and death decisions every day. As 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment's triage officer, he's the one charged with deciding which wounded Marines are treated first. More

Sick Call Services
Not Just for Marines

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Kwele D. Jones checks on an Iraqi citizen suffering from shrapnel wounds. Jones, part of the shock trauma platoon for 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, looks at all his patients the same. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

CAMP MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq – Daily sick call is often the only opportunity for Marines to get looked at by a doctor and receive medication. However, it isn't just Marines seeing the doctors and taking advantage of the medical care offered here. More

In Southwest Asia

Firefighters Douse Blaze,
Protect Base Facility

Airmen 1st Class Danielle Morris (left) and Paul Dean from the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's fire department drag a fire hose from a base firetruck after extinguishing a trailer fire in Southwest Asia. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Tom Knowles

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN), April 19, 2004 – Firefighters assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at a forward-deployed location were just getting ready to eat lunch when their portable radios broadcast the one word that starts the adrenaline pumping – “Fire!” More

'On The Ground' Archive