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Apr 26, 2004

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SANDBAG PROTECTION — Airman 1st Class Ian Campbell, a Security Forces Specialist deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., picks up sandbags to be passed down a line. The sandbagging is to re-enforce the protection around sleeping quarters ofAirmen at Balad Air Base, Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown

Coalition, Iraqi Forces to Patrol Fallujah as Part of Cease-Fire

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2004 — Coalition and Iraqi forces soon will conduct joint security patrols in the troubled town of Fallujah, senior officials said today in Baghdad.
Possibly as early as April 27, "we will have joint Iraqi Police Service, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and coalition patrols … come into the town of Fallujah," Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Combined Joint Task Force 7, told reporters during a news conference. More

Marines Take Steps to Return Fallujah to Iraqi Police Control

Statement on Najaf - April 26, 2004

By Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III
Administrator, Coalition Provisional Authority

"A dangerous situation is developing in Najaf, one that is putting all the law abiding citizens of that holy city at even greater risk. Weapons are being stockpiled in mosques, shrines, and schools. This explosive situation cannot be tolerated by those who seek a peaceful resolution to this crisis. The Coalition certainly will not tolerate this situation. The restoration of these holy places to calm places of worship must begin immediately."

Soldiers Detain 14 in Northern
Iraq; Confiscate Weapons

MOSUL, Iraq, April 26, 2004 — Task Force Olympia Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 14 people wanted for anti-Coalition activities, destroyed an improvised explosive device and collected a variety of weapons and munitions in Northern Iraq April 23, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment conducted cordon and searches in the northeast neighborhood of Hashimiyah and detained 14 people wanted for planning and conducting attacks against Coalition forces. More

Pope C-130s Supply
Beans and Bullets to Terror War

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2004 -- They like to think of themselves as the "18- wheeler trucks" that supply the front lines in the war on terror. C-130 Hercules aircraft crews from the 2nd and 41st Airlift Squadrons at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., deliver food, ammunition and troops throughout Southwest Asia.
"We can land anywhere," said Capt. Andy McGee, assistant director of operations and a C-130 pilot for the 2nd Airlift Squadron. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Vice President Richard B. Cheney

"Our nation is extremely fortunate during these times of testing to have the dedicated service of our men and women in uniform. Many of them have seen hard duty, long deployments, and fierce fighting. They've endured the loss of friends and comrades. And they are unwavering in their mission. They are proving every day that when we send them to defend this nation and our interests, we are sending the very best of the United States of America."

Remarks in Indianapolis, Ind., April 23, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Defense Dept. Works to
Speed Up Military Mail System

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2004 — Acknowledging that problems persist in the military mail system, Defense Department officials said they are taking steps to improve the process. A report this month by the General Accounting Office, which oversees government agencies and spending, said long-standing problems with military mail delivery need to be resolved. More

Roadside Bomb
Injures Marines

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2004 — Coalition officials in Kabul, Afghanistan, provided details today on some weekend operations and upcoming community events.
Three Marines were injured, one seriously, when a roadside bomb detonated alongside their convoy April 24 near the village of Daylanor in Kandahar province. The injured Marines were taken to a military hospital at Kandahar Air Field. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Defense Officials Announce
Change-in-Status of Soldier

      WASHINGTON, April 24, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    Sgt. Elmer C. Krause, 40, of Greensboro, N.C., has been unaccounted for since April 9, in Iraq, when his convoy came under attack by individuals using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. On April 23 his remains were recovered. Sgt. Krause was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 724th Transportation Company, Bartonville, Ill.
     The incident remains under investigation.

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

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

Radio

Television

Country star Tracy Bird jams with his band during his performance at the 4th Infantry Division welcome home party, April 22, 2004, at Fort Hood, Texas. U.S. Army photo by Mollie Miller 4 More Photos

$300K Targeted for
East Baghdad Neighborhoods

AL THAWRA DISTRICT, Baghdad, Iraq, April 26, 2004 — More than $300,000 will be pumped into eastern Baghdad neighborhoods, as a variety of coalition civil affairs projects get under way, according to Combined Joint Taks Force 7 officials.
"This past week, the Coalition committed more than $300,000 to projects ranging from trash and debris [removal] to [the] publication of [an] English/Arabic newspaper, and renovations of an Iraqi middle school," said Capt. Brian Donnelly, a civil affairs advisor for units in Eastern Baghdad. More

Officials Tour Iraqi Cities to
Begin Work on Reconstruction Projects

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2004 — Officials from the Coalition Provisional Authority's Program Management Office have embarked on a seven-city tour of central and northern Iraq to meet with local leaders and to discuss and begin work on the reconstruction projects slated for their areas.
A coalition news release said representatives of the CPA, Iraqi ministries and the military will visit Mosul, Tikrit, Fallujah, Baquba, Ramadi, Samarra and Baghdad with lists of reconstruction projects slated to begin later this year. More

New Funding Allocated for
Civil Affairs Projects in Fallujah, Ramadi

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 25, 2004 — The Coalition Provisional Authority approved $10 million each for the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi Saturday, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials. An additional $25 million for each city is in the final stages of the approval process.
The funding for Fallujah and Ramadi will go toward projects such as building bridges, improving health care and water treatment, as well as renovating schools, electrical plants and roads. CPA officials, Coalition forces, the governor of Al Anbar and the Al Anbar Provincial Ministers worked hand-in-hand to allot the money to the most critically needed services and infrastructure. More

Iraqis Control Ministry of Science, Technology

Powell Praises Netherlands
For Peacekeeping Role in Iraq

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2004 — Secretary of State Colin Powell praised the 1,300 Dutch peacekeepers currently in the Iraqi province of Al Muthanna and said the United States is "very pleased that the Netherlands made this kind of commitment to the cause of peace and stability in that part of the world." More

Powell Lauds El Salvador's Help in Iraq

Bulgarian Prime Minister Visits Troops

BABYLON, Iraq, April 25, 2004 — The President of Bulgaria, Georgi Purvanov, visited Bulgarian troops of the Multinational Division Center-South April 25, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
During the visit, Mr. Purvanov visited two Coalition bases and met with the Commanding General of the division, Maj. Gen. Mieczyslaw Bieniek. He was also briefed about the division's structure and mission and the role of the Bulgarian troops in fulfilling that mission.

War on Terrorism

. U.S. Urges Adoption of Resolution on WMD

. Singapore Vows Commitment to Global War on Terrorism

. Terror War Demonstrates Need to Update Doctrine

Iraq

. Bremer Speaks to Iraqis About Security, New Iraq, Fallujah

. Iraq Transition Deadline Important, Powell Tells Norwegian Press

. 4th Infantry Div. Commander Recounts War in Iraq Moments

. Fallujah Has 'Days, Not Weeks' To Honor Peace Settlement

. Fallujah Has Long History of 'Wild West' Lawlessness

. Bush: U.S. Won't 'Cut and Run' From Iraqi Freedom Mission

Military News

. Some Soldiers Get Reenlistment Bonuses

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

     WASHINGTON, April 26, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Staff Sgt. Cory W. Brooks, 32, of Philip, S.D., died April 24, in Baghdad, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Brooks was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 153rd Engineer Battalion, from Wagner, S.D.
     Pfc. Shawn C. Edwards, 20, of Bensenville, Ill., died April 23, in Samarra, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Pfc. Edwards was assigned to the Army’s 121st Signal Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, from Kitzingen, Germany.

Pentagon Memorial
Fund Launches Campaign

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2004 — The Pentagon Memorial Fund campaign was officially launched April 22. Almost $30 million is being solicited, according to a news release from the Washington, D.C., public relations firm handling fund-raising on a pro bono basis. More

Military Phone Card
Donation Program Goes Public

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today that any American can now help troops in contingency operations call home. The “Help Our Troops Call Home” program is designed to help servicemembers call home from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Gunnery Sgt. Therester A. Cox

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Therester A. Cox, platoon sergeant for B Company, 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, updates the table of organization charts for an upcoming deployment to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Cox was meritoriously promoted to gunnery sergeant April 2, for his outstanding leaderships abilities and overall accomplishments in his Marine Corps career. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Matthew K. Hacker

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., April 26, 2004 — An extremely hardworking and motivated platoon sergeant for B Company, 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, was meritoriously promoted to gunnery sergeant April 2. More

Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason Smith

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq, April 26, 2004 — It was his father’s greatest military experience - flying the UH-60 Blackhawk. In the span of less than an hour, it became his greatest military memory as well. Staff Sgt. Jason Smith, deployed here from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, re-enlisted while flying in the tactical transport helicopter. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Postal Service
Improves for Marines

Maine Lance Cpl. Gustave L. Jonas, a mail clerk with 9th Communications Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 19, of Macadeon, N.Y., passes a piece of mail down the line to Cpl. Freddy Casias, an armorer with Combat Service Support Battalion 1, 1st Force Service Support Group, 21, of Kinston, N.C., on March 31, 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. J.C. Guibord

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 23, 2004 — For Marines in Iraq there is no more waiting weeks for their letters or care packages, even amidst combat operations throughout the Al Anbar province. More

In Southwest Asia

Tanker Aircraft Delivers
One Billionth Pound of Fuel

Senior Airman Casey Killian refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 21. Airman Killian pumped the 1 billionth pound of fuel passed by Combined Forces Air Component Command aircraft since Jan. 30, 2003. She is a boom operator with the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN), April 22, 2004 — If you were to count from one to one billion it would take about 95 years. It took a little over a year for U.S. Central Command’s Combined Force Air Component Command-controlled tanker airlift to deliver one billion pounds of jet fuel. More

'On The Ground' Archive