DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 04/29/2004

Home Page - DefendAmerica
[NOTE: Because of increased web traffic, you may experience delays. Please be patient.]

Apr 29, 2004

Government

Military

Help Fight Terror

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Transcripts

IN FORMATION — U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats fly a combat sortie in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, April 22, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II

Extremists Desperate to Derail Iraqi Sovereignty, Bush Says

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — As the June 30 handoff of sovereignty to an Iraqi government approaches, extremist elements within Iraq are becoming more desperate to derail the process, President Bush said April 28.
In a brief news conference following a White House meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, Bush said coalition forces will "deal with those who want to stop the march to freedom." More Remarks

Aircraft Carrier Provides Air
Support for Fallujah Operations

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet

ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea, April 29, 2004 (NNS) -- USS George Washington’s aircraft exerted pressure on anti-Iraqi forces in the Iraqi city of Fallujah April 28, with repeated bombardments from Strike Fighter Squadrons 136 and 131, and Fighter Squadrons 11 and 143.
Carrier Air Wing 7’s F/A-18 Hornets and F-14 Tomcats dropped 13 GBU-12 guided bomb units on enemy positions, helping U.S. Marines of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force defend their positions against insurgent attacks. More

Government Leaders Detail Biodefense Plan, Initiatives

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

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — The government's new plan to counter a bioterrorism attack on the United States was announced at an April 28 news conference here. The announcement came as part of President Bush's directive to integrate anti- bioterrorism efforts across all government agencies.
Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz joined Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and other agency heads to discuss biodefense for the 21st century at the Health and Human Services building here. Story Remarks

Fallujah Outcome Will Dash
Hopes of Other Insurgents

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2004 — The way the stalemate in Fallujah, Iraq, is ultimately resolved – either through a negotiated agreement or through military force – “will resonate throughout Iraq” and “deal a blow to all the insurgents across the country,” the operations chief for U.S. Central Command told Pentagon reporters today.
Marine Maj. Gen. John Sattler, speaking by teleconference from U.S. Central Command’s forward headquarters in Qatar, said the outcome will dash the hopes of other insurgents who were “hanging on, thinking that they can hold out long enough or they can hold out until they can negotiate on their terms.” Actions in Fallujah, he said, will send the message, loud and clear, that those hopes are nothing but a “pipe dream.” More Briefing

Eight Coalition Soldiers
Killed in Car Bomb Attack

     BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 29, 2004 — U.S. Army 1st Armored Division soldiers operating south of Baghdad in the vicinity of Mahmudiyah were attacked at about 11:30 a.m. today by a car bomb according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
     Initial reports indicate that eight U.S. soldiers were killed and four were wounded. A quick reaction force has secured the area and medevac helicopters have transported the wounded to the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad.
     Names of the deceased are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. The incident is under investigation.

Fisher House Opens
Third Home at Walter Reed

     WASHINGTON, April 28, 2004 — There is no better example for the need for Fisher Houses than Hilario Bermanez.
     The young soldier was hit by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades in Iraq. He lost both legs, his left arm, and suffered various other wounds.
     Hilario is from the State of Pohnpei - a part of the Federated States of Micronesia. When he was wounded, the military notified his family. His father and mother flew to his side, first in Germany and then at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Deputy Defense
Secretary Paul Wolfowitz

"The American people must appreciate the magnitude of the danger that we face from possible biological terrorism. The threat is real. It is deadly serious. As horrible as it was to have thousands of innocent Americans killed on our own territory [Sept 11, 2001], that is nothing compared to what terrorists could do with the biological weapons that we know they have been actively seeking."

Joint Press Conference, April 28, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Honoring the Fallen

FALLEN SOLDIER HONORED — The entrance to Camp Mancini in the Green Zone was dedicated to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Curtis Mancini during the opening of the camp in Baghdad, April 25, 2004. Mancini, 43, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a member of the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion, was killed in action on Jan. 29, 2004, in West Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric T. Sheler

Radio

Television

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

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

'Freedom Salute'
Welcomes D.C. Guard Unit Home

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2004 (Army News Service) — Mixed emotions ebbed and flowed through a ‘Freedom Salute’ ceremony commemorating the return of the D.C. National Guard’s 547th Transportation Company from a year-long tour in Iraq. Story
More Photos

Commander Meets with Families, Addresses Extended Iraq Duty

By Jason L. Austin / U.S. Army Europe

BAUMHOLDER, Germany, April 28, 2004 — “We gotta fix things right now,” said Gen. B.B. Bell, commander, U.S. Army Europe during a visit here with the rear detachment commanders and select Family Readiness Group volunteers.
Bell’s visits to the 1st Armored Division communities of Baumholder and Friedberg came after the announcement April 14 that 1st AD oldiers are going to spend up to four more months in Iraq. More

Coalition’s Land Component Command
Ready for Move From Doha to Arifjan

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait, April 28, 2004 (Army News Service)-Coalition Forces Land Component Command is wrapping up its stay at Camp Doha and nearly one thousand servicemembers are scheduled to complete the move to Camp Arifjan by the end of April.
Col. Alex Kozlov, Camp Arifjan movement czar, said the reason for the move is to improve the command and control for Lt. Gen. David D. McKiernan, Third Army/U.S. Army Forces Central Command commanding general. More

Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
Soldiers Catch Counterfeiters

MOSUL, Iraq, April 28, 2004 — Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers conducted three cordon and search missions in the Qayyarah area April 27, resulting in the detention of two known counterfeiters and the confiscation of counterfeiting material supporting anti-Coalition activities, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
This mission was the first independent operation planned and conducted by the corps. More

Baghdad School Improvement
Program Nears Completion

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 27, 2004 — Nearly all of Baghdad’s schools have benefited from a grant program to make repairs and purchase supplies which was funded by CPA’s Baghdad Central office, according to Coalition Provisional Authority officials.
To date, 1,564 out of approximately 1,700 schools have benefited from $750 grants for repairs and supplies of their choice from the Baghdad School Teacher/Parent Program. More

Marine Corps Engineers
Mend Roads, Keep Front Lines Stocked

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq, April 27, 2004 — Helping to pave the way for a self-governing Iraq, Marines armed with dump trucks and other construction equipment recently repaired rough roads around an infantry outpost on the edge of Fallujah, Iraq, that will soon be home to a battalion of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.
The engineers of Combat Service Support Company 113 completed the necessary work - which required almost 20 dump trucks worth of dirt and gravel - in less than a day April 24, 2004, leaving them with enough materiel and time left to resurface a rutted road that wound through a nearby village. More

Bereaved Father Leads Troops to Insurgency Ringleader

War on Terrorism

. First Air Force Provides Top Cover for America

. Mueller Says U.S., Japan United Against Crime, Terrorism

. U.S., European Union Discuss Transportation, Border Security

Iraq

. Coalition Honors Cease-Fire, But 'Will Respond' If Attacked

. Coalition Condemns Abuse of Detainees at Baghdad Prison

. Nominee for Iraq Ambassador Meets with Senate Committee

. Defense Leaders Say Fallujan Negotiations 'Worth a Try'

. Coalition Defends Attack on Minaret Used By Insurgents

Military News

. Soldiers Extended in Iraq Get Extra $1K Monthly

. Military Phone Card Donation Program Goes Public

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death a Marine and two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Coalition Constructs Airstrip;
Weapons Caches Found

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 28, 2004 — Over the last several days, coalition forces constructed a C-130 capable airstrip in Paktika Province, according to Combined Joint Task Force 180 officials. This airstrip allows the tactical commander additional flexibility to reposition forces quickly throughout the region and extends our tactical reach which will increase both security and stability in the region. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Air Force
Capts. Brad and Brian Cochran

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo., April 29, 2004 — Capts. Brian and Brad Cochran took different roads to reach their dreams of flight, but those paths led to the same destination. The captains are the first brothers to qualify as B-2 Spirit pilots. More

U.S. Army
Sgt. Jose Suarez

Army Sgt. Jose Suarez, an armored crewmember with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armored Division, plots a traffic control point on his command and control personal computer program at division headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shauna McRoberts

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 29, 2004 — When Sgt. Jose Suarez arrived in Wiesbaden, Germany in the summer of 2001, the first thing he asked to see was his company’s motor pool. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Team Forms Bonds
Stronger Than Friendship

The men of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s combat observation lazing team (COLT) have formed a brotherhood through war. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Stanis

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DUKE, Iraq, April 28, 2004 — The public eye often focuses attention on siblings, spouses, or other relatives serving in the military together in a theater of combat operation.
But after a year of close quarters living and working and high stress of war, men and women who came together as nothing more than seniors, peers and subordinates have formed bonds thicker than blood. More

Truck Company Keeps
1st Marine Division Rolling

Marines from Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division repair almost 50 vehicles per week. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, April 27, 2004 — They've got diesel running through their veins. Their language is as raw as the throaty rumble of the huge engines on which they turn wrenches. Skinned knuckles and faces smeared with grease are testament to the work that keeps the 1st Marine Division rolling. More

'On The Ground' Archive

Transformation

Idaho Air Guard Tests
New Stackable Cargo Pallets

The Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab's bilevel aircraft loading system could make Air Force transport aircraft about 10 percent more efficient by reducing the number of aircraft normally required for a typical air and space expeditionary force rotation, officials say. This new pallet system was being tested aboard a C-130 Hercules from the Idaho Air National Guard's 189th Airlift Squadron here. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Thomas Gloeckle

GOWEN FIELD, Idaho, April 27, 2004 (AFPN) — As part of an ongoing Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab initiative, a team tested a new bilevel aircraft loading system aboard an Idaho Air National Guard C-130 Hercules here April 22. More

More Transformation News