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

10 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq; Talks Continue in Fallujah

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — A total of 10 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq April 28 and today, Pentagon officials said.
Eight U.S. soldiers were killed today when a car packed with explosives blew up next to them in Mahmudiyah, a city about 20 miles south of Baghdad. Four soldiers were seriously wounded. The car was parked by the side of the road and had been set up as an improvised explosive device, officials said.

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

Comptroller Nominee Pledges
To Target Troop Pay Problems

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — The presidential nominee for Defense Department comptroller told a Senate committee April 27 that she'd look into pay problems that have plagued some National Guard members deployed overseas in the war against terrorism. More

British Civilian
Awarded U.S. Medal

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 29, 2004 — Dr. Andrew Rathmell, Director of Planning, Policy and Analysis at the Coalition Provisional Authority, today received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor, according to Coalition Provisional Authority officials. 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

Battalion Memorializes
Camp Lejeune Marine

CAMP MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Sgt. Michael R. Speer, 24, was leading 2nd Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment on a combat mission in Lutafiyah, Iraq when he was killed in action April 9. More

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. 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. More

Marine, Chaplains,
Fellow Muslims Reopen Mosque

Lance Cpl. Mohammad U. Qayyum, a 19-year-old Sacramento, Calif., native and security augment to Charlie Company, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, picks up a pile of trash outside the mosque at Al Asad, Iraq, April 25. Qayyum worked with more than 20 fellow Muslim volunteers to clean up the mosque so that it could be used for worship. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III

AL ASAD, Iraq, April 29, 2004 — A center of Islamic faith here was reopened for Muslims looking for a place to worship April 25.
More than 20 private contractors, all workers of Muslim faith, teamed up with Lance Cpl. Mohammad U. Qayyum, security augment to Charlie Company, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, to restore the mosque in order to afford Muslims living and working here a place to worship. 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

USS Boxer Returns to San Diego

ABOARD USS BOXER, April 29, 2004 (NNS) — USS Boxer will be returning to its homeport of San Diego April 29, after completing a three-and-a-half month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
This was Boxer’s second deployment in less than a year’s time, during which Boxer provided amphibious lift of essential personnel and equipment for 1st Marine Expeditionary Unit and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. More

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

. Fallujah Outcome Will Dash Hopes of Other Insurgents

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

. Coalition Condemns Abuse of Detainees at Baghdad Prison

Military News

. Fisher House Opens Third Home at Walter Reed

. 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

Surface Strike Group
Ships To Deploy From Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va., April 28, 2004 (NNS) — More than 1,000 Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage and USS Ross and the guided-missile frigate USS Elrod will deploy from Naval Station Norfolk April 30, in support of the global war on terrorism. More

Patrol Coastal Ships to Deploy

Marines, Soldiers
Attend NFL Draft

Marines and soldiers from the New York City area were afforded the opportunity to be honorary guests of the National Football League and the New York Metropolitan United Service Organization to attend the NFL draft April 24. Photo courtesy of National Football League

NEW YORK, April 29, 2004 — The National Football League draft was held April 24, at Madison Square Garden, N.Y. and Marines and soldiers from the surrounding areas were invited by the New York Metropolitan USO and the NFL to attend as honorary guests. During the event, service members, NFL Commission Paul Tagliabue and others paused for a moment of silence to pay tribute to former NFL player, Army Spc. Pat Tillman, who was killed in action in Afghanistan. Story

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

. 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. More

Truck Company Keeps
1st Marine Division Rolling

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