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Apr 30, 2004

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COMPUTER DELIVERY — Airmen with the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, unload over 400 computers that will be used to increase productivity and efficiency at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, April 28, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina M. Rumsey

Wolfowitz Seeks Flexibility in Security Assistance Spending

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

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz asked a House appropriations subcommittee here today for more flexibility in how funding for security assistance programs in Iraq is spent.
The focus of the hearing before the Foreign Operations Subcommittee was on the Bush administration's fiscal 2005 budget request for security assistance. More

Afghan Efforts Pay Off; Defense Official Cites Accomplishments

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — U.S. and coalition efforts in Afghanistan are paying off in that formerly Taliban-controlled country, a senior U.S. official told House Armed Services Committee members today.
Peter W. Rodman, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, said on Capitol Hill that the Afghan people "are embarked on a great undertaking" after decades of war and "fanatical Taliban rule." More

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. More

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

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

Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld

" ... It takes courage in a violent environment for a person to stand up and say, 'I'm for law and order, I'm for freedom, I'm for a representative system.' And there are a lot of (Iraqis) doing that."

Stakeout After a Closed Hearing, April 29, 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. His battalion held a memorial ceremony in his honor April 19. The ceremony was packed with Marines from his platoon and those who called Speer a friend. Story

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

Civil Affairs Mission Continues To Grow in Iraq, Afghanistan

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

Army Maj. Don Sculli, executive officer for the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion's C Company, passes sodium chloride to a hospital worker at the Pediatrics and Labor Hospital in Najaf, Iraq, April 22, 2003. U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle Davis

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — Winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi and Afghan people is much more than just a slogan for the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne).
The Army's only active-duty civil affairs battalion, based at Fort Bragg, N.C., focuses 24/7 on bridging the gap between U.S. and coalition forces and the local populations. 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. Story Remarks

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 Police Arrest
Seven, One Officer Wounded

     BABYLON, Iraq, April 29, 2004 -- Iraqi police arrested five murder suspects and two attackers during separate incidents April 28, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
     The murder suspects, who were also suspected of armed robbery and organizing illegal checkpoints, were captured by a police patrol in Karbala around 2 p.m.
     About eight hours later, Iraqi police captured two suspects in Al Hillah who fled after firing small arms at the police. One police officer was wounded during the incident.

Iraq Banking Sector Shows Growth

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

Reservists on Security Patrol in Iraq

Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffrey W. Herman, a missile gunner with the Combined Anti-Armor Team, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, and a Broken Arrow, Okla., native, scans the desert terrain April 23, 2004 during a patrol. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq — The stench of rotten eggs doused with three-month old milk burning in a dump was the scent suffocating the Marines with the Combined Anti-Armor Team during a patrol outside of Camp Taqaddum, Iraq, April 23.
The reserve Marine Combined Anti-Armor Team element from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, originally based out of Springfield, Mo., was on a standard mission of conducting security patrols on the outside perimeter of the base. More

War on Terrorism

. First Air Force Provides Top Cover for America

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

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

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Jacob R. Herring, 21, of Kirkland, Wash., died April 28, in Mosul, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device in Talafar, Iraq, struck his vehicle. Herring was assigned to the Army’s 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

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

Lejeune Marines
On Duty in Fallujah

Treating wounds in the field doesn't stop with bullet wounds. Even minor cuts and fevers, if left untreated, can take a Marine out of the fight. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 22, 2004 — Eighteen-year-old Lance Cpl. Justin Tygart checked and rechecked his gear as the evening sun set here. "The thing you have to watch out for here is complacency, it's what will kill you and your fellow Marines," said Tygart, from Swansboro, N.C. More

'On The Ground' Archive

FLARE RELEASE — A Royal Air Force GR4 Tornado releases flares during a combat mission over Iraq, April 22, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II