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Apr 30, 2004

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HIGH WATER IN DJIBOUTI — Soldiers from Company B, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," drive through floodwater in Djibouti while conducting a humanitarian mission, April 28, 2004. The soldiers are deployed from Washington, D.C., as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Eric McKeeby

1st Marine Expeditionary Force Creating 'Fallujah Brigade'

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2004 — The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force is putting together the first battalion of a new Iraqi brigade being formed to restore and maintain order in the western city of Fallujah, a coalition military spokesman announced at a Baghdad news conference today.
An officer from the former Iraqi army will command the unit, which will be an interim organization under 1st Marine Expeditionary Force command, said Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Combined Joint Task Force 7. More

Rumsfeld Points to Progress,
Opportunity for Iraqi People

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2004 — Acknowledging that the road to a free and sovereign Iraq is "bumpy," Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld pointed to a year of progress and said the Iraqi people have a "wonderful opportunity."
Appearing on the MSNBC program "Hardball" April 29, Rumsfeld told host Chris Matthews that "amazing things" have happened in Iraq since Saddam Hussein was driven from power. More

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

Afghanistan Efforts Pay Off

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

Congress, Nation Designate
Military Appreciation Month

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2004 — Both chambers of the U.S. Congress have adopted a resolution calling for Americans to recognize and honor U.S. service members during May's National Military Appreciation Month. More

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Navy Secretary Thanks
Hospital, Iraqi Freedom Patients

BETHESDA, Md., April 30, 2004 (NNS) — Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England visited wounded sailors, Marines and their families at the Bethesda Naval Hospital recently, thanking the sailors, Marines and the Bethesda staff for their continued service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Story

Surgeon Generals Focus
On Deployed Troops’ Health

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — Surgeons general from the Army, Navy and Air Force testified before Congress on April 28 on the status of health care in the services. Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. (Dr.) George Peach Taylor Jr. said the Air Force's predeployment efforts at disease prevention and in-the-field disease identification systems are allowing airmen to return from deployments healthier than ever. Story

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"We're working long hours to protect America...The best way to secure America, however, is to stay on the offensive and bring those people (al Qaeda) to justice before they harm America again. And that's what we're continuing to do. But, yes, so long as there's an al Qaeda enemy that is willing to kill, we are vulnerable."

At the White House, April 29, 2004

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld

"(The situation in Fallujah) could end by the Marines having to go in and go through the place and root out the terrorists. They’re trained to do that. They know how to do it. They’re capable of doing it. I don’t think people doubt the military power of these folks. They’re outstanding soldiers, and courageous."

Interview with MSNBC, April 29, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

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

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.
During remarks following a 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

Civil Affairs Mission Continues To Grow in Iraq, Afghanistan

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

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

Marines Deliver
Computers to Hospital, Medical School

AR RAMADI, Iraq, April 30, 2004 — Marines in Ar Ramadi delivered 11 desktop computers to the Ramadi General Hospital and the medical school here April 29, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
The civil affairs team visited the facilities and delivered computers, monitors, keyboards, printers and other accessories. More

Army's 1st Infantry Div.
Sponsors Security Conference

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, Tikrit, Iraq, April 30, 2004 - The 1st Infantry Division sponsored an Iraqi Security Forces Conference here April 27.
From the hiring of Iraqis for police duties to the equipment needed to fulfill those duties, a wide-range of topics was discussed at the six-hour conference attended by U.S. and British forces involved in the operation. More

Reservists on Security Patrol in Iraq

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. More

War on Terrorism

. First Air Force Provides Top Cover for America

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

Iraq

• 10 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq

. Fallujah Outcome Will Dash Hopes of Other Insurgents

Military News

• Comptroller Nominee Pledges To Target Troop Pay Problems

. Fisher House Opens Third Home at Walter Reed

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Honoring the Fallen

COMMENTARY

None For the Money
By Gary Sheftick

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 (Army News Service) — In an era when professional athletes often demand: “show me the money,” Pat Tillman gave up $3.6 million, and ultimately his life, to serve our nation. More

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.

Rota Sailor Returns
From Baghdad Prison Duty

ROTA, Spain, April 29, 2004 (NNS) — A sailor from Naval Station Rota’s Security Department returned from Baghdad recently after having spent time working in a prison there. More

‘The Rocket’
Lands at Offutt

Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens checks out an RC-135 Rivet Joint here April 26. Mr. Clemens visited as part of a United Service Organizations tour. U.S. Air Force photo by Will Hoy

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb., April 29, 2004 (AFPN) — The all-time strikeout leader in American League history, Roger Clemens, visited here April 26 as part of a United Service Organizations tour. More

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. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Army Chief
Warrant Officer 2 Dave Williams

Retired Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) John Ritchey will deploy to Iraq to treat wounded troops. Photo by Tracy Wilcox, courtesy of The Fayetteville Observer

FORT HOOD, Texas, April 30, 2004 — Shot, beaten, locked in a 7-by-7 room with no electricity, windows or plumbing, and held captive for 22 days, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dave Williams said he has reason to hate his captures, but he does not hold any animosity towards the Iraqi people. More

Retired Army Lt. Col. (Dr.)
John Ritchey

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 — Some might say he's got it all: a military retirement, a happy marriage spanning almost 50 years and a successful medical practice in Fayetteville, N.C. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

'City in the Sand'
Takes Shape

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DUKE, Iraq, April 30, 2004 — You stand on the camp’s perimeter and look toward the horizon in any given direction. What do you see? Infinite desert: a flat, dry and dusty wasteland. In the middle of that wasteland, near the city of An Najaf, lies Forward Operating Base Duke. More

In Kuwait

Mississippi Guard Unit
Adjusts to Life in Desert

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait, April 30, 2004 — It is called “working out of your comfort zone”. Since deploying to Kuwait, all soldiers of the 114th Area Support Group of the Mississippi National Guard have had to adjust. More

'On The Ground' Archive