DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 05/10/2004

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May 10, 2004

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DEPARTURE — The guided-missile frigate USS Elrod departs the pier at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., to join the guided missile destroyers USS Ramage and USS Ross in support of the war on terror, April 30, 2004. As an independent surface strike group, Ramage, Ross and Elrod will participate in regional exercises with allies, make diplomatic port calls and respond to any contingency, including those associated with the ongoing war on terror. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Greg Roberts

First Court-Martial Set in Abuse Case; Iraq Operations Continue

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, May 9, 2004 – The first court-martial to arise from allegations of detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib prison will be held in Baghdad beginning May 19, U.S. officials in Baghdad said today.
     Army Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits is facing three charges: conspiracy to maltreat subordinates and detainees; dereliction of duty for negligently failing to protect detainees from abuse, cruelty and maltreatment; and maltreatment of detainees.
     The court-martial will be held at the Convention Center in Baghdad's Green Zone. It will be open to the press, officials said. According to Washington officials, Sivits could receive up to one year in prison, reduction in grade to private, forfeiture of two-thirds of his pay for up to a year and a fine. He also may receive a bad-conduct discharge. More

Bush: Majority of U.S.Troops in Iraq Display Decency, Courage

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, May 8, 2004 — President Bush asked Americans today not to judge the U.S. military on the illegal and shocking actions of a few soldiers.
     In his weekly radio address to the nation, Bush called the allegations of detainee abuse in Abu Ghraib prison south of Baghdad a stain on U.S. honor and on the country's reputation.
     Six soldiers have been charged with criminal behavior so far in the scandal. Bush said that when the investigations are concluded, more may be charged. "We will learn all the facts and determine the full extent of these abuses," the president said. "Those involved will be identified; they will answer for their actions. All prison operations in Iraq will be thoroughly reviewed to make certain that similar disgraceful incidents are never repeated." More   Remarks

General Pledges Protection Under Geneva Conventions

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2004 — Actions, not words, are important now, said Army Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller, deputy commanding general for detainee operations for Multinational Forces, Iraq.
Miller spoke at a Baghdad press conference today. He said that U.S. actions must demonstrate "our adherence to the Geneva Conventions and the principles of dignity to each of those . protected individuals under the Geneva Conventions. I give you my personal guarantee that we will continue to do that seven days a week, 24 hours a day." More

19 Insurgents Killed in
Baghdad Engagements

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 10, 2004 — Task Force Baghdad soldiers encountered numerous anti-Iraqi forces May 9, killing 19 in a series of separate engagements in the eastern Baghdad Thawra district, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials. More

Marine Patrol Saves Child
From Explosive Device

CAMP TAQQADUM, Iraq, May 9, 2004 — A Marine patrol near Husaybah took note of a child playing with an unusual object May 5, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials. More

Rumsfeld Announces
Detention Operations Review

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2004 — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced today that four distinguished citizens have agreed to review Department of Defense detention operations. They will provide independent, professional advice to the secretary on issues related to recent allegations of mistreatment of detainees. More

Bush Requests Additional
$25 Billion for Defense

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2004 — President Bush is asking Congress to establish a $25 billion contingency reserve fund to meet additional demands on troops in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as those serving elsewhere in support of the global war against terrorism. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld

" To those Iraqis who were mistreated by members of U.S. armed forces, I offer my deepest apology. It was un-American. And it was inconsistent with the values of our nation."

Senate Armed Services Committee ,
May 7, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of three soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

"There are no words that can express the amount of pride and courage you have. We are all proud of all of you. Every day you show the world how great the military is in the USA. Remember God is with you because you are fighting for what is right for the world and its people. Thank You for all you do for us every day. God Bless you. "
Don Palladini, MA

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Radio

Television

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

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

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
Pushes Deeper into Afghanistan

By U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Eric Dent

Marines from A Co., BLT 1/6, prepare to patrol after a helicopter insert into central Afghanistan. The Marines are part of the 22d MEU (SOC) operating in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Combined Joint Task Force 180. Photo by: Cpl. Jemssy Alvarez

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan, May 6, 2004 — Marine helicopters swooped into the central Afghanistan valley and dropped off Marines from the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), marking the unit's second major push into Afghanistan earlier this week.
The Marines arrived in Afghanistan last month and have now moved deeper into the country to establish a Forward Operating Base to support combat and civil-military operations primarily in the Oruzgan province. More

Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team 9 More Photos

1st Sgt. Dale Perez with Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, hands out supplies to children at the Gulbahar Orphanage in Gulbahar, Afghanistan, May 4, 2004. The Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team donated toys,clothes and school supplies on behalf of a church in the United States to the Gulbahar High School and Orphanage in Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Vernell Hall Photo Essay Archive

Italian Troops Continue Humanitarian Aid Projects

AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq, May 7, 2004 — Despite attacks by anti-Coalition insurgents, Italian soldiers in Iraq continue humanitarian aid projects throughout the Dhi Gar province, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
A recently-completed project restructured the electrical network at the An Nasiriyah railway station, granting more dependable power to local railways. More

Italians Provide Water Purification System, Kits to Iraqis

Army’s Top Sergeant, Families
Talk Iraq Deployment Extension

WIESBADEN ARMY AIRFIELD, Germany, May 6, 2004 (Army News Service) — Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston’s visit to Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, May 4 was a homecoming of sorts.
Preston, the Army’s top enlisted soldier, came to discuss current issues with Family Readiness Group members from 5th Corps’ 1st Armored Division and the 104th Area Support Group. A large number of questions revolved around Army policies on keeping soldiers on deployments longer than originally planned. More

Alert Illinois Guardsmen Spot Explosive

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 6, 2004 (Army News Service) — “BOOM!” The car exploded and there was nothing left but nuts and bolts.
April 12 started out as an average day for Staff Sgt. David Jensen and Sgt. Bruce Hartman of Fox Battery, 202nd Air Defense Artillery, part of the Illinois National Guard, attached to the 1st Cavalry Division. Then it happened. A broken down car was parked on their patrol route. More

Team Works to Polish 'Jewel' of Kabul

By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ron Burke / 211th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 7, 2004 — Two enlarged black-and-white photographs on top of a storage cabinet caught the attention of everyone in the classroom. The photos date back to the 1960s and the frayed edges and bronze tinting added to the mystique of Kabul University’s College of Pharmacy.
Now, after 24 years of war and instability, the university is in the midst of a recovery program. More

Operation Enduring Freedom
Reunites Mother, Daughter

Spc. Katherine Storlie (left), 551st Military Police Company., and her mother, Sgt. 1st Class Jannette Wildfong, 485th Medical Detachment, were reunited at Bagram Air Base. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Chris Stump

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 7, 2004 — There are many parents who are concerned for their deployed children. And there are many children who feel the same about their parents. Very few can jump in a vehicle and drive to see their deployed family and see how they’re doing.
Of course, there are some exceptions — like Sgt. 1st Class Jannette Wildfong and her daughter, Spc. Katherine Storlie, who are both stationed in Afghanistan. More

War on Terrorism

• Bush, Jordanian King Pledge Unity in Facing Terror Threat

• U.S. Counterterrorism Official Reports Progress to Africans

• Seminar to Focus on Terror Threats, Response

• Guard, Reserve Critical to Homeland Defense Capabilities

Iraq

. Defense Secretary Accepts Responsibility for Abu Ghraib

. Soldier Killed, Two Others Wounded in Baghdad Attack

. President Calls Abuse 'Stain' On Nation's Honor, Reputation

. Wolfowitz Disputes the Notion Saddam 'Just Another Bad Guy'

. Former Anti-Saddam Activist Named as New Najaf Governor

Military News

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Celebrity Chef Visits
Pearl Harbor Ship

Celebrity Chef Roy Yamaguchi dishes up lunch during a visit to the Pearl Harbor-based guided missile frigate USS CrommelinU.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jim Williams

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, May 6, 2004 (NNS) — Culinary specialists aboard the Pearl Habor-based USS Crommelin hosted celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi April 30, to share tips on food preparation and a love of cooking. More

Girl Scouts Send Taste of
Home to Deployed Troops

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif., May 6, 2004 — Marines and sailors celebrated with the Girl Scouts and San Diego community members with the shipment of more than 125,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies and handwritten notes to thousands of American troops serving in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq as part of Operation Thin Mint during an April 26 ceremony. More

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Profile

U.S. Navy
Lt. Cmdr. Chris Cassidy

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., May 7, 2004 — The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced May 6 that Lt. Cmdr. Chris Cassidy, a Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, and Land) assigned to a locally based SEAL team, was selected for NASA’s Astronaut Program.
The announcement was made during a Space Day ceremony hosted at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. More

U.S. Air Force Chief
Master Sgt. (Ret.) Wayne Fisk

Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Fisk displays a flag presented to him by two pararescue airmen who rappelled from a helicopter during a ceremony naming a park here in his honor April 28. U.S. Air Force photo by Carl Bergquist

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala., May 7, 2004 — The monument tells the story of an airman who earned two Silver Stars, a Defense Superior Service Medal, a Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 18 Air Medals. A park here now bears his name. More

More Profiles

Coalition Forces Attacked;
Weapons Caches Found

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 8, 2004 — Coalition forces have reported coming under attack over night south of Tarin Kowt, according to Combined Joint Task Force 180 officials. One U.S. Marine was killed and one wounded. The name of the Marine who was killed will be held pending notification of the next of kin. More

. Maps of Afghanistan

In Iraq

Signal Soldiers Ensure
Clear Communications

Task Force 1-37 Armor signal officer, 2nd Lt. Scott Paul, carries hanks of computer network cable and a case of Meals, Ready to Eat, during set up operations for the task force’s communications systems. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Meissner

WITH TASK FORCE 1-37, Iraq, May 7, 2004 — In war, communication lines are just as important as battle lines. When Task Force 1-37 Armor arrived at Camp Lima they found the Polish forces already inhabiting the camp had already set up a good foundation for the task force’s signal operations. More

In Turkey

Incirlik Supports Enduring
Freedom Troop Transit

Soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom arrive at Incirlik Air Base for a brief layover April 29. U.S. Airforce photo by Senior Airman Michelle Miranda

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey, May 7, 2004 (USAFENS) — While the spotlight has been focused lately on Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom’s global war on terrorism still quietly continues in Afghanistan. More

In Afghanistan

Command Keeps
Supplies Moving

Sgt. Ronald Peters, Lightning Task Force 725, directs a truck, while a crane hoists a Humvee overhead. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Frank Magni

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 7, 2004 — Throughout the Army, soldiers filling a transportation or supply job typically fall under division support commands, corps support groups or transportation units. But as the Combined Joint Task Force-180 has adapted to operations in Afghanistan, so have the soldiers from these traditional support units, coming together to make the Joint Logistics Command. More

'On The Ground' Archive