DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 05/12/2004

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May 12, 2004

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RETURN TO SHIP — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Saul and other members of USS Whidbey Island’s Vessel Board Search and Seizure Team return to the Whidbey Island after conducting compliant searches of dhows in the Gulf of Oman, April 28, 2004. The Whidbey Island is deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bart Bauer

Rumsfeld: Abuse Charges Don't Overshadow Positives in Iraq

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2004 — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld called incidents at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad "a body blow" to the nation's military, but said they don't overshadow tremendous strides being made in Iraq or the virtues of the men and women in uniform.
Rumsfeld said the nation is "heartsick" for what happened and its impact on the country's "really well-earned reputation as a force for good in the world." Story Transcript Photos

Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib Resulted From Leadership Gap

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2004 — Detainee abuse allegedly committed by U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq resulted from a lack of leadership, Army Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
Taguba was asked point-blank for his opinion on what went wrong at the Baghdad detention facility. More

More Specifics Needed To Find Source of Iraqi Detainee Abuse

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2004 — Pinpointing who said what to whom is one key to determining how alleged abuse of detainees by soldiers at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison came about, the Army's top intelligence officer told the Senate Armed Services Committee here today.
Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander told senators that although some accused soldiers have said military intelligence personnel told them to "soften up" prisoners for interrogation, no firm evidence to that effect has been uncovered as yet. More

General Says Iraqi People Hold Key to Ending Standoff at Najaf

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2004 — The best resolution to the standoff in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf will be one orchestrated not by the coalition but by the Iraqi people themselves, the commander of the 1st Armored Division said in Baghdad today.
Army Maj. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey told reporters it's up to Iraq's stakeholders to tackle the delicate situation in one of the country's holiest cities. More Briefing

Veterans Affairs Reaches Out
To Newest Combat Veterans

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2004 — The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its efforts to reach veterans of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to ensure they are aware of benefits they have earned. More

Fort McNair Conference
Updates Coalition Partners

FORT LESLEY J. MCNAIR, D.C., May 11, 2004 — "I suppose this is what Americans mean when they say the coalition must have an international face," said a European attendee at the first Coalition Conference, held here May 6-7. The man was talking about representatives from 54 nations gathered to receive updates on the war on terrorism and specifically about the strategies and ways ahead in Iraq and Afghanistan. More

Pentagon Personnel Chief Details
Asia-Pacific Americans' Service

ARLINGTON, May 11, 2004 — The senior-ranking DoD civilian of Asian descent used the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal to shed positive light on a fellow Asian-Pacific American during a speech here May 10. More

"Dear Troops:
Thank you for your courage, sacrifice, and service to your country. Thank you for all you have done in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world in these difficult times. w/ Respect and Dear Admiration."
Susan DeVeber, Londonderry, NH

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Transformation

Myers: U.S. Must Exploit
Asymmetric Advantages

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2004 — The United States has its own asymmetric advantages in the asymmetric war on terror, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today, and those advantages are at the cusp of transformation. More

More Transformation News

Marine Corps Programs Support
Families During Deployments

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay, May 7, 2004 — The eyes of the country have settled upon operations by service members in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, but the military does not forget family members in the background who are faithfully supporting the troops. More

Benefits Ease Stress on Families

Radio

Television

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

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

Iraqi Security Forces Learning Ropes, Making Solid Progress

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2004 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld praised the progress being made in training the new Iraqi security forces for their critical role in their country's future, but warned naysayers that it's unrealistic to expect too much too quickly.
Rumsfeld told service members, DoD civilians and government contractors at a Pentagon town hall meeting today that they're likely to hear "mixed" reviews of Iraq's security forces in the weeks ahead. More

Recognizing Iraqi Troops' Heroism 5 More Photos

Col. Dakill, commander of the 201st Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Battalion, presents awards to Iraqi soldiers during a ceremony in Tikrit, Iraq, May 5, 2004. More than 30 soldiers were recognized for acts of heroism performed during various combat operations. Awards presented include the Iraqi Achievement Medal, Distinguished Service Medal and cash rewards of $250. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Klaus Baesu Photo Essay Archive

Fallujah Brigade Secures Route
For Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 11, 2004 — With the 1st Battalion of the Fallujah Brigade providing security all along their route, Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force traveled into downtown Fallujah May 10 to meet with city officials, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, met with Mahmood Ibraheem Al Jurasi, Fallujah's mayor, and a group of tribal sheiks to discuss plans to rebuild and revitalize the city. More

Iraqi Police, Coalition Conduct Raids

MOSUL, Iraq, May 11, 2004 — More than 50 Iraqi police officers conducted three simultaneous cordon-and-knock operations in southwest Mosul May 7 to attempt to capture three people wanted for attacking Iraqi police in the Tal Ar Ruman neighborhood a week earlier, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
Task Force Olympia supported the raid by establishing the cordon around each targeted location. More

7th Cavalry Unit Detains Weapons Dealers

Troops Deliver Water to Neighborhood

By U.S. Army Spc. Bryan Kinkade / 1st Cavalry Division

CAMP BLACK JACK, Iraq, May 10, 2004 (Army News Service) — A crowd of villagers moved toward the vehicles as they watched the 400-gallon water buffalo slowly cruise past them.
The soldiers from Battery C, 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment were back, to provide water to the citizens of Sheik Fahed’s Village, right outside the Baghdad International Airport. More

Italians Renovate School Near An Nasiriyah

AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq, May 11, 2004 — The 6th Italian Air Force detachment, part of the Italian joint task force, recently helped renovate a school in Al Zahiira, a village of about 3,000 people near An Nasiriyah, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
The Italian civilian-military cooperation center in An Nasiriayh financed the project, which was completed by a local contractor under the direction of Italian Air Force engineers. More

Fort Hood Wives Send
Slingshots, Other Gifts From Home

By Tam Cummings / Fort Hood Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas, May 12, 2004 — When the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in March, the soldiers told their wives they would call home as often as possible.
But when Sgt. Sean Nicholson called home last week, what he really wanted was for his wife to send him a slingshot and a bag of marbles. More

War on Terrorism

. Ridge, European Union Officials Discuss Aviation Security

. U.S. Condemns Terrorist Attack in Chechnya

. State Dept. Announces Program to Curb Movement of Terrorists

Iraq

. U.S. Has 'Vital Interest' in Iraq, Bush Tells Pentagon Audience

. Steadfast Leadership, Will, Determination Needed in Iraq

. Transfer of Sovereignty in Iraq Won't Be 'Instant,' Official Says

. First Court-Martial Set in Iraq

. General Pledges Protection Under Geneva Conventions

Military News

. Unit Activates to Prepare Volunteers for Special Forces Selection

. Bush Requests Additional $25 Billion for Defense

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"Our military, from this building to the streets of Fallujah, is performing with exceptional skill and courage. They and their families are making tremendous sacrifices for the security of our nation and for the freedom of others. And all the hardships and sacrifices are not behind us."

Remarks at Pentagon, May 10, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Rodney A. Murray, 28, of Ayden, N.C., died May 9, in Iraq, in a vehicle accident between Baghdad and Scania when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle and his military vehicle collided. Sgt. Murray was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 351st Military Police Company, Ocala, Fla.

. Maps of Afghanistan

Padres Swing Special
Salute to USS Boxer

SAN DIEGO, May 10, 2004 (NNS) — During the San Diego Padres' 8th Annual Military Appreciation Day, the club offered seats throughout Petco Park's entire upper deck to service members and their families members at discounted prices. But to 50 family members of USS Boxer, however, the Padres opened up their gates, their hearts and upper deck for free. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Air Force Reserve
1st Lt. Jason Szuminski

U.S. Air Force Reserve First Lt. Jason Szuminski, relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres, warms up in the bullpen during a game here against the Braves. Szuminski is the only Air Force reservist in Major League Baseball. U.S. Air Force photo by Bo Joyner

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga., May 12, 2004 — When he is not wearing the blue and gray uniform of the San Diego Padres, relief pitcher Jason Szuminski switches to Air Force blue as a first lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. More

U.S. Marine Corps
Chief Warrant Officer 3
Jean Poitevien

Marine Brig. Gen. Ron Coleman, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Haiti, and Col. Mario LaPaix, the commanding general's special advisor, pin chief warrant officer 3 rank on Jean Poitevien. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mike Escobar

CAMP CINTRON, Haiti, May 11, 2004 — A stocky, broad-shouldered man walks down a hall of the Combined Joint Task Force Haiti headquarters, making his way to the linguists’ office. “Oohrah, sir,” a young "devil dog" greets him as he walks by the chief warrant officer. “How are you this morning?” More

More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Maintenance Troops Work
To Stay Ahead of Climate

Marine Cpl. Nicholas J. Morrison preforms maintenance to a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas C. Alston

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — Though most enemy anti-aircraft guns were destroyed when U.S. forces entered Afghanistan in 2001, the climate remains hostile to the aircraft of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). More

In Iraq

Command Post Controllers
Key to Information Flow

Airman 1st Class Kevin Preston Jr. relays information from an aircrew to maintainers. He is an emergency action controller with the 322nd Air Expeditionary Wing's command post here and is deployed from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jon Hanson

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq, May 10, 2004 (AFPN) — There is an organization that many people think is the place to go for information. In part they are; however, the unit is a lot more than that. More

In Kyrgyzstan

Deployed Reservists Help
Charities in Kyrgyzstan

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala., May 10, 2004 (AFPN) — Air Force reservists from here deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, are supporting combat operations in Afghanistan. They also are helping to make life better for people near there. More

'On The Ground' Archive