DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 05/14/2004

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May 14, 2004

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ABU GHRAIB VISIT — Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, look at the Abu Ghraib Detention Center while taking a tour of the facility, May 13, 2004. Rumsfeld and Myers were in Iraq as part of a visit with troops in Southwest Asia. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt Jerry Morrison Jr.

Defense Secretary, Chairman Visit Iraq’s Abu Ghraib Prison

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, May 13, 2003 — The United States' top military and civilian defense officials saw firsthand today improvements being made at Iraq's Baghdad Central Correction Facility, more commonly known as Abu Ghraib prison.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers briefly toured a portion of the prison during a daytrip to Baghdad. More

Troops Cheer Rumsfeld, Myers at Baghdad Town Hall Meeting

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

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2004 — Cheers and applause from hundreds of troops greeted Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers today when they arrived at Camp Victory in Baghdad for a "town hall meeting."
The secretary and the chairman spoke to the troops as part of a surprise visit to the Iraqi capital. More Transcript Photos

Rumsfeld in Baghdad to Visit Troops, Meet with Leaders

Request for $25 Billion to Cover Near-Term Expenses

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2004 — President Bush's request for a $25 billion emergency fund is not to be confused with a full fiscal 2005 supplemental funding request planned for early next year, the Defense Department's second-ranking civilian leader said on Capitol Hill today.
Rather, it is meant to ensure commanders have what they need in the meantime – to cover near-term but unpredictable expenses in the global war on terror, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told the Senate Armed Services Committee. More

Abizaid: U.S. Troops Will Stay In Iraq Until Country Is Stable

By U.S. State Department Washington File

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2004 — U.S. Central Command head, Gen. John Abizaid, said that U.S. military forces will remain in Iraq long enough to make the country stable despite his prediction of difficult and perhaps violent times ahead. More

U.S. 'Part of the Battleground'
In Terror War, General Says

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2004 – While American forces are fighting overseas, it's likely that terrorists are planning another attack on the United States, a senior military officer noted here today.
More

Soldier Accused in Attack
Requests Change of Venue

FORT BRAGG, N.C., May 13, 2004 (Army News Service) — During a pretrial hearing May 10, the defense for Sgt. Hasan Akbar, the soldier accused of a grenade attack which killed two 101st Airborne Division soldiers and wounded 14 others last year in Kuwait, requested a change of venue to place the court martial outside the Army. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Secretary of Defense
Donald H. Rumsfeld

"You folks have helped to liberate 25 million human beings. You've also performed any number of acts of kindness, generosity and compassion to the Iraqi people that you've met, that you've worked with."

Remarks to U.S. Troops in Baghdad, May 13, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Honring the Fallen

Fallen Artillerymen
Remembered, Honored

Eight soldiers were honored at a memorial service held May 2 at Striker Forward Operating Base on Baghdad International Airport. The soldiers, all part of Battery C, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, were killed April 29 in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shauna McRoberts

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 13, 2004 -— Eight 1st Armored Division soldiers were honored May 2 in a memorial service at Striker Forward Operating Base on Baghdad International Airport. The eight soldiers, all assigned to Battery C, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, died April 29 in Al-Mahmudiyah, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near them. More

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Kyle A. Brinlee, 21, of Pryor, Okla., died May 11 in Al Asad, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Brinlee was assigned to the Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, Company B, 120th Combat Engineer Battalion, Pryor, Okla.

Radio

Television

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

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

Defense Leaders Travel to Iraq 6 More Photos

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld talks to members of his traveling staff during a flight to Southwest Asia, May 12, 2004. Rumsfeld and Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are making a surprise trip to the region to visit the deployed troops. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr. Photo Essay Archive

Marines Return to Fallujah; Joint
Patrols Highlight Cooperation

By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jose E. Guillen / 1st Marine Division

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 12, 2004 — Marines returned to the center of Fallujah May 10 only to find a peaceful reception. It was a stark contrast to the gunfire and rocket attacks they experienced a month ago.
Marines and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers, along with Iraqi police, patrolled through the city. It was a mission that was carried off without a single shot fired, despite fears that it would erupt in more gunfire. More

Marines Deliver Supplies, Employ Iraqis

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq, May 13, 2004 —- Marines continued their support of communities throughout the Al Anbar province with recent deliveries of supplies and the employment of Iraqis, according to Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials.
Marines recently visited the Al Tash refugee camp south of Ramadi and delivered medications and medical supplies to the camp clinic. Marines also delivered two 30,000-gallon water bladders to alleviate water shortages there. More

Iraqi Football Victory Earns Team
Historic First Trip to Olympic Games

AMMAN, Jordan, May 12, 2004 – In a stunning upset victory, the Iraq national football team defeated Saudi Arabia tonight 3 to1 to earn a trip to the 2004 Olympic Summer games in Athens. The victory marks the first time in Iraq’s history that its football team will compete in the Olympics. In addition to defeating Saudi Arabia, Iraq needed a draw in the final game between Kuwait and Oman to qualify. The game ended 0-0 sealing Iraq’s bid.
“This means Iraq is on the right path,” said Hawar Mulla Mohammed through tears moments after the game. He had scored the team’s go-ahead, and eventually winning, goal of the game. More

Iraqi Firefighters Complete Training Course

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 12, 2004 — The U.S. Agency for International Development and the Coalition Provisional Authority announce the completion of a three-week training course for 30 Iraqi firefighters from the Baghdad International Airport Fire Department. The firefighters attended the Aviation Rescue and Firefighters Training course held in Muscat, Oman.
The course was conducted according to International Civil Aviation Organization standards and attendees received the organization's airport certification. Over the past 20 years, only seven of the 86 Iraqi firefighters have attended a recognized course, previously given in Lebanon. More

Ministry of Housing, Development Transitions to Full Authority

Afghans Seeking Own Army of One

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

FORT KNOX, Ky., May 12, 2004 — Afghanistan is looking for young men to fill the ranks of its army, and Fort Knox’s U.S. Army Recruiting Command is lending a hand.
In February, a joint four-person mobile training team from the recruiting command and the Soldiers Support Institute landed in Kabul, Afghanistan to help the Afghan National Army strengthen its own recruiting command, develop a program of instruction for the Afghan National Army recruiting academy and develop the required doctrine to support training. More

War on Terrorism

. U.S. Government Agencies Test Continuity of Operations Plans

• Seminars to Focus on Crucial Role of Media in Terrorism Response

. Ridge, European Union Officials Discuss Aviation Security

Iraq

. Soldiers, Iraqi Forces Clear Mosque Complex of Militia

. President, Other U.S. Officials Condemn Brutal Execution

. 'Enormous Progress' in Iraq Being Ignored, Says Rumsfeld

• Additional Guards Face Military Courts-Martial for Prison Abuse

• Rumsfeld: Abuse Charges Don't Overshadow Positives in Iraq

. Iraqi Security Forces Learning Ropes, Making Solid Progress

Military News

. Veterans Affairs Reaches Out To Newest Combat Veterans

. Unit Activates to Prepare Volunteers for Special Forces Selection

. Bush Requests Additional $25 Billion for Defense

. National Guard, Reserve Update

"Thank you for your courage and honor. Words cannot express how much we appreciate you and your selfless sacrifice. Keep your heads up, we will see you back in the USA soon! All our love,"
The Palermo Family in Boston, Mass.

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Navy Helps Kick-off
Operation Thin Mint 2004

NORTH ISLAND, Calif., May 13, 2004 (NNS) — The official “load out” for Operation Thin Mint 2004 got under way April 26 in San Diego County with the help of Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 5 Rear Adm. D. C. Curtis. “Operation Thin Mint is such a great program,” said Curtis. "Nimitz Strike Group sailors received cookies and letters on their last deployment, and the gratitude goes both ways. This program brings a much appreciated piece of home to our Sailors deployed overseas.” Story

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

. Maps of Afghanistan

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Cpl. Molly A. Muldoon

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C., May 13, 2004 — Cpl. Molly A. Muldoon, assigned to Marine Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Squadron 22, became the first woman Marine to qualify as a V-22 Osprey crew chief May 3. More

U.S. Air Force
Airman Fredy Pasco

U.S. Airman Fredy Pasco plays the zampoña, an Inca instrument he has been playing since he was 6 years old. He came to America from Peru on April 16, 1998, and joined the Air Force in September 2003. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Harold Barnes III

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan., May 13, 2004 — From the capital of Peru to Wichita, Kan., the only zampoña player here is sharing his gift of music with the Air Force. Airman Fredy Pasco spends his off-duty time filling the air with the sound of an Inca instrument known as the zampoña. More

More Profiles

'On The Ground' Archive

SHIP MAINTENANCE — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Ostrude of Cortland, Ohio, paints part of the hangar bay door aboard USS George Washington, May 6, 2004. The Norfolk, Va. based aircraft carrier and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven are on a scheduled deployment in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sheryl Campbell