DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 05/17/2004

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May 17, 2004

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CAR BOMB — Remnants of a suicide car bomb that killed the current head of the Iraqi Governing Council, Ezzidin Salim, May 17, 2004, litter the area outside a checkpoint at the Coalition Provisional Authority Headquarters. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Roy Santana Story

War on Terror 'Mission of a Generation,' Rumsfeld Says

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2004 — The war on terror will be the mission of a generation, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told the Heritage Foundation here today. Rumsfeld said Americans cannot expect the war on terror to be easy or short.
The secretary said that since Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have known they have a mission to perform. "The global war on terror, like the Cold War before it, will be the work of a generation," Rumsfeld said. "Terrorists will strike at will." More

Abuse Scandal Gives Lesson on Democratic Processes

U.S. Army Infantry Brigade in
South Korea to Deploy to Iraq

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, May 17, 2004 — About 3,600 members of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division will deploy to Iraq from the Republic of Korea, Defense Department officials confirmed today.
     The troops will begin deploying to Iraq in mid-summer, a senior official said speaking on background.
     The decision can be made with impunity, because of the beefed-up capabilities the United States has on the Korean peninsula, the official said. More

Roadside Bomb Releases Small Traces of Sarin Gas in Baghdad

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2004 — A roadside bomb containing the nerve agent sarin – a substance Saddam Hussein's regime insisted it had destroyed more than a decade ago – exploded near a U.S. military convoy traveling near Baghdad, coalition officials said today.
Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Multinational Force Iraq, told reporters in Baghdad a U.S. convoy found the 155-millimeter artillery round rigged as an improvised explosive device. The round detonated before the explosive ordnance team could render it inert. More

Bremer: Slain Iraqi Leader a
'Constant Source of Strength'

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2004 — A suicide car bomb claimed the lives of the Iraqi Governing Council president and at least four other Iraqis outside the Coalition Provisional headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, today.
Ezzidin Salim is the highest-ranking Iraqi official to be assassinated since the country's liberation. Eight people – six Iraqis and two U.S. soldiers – were wounded in the attack. More

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld

"The troops are doing their jobs well. They are doing their jobs with compassion and skill and courage, and we are so fortunate to have them doing what they’re doing for our country and defending our freedom."

Remarks to Heritage Foundation, May 17, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Coalition Provides Broad
Security for Iraqi Officials

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2004 — The coalition provides the tools for the best security possible for members of the Iraqi Governing Council and is in the process of standing up a protective service for the Iraqi government modeled loosely on the U.S. Secret Service, coalition officials said today.
Dan Senor, senior Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman in Iraq, told reporters in Baghdad today the coalition provides financial assistance, body armor, weapons, vehicles and training for the governing council members' personal protective details. More

Iraqi Delivers Explosives
To Coalition Forces

     BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 17, 2004 — An unidentified Iraqi dropped the largest single cache, to date, of mortar rounds and triggering devices to a Task Force Baghdad base camp shortly after midnight this morning.
     Coalition officials said an explosive ordnance disposal unit was called in after the drop and discovered that the cache contained 101, 82-millimeter mortar rounds, 99 triggering devices and a blasting cap.
     The EOD unit took possession of the munitions for future disposal.

Coalition Releases
300 Iraqi Detainees

BAGHDAD, Iraq , May 16, 2004 — More than 300 detainees from various Iraqi prisons were released throughout Iraq May 14. Forty of them were from Baghdad.
The detainees were brought to a Coalition base so they could be released to their respective tribal sheiks. Some of the ex-detainees had spent up to eight months in the prison.

2 Soldiers Killed in
Al Anbar Province

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 17, 2004 — Two U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Marine Expeditionary Force were killed in action today in the Al Anbar Province while conducting security and stability operations. First MEF force-protection measures preclude the release of any information that could aid enemy personnel in assessing the effectiveness or lack thereof with regard to their tactics, techniques and procedures. The release of more details about the incident could place personnel at greater risk. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending next of kin notification.

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

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

War on Terror Requires Next Generation to Meet Challenges

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2004 — The war on terrorism will require the next generation to be leaders, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at Virginia Military Institute commencement May 15.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers told the "Keydets" that there has never been a more important time to serve America than today. More

COMMENTARY

A Good Story

By Air Force Capt. Steven Alvarez
Office of Security Cooperation, Public Affairs

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 17, 2004 — A few weeks ago, Karen, my neighbor, pulled me aside at a get-together and pointed to a tree in the corner of her front yard. For the second time this spring, she said, the tree was blooming, covering its tall canopy and the ground beneath it with yoke-yellow flowers.
She's convinced, she told me, that the tree was joining the neighborhood in bidding me farewell-donning its natural version of yellow ribbons. Along the peaceful, kid-filled street in Maitland, Fla., U.S. flags, not there before, now gently wave to passersby while tall oaks wear big yellow ribbons around their trunks-bow ties for a welcome home gala that will occur in 12 months when I come home from the war in Iraq. More

Remembering Fallen Marines 6 More Photos

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Wesley Barnes of 1st Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, listens as Marines honor Cpl. Dustin H. Schrage and Cpl. Jeffrey G. Green during a memorial service at Camp Snake Pit, Iraq, May 11, 2004. The two corporals went missing while crossing the Euphrates River during a combat patrol May 3. Their bodies were recovered May 6. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva Photo Essay Archive

Marines to Distribute Gear for Iraqi Media

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, May 16, 2004 — Marines from 1st Marine Division and the Spirit of America charity are working together to help build Iraq's "unbiased" media infrastructure.
According to Lt. Col. John Lutkenhouse, the division's plans officer for economic development, the Los Angeles-based charity donated more than $80,000 in audio and video production equipment. More

Coalition Efforts Improve
Life for Al Anbar Residents

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq, May 16, 2004 — A variety of Coalition initiatives designed to improve the quality of life for residents of the Al Anbar province are currently underway.
A Fallujah Liaison Team is evaluating contractors to manage a 1,200-man cleanup and restoration contract. Coalition leaders expect that workforce to increase as contractors get settled and increase their hiring capacity. More

Marines Get Well-Deserved Rest

By Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes / 1st Marine Division

Army Spc. Elizabeth Jarry, a dental hygienist at Balad Air Base, Iraq, shows villagers of all ages how to brush their teeth during a recent Medical Civic Action Project at a small village in Balad. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant David Gillespie

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 14, 2004 — It's time for a bit of easy living for the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. At least as easy as it gets at the base camp here.
The battalion, assigned to the 1st Marine Division in Iraq, pulled back into their base camp near Fallujah after more than a week of field operations in the city of Zadan. More

Soldiers Celebrate School Re-opening

Spc. Ulises Corado, from the 49th Movement Control Battalion at Balad, presents a box of desparately needed school supplies to a teacher at a primary school in the village of Al Nazaha, Iraq. The school was recently renovated at a cost of $33,989.

Balad, Iraq, May 15, 2004 — Soldiers from Logistics Support Area Anaconda celebrated the completion of renovations to a local school by distributing school supplies to the students Saturday.
The primary school in the village of Al Nazaha was renovated at a cost of $33,989. The 13th COSCOM Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Affairs oversaw the renovations of the school. More

War on Terrorism

. President Thanks Troops for Efforts in War on Terrorism

. Kimmitt: Cleric’s Militia Has No Respect for Holy Sites

. New Commands to Replace Combined Joint Task Force

. Soldier to Face Court-Martial

Iraq

. Powell Confident United States Will 'Stay the Course' in Iraq

. Former 101st Leader Accepts New Iraqi Security Mission

. Official Reports on Review of Detention Center Operations

. Defense Secretary, Chairman Visit Iraq’s Abu Ghraib Prison

Military News

. Task Force Recommends Plan to Prevent Sexual Assaults

. Veterans Affairs Reaches Out To Newest Combat Veterans

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2004 — The Department of Defense announced the deaths of four soldiers and one airman who died while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

Honoring the Fallen

Battalion Honors 'No Better Friend'

Navy Cmdr. Bill D. Devine, 1st Marine Division Chaplain, pays his respects to Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage during a memorial service here May 15. Twenty-one-year-old Savage, a gunner with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was killed by an improvised explosive device May 12 as he patrolled the streets of Ramadi. USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP HURRICANE POINT, Iraq, May 15, 2004 — Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage, gunner with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, couldn't wait to get home to meet his newborn son.
He was struck down by an improvised explosive device May 12 during a routine patrol through the streets of Ramadi. More

Memorial Service
Honors Arkansas Guardsman

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 15, 2004 — "This is a day that I've come to dread, ever since I took command," said Lt. Col. Kendall Penn, commander of the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat Team, during the fourth memorial service held by the 39th Brigade since its troops deployed in March. More

"All of us are truly grateful for your sacrifice and service. May God richly bless and protect you." Karl Duff and family, Canton, GA

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Rolling Thunder to Launch
'Operation Carry the Flame'

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2004 — Operation Carry the Flame, a national ride across America to honor the armed forces and veterans and to remember prisoners of war and service members missing in action, is slated to kick off May 18 in Modesto, Calif. More

Arizona Couple's Trucks
Salute Service Members

Ed Negrin discusses his trucks' red, white and blue design theme with Air Force Master Sgt. Cassandra White and Army Master Sgt. Bruce Allen May 14 in the Pentagon's center courtyard. Defense Dept. photo by Gerry J. Gilmore

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2004 — Arizona entrepreneurs Ed Negrin and his wife, Tonie, are self-described patriots who've decorated several trucks they own with red, white and blue motifs to show their support for U.S service members. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch, a Hammond, Ind., native with 1st Tank Battalion, congratulates his son, Nicholas, after a baseball game May 8. Popaditch, who lost his right eye in a rocket propelled grenade attack in Fallujah, Iraq, on April 7, 2004, said being home for the little league season is an unexpected treat. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jennie Haskamp

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif., May 17, 2004 — As Marine Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch sat and watched his 10-year-old son play third base, he couldn't hide his enthusiasm. He hadn't planned on making it to these games. More

U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Dale Scherberger

Armed Services YMCA "Volunteer of the Year," Army Staff Sgt. Dale Scherberger poses with retired Army Maj. Gen. Donald Infante after being presented a YMCA plaque during the organization's 17th annual recognition luncheon on Capitol Hill. Infante is the YMCA's chief executive officer. Defense Dept. photo by Rudi Williams

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2004 — An Army medic, his wife and four young children came here from Fort Drum, N.Y., May 13 to be honored as the Armed Services YMCA "Volunteer of the Year" during the organization's 17th annual recognition luncheon on Capitol Hill. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Comm Squadron, 'Sea
Bees' Open Softball Field

Lance Cpl. Manuel R. Aranda, wireman, Alpha Company, Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes a swing at a softball during the first game played on Locust Field in Al Asad, Iraq, May 12. The game was played between the Marines and Sailors who developed and pioneered the softball field, the Marines of MWCS-38 and the 'Sea Bees' of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14.

AL ASAD, Iraq, May 15, 2004 — The sergeant major of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing was on hand to throw out the first pitch at O'Douls Stadium here May 12 in commemoration of the first softball game played on the field. More

'On The Ground' Archive