DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 05/24/2004

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May 24, 2004

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OIL FIRE — Tactical forces airmen gaze at an oil refinery fire while on night patrol at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, May 18, 2004. The airmen are with the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leon Gray

Spokesman: No Wedding Party Found at Desert Attack Site

By Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2004 — There are no indications a wedding party took place at a remote desert site in western Iraq near the Syrian border where U.S. forces are accused of killing about 20 people May 19, including women and children, a senior military spokesman said today.
"Contrary to media reports, there was no wedding tent and no nuptial tent in the area," Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Multinational Force Iraq said during a Baghdad news conference. More

Suicide Car Bomb Injures Iraqi Official

News Anchor Says Words, Pictures 'Tell Truths of War

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md., May 21, 2004 — Using words and pictures to tell the truths of war, even the difficult ones, is essential work both inside and outside the military, CBS News anchor Dan Rather said at the Defense Information School here today.
Rather was keynote speaker at a ceremony honoring the military services' top visual information specialists and print and broadcast journalists for 2003. DINFOS, as the school is known, is the U.S. military's training institution for those specialties.
More

Coalition Captures, Detains
Four Suspects in Berg Murder

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2004 — Coalition forces captured four individuals suspected of involvement in the murder of American contractor Nicholas Berg during a May 19 raid in Baghdad, a senior U.S. military spokesman noted today.
Two detainees have been released, while the others remain in coalition custody, Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Multinational Force Iraq, told reporters at a Baghdad press conference. More

Korea-to-Iraq Troop Movement
Won't Erode Pacific Security

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2004 — The decision to send a combat brigade from South Korea to Iraq "makes sense," said the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before the House Armed Services Committee today.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers said the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division will deploy from Camp Casey, South Korea, to Iraq in mid-summer. Some 3,600 troops will spend up to a year in Iraq. More

Chairman Details Challenges, Risks Ahead in War on Terror

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2004 — "I'm of the school that the more the Iraqis can do, the better," said Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers to the House Armed Services Committee today. "And the faster we can get them to do that, the better as well."
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that all in the Defense Department are in agreement that the coalition needs to turn Iraq over to Iraqis. More

President Praises Solidarity of
U.S., Italians in Terror Fight

By Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

President Bush said he and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi are working on a strategy based on full transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government June 30. The two leaders met at the White House May 19. White House photo

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2004 — Helping Iraq become a free nation was a topic of discussion between President Bush and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi when they met at the White House May 19.
Bush said he and Berlusconi are working on a strategy based on full transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government June 30. More

Country Star Wynonna Judd
Serenades Pentagon Troops

Country music superstar Wynonna Judd shakes hands with Marine Cpl. Jamale Jones, a Pentagon tour guide, during a USO concert at the Pentagon, May 21, 2004. Several hundred service members, family members and Defense Department civilian employees turned out for Judd's 40-minute concert celebrating National Military Appreciation Month. Defense Dept. photo by Linda D. Kozaryn

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2004 — Marine Gen. Peter Pace blew Wynonna Judd's cover today at a USO concert celebrating National Military Appreciation Month. Without fanfare from the press or public, he said, the country music superstar has been quietly doing her part to pay tribute to America's troops.
Story Concert Photos

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

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

Send a Message Read Messages

Sign the Online Thank You Note

Independent Review Panel
Begins Detention Ops Review

Washington, May 21, 2004 — The four-member Independent Panel to Review DoD Detention Operations met for the first time May 20 to begin its review and assessment work. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appointed the Panel May 12 to review current and completed inquiries of DoD detention operations. More

Muqtada Al-Sadr Militia Attack
Damages Iraqi Mosque

AN NAJAF, Iraq, May 21, 20004 — Muqtada Al-Sadr militia damaged a mosque during repeated mortar, rocket-propelled grenade and small arms attacks on a coalition patrol here around 11:30 p.m. May 20, coalition officials announced today.
An enemy mortar round struck the mosque, starting a fire. Two armed Muqtada militia were killed by coalition soldiers as they fled the mosque.

Defense Leaders Speak

Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

"The trend is going in the right direction. We need to know when to use force, when to back off and when to let the Iraqis help with the solution."

House Armed Services Committee, May 21, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Defense Officials Identify
Marine Casualty

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2004 — The Department of Defense announced today the death a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Michael M. Carey, 20, of Prince George, Va., died May 18 in Iraq. He apparently fell into a canal and did not resurface. His remains were recovered May 18. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Radio

Television

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

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

Marines Uncover and Destroy
Enemy Explosives, Weapons

By Phillip Kurata / Washington File Staff Writer

A Marine stacks some of the munitions uncovered in what is believed to be the largest cache of weapons found by Marines in the Al Anbar Province this year, hidden mostly in buried plastic barrels. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq, May 21, 2004 — In the past week, Marines based here have unearthed some of the largest stockpiles of weapons found this year, which, left unfound, could have outfitted insurgents with the materials needed to construct improvised explosives and attack U.S. forces.
Discovered in various locations east of the camp by Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, more than 1,000 mortars, artillery shells and rockets — not to mention a cornucopia of other weapons — have been either captured or destroyed. More

Mosul Search 6 More Photos

An interpreter with Comanche Company 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team unlocks a car trunk during a cordon and search in Mosul, Iraq, May 13, 2004. C Company is conducting a cordon and search for insurgents and weapons. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson Photo Essay Archive

Marines Learn Arabic Language

By U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. A.C. Mink

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., May 21, 2004 — Marines of II Marine Expeditionary Force are learning the Arabic language in a 20-day course at the Work Force Learning Center here.
The course teaches basic history and culture lessons so the students may better understand whom they may talk to in the future. More

Marines, Sailors Assist Poor Village

Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael J. Calin checks the blood pressure of an Iraqi man during visit to a village near Camp Taqaddum. Marines and Navy medical personnel visited the village to deliver fresh water, assess the people's medical needs and speak with the community's leadership about their concerns. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq, May 21, 2004 — Marines with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment visited a local village recently in an effort to develop a positive relationship with the neighboring community and help its citizens obtain the tools they need to escape poverty.
Reserve infantrymen and Navy medical personnel from the battalion, as well as other 1st Force Service Support Group units, assessed the people's medical needs, delivered 2,000 gallons of fresh water and spoke with the community's leaders about their concerns. More

U.S., Iraqi Leaders Declare
Fallujah Ready for Rebuilding

Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, commanding general, 1st Marine Division, takes a moment to answer questions after a press conference in Fallujah, May 20, 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, May 21, 2004 — Leaders of the 1st Marine Division, the Fallujah Brigade and Fallujah's mayor said May 20 that the city is ready for rebuilding. "I've got my plan and by God, come hell or high water, I'm just going to execute that plan no matter what," said Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Division. More

War on Terrorism

. Review Procedure Put in Place For Guantanamo Bay Detainees

. War on Terror Requires Next Generation to Meet Challenges

. President Thanks Troops for Efforts in War on Terrorism

Iraq

. U.S. Army, Navy Work Together In Beefing Up Armor Protection

. Commanders in Iraq Ordered Humane Treatment of Detainees

. Red Cross Reports Now to Go Through Single Point of Contact

Military News

. Task Force Recommends Plan to Prevent Sexual Assaults

. Veterans Affairs Reaches Out To Newest Combat Veterans

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Transformation

DoD Standardizes
HIV Testing Policy

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2004 — Military members are now required to be tested for HIV every two years, according to a Defense Department health policy change implemented March 29. Previously, HIV testing intervals varied among the armed services. The military began testing service members for HIV in the mid-1980s. More

More Transformation News

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Master Sgt. Michael L. Sunday

AL ASAD, Iraq, May 21, 2004 - When Marine Master Sgt. Michael L. Sunday received orders to Iraq in March, he expected to travel to foreign countries with unfamiliar surroundings and even less familiar faces. More

U.S. Air Force
Staff Sgt. John Brogdon

Air Force Staff Sgt. John Brogdon, 52nd Security Forces Squadron patrolman and dispatcher, beats the bag. Each day after his 12- to 14-hour shift, Brogdon runs three to four miles and then goes to the fitness center for two hours of push-ups, sit-ups, punching drills and sparring. U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Shannon Collins

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany, May 21, 2004 - Work from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Run three to four miles. Do push-ups, sit-ups and punching drills. Go home, eat, iron uniform and go to bed. More

More Profiles

In Iraq

Fat Lady, Coyote
Together At Last

Sgt. Jason Calvert, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 16, mans a .50 caliber heavy-machine gun during a convoy escort mission near Fallujah, Iraq, inside a UH-1N Huey helicopter. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq, May 21, 2004 — The horizon turned sideways as the UH-1N Huey banked a hard right in the overcast Iraqi sky during a convoy escort mission. On the right, inside the helicopter, hands grasped a .50 caliber heavy-machine gun. On the left, a Marine gripped a GAU-17 machine gun, a six-barrel gun that unloads 3,000 rounds per minute. More

In Afghanistan

Marines Give Afghans
Most Precious Gift of All

Afghan workers connect pipes that will be used on a newly constructed well near Foward Operating Base Payne, the base of operations in south-central Afghanistan for Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. U.S. Marine Corps photo Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, Afghanistan, May 21, 2004 — In a region as arid as Afghanistan, water is the most precious commodity of all. To help the people of Afghanistan with this life-threatening situation, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) is integrating well-digging projects with its hunt for Taliban and anti-coalition militia. More

Through Rain or Sleet
Or War, Mail Continues

Marines from Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, the ground combat element of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), sort the piles of mail that arrived at their location via a resupply convoy. Despite being in the middle of a combat operation in south-central Afghanistan, the Marines received their mail mere days after it arrived in country. Photo by: Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, Afghanistan, May 20, 2004 — For a Marine infantryman fighting in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan surviving on a mix of adrenaline, fear, and Meals-Ready-To-Eat, a quick note from home can do wonders for morale. More

'On The Ground' Archive