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May 25, 2004
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Department of Homeland Security Threat Advisory System
DHS Threat & Protection Advisory Level - Yellow: Significant Risk of Terrorist Attacks
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President Bush Speaks on Iraq - May 24, 2004
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A Year in Iraq - The Mission
Photo, caption below.
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SMILE! — U.S. Army Sgt. Mitchell Hull with the 55th Signal Company, Combat Camera, 21st Signal Brigade, films a group of students at Kalkalan school in Kirkuk, Iraq, May 18, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Elizabeth Erste
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President Lauds U.S. Troops in
Iraq, Will Send More 'If Needed'
By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service
President George W. Bush delivers remarks on Iraq and the War on Terror at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Monday, May 24, 2004. White House photo by Eric Draper     WASHINGTON, May 25, 2004 — American troops "are showing exceptional skill and courage" in Iraq, President Bush said in a televised address from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa., May 24.
     Speaking to a predominantly military audience at the Army's senior service college, Bush said he would maintain the current troop level of 138,000 in Iraq "as long as necessary" and he would send more troops if they are needed. More   Remark
Bush Outlines 5 Steps Toward Freedom, Democracy in Iraq
By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service
     WASHINGTON, May 24, 2004 — President Bush tonight outlined five steps that will help Iraq move toward democracy and security. He also laid out a proposal to demolish the notorious Abu Ghraib prison.
     Bush delivered his remarks in a televised address from the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa., the Army's senior service school to train leaders in developing and employing landpower. He said that after June 30 Iraqis will know Americans have no interest in continued occupation of Iraq. More  Remarks  Fact Sheet
Interim Government Will Move Iraq Closer to Direct Elections
By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service
     WASHINGTON, May 24, 2004 — The Iraqi government that will take control June 30 will move the country "much closer to direct elections," a Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman said in Baghdad today.
     "Iraqis we speak to everywhere say they want two things," Dan Senor said in a press briefing.  More  Briefing
U.S. Committed to Geneva Conventions
By Douglas J. Feith / Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

     WASHINGTON, May 24, 2004 — In the months following 9/11, the Bush administration asked itself how the laws of war apply to the war on terrorism. The question is not simple, for the Geneva Conventions say that they apply to conflicts between states-parties; but al Qaeda is a terrorist network and not a state, let alone a party to the Geneva Conventions. More
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U.S.-Led Coalition Continues
Operations to Restore Stability
By American Forces Press Service
     WASHINGTON, May 24, 2004 — The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq continues operations to restore stability in order to repair infrastructure, stimulate the economy and continue the transfer of sovereignty to the people of Iraq
     "To that end, in the past 24 hours the coalition conducted 2,021 patrols, 22 offensive operations, 55 Air Force and Navy sorties, and captured 55 anti- coalition suspects," Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said today. More
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The New Iraq: Feature Section
Coalition Provisional Authority Update
Time Line of Events in Iraq: 2003-2004
Legavy of Terror: Mass Graves
Today's Iraq: A Year of Progress
A Year in Iraq: The Mission (Flash photo slideshow)
On the Ground in Iraq Iraq's 55 Most Wanted Maps of Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
Weekly Progress Report (Adobe PDF slides)
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Defense Leaders Speak
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President George W. Bush
"As the Iraqi people move closer to governing themselves, the terrorists are likely to become more active and more brutal. There are difficult days ahead, and the way forward may sometimes appear chaotic. Yet our coalition is strong, our efforts are focused and unrelenting, and no power of the enemy will stop Iraq's progress."
Remarks in Carlisle, Pa., May 24, 2004
Defense Views
Quotes by U.S. defense leaders
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Iraq Reconstruction
Moving Ahead Again
     WASHINGTON, May 25, 2004 — Security challenges in Iraq put a significant wrinkle into reconstruction efforts in early spring, but work is once again progressing rapidly on $5 billion in contracts awarded in March, the U.S. head of reconstruction in Iraq told Pentagon reporters May 24. More   Briefing
U.S. Soldier Dies in Attack
     BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 25, 2004 — One Task Force Baghdad soldier was killed and four others were wounded during a rocket attack on a coalition base northwest of Baghdad at about 2:20 p.m. May 24, according to Multinational Corps Iraq/Multinational Force Iraq officials.
     The deceased soldier's name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
Guard, Reserve Employer
Support Awards Announced
     ARLINGTON, Va., May 24, 2004 — Well-known corporate giants lead the pack in the 2004 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards. The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve sponsored the awards.  Story
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America Pays Tribute to the Troops
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New York Mets Honor Troops
Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Magnus, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, throws the first pitch at the New York Mets game at Shea Stadium Sunday. The Mets recognized the armed forces during Military Appreciation Day 2004. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Beth Zimmerman      NEW YORK, May 25, 2004 — Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Magnus, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources threw the opening pitch during Sunday's baseball game at Shea Stadium at which the New York Mets honored all services for their Military Appreciation Day 2004. More
starSign an On-line Thank You Note
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National Military Appreciation Month, May 2004
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"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
AFN, Video, Broadcasts from the Field
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Coalition Provisional Authority, The Path to Democracy
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The Coalition Bulletin - pdf document
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Saddam's Capture - A Video from Golf Troops' Perspective
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Fallen Warriors
 
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Army Physicians Work to Bring
Wounded Troops Home Pain-Free
By Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service
     WASHINGTON, May 24, 2004 — April 13 was an unlucky day for 24-year-old Army 1st Lt. Melissa J. Stockwell. That was the day she lost her left leg in Iraq.
     She arrived at Walter Reed on the night of April 19, and doctors performed a regional anesthesia block the next morning to better manage her pain. Regional anesthesia allows doctors to block signals to the brain from the wound region. Story
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Photo Essay - banner image
School Supplies for Mosul 10 More Photos
Photo, caption below.
Iraqi children wait for school supplies that Soldiers of Comanche Company, 1-23 Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, have brought to their school in Mosul, Iraq, May 15, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson  Photo Essay Archive
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Rebuilding Iraq - banner image
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Iraqi Postal Service Center Opens;
New Postal Code System Introduced
     BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 25, 2004 — Dr. Haider Al Abadi, Iraq’s Minister of Communication, and Ibraheem Hussien Ali, Iraq’s Postmaster General, announced the opening of the International Service Center and the introduction of Iraq’s new Postal Code system in a ceremony at the Baghdad International Airport air cargo terminal, according to Coalitional Provisional Authority officials. More
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Olympic-Sized Pool Reopens in Tikrit
     TIKRIT, Iraq, May 24, 2004 — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the City of Tikrit Saturday to officially re-open an Olympic-sized swimming pool that was closed at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Sheik Kannan Al Saided of the Al Shumar tribe hosted the event. Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Sinclair, commander of the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, was on hand. Also present was Falah Al Naqeed, governor of the Salah Ad Din Province. More
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Iraqi Pilots Begin Crop Dusting
Piloted by an Iraqi aviator, a Russian-made MI-2 helicopter takes off to begin crop-dusting date palm fields. Spraying will cover an estimated five to eight square kilometers per day throughout nine areas in the Diyala province during the next two weeks. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kimberly Snow      FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, BAQUBAH, Iraq, May 21, 2004 — Soldiers of Multinational Force Iraq recently began an operation to help pump a little gas into the local economy in Diyala Province.
In a cooperative effort between Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture and      Multinational Force Iraq, Iraqi pilots May 14 began crop-dusting the province’s date palm fields. It is the first time Iraqi pilots have flown in their airspace since Operation Iraqi Freedom began more than a year ago. More
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U.S. Funds Projects to Train, Educate Iraqi Women
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Buildup to Iraqi Sovereignty - banner image
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June 30 Transition Is
Historic Day for Iraq, Says Bush
     WASHINGTON, May 21, 2004 — President Bush says that June 30, the day sovereignty will be assumed by the Iraqi interim government, is an "important day in modern Iraqi history," adding "there are better times ahead, but it requires courage and strength and will." More
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Iraqi Interim Government to
Include Executives, Cabinet
     WASHINGTON, May 21, 2004 — Secretary of State Colin Powell says the Iraqi interim government that will assume power on June 30 will consist of a cabinet and an executive group made up of a president, two vice presidents and a prime minister.  More
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More News - banner image
War on Terrorism
. Terrorist Exclusion List Authorized by USA Patriot Act
. Chairman Details Challenges, Risks Ahead in War on Terror
. President Praises Solidarity of U.S., Italians in Terror Fight
. Review Procedure Put in Place For Guantanamo Bay Detainees
Iraq
• Spokesman: No Wedding Party Found at Desert Attack Site
• Suicide Car Bomb Injures Iraqi Official
• Coalition Captures, Detains Four Suspects in Berg Murder
. Korea-to-Iraq Troop Movement Won't Erode Pacific Security
Military News
• Words, Photos Relate 'Truths of War,' News Anchor Tells Class
. National Guard, Reserve Update
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Defense Officials
Identify Marine Casualty
     WASHINGTON, May 25, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     Staff Sgt. Jorge A. MolinaBautista, 37, of Rialto, Calif., died May 23 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaisance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
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Honoring the Fallen
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HONORING FALLEN SOLDIERS — U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Webb, 19th Special Forces, salutes the flag for Sgt. Gene Vance's widow during a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of Combined Joint Special Operation Task Force at Camp Vance, Bagram, Afghanistan, May 19, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Melissa Harvey
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Afghanistan Update
. Maps of Afghanistan
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Profile
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U.S. Air Force
Senior Airman Aaron Sanders
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Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Sanders teaches a survival course to maintainers at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. Sanders travels throughout the area to train aircrews and other airmen who fly frequently in the theater. He is a survival specialist deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt Suzanne Ovel      AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar, May 25, 2004 — Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Sanders spends his days teaching students information he hopes they never need to use. But he said he wants them to learn the material well, just in case.  More
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U.S. Marine Corps
Pvt. Miguel Gamas
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Marine Pvt. Miguel Gamas joined the Marine Corps in August with hopes of escaping the violence and poverty of South Central Los Angeles, one of the city's worst neighborhoods. Gamas said he was looking forward to going back home to set a positive example for his peers. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn M. Toussaint       MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 25, 2004 — The door to opportunity was wide open for two young men about to embark on a journey together as United States Marines — until the door was fatally shut on one of them in the streets of South Central Los Angeles for wearing the wrong color shirt.  More
More Profiles
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On the Ground
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In Iraq
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Desert No Obstacle
For Frozen Dessert
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Marine Cpl. Shane P. Proulx, expeditionary airfield systems technician, Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 26-year-old Helena, Mont., native, devours a bowl of strawberry ice cream in Mudaysis, Iraq. The Marines took full advantage of the frozen delicacy delivered as a part of 'Operation 31 Flavors.' U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.     AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq, May 23, 2004 — Far removed from the everyday comforts of home, the Marines and sailors serving at distant outposts here were treated to the ultimate delight recently when a variety of ice cream was delivered to their collective doorsteps.
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In Afghanistan
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Marines Take on Varied Tasks
As Provisional Rifle Company
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     FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan, May 24, 2004 — While the Marines and sailors of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are scouring south-central Afghanistan for Taliban and anti-coalition militia, it would be unable to complete its mission without a safe place for its Marines to call their home away from home. More
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'On The Ground' Archive
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