DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 05/25/2004

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May 25, 2004

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FIRE! — U.S. Army Spc. Seth Gerkin (front) and Pfc. Brian Cruz, both with the Washington National Guard's 303rd Armor Regiment, 81st Brigade Combat Team, fire a 120mm mortar in Balad, Iraq, May 21, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II

Sanchez's Reported Departure Is According to Rotation Plan

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2004 — The media-reported upcoming departure of Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez from Iraq was planned long ago and has nothing to do with the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, a senior U.S. military spokesman noted today.
"We have always expected General Sanchez to depart (Iraq) sometime after (the) transfer of sovereignty," Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Multinational Force Iraq, explained to reporters at a Baghdad news conference. More Briefing

President Lauds U.S. Troops in
Iraq, Will Send More 'If Needed'

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

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 Remarks

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. More Remarks Fact Sheet

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

Powell Expects Naming of
Iraqi Interim Govenment Soon

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2004 — Secretary of State Colin Powell says he expects the members of an Iraqi interim government to be announced by early next week. Story

U.S. Introduces U.N. Resolution on Iraq
Any Limit To Sovereignty Self-Imposed

Defense Leaders Speak

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

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

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 May 23 baseball game at Shea Stadium, at which the New York Mets honored all services for their Military Appreciation Day 2004. More

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. Maps of Afghanistan

Radio

Television

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

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

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

Preparing for Deployment 4 More Photos

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit load a simulated casualty onto a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter while conducting convoy operations training at Camp Dawson, W.Va., May 13, 2004. This training was part of the unit's training in an urban evironment exercise, which gives the Marines experience in dealing with urban combat situations they may face on their upcoming deployment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon Photo Essay Archive

Doctor Relates First Battlefield
Use of Regional Anesthesia in Iraq

By Rudi Williams / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2004 — Doctors at Walter Reed Army Hospital here have been using regional anesthesia for years, but Oct. 7, 2003, was the first time they used it on the battlefield.
Regional anesthesia involves placement of a catheter through which local anesthetic can be administered to a specific area where the patient is experiencing pain. Story

Army Physicians Work to Bring Wounded Troops Home Pain-Free

Iraqi Postal Service Center Opens;
New Postal Code System Introduced

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 25, 2004 — 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

Olympic-Sized Pool Reopens in Tikrit

TIKRIT, Iraq, May 24, 2004 — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the city of Tikrit May 22 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

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

Soccer Balls Given Out In Ramadi, Karbala, And Hilla

Florida Air Guard Troops Deploy to Iraq

By U.S. Air Force Maj. Richard E. Bittner / 125th Fighter Wing

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 25, 2004 — More than 50 members of the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Civil Engineer Squadron deployed to Iraq May 19, to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. More

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

• U.S.-Led Coalition Continues Operations to Restore Stability

• Spokesman: No Wedding Party Found at Desert Attack Site

• Suicide Car Bomb Injures Iraqi Official

Military News

• Guard, Reserve Employer Support Awards Announced

• Words, Photos Relate 'Truths of War,' News Anchor Tells Class

. National Guard, Reserve Update

"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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Sign the Online Thank You Note

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.

Honoring the Fallen

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

Profile

U.S. Air Force
Senior Airman Aaron Sanders

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

U.S. Marine Corps
Pvt. Miguel Gamas

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

'On The Ground' Archive

FLIGHT OPERATIONS — U.S. sailors load armament onto an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Wildcats" of Fighter Attack Squadron 131 before evening flight operations aboard USS George Washington in the Arabian Gulf, May 22, 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho