DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 05/28/2004

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May 28, 2004

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SPECIAL DELIVERY — British-led coalition forces deliver two patrol craft bound for the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force, May 24, 2004. The Chinese-built 27-meter vessels recently underwent refurbishment in the United Arab Emirates and stopped in Bahrain to take on fuel and supplies en route to Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Trevett

Terror Threat Means Business
As Usual for USNORTHCOM

By Merrie Schilter-Lowe / NORAD-USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo., May 27, 2004 – While Attorney General John Ashcroft alerted Americans to possible terrorist attacks over the next few months, U.S. Northern Command officials said the command is continuing business as usual.
“We’re not changing anything as of now,” said Col. Michael Bradley, chief of homeland defense in the command’s policy and planning division at Peterson Air Force Base. However, the colonel added, the command is ready to increase its efforts “if the threat drives us to a higher alert posture.” More

FBI Alert: Be on the Lookout For

President's Proclamation

For more than two centuries, Americans have been called to defend the founding ideals of our democracy. On Memorial Day, a grateful Nation remembers the proud patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of liberty's blessings. More

Secretary of State's Essay

Every Memorial Day, my sister, Marilyn, and I would put on our Sunday best and accompany our parents to Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx to visit the graves of family members. Like all kids, my sister and I were happy to have the day off from school, and I can't say we were in a solemn frame of mind. But taking part in that annual rite of remembrance gave me my first sense of the importance of honoring those who have gone before. More

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Message

Today America honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great Nation. We remember not only our friends and comrades who served alongside us, but also those brave Americans from generations past whose legacy of service secured our liberty. More

U.S. Hopeful Iraqi-Brokered
Peace Deal Will End Fighting

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2004 — A Coalition Provisional Authority official today said he is hopeful about an Iraqi-to-Iraqi-brokered agreement designed to end fighting in the cities of Najaf and Kufa.
Dan Senor, chief CPA spokesman, told reporters at a Baghdad news conference that renegade cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stated in a recent letter that he'd order his militia to pull out of Najaf and Kufa as part of a peace deal made between him and senior Shiite religious leaders. More

U.S. Will Retain Command of
Its Forces in Iraq, Powell Says

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2004 — Secretary of State Colin Powell says that after the transfer of sovereignty from the Coalition Provisional Authority to an interim Iraqi government U.S. Forces will work with their Iraqi counterparts but remain under U.S. command. More

Navy Secretary Visits Sailors
In North Arabian Gulf

ABOARD USS YORKTOWN, At Sea, May 28, 2004 (NNS) — USS Yorktown, on deployment in the North Arabian Gulf, received a special visit from Secretary of the Navy Gordon England recently. The visit allowed England to personally express his appreciation to the sailors executing the Navy’s missions in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Market Time II, the maritime security operations in the North Arabian Gulf. More

Soldiers Find, Destroy Weapons

TIKRIT, Iraq, May 28, 2004 — Task Force Danger Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division located and destroyed several weapons caches in north central Iraq May 27, according to Multinational Forces Iraq officials. More

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"Today, all who wear the uniform of the United States are serving at a crucial hour in history, and each has answered a great call to serve our Nation on the front lines of freedom."

Memorial Day 2004 Proclamation

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

USS John F. Kennedy
Welcomes the NFL

MAYPORT, Fla., May 27, 2004 (NNS) — Capping off a two-day owners’ meeting in the Jacksonville, Fla. area, 30 National Football League team owners and Commissioner Paul Tagliabue gathered aboard USS John F. Kennedy May 25.
"I want to take our collective hats off to you for what you’re doing to protect our freedoms,” said Tagliabue. More

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Radio

Television

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

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

Saddam Victims Honor U.S. Troops

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

Army Spc. Patrick Moran, an 'Old Guard' soldier from the 3rd U.S. Infantry, helps members of the Iraqi delegation lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery on May 27 to honor U.S. service members killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by Donna Miles

ARLINGTON, Va., May 27, 2004 — As the sound of "Taps" wailed from Army Sgt. Major Henry Sgrecci's bugle today, seven Iraqi citizens pressed their new prosthetic hands against their hearts at the Tomb of the Unknowns here to honor U.S. service members who have given their lives in Iraq.
The seven men, all Iraqi merchants, have been in the United States since mid- April to receive their new "bionic" hands to replace the ones amputated by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein as punishment for trading in U.S. currency. More

Military Photographers on the Frontlines Flash Slide Show

Artillerymen Guard Najaf Governor

AN NAJAF, Iraq, May 27, 2004 (Army News Service) – A field artillery battery has been tasked with the unique mission of guarding the An Najaf governor’s compound and protecting the governor’s life.
“He receives daily assassination threats,” said Capt. Brandon Anderson, commander of Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force 1st Armored Division. “It’s the (Muqtada Militia’s) attempt to undermine the coalition.” More

Iraqi Police Officers
Complete Management Course

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 28, 2004 — The Civilian Police Assistance Training Team graduated 30 Iraqi police officers from the Iraqi Justice Training Center’s inaugural Mid-Level Management Course here May 27, 2004, as part of an ongoing effort to mentor and train the Iraqi Police Service.
The course, conducted by Civilian Police Assistance Training Team civilian contractors in their endeavor to advance the efficiency and leadership skills of the Iraqi Police Service’s more seasoned personnel, runs officers through 12 days of training with experienced foreign former law enforcement officers. More

Salah Ad Din Province
Receives New Police Cars

U.S. Army Col. Randall Dragon, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Commander, presents Brig. Gen. Mazher Taha Ahmad, Salah Ad Din Chief of Police, with a key symbolizing the 24 police cars provided for Iraqi police in that province. U.S. Army photo

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, Iraq, May 28, 2004 — Iraqi police officers in the province of Salah Ad Din received a gift of 24 new police cars courtesy of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in a ceremony May 20, 2004, at Forward Operating Base Orion, Balad, Iraq according to 1st Infantry Division officials.
The cars went to police officers in several cities, including Tikrit, Balad and Samarra. More

Polish, Phillipine Militaries Distribute Medicine

Military Police Secure Coalition
Supply Routes in Afghanistan

By U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Magni / 17th Public Affairs Detachment

Spc. Alan Garrett, 58th Military Police Company, pulls security from the turret of an up-armored Humvee while on a presence patrol along New Kabul road. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Frank Magni

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 27, 2004 — Traveling back and forth on New and Old Kabul roads, military traffic is a constant sight. With these roads established as supply routes linking key Coalition headquarters, security becomes a very hefty task.
Providing the security for these vital routes is the responsibility of the 58th Military Police Company home-based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Each of their internal squads patrol independently, serving in two ways to keep New and Old Kabul roads secure. More

War on Terrorism

. Marine Transportation Unit Enhances Anti-Terror Capabilities

. Eritrea Values Anti-Terrorism Partnership With U.S.

. Armitage Says Success in Iraq Will Weaken al-Qaida

Iraq

. Marine Efforts in Iraq Help New Government Ensure Stability

. Al-Sadr Lieutenant Captured, Coalition Kills Mahdi Militiamen

. Partnership Continues to Improve Electrical Grid in Iraq

Military News

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Marine Casualties

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Kyle W. Codner, 19, of Wood River, Neb. and Cpl. Matthew C. Henderson, 25, of Lincoln, Neb., died May 26, due to hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

U.N. Official Urges Increased
Security for Afghan Elections

UNITED NATIONS, May 27, 2004 — Emphasizing the growing popular support and importance of the coming Afghan national elections, the chief U.N. representative in Afghanistan warned May 27 that "a robust international military presence in support of domestic security forces" is critical to carrying out successful elections. More

Contract Flights to Resume for
Rest and Recuperation Program

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2004 (Army News Service) — The Army plans to resume military contract rest and recuperation flights from the Central Command area of operations to the United States on or about June 15. More

Army's 'On Point' Shares
Iraq Lessons Learned

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2004 (Army News Service) — A little more than a year after the end of major hostilities, the Army released May 25 its first major study on operations that liberated the Iraqi people. More

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! My son is serving in Iraq too & I just want all of our AMERICAN military to know our prayers are with you and come home soon. Proud Mom of a son in the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE! GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!
Gail Limas- Ontario, Calif.

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Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Sgt. Kenneth E. Farmer

Marine Corps Sgt. Kenneth E. Farmer from Grants Pass, Ore. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte

AL ASAD, Iraq, May 28, 2004 — The two Marines at the watchtower surveyed the desert expanse squinting to protect their eyes against the bright rays of the midday sun. Their gear was set up perfectly, and each Marine's M-16A2 service rifle was locked, loaded and ready for any enemy attack. More

U.S. Marine Corps
Cpl. Andy J. Hurt

Marine Cpl. Andy J. Hurt is the recipient of the Outstanding New Writer title for the Marine Corps. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nich R. Babb MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif., May 27, 2004 — A combat correspondent here has been named the Marine Corps Outstanding New Writer for 2003, an award that is part of the annual U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association/Division of Public Affairs Merit Awards Program. More

More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Refuelers Give Helicopter
Squadron Its 'Legs'

Marines with the Direct Air Support Squadron conduct a changeover at the end of a shift. These Marines augmented the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) as they formed Task Force Linebacker during combat and civil-military operations in Afghanistan.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan, May 25, 2004 — After weaving through the mountains of south-central Afghanistan, darting back and forth to deter would-be attackers, the three CH-46E helicopters of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced) are getting thirsty. More

'On The Ground' Archive