DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 06/09/2004

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Jun 09, 2004

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MARTIAL MUSIC — The Iraqi Armed Forces Band gives their premiere performance at the Presidential Republican Palace in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, May 3, 2004. The band performs under the command of Maj. Mohammed Khidr. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

Plans to Open U.S. Embassy
In Baghdad 'Well on Track'

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2004 — After June 30 the American and Iraqi governments will conduct diplomatic business "as equals," the U.S. State Department's coordinator for Iraq transition said here today.
Ambassador Frank Ricciardone and retired Army Lt. Gen. Mick Kicklighter, director of the Defense Department's Iraq Transition Team, have been working since January on planning for the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The pair briefed reporters about the status of their mission at a State Department news conference. More

U.S., Allies Say Capabilities Key in Global Posture Process

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2004 — Capabilities, not numbers, are the focus of discussions between the United States and its allies worldwide as part of the global posture review, U.S. government officials said at the Pentagon today.
Representatives from the Defense Department, the State Department and the National Security Council spoke on background about the ongoing discussions. More

Myers Discusses Terror War, Leadership at NDU Graduation

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     FORT LESLEY J. MCNAIR, D.C., June 9, 2004 — More attention needs to be paid to the nonmilitary portion of the war on terrorism, and the military must do a better job in cultivating relationships among agencies and countries, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
      Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers told the National Defense University's graduating class he is a bit leery about calling the ongoing struggle the "war on terrorism."
      "Most people assume that if it is war, then the military is the lead agency," Myers told the 507 graduates of the NDU's Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the National War College. More

Bush Says Resolution's Passage Marks 'Important Day' for Iraq

By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2004 — The passage of a new U.N. Security Council resolution on Iraq marks "an important day for the Iraqi people," President Bush noted today at the G8 summit at Sea Island, Ga.
Accompanied by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush told reporters that "the United Nations Security Council unanimously expressed the desire for Iraq to be free and peaceful." More

U.N. Approves Iraq Resolution

Democratic Process Already at Work in Iraq, Wolfowitz Says

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2004 — The orderly transfer of leadership in Iraq shows that “the rudiments of a democratic process are already at work,” Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz wrote in an editorial in today's Wall Street Journal.
“The hope for a new Iraq, in which freedom is protected by democracy and the rule of law rests in such processes,” he said. “This hopeful vision is what the enemies of a new Iraq fear the most.” More

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., June 7, 2004 — Captains of the Ceremonial Guard Honor salute the former Commander-In-Chief in the rotunda of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., June 7, 2004.
The former president died of pneumonia June 5 at age 93 in his home in California. On June 9, Reagan's body will be flown to Washington, D.C., where it will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. A state funeral will be conducted June 11 at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Bush will give the eulogy. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Jon D. Gesch

Reagan's Policy Targeted Soviet Threat

Inauguration Set Tone for Change

Secretary Rumsfeld on
President Reagan's Passing

     "President Ronald Reagan's resolve in the defense of freedom helped to change the course of modern history. Am`ide in the men and women who wear the military uniform.
     "This modest man of good humor had the conviction and personal courage to provide our nation and the free world with directional leadership at a time when it was so sorely needed.
     "My thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and the Reagan family."

Bush Issues Executive Order,
Proclamation on Reagan's Death

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"... The key to long-term security in Iraq is for all of us to work together to train Iraqi troops to handle their own security measures. And that's precisely what we are doing on the ground, and we will work with other nations to do, as well."

Remarks at G8 Summit, June 8, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Marines Train
Mongolian Peacekeepers

FIVE HILLS, Mongolia — A small cadre of Marine military policemen participating in Khaan Quest ’04 here May 20 taught Mongolian service members of the 150th Peacekeeping Battalion how to use nonlethal submission techniques during a bilateral interoperability exercise between 58 Okinawa-based U.S. Marines and the Mongolian Armed Forces.
Exercise Khaan Quest is in its second year and focuses on developing U.S. Marine-Mongolian Armed Forces leadership skills and peacekeeping interoperability, as well as fostering goodwill to establish a foundation for the future. More

Military Photographers on the Frontlines Flash Slide Show

Radio

Television

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

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

COMMENTARY

Team Effort Fuels Success in Iraq

By U.S. Air Force Maj. Rich Doyle

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, June 8, 2004 (AFPN) — Like many of my Air Force teammates, I recently returned from a four-month deployment to Iraq where we are helping to rebuild a nation ruined by a tyrant and to transform it from a bastion of terror to a free democracy.
I consider my experience supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom to be one of the most worthwhile endeavors of my career, so I was very surprised by the pessimistic attitude regarding OIF among my family, friends and co-workers. More

Marines Battle Taliban Insurgents 10 More Photos

Marine Sgt. Ryan West, of Lafayette, Indiana, a squad leader with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) shouts for his Marines to take cover as sniper fire impacts around them during a fight with anti-coalition militia in central Afghanistan. During two days of heavy fighting in early June three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks Photo Essay Archive

G8 Summit Creates Double
Duty for Army Guard General

By U.S. Army Master Sgt. Bob Haskell / National Guard Bureau

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga., June 8, 2004 — If Terry Nesbitt were in Major League Baseball, he would be the manager of the New York Yankees and the New York Mets at the same time and for the first time – during the World Series.
It isn't baseball, but Georgia Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt is managing or commanding two large teams at the same time this week during a very public international event taking place on coastal Georgia. More

Cellular Phone Company "Iraqna"
To Sponsor Iraqi Football Teams

AMMAN, Jordan, June 9, 2004 — The Iraqi Football Association is pleased to announce a major sponsorship initiative by Iraqna in agreeing to be an Associate Sponsor of the Iraqi National Football Teams.
Hussein Saeed, President of the Iraqi Football Association, said “Iraqi football is enjoying a tremendous revival at this time, but we have many challenges ahead to build on our success. This wonderful support from Iraqna is crucial to our ability to continue to develop all our national football teams for the future.” More

Marines Start Boot Camp to Train
Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Soldiers

Marines with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 1 build targets for a new range at Camp India, Iraq. The camp is located inside an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps base, which has begun cycling corps soldiers through seven-day training evolutions. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, June 8, 2004 — There aren't any "Smokey Bear" covers, but make no mistake. Marines are opening a new boot camp center in Iraq.
This one, however, makes soldiers for the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps. Marines from Regimental Combat Team 1 are building up a training facility in Nassir Al Wa Salaam, Iraq. Construction on the facility began in early June and training picked up right away. More

Iraqis Take First Step toward Free Elections

Navy's Patrol Squadron 47 Returns Home

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, June 8, 2004 (NNS) — After a six month deployment to the Middle East, Patrol Squadron 47 returned home to Hawaii June 5.
Family and friends of the squadron cheered as the crew made their way back to Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. The squadron was involved in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom by flying surveillance missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. More

USS McClusky, Fletcher Return to San Diego

SAN DIEGO, June 7, 2004 (NNS) — The destroyer USS Fletcher and frigate USS McClusky returned to Naval Base San Diego June 3, 2004, following their respective deployments in support of the global war on terrorism.
Fletcher left its original homeport of Pearl Harbor Aug. 2, 2002, and returned to San Diego following a successful deployment, which included three Sea Swaps and Maritime Interception Operations in the Persian Gulf. Story

War on Terrorism

• Deployments, Global Posture Factors in Troop Realignment

• Bush Discusses War on Terror, Iraqi Sovereignty with Leaders

• Terror War Being Fought on Many Fronts, President Says

Iraq

• Troops Rescue Four Hostages

• Ammunition Facility Accident Claims Coalition Troops' Lives

• Bush to Welcome New Iraqi President at G-8 Summit

• CENTCOM Officials Report Mosque Explosion in Kufa

Military News

• Military Needs 'Full-Time' Care, Advocacy for Sexual Assault Victims

. Air Force Chief of Staff Shares View on Deployment Extension

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Casualties

    WASHINGTON, June 9, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the identity of two soldiers and a Marine who died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They are:
     Army Capt. Humayun S. M. Khan, 27, of Bristow, Va., died June 8 in Baquabah, Iraq, after a vehicle packed with an improvised explosive device drove into the gate of his compound while he was inspecting soldiers on guard duty. Khan was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 201st Forward Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Vilseck, Germany.
     Army Cpl. David M. Fraise, 24, of New Orleans, La., died June 7 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device hit his patrol. Fraise was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
     Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremy L. Bohlman, 21, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died June 7 from hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
     The incidents are under investigation

Theme Parks Show
Appreciation for Troops

MILLINGTON, Tenn., June 9, 2004 (NNS) — Sailors and their families can take advantage of free or discounted tickets to several world-renowned theme parks this summer. Busch Entertainment Corporation, the family entertainment subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch, is offering substantially discounted tickets to six of the company's theme parks through a program called “Military Appreciation Days.” More

Fla. Guard Unit Gets
Presidential Citation

PANAMA CITY, Fla., June 5, 2004 — Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment were among about 3,000 soldiers who attended the Northwest Florida's “Salute to Florida's Heroes,” June 5 in Panama City, Fla. They were awarded the Naval Presidential Unit Citation. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Army
Spc. Samantha Ruszczyk

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait, June 9, 2004 — The first thing you notice about Army Spc. Samantha Ruszczyk is that this is a soldier mature beyond her years. More

U.S. Marine Corps
1st Lt. Catalina Kesler &
Cpl. Fabian Estrada

Marine Cpl. Fabian Estrada pins first lieutenant rank insignia on his sister, Catalina Kesler during her promotion ceremony at Al Asad, Iraq, May 24. Estrada traveled from Al Taqqadum, Iraq, to take part in the ceremony. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey

AL ASAD, Iraq, June 9, 2004 — Although deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, recently promoted 1st Lt. Catalina Kesler, executive officer of Alpha Surgical Company, 1st Force Service Support Group, didn't have to look too far to find a loved one to promote her. More

More Profiles

Soldiers Connect Bagram,
Provincial Reconstruction Teams

U.S. Army Pvt. 2 Joshua Allen, of the 125th Signal Battalion, uses a technique called “Peaking and Poling,” where fine adjustments are made to the end of the satellite dish, to line up with the orbiting satellite and improve the transmittal signal. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Francis Horton

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, June 9, 2004 — U.S. soldiers from the 125th Signal Battalion are training to become an important part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team mission in Afghanistan. More

Marines, Allies Continue
Assault into Taliban Heartland

Marines Battle Taliban Insurgents

In Afghanistan

Total-Force Effort Supplies
Operation Enduring Freedom

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Costello watches for instructions as he drives a new-generation small loader. The loader can carry up to 25,000 pounds. Sergeant Costello is assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here. He is deployed from the 109th Aerial Port Flight at Stratton Air National Guard Base, N.Y. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, June 8, 2004 (AFPN) — Every day, between 50 and 100 tons of equipment and supplies arrive here, flown in around the clock by a constant stream of cargo aircraft. More 'On The Ground' Archive