DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 06/12/2004

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Jun 11, 2004

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PRESCRIPTION — Staff Sgt. Keith Melick, a licensed practitioner nurse with C Co., 325th Forward Support Battalion , writes on a plastic bag of pills the number of times an Afghan instructor should take the medicine. The 325th soldiers performed a Civil Military Asistance program at the Afghan National Police Center on June 5, 2004, in Kandahar, Afghanistan. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Andre' Reynolds

‘Conditions, Not Calendar’
To Determine Coalition Exit

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, June 12, 2004 – The coalition presence in Iraq will be determined “by conditions, not by the calendar,” Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said during a press conference in Baghdad today.
     Kimmitt, the deputy chief of operations for Multinational Forces, Iraq, said coalition forces will draw down in Iraq as conditions permit and not by an arbitrary date on a calendar.
     Coalition forces remained active in the country, Kimmitt and coalition spokesman Dan Senor said. Over the past 24 hours, coalition forces conducted 1,900 patrols, 20 offensive operations, 29 Navy and Air Force sorties, captured 39 anti-Iraqi elements and released 10 detainees.
     A total of five U.S. service members were wounded by improvised explosive devices in the country in the past 24 hours, Kimmitt said. More

Civilian Leaders See Navy
Ops, Anti-terrorism Exercise

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

ROTA, Spain, June 11, 2004 — Civilian leaders from throughout the United States watched U.S. Navy fighter jets launch a simulated strike against a suspected terrorist training camp in Tunisia, then looked on as a SEAL team boarded and took control of a vessel posing as a ship transporting components for weapons of mass destruction.
The mock scenarios were part of a full-day demonstration of Navy sea and airpower, hosted today by the USS Enterprise for about 50 participants in the 2004 Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. More

Coalition Protects Ancient
Babylon Archaeological Site

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, June 11, 2004 — The coalition in Iraq has taken steps to protect an ancient Babylon archaeological site.
     Coalition Provisional Authority administrator Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III and Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, announced the initiative today in a joint statement.
     "Recently, the coalition dispatched a team of archaeologists and Iraqi cultural antiquities experts to the city of Babylon to assess the current condition of the archaeological site located at Camp Alpha, a coalition base originally established to protect and defend the ancient city of Babylon during military operations in 2003," the statement said. More

America Says Farewell to
Reagan During D.C. Rites

USS Ronald Reagan sailors salute the American flag during a memorial service for President Ronald Reagan on the flight deck aboard his namesake aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Paul H. Laverty Jr.

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2004 — President Bush spoke for the nation when he said former President Ronald Reagan, "believed that America was not just a place in the world, but the hope of the world."
Bush spoke during the state funeral for the 40th president at Washington National Cathedral here.
Overcoming darkness was a theme of the service in honor of Reagan, who died June 5 at his home in California. More

A National Farewell Photo Essay

Citizens Honor Reagan Outside Cathedral

Hope Was Reagan's Secret Weapon

Thousands Pay Final Respects

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"The war on terror is a different kind of war. It requires international cooperation to fight it. And there's excellent international cooperation in the war against terror. ... There's excellent intelligence-sharing, not only with nations in the G8, but nations throughout the world. There's excellent law enforcement operations ... There's substantial cooperation."

Savannah, Ga., June 10, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

Coalition Launches Investigation Into Death During Raid

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2004 — Coalition officials have launched an investigation into a May 17 incident in which a U.S. soldier shot and killed an Iraqi man during a raid in Baghdad, Multinational Force Iraq officials announced today in a news release. More

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Thomas D. Caughman, 20, of Lexington, S.C., died June 9, in Baghdad, Iraq when his up-armored high-mobility-multi-purpose wheeled vehicle was struck by rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. Caughman was assigned to the Army Reserve’s Company C, 391st Engineer Battalion, Spartanburg, S.C.

Marine Unit
Begins Flow to Iraq

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. , June 10, 2004 — About 250 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are set to sail for Iraq, beginning a month-long flow of Marine Expeditionary Unit forces that should have the entire unit in Iraq by mid-July.
Most of the Marines who left are assigned to the MEU's aviation squadron, which sent 175 leathernecks and its full complement of 12 CH-46E helicopters. Others include ground-combat Marines and a handful each from the MEU's command and combat service support elements. 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

Laser Light 5 More Photos

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scott McDaniel (background) talks to inbound aircraft, as Staff Sgt. Carl Hill uses a laser to highlight a target during a weapons interdiction mission in Iraq, May 31, 2004. McDaniel and Hill, both with the 116th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, are part of a joint team which must scout the objective area prior to a coalition attack to ensure no collateral damage will occur. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott Reed Photo Essay Archive

Harriers Join Fight Against Taliban

By U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan, June 10, 2004 — U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II attack jets from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) recently conducted ground attack missions against anti-coalition militia in Afghanistan's Oruzgan province in support of the ground forces.
Based out of Kandahar Air Base, the Harriers have seen extensive use flying escort and reconnaissance missions, but the missions beginning on June 2 marked their first true combat sorties since the unit's arrival in Afghanistan in mid-April. More

U.S. Embassy Plans '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. More

Soldiers Help Recruit Iraqi Civil Defense Corps

BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 11, 2004 — The 304th Iraqi Civil Defense Corps battalion recently ran a recruiting drive here with help from the 1st Cavalry Division's 5th Brigade Combat Team, according to Multinational Force Iraq officials. More

Italians Aid Dha Qar Province

AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq, June 11, 2004 — The Italian Joint Task Force distributed humanitarian aid to the population of Al Hussein, a village located east of An Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province, on June 6, according to Multinational Force Iraq officials.
The task force distributed 50 Kits for potable water, as well as clothing and personal hygiene products provided by the Italian Red Cross. More

Marine Civil Affairs Teams Work
To Improve Al Anbar Province

     AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq, June 10, 2004 — Marine civil affairs teams recently visited towns here to continue progress on several quality of life initiatives for residents of the Al Anbar province.
      In Kharma, Marines paid $7,000 on a $32,000 contract to build a youth center. The total amount paid on the contract so far is $27,000.
     Civil affairs teams in Khalidiyah discussed construction of a new health clinic with city officials. An Iraqi doctor has already stepped forward to volunteer at the clinic.

Haditha Dam at Full Operation

Iraqis Have Full Control of Their Oil

Marines, Iraqis Break Ground for Clean Water

By U.S. Marine Sgt. Matt Epright / 1st Force Service Support Group

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

AL KABANI, Iraq, June 9, 2004 — Marines from 1st Force Service Support Group joined with the leader of this fishing village, as well as a local Iraqi government official, to break ground June 8, 2004, for a $146,000 water purification system here.
During the ceremony, leaders of 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, were pleased to learn that the project to bring clean water to community residents will also now encompass a second village nearby, potentially tripling the number of Iraqis to be helped. More

War on Terrorism

• Capabilities Key in Posture Review

• Chairman Discusses Terror War

• Powell "Very Disturbed" by Errors in 2003 Terrorism Report

• Deployments, Global Posture Factors in Troop Realignment

Iraq

• Iraq's Prime Minister Calls Saboteurs Terrorists, Traitors

• Democratic Process Already at Work in Iraq, Wolfowitz Says

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

Military News

• Court Lifts Stay on ‘Friendly Fire’ Trial

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

. Air Force Chief of Staff Shares View on Deployment Extension

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Operation Gratitude Sends
Care Packages to Troops

ENCINO, Calif., June 10, 2004 — Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that sends care packages to service members overseas, announced today that AT&T has become its first corporate sponsor. AT&T is contributing 10,000 AT&T PrePaid Phone Cards to be included in 2004 care packages, a donation valued at $75,000. More

Tiger Woods Donates to
Special Ops Charity Fund

FORT BRAGG, N.C., June 4, 2004 (USASOC News Service) — After witnessing the rigors of Army life during his weeklong visit here in mid-April, professional golfer Tiger Woods donated $50,000 to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation as a gesture of appreciation to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Marine Corps
Brig. Gen. Joseph V. Medina

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii, June 10, 2004 — Brig. Gen. Joseph V. Medina, commander of the Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group, led 4,000 Marines and sailors into Pearl Harbor for five days of training before heading directly to the Western Pacific in support of the war on terrorism. More

U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Robbie Hopkins

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga., June 9, 2004 — There is something different about this security detail for most National Guard soldiers and airmen taking part in annual Group of Eight Summit June 8-10. More

More Profiles

Command Officials Dispute
Border Crossing Allegation

    WASHINGTON, June 11, 2004 -- Combined Forces Command Afghanistan officials say June 9 media reports alleging that a U.S. military helicopter violated the Pakistan border, are untrue.
     "We conducted a thorough investigation of this report and found it to be without merit: coalition aircraft continue to respect the international border," said Army Col. Randy Pullen, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan spokesman. "Indeed, we go to extraordinary lengths to ensure we do not inadvertently cross into Pakistani airspace. If we should do so, we are quick to admit our error. There was no need to admit an error in this instance.
     "We are concerned that claims of this sort could distract our respective nations from our common goal of battling and defeating terrorism," Pullen added. "We will not allow unfounded reports to drive a wedge between two strong allies."

In Afghanistan

If You Break It, They Will Come

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Zabud Carper checks a repair to an A-10 Thunderbolt II slat rib. The rib had a hairline crack that was discovered during an aircraft inspection. Sergeant Carper is assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's fabrication branch here. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, June 9, 2004 (AFPN) — Outside, there is a simple, painted sign: “If you break it, we can make it.” Inside, there is an array of equipment, somewhat reminiscent of a high-school machine shop. More

'On The Ground' Archive