DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 06/16/2004

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Jun 16, 2004

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PURPLE HEART – Specialist Black of the 210th Military Police Company, North Carolina Army National Guard, receives the Purple Heart from the North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram, Jr. Black and others return to Asheville Regional Airport, N.C., on Thursday, June 10, 2004 after being deployed for over 15 months in Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen

Bush Tells Troops Worldwide:
Iraq's 'Turning Point' Imminent

By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2004 — With the transfer of sovereignty two weeks away, the future of a free Iraq is coming into view, President Bush told a worldwide military audience and service members assembled at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., today. U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command have their headquarters at MacDill.
A satellite television hook-up enabled the president to make his remarks directly to service members assembled in hangars at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, and Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, and the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Radio and Television Service carried his address to military people in other parts of Afghanistan and Iraq, at 20 bases in the United States, and around the globe to wherever U.S. military people serve. More

Coalition, Iraqi Leaders Reach Agreement On Two Key Areas

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 16, 2004 — American and Iraqi leaders meeting here today came up with at least two major areas in which they agree completely – the nature of the threat in Iraq and the political track to a representative, elected government.
Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz is in Baghdad at the head of a high-level coalition delegation meeting with leaders of the new interim Iraqi government to discuss security-related issues. More

Wolfowitz Arrives in Baghdad to Meet Troops, Iraqi Leaders

U.S. Must Confront Terrorism
Breeding on African Continent

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2004 — While most Americans focus on the Middle East as the bull's-eye of terrorist activity in the world, Africa continues to fester as a breeding ground for al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations, the deputy commander of U.S. European Command told civilians attending the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference last week.
Air Force Gen. Charles F. Wald said terrorists being driven from Afghanistan and elsewhere in Southwest Asia are finding safe haven to the south. There, operating in vast, open spaces with long, porous borders, these groups are able to recruit and train members and bankroll their operations, he said. More

Marines Arrive in Chad, Begin Pan Sahel Initiative

President Reaffirms 'Ironclad Commitment' to Afghanistan

By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service

     WASHINGTON, June 15, 2004 — Following meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, President Bush reaffirmed the United States' "ironclad commitment" to aid Afghanistan.
     Bush and Karzai spoke to reporters at the White House Rose Garden today.
     Bush said the United States is just one of many nations helping the Afghans find and defeat Taliban remnants and eliminate al Qaeda terrorists. More Remarks

1st Infantry Division Sets
Oct. 1 Transfer Date

TIKRIT, Iraq, June 15, 2004 — The commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Army Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, has set a target date of Oct. 1 for the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps to take over security responsibilities for the Salah Ad Din province, Multi-National Force-Iraq officials announced. Batiste made the announcement during remarks to coalition and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers June 13. More

Defense Leaders Speak

President George W. Bush

"Wherever your duty has taken you, I want you to know that you're part of a great force of good in this world. The defense of our country, the security of our friends and the peace of the world depend on you. Thank you for working hard and for bringing credit and honor to the United States military."

Message to the troops, Tampa, Fla. June 16, 2004

Defense Views

Quotes by U.S. defense leaders

More Afghanistan News

Program Sends Children
Of Deployed Troops to Camp

Operation Purple spokeswoman Jessica Lynch signs a camper's shirt. Lynch helped kick off the National Military Family Association program, which gives children of deployed or previously deployed service members a free week at camp. The program is running in 11 states and the U.S. territory of Guam. Photo by K.L. Vantran

WERNERSVILLE, Pa., June 16, 2004 — Campers and counselors didn't seem to mind the scorching midday sun here June 15 as they joined hands and swayed to the patriotic tunes on the athletic field of the South Mountain YMCA. The youngers helped kick off "Operation Purple," a program giving a free week of camp to children of deployed or previously deployed parents. More

Country Singer Hosts
Army Birthday Concert

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2004 — Country music star John Michael Montgomery helped celebrate the Army's 229th birthday by singing four of his hits at the Pentagon today. More

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

First Armored Div. Families
Get Higher 'Space-A' Priority

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2004 — U.S. European Command has implemented a program that allows some family members to get a higher seating priority when they travel space-available on military planes within the command's theater of operations. 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

A member of the North Carolina Army National Guard's 210th Military Police Company gets a rousing 'welcome home' when his unit returns to Asheville Regional Airport, N.C., June 10, 2004, after being deployed for over 15 months in Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen 4 More Photos

Marines Arm Selves With Ingenuity

By Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere / 1st Force Service Support Group

Marine Sgt. Phillip G. Zacher stands beside a Humvee equipped with a turret shield he designed and welded at Camp Taqaddum, Iraq. Zacher, a vehicle maintenance chief for 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, drew from his personal welding experience to create something that would help protect turret gunners from explosives and enemy fire. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq, June 16, 2004 — Dire situations inspire ingenious solutions. This old saying rings true today for inventive Marines in Iraq who've used little more than their creativity to adapt to ever-changing enemy tactics and endure on dangerous Iraqi roads. More

Marines Honor Iraqi Soldiers for Valor

By U.S. Marine Sgt. Jose E. Guillen / 1st Marine Division

Iraqi Lt. Gen Shaker Asal, commander of the 505th Battalion, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, gives awards to five Iraqi troops for acts of bravery at their graduation and awards ceremony in Camp India. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan F. Sherwood

CAMP INDIA, Iraq, June 16, 2004 — Five Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers were decorated recently by Marines for bravery under fire.
Col. John R. Toolan, commander for Regimental Combat Team 1, awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals to the Iraqi soldiers. The soldiers were cited for braving enemy fire to aid Marines in a May 30 clash. The awards included "V" devices for valor. More

Baghdad Government Names Inspector General

BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 15, 2004 — Ambassador L. Paul Bremer has named an inspector general for the city of Baghdad, accepting the recommendation of Baghdad Mayor Dr. Alaa al-Tamimi. More

Marines Bring Village Welcomed Relief

SAHL HAWRAN, Iraq, June 15, 2004 – The Marines and sailors of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, attached to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing to perform convoy security and conduct patrols, swarmed the village here recently, bringing fresh fruit, candy and much-needed bottled drinking water. More

Troops Break Ground for New Clinic

KHALIDIYAH, Iraq, June 16, 2004 – What is now an empty dirt lot in the middle of a maze of brick and concrete homes will soon be the key to a small Iraqi community's promise of health care. Marines from 1st Marine Division, along with soldiers from the Army's 1st Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment broke ground on a new medical clinic in the Abu Fleis district of Khalidiyah, a city wedged between Fallujah and Ar Ramadi. More

Civil Affairs Soldiers Donate Security Gear

MOSUL, Iraq, June 15, 2004 – Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion’s higher education team are working to improve security around Mosul’s schools. The team handed out $10,000 worth of security equipment, such as body armor, megaphones, flashlights, reflective vests and metal detectors to the security guards from Mosul University on June 9.
More

Marines, Sailors Save Taliban Fighter's Life

By Capt. Eric Dent / 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Led by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Dessel, Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines's Combined Anti-Armor Team carry a wounded Taliban guerilla to a helicopter June 13, 2004, in central Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Eric Dent

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan, June 16, 2004 — Two hours earlier they were hunting him down and now they were hurrying to save his life.
Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, and Afghan Militia Forces engaged three enemy fighters on a mountainside June 13. The guerillas were tracking and reporting on the team's activities when coalition forces opened fire and wounded at least one of them. More

War on Terrorism

• Afghan President Urges Lawmakers To Stay the Course in Terror War

• Cheney Cites Afghan, Iraq Progress

• Karzai Thanks Americans For Support to Afghanistan

• Powell Speaks on Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia

• Leaders Call for Coalition to Remain

• U.S., Australia Share Stake in Asia's Future, Armitage Says

• Capabilities Key in Posture Review

Iraq

• Iraqi Military Buys Two Aircraft; 400 More Detainees Released

• Coalition Officials Expect More Violence as Handover Nears

• Foes of Democracy Responsible for Changing Iraqi Attitude

• Iraqi Prime Minister Vows to Catch Baghdad Car Bombers

• ‘Conditions, Not Calendar’ To Determine Coalition Exit

• Coalition Protects Ancient Babylon Archaeological Site

Military News

• New Joint Commanders Named

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Transformation

Web Site Explains
New Personnel System

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2004 — Department of Defense officials launched a new Web site to educate civilian employees about the new National Security Personnel System. The new system will make changes in the way the department hires, pays, promotes, disciplines and fires civilian employees. More

More Transformation News

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2004 — The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Shawn M. Atkins, 20, of Parker, Colo., died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, as a result of a non-combat injury. Atkins was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Hanau, Germany.

Honoring the Fallen

Marines Remember Lost Comrade

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, June 16, 2004 — Lance Cpl. Dustin L. Sides, a motor transportation operator with 9th Communications Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, was honored at a memorial service recently at the Camp Fallujah Chapel. The 22-year-old Marine was killed May 31 when the convoy in which he was riding struck a homemade, roadside bomb when returning from Al Asad. More

Profile

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Harbin & U.S. Army 1st Lt. Eric Harbin

Photo: U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Harbin and U.S. Army 1st Lt. Eric Harbin

SOUTHWEST ASIA, June 16, 2004 (AFPN) — When Lt. Col. Greg Harbin landed at the airport in Mosul, Iraq, he knew he had to travel to the operational headquarters on the other side of town. He also knew an Army convoy would be escorting him. What he did not know was that his brother would be the convoy commander. More

U.S. Navy
Petty Officer 1st Class Allan M. Lacson

Photo: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Allan M. Lacson

CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan, June 16, 2004 — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Allan M. Lacson was recently selected out of four finalists as the Commanding General, Marine Force Pacific, Sea Sailor of the Year for 2004. More

More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Ordnance Marines Keep
Harriers' Claws Sharp

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, June 16, 2004 — For aviation ordnance Marines, one of the most exasperating parts of their job is to see an aircraft return home with a full load of bombs, rockets, and bullets. More

In Southwest Asia

KC-130R Hercules Team
Provides Steady Support

CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF OPERATIONS, June 16, 2004 — To successfully operate from a remote location such as Forward Operating Base Ripley, deep in the heart of Afghanistan's Oruzgan province, a unit requires a steady flow of supplies and personnel. More

In Iraq

Promotion Ceremony
Reaches New Heights

Sgt. Shawn Blalock (center), ground support equipment noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is pinned by Gunnery Sgt. Mark A. Cancino (right) and Staff Sgt. William M. Sayles during an aerial promotion in Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey

AL ASAD, Iraq, June 16, 2004 — Promotions were taken to new heights recently for Marines of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. More

Young Iraqi Patient Wins
Surgical Team's Hearts

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq, June 16, 2004 — Sailors and Marines at Alpha Surgical Company are investigating a robbery that occurred here sometime between May 14-16, 2004. A 10-year-old Iraqi girl is the prime suspect in the theft – of everyone's hearts. More

'On The Ground' Archive