DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 06/17/2004

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Jun 17, 2004

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IMPORTANT CARGO — U.S. Marines and soldiers unload donated medical supplies at a medical clinic in Khalidiyah, Iraq, June 12, 2004. Ground was broken on a new medical clinic, part of a cooperative effort between Marines and soldiers from 1st Marine Division and local leaders in the Abu Fleis region of the city. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva

Afghan Coalition Continues Progress as Elections Near

By Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2004 — Afghanistan "is no longer a sanctuary for terrorists, a place where they can train in safety and comfort," and coalition forces are working to increase security in the region and pave the way for the upcoming national elections, the commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan said today.
Speaking with Pentagon reporters via teleconference from the Afghan capital of Kabul, Army Lt. Gen. David Barno cited continued progress in weeding out remnants of Taliban and al Qaeda forces. More

Wolfowitz Reassures Kurdish Allies of U.S. Commitment

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

LAKE DOKAN, Iraq, June 17, 2004 — The United States stands firmly behind its Kurdish allies and feels the best bet for their future is in a united, democratic Iraq, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told Iraqi Kurd leaders in northern Iraq.
"We Americans think it is very important that Kurds should be first-class citizens in their own country," Wolfowitz said in a press conference with Kurdistan Democratic Party President Massoud Barzani in Irbil today. "It's important because an Iraqi government that treats its Kurds as first-class citizens will treat all its people as first-class citizens." More

Wolfowitz Visits U.S. Military
Commanders, Local Leaders

By Kathleen T. Rhem / American Forces Press Service

LAKE DOKAN, Iraq, June 17, 2004 — Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz visited several areas of northern Iraq today, spending time with U.S. military commanders and local leaders.
At Logistics Support Area Anaconda in Mosul, officers of Multinational Brigade North briefed Wolfowitz on security issues facing the area, relationships with the local population, and the performance of Iraqi security forces. More

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. More Remarks

Transformation

1st Cavalry Div. Uses
'Command Post of Future'

BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 17, 2004 — Soldiers of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division are putting transformational technology to work in their day-to-day operations in Baghdad. The unit is the first to employ the "Command Post of the Future" in an operational environment. More

More Transformation News

Soldiers Soon to Get Side
Protection on Body Armor

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2004 (Army News Service) — Deployed troops will soon start getting side protection for their Interceptor Body Armor, thanks to the efforts of Program Executive Office Soldier. More

Healthcare Benefits Expanded
For Marine Reservists, Families

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii, June 16, 2004 — Healthcare coverage for Marine reservists and their dependents has been expanded to cover a wider range of benefits as of May 2004, according to Marine Corps officials. Story

USS Kearsarge Onloads
Marines for Iraqi Freedom

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE, At Sea, June 16, 2004 (NNS) — USS Kearsarge stopped off the coast of Camp Lejune, N.C., recently to onload Marines, vehicles and equipment to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terrorism. 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

Voter Registration Continues

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 16, 2004 - With the upcoming elections in September, the coalition continues to enable voter registrations to take place, according to Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan officials. Despite attempts by anti-coalition militia to derail the elections, there are more than 1,000 voter registration sites open across the country with almost 2,000 teams registering voters. More

More Afghanistan News

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

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. More

Marines Arrive in Chad, Begin Pan Sahel Initiative

Sergeant, Widow Share
Memories at NASCAR Race

Jill Colgan and Sgt. Marquette created a special bond at a recent NSCAR race, over the death of Colgan's husband and Whiteside's lieutenant, Ben Colgan. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lorie Jewell

POCONO, Pa., June 16, 2004 (Army News Service) — The first time Sgt. Marquette Whiteside was invited to enjoy an expense-free VIP treatment at a NASCAR race, he turned it down.
Whiteside, one of three soldiers featured on the cover of Time Magazine’s Person of the Year issue, wasn’t a NASCAR fan. But when told in the next call that he would be at the race with Jill Colgan, wife of Whiteside’s former platoon leader, Lt. Ben Colgan, he didn’t hesitate to accept. Whiteside was by the lieutenant’s side on a Baghdad patrol last year when an ambush took his life. Story

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

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

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

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. More

Marines, Sailors Save Taliban Fighter's Life

By Capt. Eric Dent / 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

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. More

War on Terrorism

• Powell Ties Iraqi Reconstruction to War on Terror

• President Reaffirms 'Ironclad Commitment' to Afghanistan

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

Iraq

• Coalition, Iraqi Leaders Reach Agreement On Two Key Areas

• Coalition Responsibility in Iraq Won't End With Power Transfer

• Iraqi Military Buys Two Aircraft; 400 More Detainees Released

Military News

• New Joint Commanders Named

. National Guard, Reserve Update

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. More

Camp Brings Kids Together

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

Profile

Joseph P. Aukward

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 17, 2004 — Mr. Joseph P. Aukward, an employee with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), was notified on May 26, by the United States Olympic Committee, that he has been selected to represent the U.S. as a member of the Olympic Paralympic team, which is scheduled to compete on Sept. 17-28 in Athens, Greece. 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