DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 07/20/2004

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Jul 20, 2004

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SOCCER MATCH — Iraqi soccer players play the initial game at a new soccer field in downtown Baghdad, Iraq, July 17, 2004. The opening of the field is a collaborative effort between local Iraqis, including members of Iraq's Ministry of Youth and Sports, and coalition forces. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen

Afghan National Army Marks Graduation

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, July 20, 2004 — Sixty Afghan National Army officers from the ranks of captain to colonel graduated from the second Command and General Staff College July 19 in Macroriyan, Kabul, according to Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan officials. Story

Rumsfeld: Progress Evident in Terror War

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004 — The United States and its coalition partner nations are making progress in the war against global terrorism, according to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. Story

Security Mission Shifts to Iraqi Forces

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004 — U.S. and coalition military officials are working with Iraq's interim government to fashion a military chain of command for the Iraqi forces, according to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. Story

Mongolia Signs On for Third Iraq Rotation

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004 — Mongolian President Natsagiyn Bagabandi announced that his country will participate in a third rotation of troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Story

Iraqi Guard, Police Team Up for Search

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 19, 2004 — The Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police, two of the four Iraq Security Forces, marked a major milestone together early July 18. Story

COMMENTARY

Iraq's 'True Heroes'

By U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Steve Danyluk

CENTRAL SOUTH AREA OF OPERATIONS, Iraq, July 16, 2004 — I'm serving outside the Iraqi town of Hilla, in the central South, with a small detachment of U.S. Marines. A couple of days ago we drove up to Baghdad on the main supply route, "MSR Tampa" – basically a six-lane highway. Since April it's been closed to civilian traffic because a half-dozen bridges were blown up along the route. Driving on it you feel as if you're a cast member in a remake of "Mad Max" – "Where are all the people?" Story

Soldier Awarded
Silver Star With Valor

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq, July 20, 2004 — The 1st Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, awarded the Silver Star medal with Valor, one of the highest military decorations, to Staff Sgt. Raymond Bittinger for valorous actions leading to the defeat of enemy forces and saving the lives of friendly forces on April 9, 2004, in Buhritz and Baqubah. Story

'We Do Not Need a Draft,'
Rumsfeld Says

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004 — "We do not need a draft," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in a July 16 interview with National Public Radio. The all-volunteer force "has worked brilliantly for our country." Story

Police Advisors, Donated
Gear Arrive For Iraqi Police

AR RAMADI, Iraq, July 19, 2004 — Three international police advisors recently arrived at Camp Mahmudiyah to assist Marines in advising, training and supporting the Iraqi Police. Story

Iraq Stock Exchange Boosts Private Sector

Iraqi Reconstruction Archive

Navy Video Series
Examines Combat Stress

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2004 - A new Navy video series examines combat stress, a problem that can affect troops serving in combat zones and supporting roles. The five-part series looks at reactions and recovery, impact on families and available resources for assistance. The series can be viewed on the Navy Lifelines Web site. Videos Related Story

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Story

Military Photographers on the Frontlines Flash Slide Show

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

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

Up-Armored Vehicles Protect Marine Convoys

CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait, July 18, 2004 — In a large warehouse outside of Kuwait City, civilian contractors from more than 25 countries work to ensure U.S. Marines are protected from improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire during convoy operations. Story

Troops, Iraqis Work to Eliminate Threats

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 16, 2004 — Maintaining security and preventing insurgent attacks on multinational forces and the interim Iraqi government is now the job of the troopers of the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. Story

Security & Reconstruction (10 photos)

Soldiers assigned to 34th Division, 1st Brigade, 168th Infantry Regiment, provide security for members of the Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team, July 18, 2004. The team conducted an assessment to restore the Taqe Zafar monument in the Pagman District of Afghanistan. The monument was dedicated to the Afghans by King Amanullah more than 100 years ago. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Vernell Hall More Photo Essays

Iraqi Power Grid Increases Capacity

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 19, 2004 – Another week, another addition to the overall power capacity of the constantly improving Iraqi power grid as 17 megawatts were added due to the addition of a new generator unit in Taiji, according the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division, Restore Iraqi Electricity Directorate. Story

Soldiers Provide Wheelchairs to Disabled Iraqis

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 18, 2004 — Fulfilling a request by the Al Jihad Neighborhood Council, civil affairs troops in the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division recently improved the lives of the disabled residents in the area by providing them wheelchairs. Story

Army Engineers Renovate Bases for Iraqis

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 16, 2004 — Mud huts and bomb-broken buildings dot the sandy barren horizon near Mosul, Iraq. Like much of the country, decades of war left a wake of rubble and looted buildings at the former Al Kasik Iraqi Army Base here. Story

Jobs Help Local Iraqis, Improve Marine Base

CAMP MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq, July 16, 2004 — Local Iraqis working on the camp here are not just keeping up with the daily chores, but also earning a consistent wage that's a scarcity to most. Story

Working Dogs Fight Heat to Fight Terrorism

CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq, July 16, 2004 — The hanging, drooling tongues of Santo and Rek, two military working dogs, is all the proof needed to show that the dog days of summer are here in Iraq. Story

War on Terrorism

• Guantanamo Detainees Notified of Rights

• Defense Dept. Creates Office of Detainee Affairs

Iraq

• Philippines Withdraws Troops from Iraq

. Marines, Soldier Killed; First Iraqi National Guard Class Graduates

Military News

• Call-Up Allows Army to Deploy Cohesive Teams

. National Guard, Reserve Update

U.S. Support for Afghan Women

Women have made great progress in post-Taliban Afghanistan — their lives are better, they have more opportunities, and they are helping to shape their government, according to a new report from the U.S. State Department.

More Afghanistan News

Country Trio SheDaisy Helps
Support Disabled Soldiers

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004 — Hit country group, SheDaisy, performed at a charity concert to benefit Homes for our Troops, to help raise money for disabled soldiers. Story

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Army
Sgt. Daisy Bueno

Army National Guard Sgt. Daisy Bueno. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2004 — There's a new face at the Pentagon Channel. Army National Guard Sgt. Daisy Bueno is a full-time Army public affairs intern who's participating in Individual Personal Development training. Story More Profiles

In Iraq

Balad First Sergeants Bare
Veins for IV Training

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq, July 19, 2004 — People assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron received life-saving medical training July 15 on the arms of first sergeants here. Story

'On The Ground' Archive

FIRST AID — U.S. Army Pfc. Sean Farley looks on as Spec. Chris Ulen, applies a special "Sponge Bob Square Pants" band-aid to a cut on the foot of a child from the village of Albu Hassan, Iraq, July 16, 2004. Farley and Ulen are combat engineers with Alpha Company, 579th Engineering Battalion. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott Reed