DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 07/22/2004

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Jul 22, 2004

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HOMEWARD BOUND — The USS George Washington transits the Straits of Gibraltar, Mediterranean Sea, July 20, 2004. The Norfolk, Va.- based nuclear powered aircraft carrier deployed Jan. 20 to support the global war on terrorism and is scheduled to return to Norfolk July 26. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joan Kretschmer

U.S. Safer, But Still Remains Vulnerable

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2004 — America is safer today against potential terrorist attack, but still remains vulnerable, the Sept. 11 commission chairman said here today. Story

El Salvador to Continue Iraq Deployment

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2004 — El Salvador has "reupped" and will continue its deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Defense Department officials said today. Story

Multinational Diving Exercise Kicks Off

TALLINN, Estonia, July 22, 2004 — An international contingent of soldiers have launched a military exercise designed to train divers to handle underwater explosives and salvage operations. The exercise also includes anti-terrorist training. Story

Task Force Launches Baltic Exercises

Bad Troops, Poor Leaders Led to Abuse

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2004 — A few "bad apples" and a lack of proper supervision — not a failure in military training, doctrine or policy — were responsible for detainee abuses in Afghanistan and Iraq, Army leaders told a Senate committee today. Story

Army Accelerates Future Combat System

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2004 — For the Army, the future is now, as Army officials accelerate the delivery of selected future combat systems to the current force. Story

Army Chief: Force More Flexible, Agile

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2004 — The Army has an "extraordinary opportunity" to transform its forces to respond to "one of the most dangerous times in our history," the Army chief of staff told Congress July 21. Story

Lessons Learned Guide Army Transformation

Rumsfeld: No Plans to Extend Reserves

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2004 — The Defense Department does not plan on extending any reserve component service member beyond the 24-month limit, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said at a Pentagon news conference today. Story

Iraqi Survivors to Share Experiences
Of Torture During Saddam's Rule

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2004 — The U.S. Agency for International Development is sponsoring a tour this month throughout the United States of three Iraqi survivors, witnesses to the torture and mass murder perpetrated by Saddam Hussein's brutal regime. Story

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld

"Today a country that once shared a common cause with terrorists is now an ally in the effort to defeat the extremists. And the American people can be enormously proud of the young men and women in uniform and our coalition partners, who are contributing every day in a very difficult task but what will be a victory."

DoD News Briefing, July 21, 2004

Device Explodes Near Tarin Kowt

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 22, 2004 - An improvised explosive device exploded 600 meters from a coalition-led medical civic assistance project near Tarin Kowt, July 22, but no one was injured, according to Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan officials. Story

More Afghanistan News

States Look for Ways to
Support Military Families

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2004 — Big or small, many deployed troops or few, states' concerns for the families of deployed service members are very similar. More

Conference Focuses on Military Children

Marine Commandant Visits
Troops in Iraqi Desert

AL ASAD, Iraq, July 22, 2004 — Gen. Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, visited the Marines and sailors of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing here July 20, bringing words of encouragement, as well as getting a first hand look at the work that is being done and that has been done since his last visit here. More

Army to Complete Largest
Move Since WWII

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2004 — In coming weeks, the Army's Surface Deployment and Distribution Command will complete the largest equipment movements in its 30-year history. More

Iraqi Police Recruits
Graduate Training

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq, July 19, 2004 — A class of 30 Iraqi recruits graduated from Camp Al Asad's first Iraqi Border and Police Academies. Story

Iraqi Reconstruction Archive

Military Photographers on the Frontlines Flash Slide Show

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

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

Iraqi National Guardsmen (7 more photos)

Iraqi National Guardsmen patrol alongside their coalition counterparts in the village of Albu Hassan, July 16, 2004. Coalition troops are now performing a training and assistance role after the Iraqi National Guard took the lead for security following the June 28, 2004, turnover of sovereignty. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott Reed More Photo Essays

Iraqi Army Takes Possession of Military Base

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 22, 2004 — The coalition handed over possession of Al Kasik military base July 21 at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Northern Iraq base, according to Office of Security Transition officials. The handover caps the coalition’s year-long $96 million refurbishment of the former regime’s army base roughly 20 miles northwest of Mosul. Story

Iraqi Reconstruction Archive

Belleau Wood Strike Group Supports Coalition

USS BELLEAU WOOD, At Sea, July 21, 2004 — USS Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group commenced its first missions in support of the global war on terrorism when Belleau Wood launched close-air support into Iraq July 5. Story

USS George Washington Heads Home

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea, July 21, 2004 — In the early morning hours of July 20, USS George Washington transited the Strait of Gibraltar, the last of the choke points along the route home. Story Center Sponsors Class for Returning Sailors

Family Readiness Group Gets Needed Boost

FORT HOOD, Texas, July 21, 2004 — Whether typing up newsletters, assembling Iraq-bound care packages or simply offering a sympathetic ear, Fort Hood's family readiness group leaders have helped more than a few families weather the storms of recent deployments. Story

The Deployment Diet

By Heidi Home Alone

This vignette describes the trials and triumphs of spouses of deployed service members. It is one of several we will present, authored by a group of 1st Cavalry Division spouses who write under the pen name “Heidi Home Alone.”

FORT HOOD, Texas, July 22, 2004 — Well, I'll tell you another positive side to deployment: being able to lose all the weight you have been trying to lose for years because now you don't have a husband to cook for. It's been over four months since he left and already I have lost over two pounds! Story

War on Terrorism

. Bush Signs $5.6B BioShield Legislation

. Aircraft Destroy Two Enemy Positions

Iraq

. Reports Indicate Sense of Hope in Iraq

• One U.S. Soldier Killed, Six Wounded

• Security Mission Shifts to Iraqi Forces

Military News

• Soldier Awarded Silver Star With Valor

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Transformation

Desert Hawk Provides
An Eye in the Sky

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 21, 2004 — Airmen at one forward-deployed location who routinely work, eat, run errands and sleep may not think to look up in the sky. But if they did, they would see something looking right back at them. Story
More Transformation News

Defense Officials Stress
Troops' Re-Employment Rights

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2004 – National Guard troops, reservists and active duty military people can rest easy that their jobs will be waiting for them when they return from deployment. Story

Duo Makes Mail Call Meaningful

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2004 — It began when Amy Oxford and her mother, Kathy Williams, saw no outward show of support for deployed troops in their hometown of Harrisburg, Ill. Story

Student Makes Quilts for Families

ARLINGTON, Va., July 20, 2004 — College student Jessica Porter was quilting and watching the news on the war with a friend in May 2003. Story

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Army Capt. Dan Browne

Oregon National Guard Capt. Dan Browne secures his second Olympic berth with a third-place finish in the 10,000 meters with a 28:07.47 clocking in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Sacramento State University. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 22, 2004 — Oregon National Guard Capt. Dan Browne has earned a berth on Team USA for the 10,000-meter race in Greece by placing third in the event at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. Story
More Profiles

In Afghanistan

Air Force Team Takes
Over Passenger Terminal

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, July 22, 2004 — Travelers passing through the Bagram passenger terminal can now sign up earlier to travel and show up closer to the takeoff time due to new procedures. Story

Bronco Creates Stability
Around Kandahar Airfield

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, July 22, 2004 — On traditional battlefields, success was gauged by who controlled the most strategic area and inflicted more damage on the enemy troops and their equipment. But the battlefields in Afghanistan have changed how wars are fought and won. Story

In Iraq

Troops Compete in
`Iron Soldier’ Contest

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, July 20, 2004 — Some of the most physically fit soldiers deployed throughout Iraq ignored heat, dust and the constant potential of hostile fire to compete July 17 in the “Iron Soldier” contest. Story

'On The Ground' Archive