DefendAmerica - U.S. Defense Dept. War on Terror: 07/26/2004

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Jul 26, 2004

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RESUPPLY — An MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 delivers supplies to the USS John F. Kennedy from the fast combat support ship USS Seattle during a vertical replenishment in the Arabian Gulf, July 23, 2004. Seattle and Kennedy are participating in Summer Pulse 2004, the simultaneous deployment of seven carrier strike groups, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's ability to provide credible combat across the globe. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Sandberg

MESSAGE TO THE TROOPS

Why We Fight in Iraq

By Donald H. Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense

     More than 15 months ago, a global coalition ended the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein and liberated the people of Iraq.
     As in all conflicts, this has come at a cost in lives. Some of your comrades made the ultimate sacrifice. For your sacrifices, our country and the President are deeply grateful.
    In a free, democratic country we have vigorous debates over important public policy issues – none more heated than a decision to go to war. But this should not distract us from the mission at hand or lessen the magnitude of your accomplishments. More

Services Provide Convention Support

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2004 — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard representatives are on the ground in Boston or on alert, ready to respond if called on for support at the Democratic National Convention. The Defense Department will provide a similar level of support for the Republican National Convention in New York next month. Story

Congress Sends Budget to President

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2004 — A 3.5 percent pay raise, elimination of out-of- pocket housing expenses and continued funding for military transformation are all parts of the Defense Appropriations Act that Congress has sent to President Bush. The act calls for $416.2 billion in spending in fiscal 2005. Story

Bomb Kills Iraqis, Injures Coalition Troops

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2004 — A pickup truck exploded early today near the Iraqi city of Mosul, killing three Iraqi civilians and wounding six coalition troops, according to a U.S. military press release.Story

Bush Hails 9/11 Commission Report

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2004 — President Bush today hailed the 9/11 commission's final report released July 22, pointing to its "serious and comprehensive" findings. Story

Defense Leaders Speak

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld

"By your skill and courage, you have put a brutal dictator in the dock to be tried by the Iraqi people and restored freedom to 25 million people. ... Your fight – and ultimate victory – against the forces of terror and extremism in Iraq and the Middle East will have made America safer and more secure. You are accomplishing something noble and historic – and future generations of Americans will remember and thank you for it."

Message to the Troops, July 26, 2004

Iraqi Police Engage
Insurgents, Find Explosives

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 26, 2004 — The Iraqi Police Service and Iraqi National Guard, supported by a small contingent of Coalition forces, conducted raids of terrorist safe houses and, in separate operations, discovered vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in the Northern Iraq province of Ninevah earlier this month. Story

Iraqi Guardsmen Perform First Patrol

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 26, 2004 — Just over six weeks after joining the newly constituted Iraqi National Guard, a squad of fresh recruits from the 302nd Iraqi National Guard Battalion took to the streets of Baghdad for its first patrol. Story

Iraqi Reconstruction Archive

Transformation

Robots Put Distance
Between Troops, Danger

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2004 — U.S. troops are using remote-controlled assistants to find and disable improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan and Iraq. Story

Navy Field Tests Dental Gear

WASHINGTON , July 23, 2004 — A Navy Dental and Biomedical Research team returned from a 30-day deployment to Kuwait recently, where experts field-tested dental equipment for resiliency in the harsh environment. Story

More Transformation News

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 Intervention Force (9 more photos)

Iraqi soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, Iraqi Intervention Force, find cover in tall grass after crossing a dirt road while performing a field patrol in an area suspected of being a mortar launch site, outside of Al Taji, Iraq, July 19, 2004. U.S. Army Reserves supported the Iraqi Intervention Force during the patrol. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop More Photo Essays

Marines, Iraqis Bring Water to Parched Village

AL KABANI, Iraq, July 26, 2004 -- For the first time in almost 10 years, the citizens here have clean water and constant electricity flowing into their homes, thanks to their local government, the Marines and their own hard work. Story

Iraqi Reconstruction Archive

Soldiers Work to Maintain Stability in Tikrit

TIKRIT, Iraq, July 23, 2004 — In an ironic twist of fate, what once was a vacation spot for the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein now could be a model for Iraqis in the development of life in the post-Saddam era. Story

Airpower Critical to Enduring Freedom

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 23, 2004 — A milestone in America's war against terrorism quietly passed earlier this month, as July 3 marked the 1,000th day since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. Story

Marine Battalion Defeats Attackers in Ar Ramadi

CAMP HURRICANE POINT, Iraq, July 23, 2004 — Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment - along with elements of the Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team - battled back anti- Iraqi fighters in Ar Ramadi July 21. Story

USS George Washington Returns to Norfolk

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, July 26, 2004 — After traveling more than 51,000 nautical miles and spending six months at sea, USS George Washington completed its sixth Mediterranean and Persian Gulf deployment and returned home to Norfolk, Va., July 26. More

War on Terrorism

. Marine Commandant: Corps Adapts for Terror War

. DoD Ushers in New Missile Defense Capability

. Multinational Diving Exercise Kicks Off

. U.S. Safer, But Still Remains Vulnerable

Iraq

. El Salvador to Continue Iraq Deployment

. Bad Troops, Poor Leaders Led to Abuse

. Powell Praises Iraqis' Efforts to Re-establish Security

Military News

. Coalition Forces Continue Search For Sunken Dhow

. Deputy Secretary Visits McChord

. Briefing Helps Returning Troops

. National Guard, Reserve Update

Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualty

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2004 — Defense Department officials announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Story

USS Kitty Hawk
Tests Threat Responses

YOKOSUKA, Japan, July 23, 2004 — With Summer Pulse 2004 in motion, the USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group continued to maintain security with a force protection exercise recently, testing the ability to go through all levels of force protection conditions and activate responses to various terrorist threats. Story

School Renovations Continue;
Voting Agreement Reached

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 24, 2004 — As part of the coalition’s efforts to improve the educational system in Afghanistan, the National Provincial Reconstruction Team, in conjunction with the Ministry of Higher Education, is nearing completion of two projects, according to Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan officials. Story

More Afghanistan News

Osbournes Visit Wounded
Troops at Walter Reed

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2004 — Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne visited wounded Operation Iraqi Freedom service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center July 21 to tell them they are thankful for their sacrifices and bravery. Story

Sign an On-line Thank You Note

Profile

U.S. Air Force
Maj. Brian Kissinger

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., July 26, 2004 — As the heat radiated from the tennis court where the two men were competing, one of the men fell to the court’s hard surface. What was first thought to be a case of heat exhaustion soon became a fight for life. Story
More Profiles

In Iraq

Cavalry Greets
10th Mountain Div.

COMBAT SUPPORT CENTER SCANIA, Iraq, July 26 , 2004 — When troops from the 10th Mountain Division stopped at Scania on their journey to Baghdad, they were greeted by an envoy from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Story

'On The Ground' Archive