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Current Operations

• Transcript: DoD News Briefing - ASD PA Clarke and Maj. Gen. McChrystal 16 A0pr 2003 -- 'Coalition forces have taken Tikrit, Samarra and al Qaim. Our forces are securing key infrastructure in Baghdad; we are increasing our patrols of the city to provide security. And British forces are patrolling in southern Iraq, including joint patrols with Iraqi citizens."
• TRANSCRIPT OF 4/16 CENTCOM BRIEFING CENTCOM 16 Apr 2003 -- "Operation Iraqi Freedom continues in the 27th day since coalition forces entered Iraq. With each day that passes, more Iraqis are experiencing freedom and more Iraqis are expressing their desires for a stable and free Iraq."
• Transcript: Media Briefing Australia's contribution to Global Operations Australian Department of Defence 16 Apr 2003 -- "The Australian special forces task group continues its normal operations. Special forces troops continue their surveillance and reconnaissance missions inside Iraq with no significant incidents to report. (...) Our FA-18 Hornets continue their close air support missions in support of coalition ground forces, providing on-call aerial security if required. These missions have again been flown in the vicinity of Tikrit."

• Soldiers take control of Baghdad skies Army News 16 Apr 2003 -- Soldiers of the 58th Aviation Regiment have been running the control tower at Baghdad International Airport since shortly after it was captured two weeks ago.
• V CORPS SOLDIERS WOUNDED IN UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE ACCIDENT (UXO) CENTCOM 16 Apr 2003 -- Three V Corps soldiers were wounded by unexploded ordnance on Wednesday while conducting a patrol.
• THURAYA PHONE BAN LIFTED BY COALITION FORCES CENTCOM 16 Apr 2003 -- A ban imposed by the Coalition Forces Land Component Command on the use of Thuraya satellite phones has been lifted.
• IRAQ WRAP SECOND UPDATE VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- A week after the fall of Baghdad, the Pentagon says allied military operations are rapidly moving from combat to working to stabilize a nation that had been under dictatorship for decades. But opposition to the American military presence continues in some areas of the country, especially in the north.
• IRAQ / U-S FORCES VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- U-S military commanders in Iraq are set to redeploy their troops as they begin the post-war phase of enforcing security and assisting reconstruction efforts.
• PENTAGON/FRANKS VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- The commander of U-S forces fighting in Iraq has made his first visit to Baghdad.
• Situation in Iraq Brightening; Troops Still in Danger AFPS 16 Apr 2003 -- The situation on the ground "continues to brighten in Iraq," the Pentagon's chief spokeswoman said in the Pentagon today. "But our troops are still putting their lives on the line, and the work is still dangerous."
• C-130 delivers medical team to Iraq AFPN 16 Apr 2003 -- Some aircraft credited with delivering overwhelming military capability to coalition forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom are now distributing food, supplies and medical care to the people of Iraq, officials said April 16.
• Marines maintain security in Baghdad USMC News 16 Apr 2003 -- As the Iraqi regime continues to crumble, citizens around the country are showering American forces with praises and some protest.
• POOL REPORT OF GEN FRANKS' TRIP TO BAGHDAD (PART 1 OF 2) CENTCOM 16 Apr 2003 -- Pool report for U.S. Army Gen. Tommy R. Franks' trip to Baghdad.
• POOL REPORT OF GEN FRANKS' TRIP TO BAGHDAD (PART 2 OF 2) CENTCOM 16 Apr 2003 -- Questions from reporters for Gen. Franks and other commanders
• IRAQ / RAID VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- U-S troops have raided the Baghdad residence of an Iraqi scientist believed to have been in charge of a secret biological laboratory.
• IRAQ WRAP UPDATE VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- U-S troops are trying to bring calm to the northern Iraqi city of Mosul after two days of violent clashes that left at least 10 Iraqis dead and several others wounded. Meanwhile, coalition troops continue to look for weapons of mass destruction and are offering a reward for information on the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein and other regime leaders.
• IRAQ WRAP VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- More violence and unrest is reported in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, one day after U-S Marines killed seven Iraqis after being fired on by protesters. Elsewhere in Iraq, coalition troops are continuing their search for weapons of mass destruction and U-S officials are considering what to do with captured Palestinian terrorist Abu Abbas.
• IRAQ / SOLDIER VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- The U-S led war in Iraq relied in large part on American supremacy in the air and hi-technology weapons. There was little doubt in the minds of coalition commanders they could defeat the Iraqi army. But what did the Iraqi soldiers think about their prospects?
• Fuel Techs Keep Truman Flying Navy NewStand 16 Apr 2003 -- A coffee mug sits on the desk of Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) (AW) John Coontz.
• E-2C Hawkeye, OIF's 'Eye in the Sky' Navy NewStand 16 Apr 2003 -- Lt.j.g. Sam Kesler, a Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) Squadron 113 pilot, is sitting behind his duty desk passing out guns and bullets to a group of geared-up naval flight officers (NFOs) leaving on another mission.
• Pilot brings battle-damaged A-10 home safely ACCNS 16 Apr 2003 -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot deployed with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing safely landed her "Warthog" at her forward operating base after it sustained significant damage from enemy fire during a close air support mission over Baghdad April 7.
• Many Diehard Fighters in Iraq Aren't Iraqis, Myers Says AFPS 16 Apr 2003 -- Many snipers, suicide bombers and other diehards attacking U.S. and coalition troops in Iraq are non-Iraqis waging holy war, the U.S. military's senior officer said April 15.
• MALS-13 build bombs for FOB USMC News 16 Apr 2003 -- The expansive complex, able to house millions of pounds of ordnance, has been the center of intense activity since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• MAG-13 AISD maintains flight line communications USMC News 16 Apr 2003 -- The computer gurus of Marine Aircraft Group-13, from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., are busy doing their part to keep Marine operations at here connected and Operation Iraqi Freedom online.
• U.S. Forces Capture Terrorist Abu Abbas in Baghdad Washington File 16 Apr 2003 -- U.S. Army Special Forces troops, supported by elements of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, captured Palestinian terrorist Muhammad Abbas, who is also known as Abu Abbas, the secretary general of the terrorist group Palestine Liberation Front (PLF), a U.S. Central Command spokesman says.
• Coalition Captures Terrorist, Brooks Describes Mosul Incident AFPS 16 Apr 2003 -- Coalition special operations personnel in Baghdad captured Palestinian terrorist Abu Abbas April 14, U.S. Central Command officials said today.
• Coalition Forces Still Conducting Operations AFPS 16 Apr 2003 -- While major combat action is certainly winding down in Iraq, coalition forces are still conducting operations in the country, said U.S. Central Command officials in Qatar today.
• U.S. MARINES PREVENT ROBBERY, RECOVER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CENTCOM 16 Apr 2003 -- U.S. Marines stopped a bank robbery Tuesday, recovering approximately US $3.7 million.
• Police Force Developing, More People Shot In Mosul RFE/L 16 Apr 2003 -- A U.S. Army officer said today that a new Iraqi police force should be able to ensure law and order in Baghdad within the next two weeks, putting an end to widespread looting and sporadic violence.
• U.S. Military Confirms Killing Iraqis In Mosul During Protest RFE/L 16 Apr 2003 -- A U.S. spokesman said today that U.S. soldiers killed as many as seven Iraqis while returning fire during a violent demonstration at a city government building in Mosul yesterday.
• IRAQ WRAP VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- U-S troops have arrested a major Palestinian terrorist in Baghdad and closed down an oil pipeline that U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says has been illegally pumping oil to Syria.
• IRAQ/U-S BRIEFING VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- A spokesman for the U-S Central Command has given a preliminary account of a shooting incident on Tuesday in Mosul in which at least seven people were killed. U-S forces delivered what was termed, "lethal fire", on a group of individuals trying to storm a government building in the town.
• IRAQ / RAID VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- U-S troops have raided the Baghdad residence of an Iraqi scientist believed to have been in charge of a secret biological laboratory.
• 24th MEU, 4th CAG lay groundwork for rebuilding by fixing up local Iraqi School USMC News 16 Apr 2003 -- After establishing peace in their sector of operations, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) has begun shifting its focus of operations from combat to peace support operations and humanitarian assistance.
• Theater frequency management organizes airwaves AFPN 16 Apr 2003 -- Along with the thousands of planes filling the sky over Iraq are more than 5,000 different electronic frequencies used for critical communications between the systems and people who make those flights possible.
• C-130 crews keep the supplies coming AFPN 16 Apr 2003 -- When coalition air forces erupted in battle full force, it was business as usual for Master Sgt. John Spillane and fellow aircrew members of the 320th Air Expeditionary Squadron.
• MAG-13 pilots test new revolution in close air support USMC News 16 Apr 2003 -- Pilots of Marine Aircraft Group 13, from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., have put the latest development in close air support to the test while flying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• U.S. MARINES PREVENT ROBBERY, RECOVER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARCENT CFLCC 16 Apr 2003

Deployments

• "Old Ironsides" moves out USAREUR 16 Apr 2003 -- The 1st Armored Division, known as "Old Ironsides," began moving out to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Apr.16.
• Kirtland Guard, active duty work together in Bulgaria AFPN 16 Apr 2003 -- Supporting air-refueling operations for aircraft striking targets in Iraq has found Kirtland active-duty and Air National Guard airmen working together at Camp Sarafovo, Bulgaria.

US Policy

• White House Press Gaggle White House 16 Apr 2003
• Transcript: State's Bolton Says Iraq a Lesson for Syria, Libya, Iran Washington File 16 Apr 2003 -- "The United States is very concerned that states seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction give up that quest, and that they live within the commitments that they've made in such things as the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, the chemical weapons convention, and the biological weapons convention," said the State Department's John Bolton in an interview with Radio Sawa.
• Bush Congratulates Iraqis on "Historic Gathering" in Nasiriyah Washington File 16 Apr 2003 -- President Bush described the first meeting of Iraqis to discuss a future government as a "historic gathering" that will be followed by many more meetings in the weeks and months to come.
• U-S / Iraq / Abbas VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- Here in Washington, officials are citing the capture by U-S forces in Iraq of wanted Palestinian terrorist Abu Abbas as further evidence of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's links to terrorism. The State Department is rejecting Palestinian claims Abu Abbas had immunity from prosecution under a 1995 accord with Israel.
• BUSH / ABU ABBAS VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- The White House says the arrest of Palestinian terrorist Abu Abbas in Baghdad shows that U-S forces will track down terrorists wherever they are trying to hide.
• Text: House Resolutions Hail Jessica Lynch and Iraqi Who Helped Save Her Washington File 16 Apr 2003 -- Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have submitted resolutions hailing the rescue of Army Private First Class Jessica Lynch and the Iraqi lawyer who helped save her life.
• Abu Abbas Capture Provides Evidence of Iraqi Support of Terrorism Washington File 16 Apr 2003 -- The capture in Baghdad of the notorious terrorist Abu Abbas "provides further evidence of the Saddam Hussein regime's connection to international terrorism," says Philip Reeker, deputy State Department spokesman.
• BUSH IRAQ VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- President Bush says U-N sanctions against Iraq should be lifted now that Saddam Hussein has been driven from power. Mr. Bush says coalition forces are still facing dangers in Iraq.
• EDITORIAL: RESTORING IRAQ TO ITS PEOPLE VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- In recent days, the world has been watching the Saddam Hussein tyranny pass into history. But that is only the first step in restoring Iraq to its people, said U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
• EDITORIAL: NEWSPAPERS HAIL IRAQ LIBERATION VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- As the Iraqi people celebrate the end of Saddam Hussein's brutal regime, newspapers around the world are expressing support for a free and democratic Iraq.

United Nations

• UN food convoys converge on Iraq UN News Centre 16 Apr 2003 -- United Nations food convoys were advancing on Iraq from four directions today as relief agencies continued to report issues of major humanitarian concern.
• Annan meets European leaders on Iraq, confident of important UN role UN News Centre 16 Apr 2003 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today discussed the post-conflict role of the United Nations in Iraq with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other European leaders and said afterwards he was confident the world body would have an important part to play.
• IRAQ: Insecurity in the country exacerbates health problems IRIN 16 Apr 2003 -- Insecurity facing health staff, patients and supplies, shortages of clean water and electricity, as well as of cash to meet hospital running costs and expenses, are problems needing urgent attention all over Iraq, aid workers and health professionals have told IRIN. Insecurity is also deterring foreign NGOs and UN agencies from entering Iraq to provide the ailing health sector with emergency support.
• IRAN-IRAN: No threat of refugee influx, says UNHCR IRIN 16 Apr 2003 -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has confirmed that there is no danger of an influx of refugees crossing into Iran from Iraq following last week's reports of population movements in the eastern Iraqi town of Badrah.

Reconstruction Issues

• Are Baghdad's Old Oil Contracts Valid? RFE/L 16 Apr 2003 -- Industry analysts say valid Russian contracts for Iraqi oil fields should be honored to avoid damaging the investment environment for the worldwide oil industry. But the issue remains cloudy because Iraq's prewar regime canceled Russia's biggest contract in anger, and other major deals may only have been in the preliminary stage.
• Locals Help to Restart Basic Functions as Aid Flows into Iraq Washington File 16 Apr 2003 -- Iraqis are joining in the effort to re-energize the country's daily functions, while humanitarian aid is flowing in, according to a Pentagon spokeswoman.
• IRAQ-POL VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- Iraqis have taken their first tentative steps on the road to getting a new government in place. Local leaders and exiles met with U-S officials in Nasiriyah Tuesday to begin sketching out ideas. But the road is expected to be a long and difficult one.
• Experts at U.S. Peace Institute Call for Quick Deployment of Military Police in Iraq Washington File 16 Apr 2003 -- Experts at the U.S. Institute of Peace have called for quick deployment of military police, long-term commitment to building political systems and incentives to keep Iraqi weapons scientists inside the country.
• FIRST OPPOSITION MEETING VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- Leaders of the Iraqi opposition gathered in Nassiryah to hold their first meeting since the fall of Saddam's government.

Foreign Reactions

• EUROPEAN AXIS OF DISSENT VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- The war in Iraq seems to be well on its way to a successful conclusion, but the fallout in the run up to the war among the transatlantic allies might not be healed as quickly as many would hope. Some analysts say an 'axis of transatlantic dissent' is emerging that runs from Paris through Berlin to Moscow and is based on the issue of challenging America's dominance in the world.

News Reports

• PENTAGON: SUPPORT THE TROOPS VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- U-S led coalition forces in Iraq continue to secure major population centers while working with local leaders to restore public works and rebuild the Iraqi infrastructure. While that work goes on, Pentagon employees took a little time Wednesday for some entertainment in support of the war effort.
• Immigrant Soldiers VOA 16 Apr 2003 -- Los Angeles city officials are urging President Bush to grant citizenship to immigrants who are serving in the U-S military. A church official first issued the call at the funeral of an immigrant who was serving in the Marine Corps.
• IRAQ: Insecurity exacerbating health problems IRIN 16 Apr 2003 -- Insecurity facing health staff, patients and supplies, shortages of clean water and electricity, as well as of cash to meet hospital running costs and expenses, are problems needing urgent attention all over Iraq, aid workers and health professionals have told IRIN. Insecurity is also deterring foreign NGOs and UN agencies from entering Iraq to provide the ailing health sector with emergency support.
• KUWAIT: Lack of information and security hampers relief operations IRIN 16 Apr 2003 -- Humanitarian operations in southern Iraq remain hampered by lack of information and security. Gradually, small teams are crossing into Iraq from Kuwait, but the security situation is still so dangerous that, other than delivering water to the main southern city of Basra and visiting Umm Qasr, Zubayr and Safwan, aid workers had been precluded from reaching other areas in the south.
• IRAQ: Conditions in Basra's main hospital still dire IRIN 17 Apr 2003 -- His eyes are open, but nobody knows what he really sees. What they do know is that what he has seen is horrific. Sixteen-year-old Amir Ahmad lies semiconscious in a bed at Basra Teaching Hospital, a huge wound across his chest, a tube running from it.