Italian journalist freed in Iraq

from CNN.com

Lance Cpl. Roel J. Murad, a radio operator with the provisional rifle company, H&S Co., 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, and Lance Cpl Justin D. Hendley, a mechanic with the provisional rifle platoon, H&S Co., 1/23, RCT-7, sit in an overwatch position on the roof top of a schoolhouse in Haqlaniyah, Iraq, where Marines had a firm base during operations there. Photo by: Cpl. Jan M. Bender



Cpl. Carlos A. Felix, Jr., a squad leader with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, enjoys a few moments of down time along with the rest of his squad as they break open meals ready to eat(MRE's) while taking cover in a burnt out hotel in Haqlaniyah, Iraq. In this building Marines took machinegun fire from the island across the river Feb. 23. Photo by: Cpl. Jan M. Bender



Marines from 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, provide security, scanning the thick vegetation of Haqlaniyah Island for movement, as other Marines clear the first objective during the island assault. Photo by: Cpl. Jan M. Bender

Check out the story, and more associated pictures, here.

HORNET MAINTENANCE — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Shamblin, an aviation structural mechanic assigned to the "Bulls" of Strike Fighter Squadron 37, wipes down the jet engine afterburner vanes on an F/A-18C Hornet in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Persian Gulf, Feb. 22, 2005. The Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Ricardo Reyes

from http://www.defendamerica.mil

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Three held in anti-terror probe


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Iraq Qaeda Wing Says Still Strong, Vows New Attacks
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The US News: Iraq News
Attacks claim 6 police lives
Ukraine May Keep Troops in Iraq
Indiana Man Charged With Trying to Sell Names of U.S. Spies in Iraq to Saddam Hussein
Iraq extends emergency powers for 30 days


Katu.com
Quinn set to tour Iraq bases a second time


From CNN.com
Report: Syria to pull some troops from Lebanon Video
Ex-Ukraine minister found dead in apparent suicide
Extremists applaud murder of judge's relatives
Iraqi police chief shot to death


From Fox News
Official: Syrian Leader to Address Lebanon Problem
Bombers Target Iraqi Police
Anti-Hate Groups Help in Probe of Judge Family Slay
Saddam's Lawyer Urges Trial Delay
Talks on Iraqi Coalition Gov't Hit Snag
Fallen Soldiers Exhibit Begins
Judge in Saddam Trial Murdered
Crowd Protests Terrorism in Iraq


From CENTCOM
IRAQI POLICE GRADUATE 27 SWAT OFFICERS
IRAQI POLICE GRADUATE 292 FROM ADVANCED TRAINING COURSES
IRAQ'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT GRADUATES 72 POLICE OFFICERS


From the Department of Defense
EUCOM Commander Voices Hope for Iraq -- Story
Hearing Focus: Stateside Care for Wounded -- Story
Speedy Care, Better Gear Help Troops Survive Injuries
Special Ops Vital to All Aspects of Terror War -- Story
Special Ops Works to Retain Seasoned Operators

ON THE GROUND
'Gitmo' Bay: From Mayberry to Metropolis -- Story
Troops Ready for Fair-Weather Fighters -- Story
Task Force Commander Joins Troops on Patrol -- Story
Joint Supply, Logistics Program Yields Results -- Story

IN IRAQ
Soldier Survives 19 Bombs, Mortar Attacks
MPs Catch Exchange Service Thieves
Father Pins Silver Star on Son in Baghdad
Marines Trade Candy for Weapons

IN AFGHANISTAN
Camp Cunningham Mail Team Delivers

WHY I SERVE
Soldier Loves Military Lifestyle -- Story

HOMECOMING
Florida Guard Signal Troops Return From Iraq
'Yankees' Return Home from Iraq
Photos: N.Y. Homecoming: 'Yankees' Return from Iraq

Champion Red Sox Visit Wounded -- Story
Country Singer Visits Troops

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Troops Nab Terror Suspects
Police Graduate 292 Officers
Report Cites Human Rights Gains
Former Officials Prosecuted
Year in Review 2004 Fact Sheets (pdf)
Iraq Daily Update
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Bush: Chertoff Right Person for Job
Northern Command, Guard Confer
Abizaid: 2005 Can Be Decisive Year
Results Reflect U.S. Dedication
Special Ops Forces Fight Terrorism
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Army Misses Recruiting Goal
USS Essex Group Picks Up Marines
VA Offers Grief Counseling
Reservist Receives Silver Star
USS Truman Wins Food Award
Mine Warfare Crews Swap Vessels
Command Meets Airlift Needs
National Guard, Reserve Update


Weather
Weather information from The Weather Channel

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar


Today in History
1766 - The Stamp Act, the cause of violent opposition in the colonies, is repealed by the British Parliament.
1789 - The first U.S. Congress, meeting in New York, declares the Constitution to be in effect
1793 - George Washington's second inauguration
1797 - John Adams' inauguration.
1801 - Thomas Jefferson's inauguration; the first in Washington, D.C.
1813 - French garrison troops serving Napoleon evacuate as the Russians reach Berlin. The
1861 - The "Stars and Bars" is adopted as the Confederate flag.
1901 - William McKinley's second inauguration; Theodore Roosevelt is vice president.
1904 - Russian troops retreat towards Manchuria as the Japanese advance in Korea.
1912 - The French war council unanimously approves mandatory military service.
1921 - Warren G. Harding's inauguration.
1933 - Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inauguration.
1944 - American forces commence bombing Berlin
1952 - North Korea accuses the U.N. of germ warfare.

Birthdays
1747 - Casimir Pulaski, American Revolutionary War general.