Two Guantanamo Detainees Charged
The Department of Defense announced today that Guantanamo detainees Ali Hamza Ahmed Sulayman al Bahlul of Yemen and
Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al Qosi of Sudan have been charged with conspiracy to commit war crimes and will be tried by military
commission.
Al Bahlul is alleged to be a key al Qaeda propagandist who produced videos glorifying the murder of Americans to recruit, inspire,
and motivate other al Qaeda members to continue attacks against Americans, the United States, and other countries, as well as serving
as a bodyguard for Osama bin Laden. Al Qosi is alleged to be a key al Qaeda accountant, bin Laden bodyguard and weapons smuggler. He is
alleged to be a long-time assistant and associate of bin Laden, dating back to the time when bin Laden lived in Sudan.
Al Bahlul and al Qosi are charged with willfully and knowingly joining an enterprise of persons who shared a common criminal purpose
and conspired with Osama bin Laden and others to commit the following offenses: attacking civilians; attacking civilian objects;
murder by an unprivileged belligerent; destruction of property by an unprivileged belligerent; and terrorism. Specifics of each
individuals’ charges are available at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2004/d20040224Al Qosi.pdf and http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2004/d20040224Al Bahlul.pdf.
(The above are not live links to the Defense Department web pages. If you wish to look at these two pages please cut and paste the link into
the box at the top of your browser and click go to get to either of these pages.)
Al Bahlul and al Qosi are presumed innocent of any criminal charges unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at a military
commission. Trial dates and commission panel members will be selected at a later time.
Military commission procedures include: the presumption of innocence; a requirement for proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt;
representation by a military defense counsel free of charge with the option to retain a civilian defense counsel at no expense to the U.S.
government; an opportunity to present evidence and call witnesses; and a prohibition against drawing an adverse inference if an Accused
chooses not to testify. Military commissions have historically been used to try violations of the law of armed conflict and related offenses.
March 24, 2004
Release Number: 04-03-48
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMBINED FORCES COMMAND AFGHANISTAN RELEASE
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Weapons caches were found on Monday near Bagram and Shkin. Tuesday, near Gardez, an Afghan citizen
turned in a cache with more than 400 recoilless rifle rounds and 100 mortar rounds.
The United States Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, announced on Sunday that the US will fund construction of 152 new
schools and refurbishment of 255 more within the next six months. He made the announcement at a ceremony opening the new school
year, the third since the collapse of the Taliban regime.
An estimated 5.5 million students are expected to return to the classroom this year, 1.5 million more than last year. And the
percentage of girls attending school grew to 36 percent last year and that number is expected to further increase this year.
Since 2002 the United States has constructed and rehabilitated over 200 schools, reached 16,000 students through accelerated learning
programs, trained 2,100 teachers, and distributed 10.3 million textbooks.
Today is the grand opening of the Afghan National Army Recruiting Station in Ghazni City.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the grand opening of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Khowst. This is the 12th PRT grand opening and
four more PRTs are scheduled to open in the next several months.
NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 5, 2004
Release Number: 04-04-02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BAMYAN UNIVERSITY REOPENS IN AFGHANISTAN
KABUL, Afghanistan (April 3, 2004) - Bamyan University staff and dignitaries celebrate today the reopening in Bamyan of the
university which had been closed for more than five years.
The school is ready to reopen with 14 classrooms and slots for more than 350 students. The project incorporates funding from New
Zealand totaling US $187,000 for equipment and furnishings; and from the United States Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster and
Civic Aid totaling US $297,000 for construction.
The distinguished guests at today's ceremony include Afghanistan Vice-President, the Honorable Mohammed Abjullah Karim Khalili;
the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Mohammed Sharif Faiz; Bamyan Governor Mohammand Rahim Aliyar; the Bamyan University
Dean, Dr. Mohammed Sarwer Mawlaie; the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission for Afghanistan, David Sedney; and the Bamyan Provincial
Reconstruction Team commander, New Zealand Group Captain Gavin Howse.
The Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team was established in March 2003 and has been run by both American and New Zealand
teams, which have provided engineering supervision of the University's reconstruction amongst other security and civil reconstruction
projects. Currently the Bamyan PRT, led by Coalition members from New Zealand, is working on more than 30 projects worth more
than US $3.5 million to be completed by mid 2004.
In 1998 the Taliban regime attacked Bamyan and closed down the university, at which time more than 400 Afghan men and women,
taught by almost 40 professors, had been attending classes in history, agriculture, medicine, language and science. The University was the
only one of its type in Bamyan Province.
The Taliban converted the university's three main structures into a communications center, barracks and ammunition storage area. These
areas received significant damage during the fighting to free Afghanistan in October and November 2001.
Bamyan is located approximately 250 km northwest of Kabul and was known for the 1,800-year-old Buddha statues that the Taliban
destroyed in February 2001.
Friday April 17, 2004
Pakistani police are holding a suspect in the killing of Daniel Pearl. Mr Pearl was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He was killed
in in January or February of 2002 while working on a story about Afghanistan, Al-Quaida and the Taliban.
The police are holding Malik Tasaddaq, 28, said the Chief of Police Saadat Allah Khan on April 16, 2004.
April 21, 2004
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba.
Master Sgt. Herbert R. Claunch, 58, of Wetumpka, Ala., died April 18 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after collapsing on the floor in his
quarters. Claunch was assigned to the Army National Guard, 217th Military Police Company, Prattville, Ala.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
April 23, 2004
Release Number: 04-04-35C
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION
KABUL, Afghanistan - On April 22nd, at about 7:30 PM local time, a coalition combat patrol was ambushed near the village of Sperah, 40
kilometers Southwest of Khowst.
The enemy action was immediately responded to by the coalition patrol with direct fire and a firefight ensued.
During the engagement, one coalition soldier was killed and two wounded. One Afghan Militia Force soldier was also killed. The
enemy broke contact during the engagement.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the fallen soldier.
April 23, 2004
I am sure you have heard about Pat Tillman by now. He was a wonderful son, man, husband, student, and football player. He graduated
from ASU with a 3.84 grade average. He could have gone with the NFL and earned over three million dollars but he chose to serve his
country instead. He loved America and his heart was broken after September 11, 2001. He and his brother decided to become Army
Rangers. Only one in three people make it through the rigerous training. Both Pat and his brother made it through. Pat served in Iraq, came
home on leave then went to Afghanistan. He gave his all for all of us. Thank you Pat.
Army Ranger Pat Tillman was 27 years old.
April 23, 2004
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Patrick D. Tillman, 27, of Chandler, Ariz., died April 22, in Afghanistan when his patrol vehicle came under attack. Spc. Tillman
was assigned to the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information related to this release, contact United States Army Special Operations Command at 910-432-6005.
April 27, 2004
Spc Patrick D Tillmans body has been transported back to the US.
There have been 116 deaths in Afghanistan thus far.
May 03, 2004
Spc. Phillip L. Witkowski, 24, of Fredonia, N.Y., died May 1, in Homberg, Germany, from non-combat related injuries sustained on
April 30, in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Spc. Witkowski was assigned to the Army’s 7th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division (Light)
from Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii.
May 7, 2004
Pfc. Brandon J. Wadman of West Palm Beach, Fla., died May 5 in Afghanistan when his vehicle rolled over. Pfc. Wadman was assigned
to 2nd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery, Florida National Guard, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Cpl. Ronald R. Payne Jr., 23, of Lakeland, Fla., died May 7th due to hostile action in the vicinity of Tawara, Afghanistan. He was
assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
May 18, 2004
Chief Warrant Officer Bruce E. Price, 37, of Maryland, died May 15, in Kajaki, Afghanistan, when individuals using rocket-propelled
grenades and small arms fire ambushed his unit. Price was assigned to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort
Bragg, N.C.
May 31, 2004
The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died May 29 in
Kandahar, Afghanistan, when their vehicle hit a land mine. Killed were:
Capt. Daniel W. Eggers, 28, of Cape Coral, Fla. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), from Fort
Bragg, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Robert J. Mogensen, 26, of Leesville, La. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort
Bragg, N.C.
Pfc. Joseph A. Jeffries, 21, of Beaverton, Ore. He was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 329th Psychological Operations Company,
Portland, Ore.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Petty Officer 1st Class Brian J. Ouellette, 37, of Needham, Mass., was a U.S. Navy SEAL serving with Navy Special Warfare Group
Two, Little Creek, Va.
For further information related to this release, contact Navy Public Affars at (703) 697-5342.
Cpl. David M. Fraise, 24, of New Orleans, La., died June 7 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device hit his
patrol. Fraise was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
June 20, 2004
Lance Cpl. Russell P. White, 19, of Dagsboro, Del., died June 20 due to a non-combat related incident at Camp Bulldog,
Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
June 21, 2004
Lance Cpl. Russell P. White, 19, of Dagsboro, Del., died June 20 due to a non-combat related incident at Camp Bulldog,
Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
June 24, 2004
Two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom were killed while on patrol in the mountains of NE Afghanistan.
Pfc. Daniel B. McClenney, 19, of Shelbyville, Tenn.
Lance Cpl. Juston T. Thacker, 21, of Bluefield, W.Va.
Both Marines died June 24 from hostile fire near Bari Khout, Afghanistan. They were both assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine
Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
June 30, 2004
Spc. Julie R. Hickey, 20, of Galloway, Ohio, was evacuated from Bagram, Afghanistan, on June 30 and died in Landstuhl, Germany, on
July 4 of complications from a non-combat related illness. Hickey was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 412th Civil Affairs Battalion,
Whitehall, Ohio.
July 12, 2004
Spc. Juan M. Torres, 25, of Houston, Texas, died July 12 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of non-combat related injuries. Torres was assigned
to the 453rd Transportation Company, U.S. Army Reserve, Houston, Texas.
August 9, 2004
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died on Aug. 7, in
Ghazikel, Afghanistan, when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army National
Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 29th Infantry Division (Light Infantry), Winchester, Va. Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Craig W. Cherry, 39, of Winchester, Va
Sgt. Bobby E. Beasley, 36, of Inwood, W.Va.
September 23, 2004
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Sept. 20, in
Shkin, Afghanistan, when their patrol vehicle was ambushed by enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
Both were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Robert S. Goodwin, 35, of Albany, Ga.
Staff Sgt. Tony B. Olaes, 30, of Walhalla, S.C.
Spc. Wesley R. Wells, 21, of Libertyville, Ill., died Sept.20, in Naka, Afghanistan, when his observation post was fired on by anti-
coalition militia forces. Wells was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield
Barracks, Hawaii.
October 05, 2004
Staff Sgt. Alan L. Rogers, 49, of Kearns, Utah, died Sept. 29 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of non-combat related injuries. Rogers was
assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, West Jordan, Utah.
October 21, 2004
The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died on October 14th,
in Miam Do, Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated near their dismounted patrol. Both soldiers were assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Brian S. Hobbs, 28, of Mesa, Ariz.
Spc. Kyle Ka Eo Fernandez, 26, of Waipahu, Hawaii
The incident is under investigation.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Cpl. William M. Amundson Jr., 21, of The Woodlands, Texas, died Oct. 19 in Afghanistan when the vehicle in which he was riding
rolled over. Amundson was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Airman 1st Class Jesse M. Samek, 21, of Rogers, Ark., died Oct. 21 from injuries he received when an Air Force HH-60 helicopter
aircraft crashed during a medical evacuation mission in Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air
Force Base, Nev.
Cpl. Billy Gomez, 25, of Perris, Calif., died Oct.27 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, from injuries
sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device on Oct. 20 in Naka, Afghanistan. Gomez was assigned to the 2nd
Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Spc. James C. Kearney, III, 22, of Emerson, Iowa, died Nov. 1 in Salerno, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained in Sharan,
Afghanistan, when his convoy was attacked by enemy forces using rocket propelled grenades. Kearney was assigned to the Army
National Guard's 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, Glenwood, Iowa
Sgt. Michael C. O’Neill, 22, of Mansfield, Ohio, died November 21 in Landstuhl, Germany, of accidental injuries sustained on
November 17 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, during preparations for combat operations. O’Neill was assigned to the Army’s 3rd
Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
November 26, 2004
The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died on November 24 in
Deh Rawod, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army's 2nd
Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Cpl. Dale E. Fracker, Jr., 23, of Apple Valley, Calif.
Cpl. Jacob R. Fleischer, 25, of St. Louis, Mo.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
December 03, 2004
The Department of Defense announced the death of three Soldiers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Nov. 27 in
Bamian, Afghanistan, when their contract aircraft crashed. All were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th
Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Lt. Col. Michael J. McMahon, 41, of Connecticut.
Chief Warrant Officer Travis W. Grogan, 31, of Virginia Beach, Va.
Spc. Harley D. R. Miller, 21, of Spokane, Wash.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
December 2004
Spc. Isaac E. Diaz, 26, of Rio Hondo, Texas, died Dec. 1 in Sharona, Afghanistan, when his military vehicle rolled over. Diaz was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light) from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
1999-2005 All Rights Reserved