By Steven K. Paulson
Associated Press

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told 929 cadets at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs Wednesday they are fighting a different enemy than the United States faced in Kosovo and Bosnia when the cadets entered the academy.

"They hide in the shadows, they hide in caves, they even hide in cities, yet they are capable of enormous destruction," he said.

He told the cadets they will have to be resourceful like the American soldiers in Afghanistan who rode on horseback to direct coalition forces to the Taliban and al-Qaida fighters hiding in the mountains.

He also reminded the cadets that unlike four years ago, the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks were in American cities, innocent people going about their daily lives.

"The victims of Sept. 11 were our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters. The global war against terrorism is far from over," he said.

Rumsfeld also told the cadets the new war could also involve weapons of mass destruction that could kill thousands.

He said the new war America faces is one of transformation and said the new officers will have to adapt quickly.

He said the B-52s used in Afghanistan were more than 40 years old and were upgraded with the latest avionics. He said the iron bombs used for decades were given new guidance systems that turned them into smart bombs.

He told the cadets they will have to be innovative and take an active role in helping the military make those changes.

"The Air Force of the 21st century must be flexible," he said. "Be bold."

May 29, 2002

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