By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 31, 2007 – The Commission on the National Guard and Reserves heard testimony here today from three top leaders concerning how best to empower the Guard through its top leadership position. Congress directed formation of the independent commission, charged with recommending any needed changes in law and policy to ensure that the nation's Guard and reserve forces are organized, trained, equipped, compensated, and supported to best meet national security requirements.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey and Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum gave the commission their views on the way forward for the top National Guard position, which Blum currently occupies, as well as on the Guard's organization and funding.
Blum told the commissioners that while there has been some adaptation by the Defense Department, the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies in acknowledging the more significant role the National Guard plays in national security, that role needs to be formalized and written into the National Guard's charter.
"DoD and DHS are adapting, although not formally. It's ad hoc and hit-and-miss," Blum said. He also said the National Guard's top officer should have a formal relationship with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of defense.
Pace agreed with Blum that the National Guard Bureau chief's relationship with the chairman and secretary of defense should be formalized, but said the Guard chief should be an advisor, reporting to the chairman, as opposed to being a member of the Joint Chiefs. Pace said most of DoD's top staff and combatant commanders reach out to Blum in an informal manner because they value his expertise and input.
"The truth is that all of those folks know that Steve Blum knows a lot of stuff, so we have informally reached out," he said.
Rewriting of the Guard's charter to include a relationship to the secretary of defense through the chairman, Pace said, would allow for formal lines of communication between the Guard and combatant commanders.
"I would encourage that in whatever is rewritten in the charter that we recognize the unique capabilities of the chief of the National Guard Bureau," Pace said.
Among the questions the commission is considering is whether the Guard would be better served with a four-star general in charge. Blum, who wears three stars, said it comes down to "scope and responsibility of the job."
His role is increasing in responsibility, he said, and he noted that he manages a force that in terms of budget and personnel is larger than the United States Marine Corps.
Pace said that based on the Guard Bureau chief's current job description, a three-star billet is sufficient, but that the commission should review the position to see if additional current and future obligations are comparable to a four-star general's responsibilities.
And if the position of advisor to the chairman is added, he said, then additional resources also should be allocated.
"If we are going to add those kinds of tasks to his ruck sack, then we also resource him," Pace said. "I don't know how much in office staff and resources he will need, but if we want to make him available to all of those decision-makers, then we should resource him and not take it out of his pocket."
Pace conceded that the Defense Department did not go a good enough job in the past of resourcing the Guard, but that DoD officials have taken those lessons learned and are applying them to current practices. He said systems now are in place that will systemically ensure that officials are appropriately looking at resourcing units.
"We need to do this right. I am comfortable that we recognize what we've done wrong in the past, and we have systems in place," Pace said.
Pace said seating the Guard chief with the Joint Chiefs would create a rift in joint cooperation.
"If you make this individual a member of the Joint Chiefs, you create two armies and two air forces," the general said. "You will do major damage to the synergy that we've gotten. We are there, and should not take a step back. I would recommend in the strongest terms I know how, 'Do not do that.'"
In his opening statement to the commission, Harvey cited progress in joint cooperation since the Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act became law in 1986. The law streamlined the military chain of command and required the services to work more closely together. He said proposed legislation aimed at, among other things, making the Guard Bureau chief a member of the Joint Chiefs is unnecessary, but that he understands the motivation behind it.
"(The legislation) would confuse command and control relationships and lines of authority that the department has formed over the past 20 years since Goldwater-Nichols was enacted," Harvey said. "I believe that the legislation stems from decades of neglect of the needs of our reserve forces. This partially resulted from a strategy that was based on using the reserve components as a strategic reserve.
"However, just as our strategy has dramatically changed, so has the department's entire approach to organizing, training and equipping our reserve forces. ... Quite frankly, the proposed solution is intended to solve a problem that does not exist," Harvey said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Navy Writers Added
January 31, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Military-Writers.com, a website listing current, former and active United States Military personnel who have authored books, added two former naval personnel who co-authored a novel.
Leroy E. "Skip" Vogel was born in Bruno, Saskatchewan, Canada, but spent most of his childhood in Nebraska and Minnesota. After graduating from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, he enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was awarded the degree of Master of Divinity. He later earned the Master of Sacred Theology degree at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and pursued doctoral studies at Harvard University. Skip served for 20 years in the United States Navy, and retired as a Captain. He served on major ships of the line, at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and at various Naval Stations in the United States and abroad, including Antarctica. He participated in numerous key missions in Southeast Asia, and was awarded an array of medals and decorations.
His co-author, Jerome "JD" Hamilton made a dual contribution to this novel. He is the persona of its leading character, Lain Byrd. In addition, his diary and "letters home" retained from Navy days were integral to shaping the novel's story line and developing the profiles of the leading characters. JD served as a Yeoman in the Navy for four consecutive Commanding Officers aboard a major ship of the line and completed several deployments to the Mediterranean and South America. Following his service, he completed the Department of Defense Industrial Security Training program and was employed by a large federal contractor in Washington, D.C. He currently resides with his wife and three children in Cabot, Arkansas, where he has established three entrepreneurial businesses. His most recent venture involved developing a new data base locator (http://www.tractorfax.org) involving the agricultural and construction equipment industry. He is currently writing a novel of his own reflective of another aspect of Navy life.
In the 1980s, Skip further pursued his interests in history and religion, writing a book titled History, Harmony, and the Hebrew Kings. He taught courses in religious history, public policy, and politics and American life at Concordia Seminary. Skip and his wife, Gloria, live in retirement in Spring Valley, Minnesota. He has four children and twelve grandchildren.
According to the book description, “Skip Vogel's CONSTANT BEARING - DECREASING RANGE: The Collision of Public Policy and National Defense, is a compelling character-driven story of intrigue, tragedy, honor, and humor within the U.S. Navy as it was undermined by the questionable efforts of American politicians and social engineers as they attempted to integrate low aptitude personnel and criminals into our naval forces, and the unfortunate consequences that resulted from these policies.”
Military-Writers.com now list eight former military personnel and their eleven books.
Leroy E. "Skip" Vogel was born in Bruno, Saskatchewan, Canada, but spent most of his childhood in Nebraska and Minnesota. After graduating from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, he enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was awarded the degree of Master of Divinity. He later earned the Master of Sacred Theology degree at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and pursued doctoral studies at Harvard University. Skip served for 20 years in the United States Navy, and retired as a Captain. He served on major ships of the line, at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and at various Naval Stations in the United States and abroad, including Antarctica. He participated in numerous key missions in Southeast Asia, and was awarded an array of medals and decorations.
His co-author, Jerome "JD" Hamilton made a dual contribution to this novel. He is the persona of its leading character, Lain Byrd. In addition, his diary and "letters home" retained from Navy days were integral to shaping the novel's story line and developing the profiles of the leading characters. JD served as a Yeoman in the Navy for four consecutive Commanding Officers aboard a major ship of the line and completed several deployments to the Mediterranean and South America. Following his service, he completed the Department of Defense Industrial Security Training program and was employed by a large federal contractor in Washington, D.C. He currently resides with his wife and three children in Cabot, Arkansas, where he has established three entrepreneurial businesses. His most recent venture involved developing a new data base locator (http://www.tractorfax.org) involving the agricultural and construction equipment industry. He is currently writing a novel of his own reflective of another aspect of Navy life.
In the 1980s, Skip further pursued his interests in history and religion, writing a book titled History, Harmony, and the Hebrew Kings. He taught courses in religious history, public policy, and politics and American life at Concordia Seminary. Skip and his wife, Gloria, live in retirement in Spring Valley, Minnesota. He has four children and twelve grandchildren.
According to the book description, “Skip Vogel's CONSTANT BEARING - DECREASING RANGE: The Collision of Public Policy and National Defense, is a compelling character-driven story of intrigue, tragedy, honor, and humor within the U.S. Navy as it was undermined by the questionable efforts of American politicians and social engineers as they attempted to integrate low aptitude personnel and criminals into our naval forces, and the unfortunate consequences that resulted from these policies.”
Military-Writers.com now list eight former military personnel and their eleven books.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Air Force Thunderbirds to Kick Off Super Bowl XLI
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – The U.S. Air Force's elite demonstration squadron, the "Thunderbirds," will help kick off Super Bowl XLI in Miami with a flyover of Dolphin Stadium on Feb. 4. The team's six red, white and blue F-16 fighter jets will roar over in their signature six-ship Delta formation at the conclusion of the national anthem. The aircraft will fly over at about 500 feet and 450 miles per hour.
"We are honored to participate in the Super Bowl, especially this year, as the United States Air Force commemorates our 60th anniversary," said Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, Thunderbird commander.
The flyover is just one of many events the Thunderbirds will participate in during 2007 to commemorate the Air Force's six decades of air and space power.
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 120 enlisted airmen performing in more than 25 career specialties. "Our job is to represent the thousands of airmen who serve their country on a daily basis, including the more than 25,000 fighting on the front lines in the global war on terror," Robbins said.
The Super Bowl is the nation's highest-rated TV program annually. According to the National Football League, more than 141 million viewers in the United States tuned in to the last Super Bowl game. Super Bowl XLI will be broadcast to a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion in more than 230 countries and territories
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
Jan. 30, 2007 – The U.S. Air Force's elite demonstration squadron, the "Thunderbirds," will help kick off Super Bowl XLI in Miami with a flyover of Dolphin Stadium on Feb. 4. The team's six red, white and blue F-16 fighter jets will roar over in their signature six-ship Delta formation at the conclusion of the national anthem. The aircraft will fly over at about 500 feet and 450 miles per hour.
"We are honored to participate in the Super Bowl, especially this year, as the United States Air Force commemorates our 60th anniversary," said Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, Thunderbird commander.
The flyover is just one of many events the Thunderbirds will participate in during 2007 to commemorate the Air Force's six decades of air and space power.
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 120 enlisted airmen performing in more than 25 career specialties. "Our job is to represent the thousands of airmen who serve their country on a daily basis, including the more than 25,000 fighting on the front lines in the global war on terror," Robbins said.
The Super Bowl is the nation's highest-rated TV program annually. According to the National Football League, more than 141 million viewers in the United States tuned in to the last Super Bowl game. Super Bowl XLI will be broadcast to a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion in more than 230 countries and territories
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
CENTCOM Nominee Touts Diplomacy in Iraq Approach
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – Cooperation and assistance from U.S. allies in the Middle East are essential to promoting security and stability in Iraq, the president's nominee to lead U.S. Central Command said here today. Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, whom President Bush nominated to take over for Army Gen. John Abizaid, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that, if confirmed, he would draw on his diplomatic experience as the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, where he has served since February 2005. In Pacific Command, Fallon said, he engages countries in the region for advice and opinions in security operations. He would like to bring this same approach to the Middle East, he said.
"It seems to me that we make progress when we are willing to be open and to use every means at our disposal to try to achieve the ends. But this, of course, requires reciprocal actions from the other parties," Fallon said. "And so I don't know the extent to which those endeavors have been undertaken in the Middle East, but I am very anxious to find out and to try to play a constructive role in that."
If confirmed, Fallon will be the first Navy officer to head Central Command. He acknowledged today that a new way forward is needed in Iraq, with more emphasis on securing the Iraqi population. He said that Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, who was confirmed Jan. 26 to command Multinational Force Iraq, will be in charge of operations on the ground, while he will focus on the broader issues.
"It seems to me that there's an expectation that I'd be working outside the borders of Iraq to try to get the neighborhood, for example, to help us, and to continue to work these other issues like Afghanistan," Fallon said. "So I'd be looking to work in a complementary manner."
Right now, Fallon said, he sees a lot of inaction on the part of Middle Eastern countries. He is eager to work with the U.S. Department of State in engaging these countries and working toward stability, he said.
In Iraq, political and economic progress must take place, or security improvements will mean nothing, Fallon said. The Iraqi government must act on the objectives it set out to give the people confidence and hope, he said.
"If this endeavor of a pluralistic democratic entity in Baghdad is going to survive, it's going to require political courage and leadership, I believe, to stand up and make decisions that can be helpful to people," he said.
The United States must make clear to the Iraqi government that U.S. forces are not in an open-ended commitment, and progress is expected, Fallon said. However, now is not the time to give the Iraqis strict deadlines without flexibility, he said.
Diplomacy also will be important in dealing with Iran, Fallon said. The government there is trying to deny U.S. involvement in the region, but is also a threat to U.S. allies, he noted. The U.S. must work with these allies and pay close attention to Iran's actions, he said.
"There are many things that ought to be considered as we approach our engagement in the region, and I'll be very anxious to particularly consult with the Gulf region nations to see what's new, what's learned, because it's been a number of years since I actually engaged in this area," Fallon said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – Cooperation and assistance from U.S. allies in the Middle East are essential to promoting security and stability in Iraq, the president's nominee to lead U.S. Central Command said here today. Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, whom President Bush nominated to take over for Army Gen. John Abizaid, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that, if confirmed, he would draw on his diplomatic experience as the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, where he has served since February 2005. In Pacific Command, Fallon said, he engages countries in the region for advice and opinions in security operations. He would like to bring this same approach to the Middle East, he said.
"It seems to me that we make progress when we are willing to be open and to use every means at our disposal to try to achieve the ends. But this, of course, requires reciprocal actions from the other parties," Fallon said. "And so I don't know the extent to which those endeavors have been undertaken in the Middle East, but I am very anxious to find out and to try to play a constructive role in that."
If confirmed, Fallon will be the first Navy officer to head Central Command. He acknowledged today that a new way forward is needed in Iraq, with more emphasis on securing the Iraqi population. He said that Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, who was confirmed Jan. 26 to command Multinational Force Iraq, will be in charge of operations on the ground, while he will focus on the broader issues.
"It seems to me that there's an expectation that I'd be working outside the borders of Iraq to try to get the neighborhood, for example, to help us, and to continue to work these other issues like Afghanistan," Fallon said. "So I'd be looking to work in a complementary manner."
Right now, Fallon said, he sees a lot of inaction on the part of Middle Eastern countries. He is eager to work with the U.S. Department of State in engaging these countries and working toward stability, he said.
In Iraq, political and economic progress must take place, or security improvements will mean nothing, Fallon said. The Iraqi government must act on the objectives it set out to give the people confidence and hope, he said.
"If this endeavor of a pluralistic democratic entity in Baghdad is going to survive, it's going to require political courage and leadership, I believe, to stand up and make decisions that can be helpful to people," he said.
The United States must make clear to the Iraqi government that U.S. forces are not in an open-ended commitment, and progress is expected, Fallon said. However, now is not the time to give the Iraqis strict deadlines without flexibility, he said.
Diplomacy also will be important in dealing with Iran, Fallon said. The government there is trying to deny U.S. involvement in the region, but is also a threat to U.S. allies, he noted. The U.S. must work with these allies and pay close attention to Iran's actions, he said.
"There are many things that ought to be considered as we approach our engagement in the region, and I'll be very anxious to particularly consult with the Gulf region nations to see what's new, what's learned, because it's been a number of years since I actually engaged in this area," Fallon said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
Group Takes Helping Wounded to New Heights
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – Sometimes all it takes for a wounded veteran to begin healing is being surrounded by family and friends. That's the premise on which the Minnesota-based Veterans Airlift Command was founded. Walter Fricke, founder of the nonprofit organization and a former Army aviator, knows having family and friends nearby can aide a wounded vet's recovery. "I was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and I was wounded while flying a helicopter," he said.
Fricke said he spent about six months in a military hospital with 700 miles separating him from his family. It was only after his family members gathered the resources to visit him that his condition, which had actually begun to decline, started turning around.
"I didn't start healing until my family got there. In fact, I was going downhill until they got there," he said. "I really know the value of having a family close by and also for kids getting home on convalescent leave."
Years after Fricke made a full recovery, he realized there was again an unmet need. Wounded veterans of the global war on terrorism are recovering at military medical facilities and Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country, sometimes far from home and their families.
With the mission of providing "air transportation for medical and other compassionate purposes to wounded warriors, veterans and their families through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots," he began Veterans Airlift Command.
It began in spring 2006 and in November, with nine aircraft in its network, Veterans Airlift Command flew its first mission, which involved a young Marine.
"We now have well over 200 aircraft in our system," Fricke said, adding that the number of volunteer pilots has grown without any formal advertising. "The aviation community really connects on this, and they have been pretty aggressive in signing up."
Fricke said he received many requests for assistance during the holiday season from wounded servicemembers wanting to get home to spend time with their families. Typically, though, about half of requests for transport come from family members, he said.
In fact, that's how the first mission came about. A young injured Marine had traveled from his home in Melbourne, Fla., to Jacksonville, N.C., to receive his Purple Heart and other awards. The trip took 13 hours and required four layovers.
The Marine's father, in an effort to make things easier for his son's return trip, contacted the Military Severely Injured Center, which put him in touch with Veterans Airlift Command. "We flew him home in two and a half hours, nonstop," Fricke said.
Other inquiries typically come through official channels, Fricke said, adding that his group has developed a good relationship with Walter Reed Army Medical Center here. The medical facility makes at least one request daily.
The organization operates with very little overhead, Fricke said. The group works with donations that include the pilots' time, use of their planes and fuel. The cost of the flights can vary greatly depending on the distance flown and what type of aircraft is used. A typical flight, up to 500 miles, costs the pilots a minimum of $500, but can go as high as $10,000 when a corporate jet flies a mission for Fricke.
When the group's fundraising mechanism is organized, Fricke expects that anything raised above what is needed to cover his few overhead costs will be used to buy airline tickets when it's not practical to use a private aircraft. For example, if a flight is outside the organization's maximum flight radius of about 800 miles, a commercial airline is a more practical choice.
The organization also has been working with USA Cares on a travel request hotline, Fricke said. Though the group prefers requests come to them via their Web site, by the end of February, USA Cares will be fielding and vetting requests for Veterans Airlift Command assistance received on the travel request hotline, 1-866-784-8917.
USA Cares is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the ways Americans are supporting the nation's servicemembers.
To date, Veterans Airlift Command has flown about 35 missions and expects to complete at least 250 this year. While he anticipates the organization's volunteer network will be able to handle 1,000 missions in 2008, Fricke's ideal number would be much lower.
"Zero would be the perfect number," he said, to indicate he wished the need for his service didn't exist.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – Sometimes all it takes for a wounded veteran to begin healing is being surrounded by family and friends. That's the premise on which the Minnesota-based Veterans Airlift Command was founded. Walter Fricke, founder of the nonprofit organization and a former Army aviator, knows having family and friends nearby can aide a wounded vet's recovery. "I was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and I was wounded while flying a helicopter," he said.
Fricke said he spent about six months in a military hospital with 700 miles separating him from his family. It was only after his family members gathered the resources to visit him that his condition, which had actually begun to decline, started turning around.
"I didn't start healing until my family got there. In fact, I was going downhill until they got there," he said. "I really know the value of having a family close by and also for kids getting home on convalescent leave."
Years after Fricke made a full recovery, he realized there was again an unmet need. Wounded veterans of the global war on terrorism are recovering at military medical facilities and Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country, sometimes far from home and their families.
With the mission of providing "air transportation for medical and other compassionate purposes to wounded warriors, veterans and their families through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots," he began Veterans Airlift Command.
It began in spring 2006 and in November, with nine aircraft in its network, Veterans Airlift Command flew its first mission, which involved a young Marine.
"We now have well over 200 aircraft in our system," Fricke said, adding that the number of volunteer pilots has grown without any formal advertising. "The aviation community really connects on this, and they have been pretty aggressive in signing up."
Fricke said he received many requests for assistance during the holiday season from wounded servicemembers wanting to get home to spend time with their families. Typically, though, about half of requests for transport come from family members, he said.
In fact, that's how the first mission came about. A young injured Marine had traveled from his home in Melbourne, Fla., to Jacksonville, N.C., to receive his Purple Heart and other awards. The trip took 13 hours and required four layovers.
The Marine's father, in an effort to make things easier for his son's return trip, contacted the Military Severely Injured Center, which put him in touch with Veterans Airlift Command. "We flew him home in two and a half hours, nonstop," Fricke said.
Other inquiries typically come through official channels, Fricke said, adding that his group has developed a good relationship with Walter Reed Army Medical Center here. The medical facility makes at least one request daily.
The organization operates with very little overhead, Fricke said. The group works with donations that include the pilots' time, use of their planes and fuel. The cost of the flights can vary greatly depending on the distance flown and what type of aircraft is used. A typical flight, up to 500 miles, costs the pilots a minimum of $500, but can go as high as $10,000 when a corporate jet flies a mission for Fricke.
When the group's fundraising mechanism is organized, Fricke expects that anything raised above what is needed to cover his few overhead costs will be used to buy airline tickets when it's not practical to use a private aircraft. For example, if a flight is outside the organization's maximum flight radius of about 800 miles, a commercial airline is a more practical choice.
The organization also has been working with USA Cares on a travel request hotline, Fricke said. Though the group prefers requests come to them via their Web site, by the end of February, USA Cares will be fielding and vetting requests for Veterans Airlift Command assistance received on the travel request hotline, 1-866-784-8917.
USA Cares is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the ways Americans are supporting the nation's servicemembers.
To date, Veterans Airlift Command has flown about 35 missions and expects to complete at least 250 this year. While he anticipates the organization's volunteer network will be able to handle 1,000 missions in 2008, Fricke's ideal number would be much lower.
"Zero would be the perfect number," he said, to indicate he wished the need for his service didn't exist.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
Training Center Transformation Ensures Combat-Ready Troops
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – When the National Training Center opened here in 1981, it presented the most realistic environment imaginable for troops to prepare for a potential large-scale, tank-on-tank confrontation with the Soviet Union in Germany's Fulda Gap. Today, this sweeping training center has transformed dramatically to train troops for the fight they face today against terrorists and insurgent groups in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Deep within the Mojave Desert, on a post larger than Rhode Island, there's little sign of the National Training Center's past life, when it focused on preparing troops for a major Cold War confrontation.
Gone is the permanent opposing force that operated with Soviet tactics, dressed in Soviet uniforms and navigated the training grounds in Vietnam-era M-551 Sheridan tanks modified to look like T-72 and BMP tanks.
Army Capt. Sean Patrick, an observer-controller with the Operations Group here, remembers going through the old NTC in 1999. "It was a high-intensity conflict environment, designed for tank-on-tank conflict," he recalled. "It was wide-open desert, with no towns. We were fighting the Soviet army, so our techniques were different."
Today, Patrick and the rest of the NTC cadre and staff offer what soldiers training here describe as the best preparation they could receive stateside for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Troops now train for the many diverse tasks they'll be called on to conduct while deployed: mounted and dismounted patrols, cordon-and-search missions, searches for weapons caches and high-value targets, bilateral talks with Iraqi officials, and infrastructure missions.
"What we do here runs the spectrum, from troop-leading procedures to teaching units how to react to contact and everything in between," said Patrick.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Adam Lammers, another observer-controller, went through NTC in 1997 with the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment. Ten years later, he's training the same unit for its third deployment to Iraq.
"Instead of putting the emphasis on big tank-on-tank battles, now the focus is on stability and support operations," he said. "Also, back then, we used tactical assembly areas. Now our operations are FOB (forward operating base)-based. So a lot has changed."
Training reflects the environment and threats troops will face in Iraq, and is altered slightly for troops deploying to Afghanistan. Scenarios are updated regularly to reflect lessons learned on the battlefield, said Army Col. Steven Salazar, commander of the Operations Group. "We do absolutely everything we can possibly think of to make sure we have a current environment and a current scenario," he said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Heath Thayer, a section trainer for the scout platoon, calls the NTC's similarity to conditions in Iraq the perfect environment to reinforce the tactics, techniques and procedures troops will use during their deployment.
"This gives us an opportunity to rehearse (standard operating procedures and tactics, techniques and procedures) that soldiers have been working on at home station and evaluate if they will actually work in theater ... against the most realistic and up-to-date threats," he said. "It's all very realistic, about as realistic as it gets."
Much of the activity centers around 12 Iraqi-style villages that dot the landscape, inhabited by some 1,600 actors posing as Iraqi citizens. Most of these actors are soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment that serves as NTC's permanent opposing force, but 250 are Iraqi-Americans. They adopt roles ranging from political or tribal leaders to mullahs to everyday people whose support varies for or against U.S. troops depending on their actions.
John Wagstaffe, the training center's public affairs officer, compares the scenarios that take place in these villages to "an improvised Shakespearean play."
Citizens in the fictional village of Wasl, for example, started a recent training exercise relatively neutral toward the Americans in their midst. But after a patrol from the 3rd Infantry Division disrupted a house during a search and treated an "Iraqi" woman in a way the local people thought inappropriate, they staged a demonstration. The protest turned violent, and two soldiers were "captured."
The following day, a small group of soldiers met with the town mayor, police chief and religious leaders to help turn a bad situation around. "We focus on getting soldiers used to dealing with the Iraqis and how to react to different scenarios," explained David Beach, one of two site managers in the "town."
Army Pvt. 2 Jimmy Hills, who has played a friendly Iraqi for the past six months, said he sees a direct correlation between soldiers' actions and the local people's behavior. "It all depends on what the soldiers do. If they mess up the city, it's just like in real life; we get angry," he said. "When soldiers go through here, they actually reap the repercussions of their actions. As they do that, they are learning cultural awareness, how to use the language and what to look for."
Nearly every training situation here enforces the ever-present threat posed by improvised explosive devices and snipers. Pyrotechnics are used widely to keep troops ever watchful for roadside bombs, car bombs and insurgents wearing suicide vests. Snipers hide within the villages, often attacking when troops react to IEDs.
For example, medics going through Lammers' simulation training exercise lane got a taste of that when their Humvee and a vehicle loaded with "Iraqis" got hit by an IED. As the troops secured the area and began treating patients, they were hit with a sniper attack.
Army Cpl. Nathan Bell, a gunner with the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, who returned from Iraq in March, called the villages, explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire here good preparation for the unit's upcoming deployment. "This is all pretty realistic, and it's making us better prepared," he said. "We're able to work on deficient areas and get retrained in areas we need it."
Army 1st Lt. Doug Serota had glowing words for the training the NTC cadre offered his troops. "These guys learned a lot from overseas, and they know what they need to push our way," he said. "There's always stuff we can learn, and these guys are awesome in what they give us."
The NTC cadre and staff say they recognize the urgency of the training. "Nobody comes to the NTC anymore unless they are going to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan," Wagstaffe said. "That puts a lot more pressure on us to ensure that the training is challenging and meaningful. We have to be sure that when people leave here, they are ready to go."
After-action reviews, conducted after training events, take on a more pressing nature than ever before. "No thin skin, okay?" Army Sgt. 1st Class Steve Smith, an observer-controller, said as he talked with members of 1st Platoon, 58th Combat Engineer Company, about a road-clearance training mission.
Smith pointed out shortcomings in the mission in which five tracked vehicles got ambushed and two of them got hit with IEDs. The vehicles were spaced too closely together, making them vulnerable to attack, he noted. The soldiers didn't properly scan the area for secondary IEDs before reacting to the first. They had no established succession of command in the event that the leaders were lost. And a single vehicle crew was tapped to do two missions it couldn't possibly do simultaneously: evacuate casualties while setting up a traffic control point.
"Hopefully you will learn something from here," Smith told the soldiers, all bound for Iraq within the next few months. "Take what you get here and apply it."
"The whole thing we do here is to get these guys spun up and get them ready," said Bob Mortensen, a civilian who advises troops going through route-clearance training. "The more knowledge people have when they get (to the combat theater), the better. So that's our mandate: to train these guys, give them the most up-to-date information so that when they're into the theater, they're prepared."
Army Sgt. Tony Smith, preparing for his third deployment to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade, said he welcomes the preparation he's getting at NTC. "This training parallels everything we deal with over there in Iraq," he said.
"This is probably as close as we are going to get to what it looks like and what we're going to be exposed to in Iraq," agreed Sgt. Marcus Williams, Smith's comrade. "It gets pretty intense here, because that's what it's going to be like when we are over there. So this is the time we can make mistakes and fix those mistakes."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – When the National Training Center opened here in 1981, it presented the most realistic environment imaginable for troops to prepare for a potential large-scale, tank-on-tank confrontation with the Soviet Union in Germany's Fulda Gap. Today, this sweeping training center has transformed dramatically to train troops for the fight they face today against terrorists and insurgent groups in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Deep within the Mojave Desert, on a post larger than Rhode Island, there's little sign of the National Training Center's past life, when it focused on preparing troops for a major Cold War confrontation.
Gone is the permanent opposing force that operated with Soviet tactics, dressed in Soviet uniforms and navigated the training grounds in Vietnam-era M-551 Sheridan tanks modified to look like T-72 and BMP tanks.
Army Capt. Sean Patrick, an observer-controller with the Operations Group here, remembers going through the old NTC in 1999. "It was a high-intensity conflict environment, designed for tank-on-tank conflict," he recalled. "It was wide-open desert, with no towns. We were fighting the Soviet army, so our techniques were different."
Today, Patrick and the rest of the NTC cadre and staff offer what soldiers training here describe as the best preparation they could receive stateside for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Troops now train for the many diverse tasks they'll be called on to conduct while deployed: mounted and dismounted patrols, cordon-and-search missions, searches for weapons caches and high-value targets, bilateral talks with Iraqi officials, and infrastructure missions.
"What we do here runs the spectrum, from troop-leading procedures to teaching units how to react to contact and everything in between," said Patrick.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Adam Lammers, another observer-controller, went through NTC in 1997 with the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment. Ten years later, he's training the same unit for its third deployment to Iraq.
"Instead of putting the emphasis on big tank-on-tank battles, now the focus is on stability and support operations," he said. "Also, back then, we used tactical assembly areas. Now our operations are FOB (forward operating base)-based. So a lot has changed."
Training reflects the environment and threats troops will face in Iraq, and is altered slightly for troops deploying to Afghanistan. Scenarios are updated regularly to reflect lessons learned on the battlefield, said Army Col. Steven Salazar, commander of the Operations Group. "We do absolutely everything we can possibly think of to make sure we have a current environment and a current scenario," he said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Heath Thayer, a section trainer for the scout platoon, calls the NTC's similarity to conditions in Iraq the perfect environment to reinforce the tactics, techniques and procedures troops will use during their deployment.
"This gives us an opportunity to rehearse (standard operating procedures and tactics, techniques and procedures) that soldiers have been working on at home station and evaluate if they will actually work in theater ... against the most realistic and up-to-date threats," he said. "It's all very realistic, about as realistic as it gets."
Much of the activity centers around 12 Iraqi-style villages that dot the landscape, inhabited by some 1,600 actors posing as Iraqi citizens. Most of these actors are soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment that serves as NTC's permanent opposing force, but 250 are Iraqi-Americans. They adopt roles ranging from political or tribal leaders to mullahs to everyday people whose support varies for or against U.S. troops depending on their actions.
John Wagstaffe, the training center's public affairs officer, compares the scenarios that take place in these villages to "an improvised Shakespearean play."
Citizens in the fictional village of Wasl, for example, started a recent training exercise relatively neutral toward the Americans in their midst. But after a patrol from the 3rd Infantry Division disrupted a house during a search and treated an "Iraqi" woman in a way the local people thought inappropriate, they staged a demonstration. The protest turned violent, and two soldiers were "captured."
The following day, a small group of soldiers met with the town mayor, police chief and religious leaders to help turn a bad situation around. "We focus on getting soldiers used to dealing with the Iraqis and how to react to different scenarios," explained David Beach, one of two site managers in the "town."
Army Pvt. 2 Jimmy Hills, who has played a friendly Iraqi for the past six months, said he sees a direct correlation between soldiers' actions and the local people's behavior. "It all depends on what the soldiers do. If they mess up the city, it's just like in real life; we get angry," he said. "When soldiers go through here, they actually reap the repercussions of their actions. As they do that, they are learning cultural awareness, how to use the language and what to look for."
Nearly every training situation here enforces the ever-present threat posed by improvised explosive devices and snipers. Pyrotechnics are used widely to keep troops ever watchful for roadside bombs, car bombs and insurgents wearing suicide vests. Snipers hide within the villages, often attacking when troops react to IEDs.
For example, medics going through Lammers' simulation training exercise lane got a taste of that when their Humvee and a vehicle loaded with "Iraqis" got hit by an IED. As the troops secured the area and began treating patients, they were hit with a sniper attack.
Army Cpl. Nathan Bell, a gunner with the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, who returned from Iraq in March, called the villages, explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire here good preparation for the unit's upcoming deployment. "This is all pretty realistic, and it's making us better prepared," he said. "We're able to work on deficient areas and get retrained in areas we need it."
Army 1st Lt. Doug Serota had glowing words for the training the NTC cadre offered his troops. "These guys learned a lot from overseas, and they know what they need to push our way," he said. "There's always stuff we can learn, and these guys are awesome in what they give us."
The NTC cadre and staff say they recognize the urgency of the training. "Nobody comes to the NTC anymore unless they are going to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan," Wagstaffe said. "That puts a lot more pressure on us to ensure that the training is challenging and meaningful. We have to be sure that when people leave here, they are ready to go."
After-action reviews, conducted after training events, take on a more pressing nature than ever before. "No thin skin, okay?" Army Sgt. 1st Class Steve Smith, an observer-controller, said as he talked with members of 1st Platoon, 58th Combat Engineer Company, about a road-clearance training mission.
Smith pointed out shortcomings in the mission in which five tracked vehicles got ambushed and two of them got hit with IEDs. The vehicles were spaced too closely together, making them vulnerable to attack, he noted. The soldiers didn't properly scan the area for secondary IEDs before reacting to the first. They had no established succession of command in the event that the leaders were lost. And a single vehicle crew was tapped to do two missions it couldn't possibly do simultaneously: evacuate casualties while setting up a traffic control point.
"Hopefully you will learn something from here," Smith told the soldiers, all bound for Iraq within the next few months. "Take what you get here and apply it."
"The whole thing we do here is to get these guys spun up and get them ready," said Bob Mortensen, a civilian who advises troops going through route-clearance training. "The more knowledge people have when they get (to the combat theater), the better. So that's our mandate: to train these guys, give them the most up-to-date information so that when they're into the theater, they're prepared."
Army Sgt. Tony Smith, preparing for his third deployment to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade, said he welcomes the preparation he's getting at NTC. "This training parallels everything we deal with over there in Iraq," he said.
"This is probably as close as we are going to get to what it looks like and what we're going to be exposed to in Iraq," agreed Sgt. Marcus Williams, Smith's comrade. "It gets pretty intense here, because that's what it's going to be like when we are over there. So this is the time we can make mistakes and fix those mistakes."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
National Leaders Thank Wounded Warriors
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – How does a nation thank someone whose legs were destroyed by an insurgent's homemade bomb? How do Americans pay tribute to someone whose face melted in the fires of war? In marking the opening of a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation center and two new Fisher Houses here yesterday, Cabinet secretaries, military leaders, senators, business leaders, and celebrities did their best to express their gratitude to some of the nation's sons and daughters who bear the scars of combat. The VIPs acknowledged both the servicemembers' and their family members' sacrifice.
"All those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and all those recovering from their wounds remind us of the price of freedom," Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said. "It is a price that is periodically required to be paid in blood, and suffering and courage."
England was one of about 3,000 people gathered here to mark the opening of the Center for the Intrepid, the Army's national rehabilitation center, and two Fisher Houses, where families of the severely wounded stay to be near their loved ones. The $50 million center was built from private funds donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
"What you see before you is a monument built by contributions by 600,000 Americans," said Arnold Fisher, chairman of the fund. "This is a monument to not only the men and women and their families who will come here, but a monument to the generosity of our citizens and their love for those who serve."
Both the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation are members of the Defense Department's America Supports You program. The program works to highlight ways in which Americans support U.S. troops
The guests, including actress Michelle Pfeiffer, talk show celebrity Rosie O'Donnell, singer-songwriter John Mellencamp and producer David E. Kelley, paid tribute to more than 300 severely wounded men and women. While some troops sat in a row of wheelchairs in front of the stage, others slowly walked beneath crossed swords to silently parade before the applauding audience.
Mellencamp performed two of his hit songs, "Pink Houses" and "Our Country" during the event. The entertainer said he came here because the rehabilitation center is a worthwhile project. "It shows the spirit of what people can do on their own when they want to and when they need to," he told American Forces Press Service.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the military's highest-ranking officer, said he objects to the idea that these members of the all-volunteer force "lost" their limbs. "You gave an arm; you gave a leg; you gave your sight as gifts to your nation that we might live in freedom," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff emphatically told the wounded warriors.
Pace said families members have sacrificed in ways that most people can only imagine. They, too, often need rehabilitation, and that's why the Center for the Intrepid and the Fisher Houses are so important.
"Those of you who are family members of the fallen and of the wounded have served this country as well as anyone who has ever worn the uniform, and we thank you for that," the chairman said. "You pray for us when we're gone, and ... when we're wounded, you're there to put us back together again."
Pace's senior enlisted advisor, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey, later echoed his boss's sentiments. "Families are the most important thing to us soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and 'Coasties,'" Gainey said in an interview. "If we have a system that will take care of our families, then we can deal with it, and that's a fact. If we take care of the families, we take care of the troops."
Pace also paid tribute to the military's caregivers. "From the instant any of us is wounded on the battlefield until the time we arrive here," he said, the medical professionals provide "the loving care and compassion that these wounded warriors so deserve."
One of those caregivers, retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Kathy Rasmussen, assistant administrator for the Center for the Intrepid, led the chairman on a brief tour of the $50 million facility. The 24-year veteran from Charles City, Iowa, recently retired from active duty but stayed on as a civilian employee here. "What better way to continue to serve my country," she told American Forces Press Service. "I absolutely love working with the patients."
Army Master Sgt. Daniel Robles, 17-year-Army veteran from Tucson, Ariz., who's now a patient at the Center for the Intrepid, was severely injured about four months after deploying to Iraq. He said hopes to find work at Fort Sam Houston.
"There's a lot of good people here who want to support me in that," he said in an interview. "I think it's going to work out."
During the ceremony, Arizona Sen. John McCain acknowledged the debt the nation owes its combat veterans and their families. "We have incurred a debt to you, and no matter how sincerely and generously we honor our obligations to you, we can never repay in full," McCain said. "What you have done for us we can never do for you. But we're mindful of that distinction and humbled by it.
"Our appreciation for your service demands that we all do what we can ... to help keep this nation a place, an idea worthy of the hardships, dangers and sacrifices you have borne so valiantly for us."
New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said the country has been well served by those who fight for our freedoms.
"We are blessed to have so many who have given so much," she said. "But in return, we are obligated to ensure in every way we can that they and their families are given the support that they have so richly earned and deserved."
The rehab center will be a place of healing and support, for the wounded warriors who face a challenging road ahead, Clinton said.
"May this center and the staff that serve so nobly here help all who pass through its doors to heal in body and soul, to look forward to a future that is still filled with potential, to live long and productive lives at home and to continue in whatever way you choose to serve this nation that admires, respects and loves you," she said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2007 – How does a nation thank someone whose legs were destroyed by an insurgent's homemade bomb? How do Americans pay tribute to someone whose face melted in the fires of war? In marking the opening of a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation center and two new Fisher Houses here yesterday, Cabinet secretaries, military leaders, senators, business leaders, and celebrities did their best to express their gratitude to some of the nation's sons and daughters who bear the scars of combat. The VIPs acknowledged both the servicemembers' and their family members' sacrifice.
"All those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and all those recovering from their wounds remind us of the price of freedom," Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said. "It is a price that is periodically required to be paid in blood, and suffering and courage."
England was one of about 3,000 people gathered here to mark the opening of the Center for the Intrepid, the Army's national rehabilitation center, and two Fisher Houses, where families of the severely wounded stay to be near their loved ones. The $50 million center was built from private funds donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
"What you see before you is a monument built by contributions by 600,000 Americans," said Arnold Fisher, chairman of the fund. "This is a monument to not only the men and women and their families who will come here, but a monument to the generosity of our citizens and their love for those who serve."
Both the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation are members of the Defense Department's America Supports You program. The program works to highlight ways in which Americans support U.S. troops
The guests, including actress Michelle Pfeiffer, talk show celebrity Rosie O'Donnell, singer-songwriter John Mellencamp and producer David E. Kelley, paid tribute to more than 300 severely wounded men and women. While some troops sat in a row of wheelchairs in front of the stage, others slowly walked beneath crossed swords to silently parade before the applauding audience.
Mellencamp performed two of his hit songs, "Pink Houses" and "Our Country" during the event. The entertainer said he came here because the rehabilitation center is a worthwhile project. "It shows the spirit of what people can do on their own when they want to and when they need to," he told American Forces Press Service.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the military's highest-ranking officer, said he objects to the idea that these members of the all-volunteer force "lost" their limbs. "You gave an arm; you gave a leg; you gave your sight as gifts to your nation that we might live in freedom," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff emphatically told the wounded warriors.
Pace said families members have sacrificed in ways that most people can only imagine. They, too, often need rehabilitation, and that's why the Center for the Intrepid and the Fisher Houses are so important.
"Those of you who are family members of the fallen and of the wounded have served this country as well as anyone who has ever worn the uniform, and we thank you for that," the chairman said. "You pray for us when we're gone, and ... when we're wounded, you're there to put us back together again."
Pace's senior enlisted advisor, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey, later echoed his boss's sentiments. "Families are the most important thing to us soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and 'Coasties,'" Gainey said in an interview. "If we have a system that will take care of our families, then we can deal with it, and that's a fact. If we take care of the families, we take care of the troops."
Pace also paid tribute to the military's caregivers. "From the instant any of us is wounded on the battlefield until the time we arrive here," he said, the medical professionals provide "the loving care and compassion that these wounded warriors so deserve."
One of those caregivers, retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Kathy Rasmussen, assistant administrator for the Center for the Intrepid, led the chairman on a brief tour of the $50 million facility. The 24-year veteran from Charles City, Iowa, recently retired from active duty but stayed on as a civilian employee here. "What better way to continue to serve my country," she told American Forces Press Service. "I absolutely love working with the patients."
Army Master Sgt. Daniel Robles, 17-year-Army veteran from Tucson, Ariz., who's now a patient at the Center for the Intrepid, was severely injured about four months after deploying to Iraq. He said hopes to find work at Fort Sam Houston.
"There's a lot of good people here who want to support me in that," he said in an interview. "I think it's going to work out."
During the ceremony, Arizona Sen. John McCain acknowledged the debt the nation owes its combat veterans and their families. "We have incurred a debt to you, and no matter how sincerely and generously we honor our obligations to you, we can never repay in full," McCain said. "What you have done for us we can never do for you. But we're mindful of that distinction and humbled by it.
"Our appreciation for your service demands that we all do what we can ... to help keep this nation a place, an idea worthy of the hardships, dangers and sacrifices you have borne so valiantly for us."
New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said the country has been well served by those who fight for our freedoms.
"We are blessed to have so many who have given so much," she said. "But in return, we are obligated to ensure in every way we can that they and their families are given the support that they have so richly earned and deserved."
The rehab center will be a place of healing and support, for the wounded warriors who face a challenging road ahead, Clinton said.
"May this center and the staff that serve so nobly here help all who pass through its doors to heal in body and soul, to look forward to a future that is still filled with potential, to live long and productive lives at home and to continue in whatever way you choose to serve this nation that admires, respects and loves you," she said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
National Guard Chief Confirmed for Additional Two Years
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2007 – The U.S. Senate has confirmed the nomination of Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum for a two-year extension as chief of the National Guard Bureau.
President Bush nominated Blum for the extension in December. The Senate acted on the nomination Jan. 26. Blum will have served as the chief for four years in April.
During his tenure, Blum has presided over the transformation of the National Guard from a strategic reserve to an operational force. In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he rebalanced the National Guard to ensure the nation's governors would have at least one-half of their National Guard available at all times to respond to potential catastrophic events. During Hurricane Katrina, he directed the largest military response to a national disaster in American history, sending more than 50,000 Guardsmen from every state and territory to relieve the badly stricken Gulf states.
In 2006, Blum answered the call of the president and four southwestern governors to send up to 6,000 troops to support the Customs and Border Patrol mission along the U.S.-Mexico border. The largest mobilization of the Guard since World War II also occurred during Blum's first four years as the National Guard Bureau chief.
Blum is the senior uniformed National Guard officer responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, programs and plans affecting more than half a million Army and Air National Guard personnel. Appointed by the president, he serves as the principal advisor to the secretary and chief of staff of the Army, and the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force on all National Guard issues. Blum serves as the Army and Air Force's official channel of communication with the governors and adjutants general of the states.
Prior to his current assignment, Blum served as chief of staff of U.S. Northern Command from August 2002 to April 2003.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
Jan. 29, 2007 – The U.S. Senate has confirmed the nomination of Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum for a two-year extension as chief of the National Guard Bureau.
President Bush nominated Blum for the extension in December. The Senate acted on the nomination Jan. 26. Blum will have served as the chief for four years in April.
During his tenure, Blum has presided over the transformation of the National Guard from a strategic reserve to an operational force. In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he rebalanced the National Guard to ensure the nation's governors would have at least one-half of their National Guard available at all times to respond to potential catastrophic events. During Hurricane Katrina, he directed the largest military response to a national disaster in American history, sending more than 50,000 Guardsmen from every state and territory to relieve the badly stricken Gulf states.
In 2006, Blum answered the call of the president and four southwestern governors to send up to 6,000 troops to support the Customs and Border Patrol mission along the U.S.-Mexico border. The largest mobilization of the Guard since World War II also occurred during Blum's first four years as the National Guard Bureau chief.
Blum is the senior uniformed National Guard officer responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, programs and plans affecting more than half a million Army and Air National Guard personnel. Appointed by the president, he serves as the principal advisor to the secretary and chief of staff of the Army, and the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force on all National Guard issues. Blum serves as the Army and Air Force's official channel of communication with the governors and adjutants general of the states.
Prior to his current assignment, Blum served as chief of staff of U.S. Northern Command from August 2002 to April 2003.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
Navy Aviator Missing In Action From the Vietnam War Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Navy Cmdr. Peter Mongilardi Jr., of Haledon, N.J. He will be buried on April 11 at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington D.C.
On June 25, 1965, Mongilardi departed the USS Coral Seain his A-4C Skyhawk on an armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. His flight encountered bad weather and enemy fire over Thanh Hoa Province, causing the wingman to lose visual and radio contact with Mongilardi. Contact was never re-established and the aircraft failed to return to the carrier.
In 1993, a joint U.S.-Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) archival team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), obtained information concerning the crash while researching documents, artifacts and photographs at the Central Army Museum in Hanoi. Later that year, another joint U.S./S.R.V. team conducted an investigation in Thanh Hoa Province. The team interviewed two local Vietnamese citizens who recalled the crash and said the pilot died in the impact. The men then led the team to the crash site.
In 1994, another joint team excavated the crash site and recovered human remains and pilot-related items, including a belt tip, boot heel, pieces of flight boot and other items worn by the pilot.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used nuclear DNA in the identification of the remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1169.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
On June 25, 1965, Mongilardi departed the USS Coral Seain his A-4C Skyhawk on an armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. His flight encountered bad weather and enemy fire over Thanh Hoa Province, causing the wingman to lose visual and radio contact with Mongilardi. Contact was never re-established and the aircraft failed to return to the carrier.
In 1993, a joint U.S.-Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) archival team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), obtained information concerning the crash while researching documents, artifacts and photographs at the Central Army Museum in Hanoi. Later that year, another joint U.S./S.R.V. team conducted an investigation in Thanh Hoa Province. The team interviewed two local Vietnamese citizens who recalled the crash and said the pilot died in the impact. The men then led the team to the crash site.
In 1994, another joint team excavated the crash site and recovered human remains and pilot-related items, including a belt tip, boot heel, pieces of flight boot and other items worn by the pilot.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used nuclear DNA in the identification of the remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1169.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books, blogs and websites.
Monday, January 29, 2007
$50 Million Rehabilitation Center Opens on Fort Sam Houston
By Elaine Wilson
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2007 – Thanks to the generosity of 600,000 Americans, wounded warriors now have a $50 million state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation facility. The Center for the Intrepid, designed for servicemembers wounded in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, opened here today along with two new Fisher Houses during a ceremony that included speeches from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace and Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England. R. James Nicholson, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs also spoke at the ceremony.
"There are those who speak about (wounded warriors) today -- 'He lost an arm. He lost a leg. She lost her sight.' I object," Pace told the the injured troops in attendance. "You gave an arm, you gave a leg, you gave your sight as gifts to your nation that we might live in freedom."
The $50 million center was built entirely from private funds through the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides assistance to the nation's military heroes injured in the performance of duty and their families.
"This is a red letter day for this country and for the 600,000 Americans who have contributed a dollar, some more than a million dollars, to make sure our young men and women who have given so much to this country are aware the American people care about them," said Arnold Fisher, chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. "They are our national treasure."
Both the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation, which makes the Fisher Houses possible, are members of the Defense Department's America Supports You program. The program works to highlight ways in which Americans support U.S. troops, veterans and their families.
Dozens of wounded warriors joined more than 3,000 guests at the grand opening. The guest list included Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain, country group Big & Rich, Rosie O'Donnell, Michelle Pfeiffer, producer David E. Kelley and top military leaders from all branches of service. Rock music star John Mellencamp performed during the ceremony.
Although the audience was packed with the top military leaders and Hollywood celebrities, the wounded warriors received the longest round of applause, along with a standing ovation.
"It's amazing, truly amazing. It really shows the American people care," said wounded warrior Staff Sgt. Daniel Barnes, a bilateral amputee.
The four-story, 60,000-square-foot center was designed for wounded warriors like Barnes. Equipped with the latest rehabilitation technology, it is a potential athlete's dream. The facility includes an indoor running track, firing range, pool, two-story climbing wall, prosthetic center and a computer assisted rehabilitation environment known as CAREN.
The environment comprises a dome with a 4-meter platform and screen, simulating everything from a city sidewalk to a day on the lake so patients can improve their gait and balancing skills. The unit is one of nine in the world, and it is the only one in the United States.
"What you see before you is a monument built by contributions by 600,000 Americans," Fisher said. "This is a monument to not only the men and women and their families who will come here, but a monument to the generosity of our citizens and their love for those who serve."
The center will initially cater to amputees and burn patients injured in the global war on terrorism, but is hoped to expand to encompass retirees, family members and veterans.
"This is my son's (Ken Fisher) and my commitment, and our mission," Fisher said.
"We'll continue this as long as it's necessary. Our only wish is that a place like this someday, it will become a garage."
The two new Fisher Houses bring the on-post total to four. Fisher Houses serve as a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers.
The 21-room homes are built in the newer Fisher House style, with a sprawling 16,800 square feet, as opposed to 5,000-plus square feet. Families will be able to live in comfort and style as they care for their loved ones at BAMC in homes that more closely resemble a Malibu mansion than temporary military housing. Each home has a kitchen even Martha Stewart would love, a formal dining room, several sitting rooms and elegant bedrooms equipped with DVD/VCR systems and flat screen TVs.
"What a privilege it is to render assistance to military families," said Ken Fisher, chairman of the Fisher House Foundation.
Pace echoed the sentiment. "Thank you to the families -- families of the fallen, families of the wounded; you sacrifice in ways that people who have not walked in your shoes can only imagine. When we are wounded, you are there to help put us back together. Those of you who are family members of fallen and of wounded have served this country as well as anyone who has ever worn the uniform."
(Elaine Wilson is assigned to the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have authored books; and criminal justice leadership online.
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2007 – Thanks to the generosity of 600,000 Americans, wounded warriors now have a $50 million state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation facility. The Center for the Intrepid, designed for servicemembers wounded in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, opened here today along with two new Fisher Houses during a ceremony that included speeches from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace and Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England. R. James Nicholson, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs also spoke at the ceremony.
"There are those who speak about (wounded warriors) today -- 'He lost an arm. He lost a leg. She lost her sight.' I object," Pace told the the injured troops in attendance. "You gave an arm, you gave a leg, you gave your sight as gifts to your nation that we might live in freedom."
The $50 million center was built entirely from private funds through the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides assistance to the nation's military heroes injured in the performance of duty and their families.
"This is a red letter day for this country and for the 600,000 Americans who have contributed a dollar, some more than a million dollars, to make sure our young men and women who have given so much to this country are aware the American people care about them," said Arnold Fisher, chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. "They are our national treasure."
Both the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation, which makes the Fisher Houses possible, are members of the Defense Department's America Supports You program. The program works to highlight ways in which Americans support U.S. troops, veterans and their families.
Dozens of wounded warriors joined more than 3,000 guests at the grand opening. The guest list included Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain, country group Big & Rich, Rosie O'Donnell, Michelle Pfeiffer, producer David E. Kelley and top military leaders from all branches of service. Rock music star John Mellencamp performed during the ceremony.
Although the audience was packed with the top military leaders and Hollywood celebrities, the wounded warriors received the longest round of applause, along with a standing ovation.
"It's amazing, truly amazing. It really shows the American people care," said wounded warrior Staff Sgt. Daniel Barnes, a bilateral amputee.
The four-story, 60,000-square-foot center was designed for wounded warriors like Barnes. Equipped with the latest rehabilitation technology, it is a potential athlete's dream. The facility includes an indoor running track, firing range, pool, two-story climbing wall, prosthetic center and a computer assisted rehabilitation environment known as CAREN.
The environment comprises a dome with a 4-meter platform and screen, simulating everything from a city sidewalk to a day on the lake so patients can improve their gait and balancing skills. The unit is one of nine in the world, and it is the only one in the United States.
"What you see before you is a monument built by contributions by 600,000 Americans," Fisher said. "This is a monument to not only the men and women and their families who will come here, but a monument to the generosity of our citizens and their love for those who serve."
The center will initially cater to amputees and burn patients injured in the global war on terrorism, but is hoped to expand to encompass retirees, family members and veterans.
"This is my son's (Ken Fisher) and my commitment, and our mission," Fisher said.
"We'll continue this as long as it's necessary. Our only wish is that a place like this someday, it will become a garage."
The two new Fisher Houses bring the on-post total to four. Fisher Houses serve as a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers.
The 21-room homes are built in the newer Fisher House style, with a sprawling 16,800 square feet, as opposed to 5,000-plus square feet. Families will be able to live in comfort and style as they care for their loved ones at BAMC in homes that more closely resemble a Malibu mansion than temporary military housing. Each home has a kitchen even Martha Stewart would love, a formal dining room, several sitting rooms and elegant bedrooms equipped with DVD/VCR systems and flat screen TVs.
"What a privilege it is to render assistance to military families," said Ken Fisher, chairman of the Fisher House Foundation.
Pace echoed the sentiment. "Thank you to the families -- families of the fallen, families of the wounded; you sacrifice in ways that people who have not walked in your shoes can only imagine. When we are wounded, you are there to help put us back together. Those of you who are family members of fallen and of wounded have served this country as well as anyone who has ever worn the uniform."
(Elaine Wilson is assigned to the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have authored books; and criminal justice leadership online.
Army Vice Chief Awards Medals at New Rehab Center
By Elaine Wilson
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2007 – With the star-studded grand opening just a day away, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody yesterday officiated over the first awards ceremony at the Center for the Intrepid here. The official dedication of the $50 million, state-of-the-art rehabilitation center for wounded warriors today is slated to draw a crowd of 3,000, along with a slew of celebrities and politicians, to include Senss Hillary Clinton and John McCain, and entertainers Denzel Washington, John Mellencamp and Rosie O'Donnell.
Yesterday, however, Cody's focus was not on the grand opening or the celebrity cast, but on Army Master Sgt. Daniel Robles, who was being honored with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star in the lobby of the new center.
"We have a warrior ethos in the Army that Sergeant. Robles has lived up to all of his career, and certainly on that day in April 2006 in Baghdad when he was serving as an NCO, leading soldiers when he was injured," the general said.
The mortar platoon sergeant was injured April 8, 2006, while on a patrol in southern Baghdad. Robles was riding in the lead vehicle of a convoy when it hit an improvised explosive device. Robles was riddled with shrapnel and lost both of his legs below the knee as a result of the explosion.
"Since then he's been going back and living that ethos of 'mission first,' never accepting defeat, never quitting and never leaving a fallen comrade," Cody said.
That same mission applies to the Center for the Intrepid, Cody said. The center was made possible through private donations and the commitment of Arnold and Ken Fisher, a father-son team who head up the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation.
Both the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation are members of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which works to highlight ways in which Americans support U.S. troops, veterans and their families.
"Mission first is getting soldiers like Sergeant Robles back on their feet; never quitting is his job; never accepting defeat is our job to help him; and never leaving a fallen comrade is what the Fisher House Foundation and the CFI Foundation (have done), and all of those great Americans who have donated their dollars and their hearts to let our soldiers know that if you are wounded on the battlefield, we will stay with you," Cody said.
Despite his injuries, Robles stood to receive his Bronze Star and Purple Heart, which Cody called a "badge of honor."
"I hate giving out Purple Hearts, but I'm also proud to give out Purple Hearts because I know the pain and suffering that not only the soldier goes through, but also his family in helping him in coming back, never quitting and giving him back his life."
Regardless of their injuries, Cody said, many of the soldiers he meets profess their love of this country and the Army. "Most of them say, 'General, can we stay in? I have so much to offer,'" he said.
The general said Robles asked him the same question. Cody gave his answer at the awards ceremony. "You have my commitment as vice chief of staff of the Army," he said, "we'll keep you in the Army as long as you want to stay."
Robles, who has 17 years already under his belt, said he's excited he will be able to complete a 20-year career. "It's pretty amazing," he said. "(Cody) even gave me his card.
"I couldn't ask to be in a better place coming to Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center," Robles said. "I can only imagine what will be accomplished once this place is fully open. Tomorrow is a big day for Fort Sam and all of the services."
Along with the Center for the Intrepid, two new Fisher Houses will open today at Fort Sam Houston. The 21-room houses, which resemble an upscale hotel, provide a home away from home for families of wounded warriors.
"People ask me why we do what we do," said Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation. "Look to my left," he said referring to Robles. "Can you imagine this sergeant going through his rehab and not having his family with him? This is exactly why we do what we do."
(Elaine Wilson is assigned to the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have authored books; and criminal justice leadership online.
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2007 – With the star-studded grand opening just a day away, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody yesterday officiated over the first awards ceremony at the Center for the Intrepid here. The official dedication of the $50 million, state-of-the-art rehabilitation center for wounded warriors today is slated to draw a crowd of 3,000, along with a slew of celebrities and politicians, to include Senss Hillary Clinton and John McCain, and entertainers Denzel Washington, John Mellencamp and Rosie O'Donnell.
Yesterday, however, Cody's focus was not on the grand opening or the celebrity cast, but on Army Master Sgt. Daniel Robles, who was being honored with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star in the lobby of the new center.
"We have a warrior ethos in the Army that Sergeant. Robles has lived up to all of his career, and certainly on that day in April 2006 in Baghdad when he was serving as an NCO, leading soldiers when he was injured," the general said.
The mortar platoon sergeant was injured April 8, 2006, while on a patrol in southern Baghdad. Robles was riding in the lead vehicle of a convoy when it hit an improvised explosive device. Robles was riddled with shrapnel and lost both of his legs below the knee as a result of the explosion.
"Since then he's been going back and living that ethos of 'mission first,' never accepting defeat, never quitting and never leaving a fallen comrade," Cody said.
That same mission applies to the Center for the Intrepid, Cody said. The center was made possible through private donations and the commitment of Arnold and Ken Fisher, a father-son team who head up the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation.
Both the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation are members of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which works to highlight ways in which Americans support U.S. troops, veterans and their families.
"Mission first is getting soldiers like Sergeant Robles back on their feet; never quitting is his job; never accepting defeat is our job to help him; and never leaving a fallen comrade is what the Fisher House Foundation and the CFI Foundation (have done), and all of those great Americans who have donated their dollars and their hearts to let our soldiers know that if you are wounded on the battlefield, we will stay with you," Cody said.
Despite his injuries, Robles stood to receive his Bronze Star and Purple Heart, which Cody called a "badge of honor."
"I hate giving out Purple Hearts, but I'm also proud to give out Purple Hearts because I know the pain and suffering that not only the soldier goes through, but also his family in helping him in coming back, never quitting and giving him back his life."
Regardless of their injuries, Cody said, many of the soldiers he meets profess their love of this country and the Army. "Most of them say, 'General, can we stay in? I have so much to offer,'" he said.
The general said Robles asked him the same question. Cody gave his answer at the awards ceremony. "You have my commitment as vice chief of staff of the Army," he said, "we'll keep you in the Army as long as you want to stay."
Robles, who has 17 years already under his belt, said he's excited he will be able to complete a 20-year career. "It's pretty amazing," he said. "(Cody) even gave me his card.
"I couldn't ask to be in a better place coming to Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center," Robles said. "I can only imagine what will be accomplished once this place is fully open. Tomorrow is a big day for Fort Sam and all of the services."
Along with the Center for the Intrepid, two new Fisher Houses will open today at Fort Sam Houston. The 21-room houses, which resemble an upscale hotel, provide a home away from home for families of wounded warriors.
"People ask me why we do what we do," said Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation. "Look to my left," he said referring to Robles. "Can you imagine this sergeant going through his rehab and not having his family with him? This is exactly why we do what we do."
(Elaine Wilson is assigned to the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have authored books; and criminal justice leadership online.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Gates Expresses Support for Casey, Fallon
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, both of whom are nominated for key leadership positions, are supremely qualified professionals who should be confirmed by the Senate, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. Fallon, who is nominated to take over U.S. Central Command, faces his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 30; Casey, who is nominated to be Army chief of staff, has his hearing Feb. 1.
Speaking today at a media roundtable at the Pentagon, Gates expressed support for both officers. Casey, he noted, has given more than 35 years of service to the nation and spent 30 months in Baghdad as the commander of Multinational Force Iraq.
As commander in Iraq, Casey adjusted to changing circumstances on the ground, Gates said. After the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra in February 2006, Casey adjusted tactics to deal with the rise in sectarian violence and changed force levels as needed, he said.
"He was the first choice of the professional military and the secretary of the Army for this position," Gates said. "He served as the vice chief of staff of the Army. So I think he's eminently qualified. I think he's rendered good service. I think he deserves this position."
Fallon is described as one of the best strategic thinkers in the military, Gates said. His experience in U.S. Pacific Command has given him diplomatic skills that will come in handy in the Middle East, and Central Command could benefit from the perspective of a Navy officer, Gates said.
"As you look at the range of options available to the United States, the use of naval and air power, potentially, it made sense to me for all those reasons for Admiral Fallon to have the job," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, both of whom are nominated for key leadership positions, are supremely qualified professionals who should be confirmed by the Senate, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. Fallon, who is nominated to take over U.S. Central Command, faces his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 30; Casey, who is nominated to be Army chief of staff, has his hearing Feb. 1.
Speaking today at a media roundtable at the Pentagon, Gates expressed support for both officers. Casey, he noted, has given more than 35 years of service to the nation and spent 30 months in Baghdad as the commander of Multinational Force Iraq.
As commander in Iraq, Casey adjusted to changing circumstances on the ground, Gates said. After the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra in February 2006, Casey adjusted tactics to deal with the rise in sectarian violence and changed force levels as needed, he said.
"He was the first choice of the professional military and the secretary of the Army for this position," Gates said. "He served as the vice chief of staff of the Army. So I think he's eminently qualified. I think he's rendered good service. I think he deserves this position."
Fallon is described as one of the best strategic thinkers in the military, Gates said. His experience in U.S. Pacific Command has given him diplomatic skills that will come in handy in the Middle East, and Central Command could benefit from the perspective of a Navy officer, Gates said.
"As you look at the range of options available to the United States, the use of naval and air power, potentially, it made sense to me for all those reasons for Admiral Fallon to have the job," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Sinese Supports Disabled Veterans' Memorial
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Actor and military advocate Gary Sinise earned praise for his portrayal of a disabled Vietnam veteran in the 1994 movie, "Forrest Gump." Sinise now is helping to build a memorial for America's 3 million living disabled military veterans. The spokesman for the Disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation, Sinise, 51, said it's important to recognize disabled veterans' military service and personal sacrifices, especially when America and its armed forces are engaged in a global war on terrorism.
"Having known so many Vietnam veterans and remembering all too well how they were received when they returned from war, I wanted to do my part to make sure that never happens again," Sinise said, noting that returning Vietnam veterans were treated poorly.
Today's U.S. servicemembers, unlike the conscription force employed during Vietnam, "serve freely," Sinise said.
"They should be shown appreciation and respect -- always," the Academy-Award nominated actor said. "Their sacrifices are many and they need our support."
Over the past three years Sinise has participated in more than 20 tours with the United Service Organizations to visit overseas-deployed U.S. troops and visited with wounded servicemembers. Sometimes, he took along his "Lt. Dan Band," named after Lt. Dan Taylor, the character he played in "Forrest Gump."
"Each time I visit our wounded I'm struck by their humility, their courage, determination, their acceptance, and their dedication to our country and their fellow warriors," Sinise said.
Supporting U.S. servicemembers "is truly one of the most rewarding things that I've ever done," Sinise said. "I know that they don't have to do this work, and I'm grateful that we have people like them who want to volunteer to defend this great nation in military service."
Letting America's servicemen and women know that their service to the nation is appreciated and won't be forgotten can make a great deal of difference, Sinise said. And, supporting America's disabled military veterans, he added, also is the right and proper thing to do.
"And, as these (disabled) veterans face a life for which no one can prepare, so must their families and friends," Sinise said.
The $65 million memorial will honor America's disabled military veterans from all the nation's wars, Sinise said. It will be built adjacent to the National Mall here, within full view of the U.S. Capitol.
Sinise noted his appreciation of and paid tribute to the families of disabled veterans.
"Their heroic devotion is a source of strength for those striving to heal," Sinise said. "Freedom is so precious. And those who protect it and sacrifice for it deserve our highest praise and thanks."
The award-winning actor also is an advocate of the "America Supports You" program, a Defense Department initiative that recognizes citizen and corporate support for U.S. military members and communicates that support to servicemembers at home and deployed overseas in the global war on terrorism.
Sinise and "The Lt. Dan Band" will perform a benefit concert tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Washington Auto Show at the Convention Center here. Proceeds will go to the Fisher House organization, which provides accommodations for military families when visiting with seriously ill loved ones.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Actor and military advocate Gary Sinise earned praise for his portrayal of a disabled Vietnam veteran in the 1994 movie, "Forrest Gump." Sinise now is helping to build a memorial for America's 3 million living disabled military veterans. The spokesman for the Disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation, Sinise, 51, said it's important to recognize disabled veterans' military service and personal sacrifices, especially when America and its armed forces are engaged in a global war on terrorism.
"Having known so many Vietnam veterans and remembering all too well how they were received when they returned from war, I wanted to do my part to make sure that never happens again," Sinise said, noting that returning Vietnam veterans were treated poorly.
Today's U.S. servicemembers, unlike the conscription force employed during Vietnam, "serve freely," Sinise said.
"They should be shown appreciation and respect -- always," the Academy-Award nominated actor said. "Their sacrifices are many and they need our support."
Over the past three years Sinise has participated in more than 20 tours with the United Service Organizations to visit overseas-deployed U.S. troops and visited with wounded servicemembers. Sometimes, he took along his "Lt. Dan Band," named after Lt. Dan Taylor, the character he played in "Forrest Gump."
"Each time I visit our wounded I'm struck by their humility, their courage, determination, their acceptance, and their dedication to our country and their fellow warriors," Sinise said.
Supporting U.S. servicemembers "is truly one of the most rewarding things that I've ever done," Sinise said. "I know that they don't have to do this work, and I'm grateful that we have people like them who want to volunteer to defend this great nation in military service."
Letting America's servicemen and women know that their service to the nation is appreciated and won't be forgotten can make a great deal of difference, Sinise said. And, supporting America's disabled military veterans, he added, also is the right and proper thing to do.
"And, as these (disabled) veterans face a life for which no one can prepare, so must their families and friends," Sinise said.
The $65 million memorial will honor America's disabled military veterans from all the nation's wars, Sinise said. It will be built adjacent to the National Mall here, within full view of the U.S. Capitol.
Sinise noted his appreciation of and paid tribute to the families of disabled veterans.
"Their heroic devotion is a source of strength for those striving to heal," Sinise said. "Freedom is so precious. And those who protect it and sacrifice for it deserve our highest praise and thanks."
The award-winning actor also is an advocate of the "America Supports You" program, a Defense Department initiative that recognizes citizen and corporate support for U.S. military members and communicates that support to servicemembers at home and deployed overseas in the global war on terrorism.
Sinise and "The Lt. Dan Band" will perform a benefit concert tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Washington Auto Show at the Convention Center here. Proceeds will go to the Fisher House organization, which provides accommodations for military families when visiting with seriously ill loved ones.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Established Procedures Followed After Black Hawk Crash
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Coalition forces followed established "aircraft down" procedures when reacting to the crash of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Jan. 20 in Diyala province in which 12 U.S. servicemembers died, military officials in Baghdad reported today. In a statement issued by Multinational Corps Iraq, officials said that contrary to some media reporting, at no time did the lead aircraft leave the downed Black Hawk before additional security arrived at the site.
The military statement said two coalition aircraft were flying on a routine mission when one of the aircraft crashed in a rural area northeast of Baghdad. Reports indicate a distress call from the trail aircraft. About 20 seconds later, the lead aircraft crew saw the trail aircraft go down.
The lead aircraft immediately circled back to provide security and assistance to the crew and passengers, the statement said. After determining the area was clear, the lead helicopter landed and quickly surveyed the scene for any survivors of the downed aircraft.
The crew observed that the aircraft was on fire and determined there were no survivors, officials said. They remained on the ground and secured the site until additional security arrived.
An aerial coalition quick-reaction force arrived on the scene to provide additional security about three minutes after the Black Hawk was reported down. This air support arrived quickly, officials explained, because the crews were already conducting patrols in the area. The lead aircraft involved in the initial incident stayed on the scene for an additional seven minutes before leaving the secured site to fly to Forward Operating Base Balad.
The lead aircraft crew, made up of soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 131st Aviation Regiment, "performed heroically in protecting and safeguarding their comrades" in the downed Black Hawk under extremely adverse conditions, the Multinational Corps Iraq statement said.
The incident remains under investigation.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Jan. 26, 2007 – Coalition forces followed established "aircraft down" procedures when reacting to the crash of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Jan. 20 in Diyala province in which 12 U.S. servicemembers died, military officials in Baghdad reported today. In a statement issued by Multinational Corps Iraq, officials said that contrary to some media reporting, at no time did the lead aircraft leave the downed Black Hawk before additional security arrived at the site.
The military statement said two coalition aircraft were flying on a routine mission when one of the aircraft crashed in a rural area northeast of Baghdad. Reports indicate a distress call from the trail aircraft. About 20 seconds later, the lead aircraft crew saw the trail aircraft go down.
The lead aircraft immediately circled back to provide security and assistance to the crew and passengers, the statement said. After determining the area was clear, the lead helicopter landed and quickly surveyed the scene for any survivors of the downed aircraft.
The crew observed that the aircraft was on fire and determined there were no survivors, officials said. They remained on the ground and secured the site until additional security arrived.
An aerial coalition quick-reaction force arrived on the scene to provide additional security about three minutes after the Black Hawk was reported down. This air support arrived quickly, officials explained, because the crews were already conducting patrols in the area. The lead aircraft involved in the initial incident stayed on the scene for an additional seven minutes before leaving the secured site to fly to Forward Operating Base Balad.
The lead aircraft crew, made up of soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 131st Aviation Regiment, "performed heroically in protecting and safeguarding their comrades" in the downed Black Hawk under extremely adverse conditions, the Multinational Corps Iraq statement said.
The incident remains under investigation.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Turkey Signs On for Next Phase of Joint Strike Fighter
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Turkey signed on for the next phase of the Joint Strike Fighter in a ceremony here yesterday, pledging $175 million toward the aircraft's production. Turkey also promised to buy 100 of the conventional-take-off-and-landing version of the aircraft, being developed by the Navy, Air Force, Marines and allies.
In a Pentagon E-wing room, flanked by about 30 Turkish and U.S. dignitaries and program officers, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England met with Turkey's National Defense Minister Mehmet Vecdi Gonul and Undersecretary for Defense Industries Murad Bayar for the signing of the memorandum of understanding that will take Turkey into the production, sustainment and follow-on development phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program.
Gonul also met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today at the Pentagon.
Before yesterday's signing, England said he has spent several years cultivating U.S. relations with Turkey and called the Turkish officials present "dear, close friends."
"Our country is privileged to have such a strong and dynamic ally in Turkey," England said. "Together our two nations are standing together in the name of freedom."
By partnering in this program, the two countries are "building a safe and more secure world for our children and grandchildren," England said.
Gonul called the Joint Strike Fighter program "the way forward" for his country and its air force.
"Today is an important day and big milestone for the future of the Turkish air force," Gonul said. "The Turkish government is extremely proud to be a part of the Joint Strike Fighter program."
Bayar said the new F-35 Lightning II will replace Turkey's aging F-16 fighters and will be the "backbone for the Turkish air force."
The deal could cost Turkey more than $10 billion over 20 years, the largest defense project in Turkish history. Turkey has the lowest per capita income of any of the Joint Strike Fighter partners, Gonul said.
The agreement provides a framework for future program efforts in production and beyond and will extend cooperation beyond the current development and demonstration agreement between the United States and the other eight Joint Strike Fighter partner nations -- the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia. Turkey joined the system development and demonstration phase in 2002.
All but Italy, Norway and Denmark have signed on to the next phase of the production. DoD officials met with officials from those countries this week, and all are on board, just working out the details, said Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Kenneth Krieg. Those countries are expected to sign the memorandum by the end of February.
The Joint Strike Fighter is the largest ever DoD acquisition program. The F-35 Lightning II is a supersonic, multi-role, stealth fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft. Three versions of the aircraft will be built: a conventional-takeoff-and-landing variant, an aircraft-carrier version and a short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing version. Initial plans call for building 2,400 of the aircraft at a cost of about $200 billion.
The F-35 Lightning II is in the flight test mode and has flown two successful test flights, Dec. 15 and Jan. 8, from Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas, facility.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Turkey signed on for the next phase of the Joint Strike Fighter in a ceremony here yesterday, pledging $175 million toward the aircraft's production. Turkey also promised to buy 100 of the conventional-take-off-and-landing version of the aircraft, being developed by the Navy, Air Force, Marines and allies.
In a Pentagon E-wing room, flanked by about 30 Turkish and U.S. dignitaries and program officers, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England met with Turkey's National Defense Minister Mehmet Vecdi Gonul and Undersecretary for Defense Industries Murad Bayar for the signing of the memorandum of understanding that will take Turkey into the production, sustainment and follow-on development phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program.
Gonul also met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today at the Pentagon.
Before yesterday's signing, England said he has spent several years cultivating U.S. relations with Turkey and called the Turkish officials present "dear, close friends."
"Our country is privileged to have such a strong and dynamic ally in Turkey," England said. "Together our two nations are standing together in the name of freedom."
By partnering in this program, the two countries are "building a safe and more secure world for our children and grandchildren," England said.
Gonul called the Joint Strike Fighter program "the way forward" for his country and its air force.
"Today is an important day and big milestone for the future of the Turkish air force," Gonul said. "The Turkish government is extremely proud to be a part of the Joint Strike Fighter program."
Bayar said the new F-35 Lightning II will replace Turkey's aging F-16 fighters and will be the "backbone for the Turkish air force."
The deal could cost Turkey more than $10 billion over 20 years, the largest defense project in Turkish history. Turkey has the lowest per capita income of any of the Joint Strike Fighter partners, Gonul said.
The agreement provides a framework for future program efforts in production and beyond and will extend cooperation beyond the current development and demonstration agreement between the United States and the other eight Joint Strike Fighter partner nations -- the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia. Turkey joined the system development and demonstration phase in 2002.
All but Italy, Norway and Denmark have signed on to the next phase of the production. DoD officials met with officials from those countries this week, and all are on board, just working out the details, said Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Kenneth Krieg. Those countries are expected to sign the memorandum by the end of February.
The Joint Strike Fighter is the largest ever DoD acquisition program. The F-35 Lightning II is a supersonic, multi-role, stealth fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft. Three versions of the aircraft will be built: a conventional-takeoff-and-landing variant, an aircraft-carrier version and a short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing version. Initial plans call for building 2,400 of the aircraft at a cost of about $200 billion.
The F-35 Lightning II is in the flight test mode and has flown two successful test flights, Dec. 15 and Jan. 8, from Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas, facility.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Gates: Commanders Will Get Troops They Need
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – While U.S. commanders in Iraq do not have a "blank check" to request additional troops, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today he will consider all their recommendations and ensure they have the forces they need to accomplish their mission. Speaking at his first Pentagon roundtable with reporters since taking office, Gates said he has asked commanders what troop levels they need. He added that those recommendations will go through a thorough vetting process before being approved.
"I would say what we have done, I hope, is create an environment in which the commanders feel open to requesting what they think they need, and then we will evaluate it here in the department to see what's available and how much of that request we can satisfy," Gates said.
Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, who was confirmed today by the Senate to lead Multinational Force Iraq, has indicated the additional troops allocated for Iraq will be sufficient to accomplish the mission, Gates said. The Defense Department is evaluating whether the deployment of some or all of the five brigades President Bush has pledged to Iraq can be accelerated, he said.
Gates warned that anything that would undermine support of the U.S. mission in Iraq, such as Congressional resolutions opposing troop increases in Iraq, would embolden terrorists. "I think it's hard to measure that with any precision, but it seems pretty straightforward that any indication of flagging will in the United States gives encouragement to (terrorists)," he said. "And I'm sure that that's not the intent behind the resolutions, but I think it may be the effect."
As the additional troops are sent to Iraq and the new Iraq strategy is implemented, it is possible there will be a rise in U.S. casualties, Gates said. Another possibility is that terrorists will go into hiding and try to wait out the surge, he added.
"The key here is the fact that the Iraqi military are going to be in the lead on this, and we are going to be in a support role," he said. "It would be my expectation that the Iraqi military would be there for a very long period of time, and once we got the level of violence down to a certain point that it would be entirely manageable by the Iraqi army, that would be there for a protracted period of time."
In his confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee Jan. 23, Petraeus said that the entire U.S. government needs to mobilize and contribute to the Iraq effort. Today Gates agreed, but said that no decisions will be made until Petraeus arrives in Iraq and evaluates the situation.
"It's an issue that I've felt strongly about from the beginning -- that the reconstruction and economic development part of this strategy of clear, hold and build, is critically important to its long-term success," Gates said. "We will wait until General Petraeus arrives on the scene and get his estimation of what he needs."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – While U.S. commanders in Iraq do not have a "blank check" to request additional troops, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today he will consider all their recommendations and ensure they have the forces they need to accomplish their mission. Speaking at his first Pentagon roundtable with reporters since taking office, Gates said he has asked commanders what troop levels they need. He added that those recommendations will go through a thorough vetting process before being approved.
"I would say what we have done, I hope, is create an environment in which the commanders feel open to requesting what they think they need, and then we will evaluate it here in the department to see what's available and how much of that request we can satisfy," Gates said.
Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, who was confirmed today by the Senate to lead Multinational Force Iraq, has indicated the additional troops allocated for Iraq will be sufficient to accomplish the mission, Gates said. The Defense Department is evaluating whether the deployment of some or all of the five brigades President Bush has pledged to Iraq can be accelerated, he said.
Gates warned that anything that would undermine support of the U.S. mission in Iraq, such as Congressional resolutions opposing troop increases in Iraq, would embolden terrorists. "I think it's hard to measure that with any precision, but it seems pretty straightforward that any indication of flagging will in the United States gives encouragement to (terrorists)," he said. "And I'm sure that that's not the intent behind the resolutions, but I think it may be the effect."
As the additional troops are sent to Iraq and the new Iraq strategy is implemented, it is possible there will be a rise in U.S. casualties, Gates said. Another possibility is that terrorists will go into hiding and try to wait out the surge, he added.
"The key here is the fact that the Iraqi military are going to be in the lead on this, and we are going to be in a support role," he said. "It would be my expectation that the Iraqi military would be there for a very long period of time, and once we got the level of violence down to a certain point that it would be entirely manageable by the Iraqi army, that would be there for a protracted period of time."
In his confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee Jan. 23, Petraeus said that the entire U.S. government needs to mobilize and contribute to the Iraq effort. Today Gates agreed, but said that no decisions will be made until Petraeus arrives in Iraq and evaluates the situation.
"It's an issue that I've felt strongly about from the beginning -- that the reconstruction and economic development part of this strategy of clear, hold and build, is critically important to its long-term success," Gates said. "We will wait until General Petraeus arrives on the scene and get his estimation of what he needs."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Group Plans Second 'I Love America Day'
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – With the help of an America Supports You member organization, Charlotte, N.C., will observe its second annual "I Love America Day" on March 19. "Flags Across the Nation," which promotes patriotism through the arts, is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the ways Americans are supporting the nation's servicemembers.
Eileen Schwartz, Flags Across the Nation's founder, said she started the "I Love America Day" movement because more than two months pass before Memorial Day without a patriotic holiday and to start a tradition of honoring America and its troops in that period.
"Part of the reason for doing it was to see if there's a way we can build our own history, ... which honors the troops (and shows) appreciation for America," Schwartz said. "Here's a holiday that gives people the opportunity to make a significant difference."
This year Charlotte will know just how much Carly Taich loves America. The 14-year-old Charlotte resident's award-winning artwork will be painted on the front of a dairy processing building belonging to a local farm.
Taich won first place in the "Flags for Freedom" 2006 Children's Patriotic Art Contest in the division for sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
Area students will be invited to visit the building featuring the paintings, and there will be some interactive activities, Schwartz said.
In fact, Schwartz said, she is hoping area residents will come to the farm the weekend before I Love America Day to help with the painting. Volunteers also will paint a 10-foot by 15-foot American flag on the side of the same building.
"We're going to have (local media) tell people that they can come on Saturday and Sunday to participate in creating and adding on to the painting," Schwartz said. "On Monday we will invite people to come to see the completed painting."
With the event still nearly two months away, Schwartz said she's still firming up all the details. She is, however, planning to record I Love America Day activities and burn CDs to send to servicemembers.
The local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter also has volunteered to help and will provide a few hundred small American flags for distribution to those who participate in the festivities. An area businessman has offered to donate 500 patriotic posters to hand out, as well, some of which will go to troops overseas, she said.
For those who won't be able to participate in the events in Charlotte but want to observe March 19 as I Love America Day, Schwartz suggested writing letters to the troops or making blankets for wounded warriors through her organization's Blankets for Recovery program.
Children can paint individual squares of fabric with a patriotic image and send them to Flags Across the Nation. They'll be made into quilts for troops, she said.
She also suggested volunteering at a veterans hospital, and proudly displaying the American flag as ways to observe the day.
For those with a competitive streak, Flags Across the Nation is hosting a patriotic photo essay contest. Leading up to I Love America Day, entrants can upload their patriotic images to the group's Web site. Three prize winners will be selected from all of the entries. Additionally, 13 images, representing the original 13 colonies, will be selected and made into a photo quilt, Schwartz said.
"We think that's going to be a real easy thing to get a lot of people involved," she said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – With the help of an America Supports You member organization, Charlotte, N.C., will observe its second annual "I Love America Day" on March 19. "Flags Across the Nation," which promotes patriotism through the arts, is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the ways Americans are supporting the nation's servicemembers.
Eileen Schwartz, Flags Across the Nation's founder, said she started the "I Love America Day" movement because more than two months pass before Memorial Day without a patriotic holiday and to start a tradition of honoring America and its troops in that period.
"Part of the reason for doing it was to see if there's a way we can build our own history, ... which honors the troops (and shows) appreciation for America," Schwartz said. "Here's a holiday that gives people the opportunity to make a significant difference."
This year Charlotte will know just how much Carly Taich loves America. The 14-year-old Charlotte resident's award-winning artwork will be painted on the front of a dairy processing building belonging to a local farm.
Taich won first place in the "Flags for Freedom" 2006 Children's Patriotic Art Contest in the division for sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
Area students will be invited to visit the building featuring the paintings, and there will be some interactive activities, Schwartz said.
In fact, Schwartz said, she is hoping area residents will come to the farm the weekend before I Love America Day to help with the painting. Volunteers also will paint a 10-foot by 15-foot American flag on the side of the same building.
"We're going to have (local media) tell people that they can come on Saturday and Sunday to participate in creating and adding on to the painting," Schwartz said. "On Monday we will invite people to come to see the completed painting."
With the event still nearly two months away, Schwartz said she's still firming up all the details. She is, however, planning to record I Love America Day activities and burn CDs to send to servicemembers.
The local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter also has volunteered to help and will provide a few hundred small American flags for distribution to those who participate in the festivities. An area businessman has offered to donate 500 patriotic posters to hand out, as well, some of which will go to troops overseas, she said.
For those who won't be able to participate in the events in Charlotte but want to observe March 19 as I Love America Day, Schwartz suggested writing letters to the troops or making blankets for wounded warriors through her organization's Blankets for Recovery program.
Children can paint individual squares of fabric with a patriotic image and send them to Flags Across the Nation. They'll be made into quilts for troops, she said.
She also suggested volunteering at a veterans hospital, and proudly displaying the American flag as ways to observe the day.
For those with a competitive streak, Flags Across the Nation is hosting a patriotic photo essay contest. Leading up to I Love America Day, entrants can upload their patriotic images to the group's Web site. Three prize winners will be selected from all of the entries. Additionally, 13 images, representing the original 13 colonies, will be selected and made into a photo quilt, Schwartz said.
"We think that's going to be a real easy thing to get a lot of people involved," she said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Progress Quietly Proceeds in Afghanistan, General Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – More Afghan adults are employed; more of their children are attending school; and the Afghan government is expanding, the senior U.S. military commander in Afghanistan said today. "The Taliban have not achieved any of their objectives in the last year," Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 76 and commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, told reporters in the Pentagon via satellite connection from Afghanistan.
"By contrast, over the past year, U.S. forces and coalition partners have made great progress in the creation of a stable, secure and viable nation state in Afghanistan despite the Taliban's attempt to impede that progress," he said.
During a briefing on Afghanistan operations, Freakley discussed recent changes in the organizational structure of security operations. "In the past few months, we've experienced significant changes in Afghanistan," he said. "On Oct. 6, Afghanistan completed its transition from the U.S.-led coalition to a NATO-led coalition headed by the International Security Assistance Force.
"Over the last two years, ISAF has assumed responsibility for security operations in five different provinces or regional commands: Center, North, West, South and now Regional Command East, which we command, which has 14 different provinces," he said. "We now have 26 NATO countries and 11 other nations that have staked their national reputation to the outcome in Afghanistan," he said.
Recent command changes will enlarge ISAF's and the international community's role in security operations, Freakley said.
In addition to expanded international effort, 3,200 U.S. Army soldiers with 10th Mountain Division have had their deployments extended to help continue progress in Afghanistan, Freakley added.
"Construction, education and economic development are indeed linked to security," he said. "And where there is infrastructure like roads and electricity, there are economic opportunities, ... which bring jobs."
Afghanistan's civic leaders and local civilians say unemployment is their greatest challenge, Freakley said.
"(Unemployment) has some men turning to terrorists for employment vs. serving their nation," he said. "Given the choice and means to achieve new goals, Afghans embrace new opportunity to better their lives and reject extremism."
The extension of U.S. troop deployment in the region and a $10 billion aid package has encouraged optimism in the region, Freakley said.
The reconstruction aid "has buoyed the Afghan confidence in both the American commitment to this nation and the international commitment to Afghanistan, and their ability to withstand any type of terrorist activity (aimed at) taking back the progress they've made over the last five years," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – More Afghan adults are employed; more of their children are attending school; and the Afghan government is expanding, the senior U.S. military commander in Afghanistan said today. "The Taliban have not achieved any of their objectives in the last year," Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 76 and commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, told reporters in the Pentagon via satellite connection from Afghanistan.
"By contrast, over the past year, U.S. forces and coalition partners have made great progress in the creation of a stable, secure and viable nation state in Afghanistan despite the Taliban's attempt to impede that progress," he said.
During a briefing on Afghanistan operations, Freakley discussed recent changes in the organizational structure of security operations. "In the past few months, we've experienced significant changes in Afghanistan," he said. "On Oct. 6, Afghanistan completed its transition from the U.S.-led coalition to a NATO-led coalition headed by the International Security Assistance Force.
"Over the last two years, ISAF has assumed responsibility for security operations in five different provinces or regional commands: Center, North, West, South and now Regional Command East, which we command, which has 14 different provinces," he said. "We now have 26 NATO countries and 11 other nations that have staked their national reputation to the outcome in Afghanistan," he said.
Recent command changes will enlarge ISAF's and the international community's role in security operations, Freakley said.
In addition to expanded international effort, 3,200 U.S. Army soldiers with 10th Mountain Division have had their deployments extended to help continue progress in Afghanistan, Freakley added.
"Construction, education and economic development are indeed linked to security," he said. "And where there is infrastructure like roads and electricity, there are economic opportunities, ... which bring jobs."
Afghanistan's civic leaders and local civilians say unemployment is their greatest challenge, Freakley said.
"(Unemployment) has some men turning to terrorists for employment vs. serving their nation," he said. "Given the choice and means to achieve new goals, Afghans embrace new opportunity to better their lives and reject extremism."
The extension of U.S. troop deployment in the region and a $10 billion aid package has encouraged optimism in the region, Freakley said.
The reconstruction aid "has buoyed the Afghan confidence in both the American commitment to this nation and the international commitment to Afghanistan, and their ability to withstand any type of terrorist activity (aimed at) taking back the progress they've made over the last five years," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
U.S. Missile Defense in Europe to Counter Rogue States
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Missile defense assets the United States is planning to base in Eastern Europe will be aimed at countering threats posed by rogue nations, such as Iran, and will not pose a threat to allies in the region, a senior defense official said here yesterday. The Defense Department announced Jan. 19 that it was beginning bilateral negotiations with Poland and the Czech Republic to host long-range ground-based interceptors and a missile defense radar on their territories.
The concept of locating missile defense assets in Europe goes back to 2002, when DoD decided to extend coverage to allies, friends and deployed forces in the region and to enhance the defense of the United States, Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry A. "Trey" Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency, said in a teleconference with reporters. DoD began putting money for this missile defense in its 2006 and 2007 budget requests to begin the analysis and early work to prepare sites for these assets, he explained.
"The sites are intended to be part of an integrated, layered system that we have been deploying since 2004," Obering said. "They are geared toward and are directed toward rogue-nation capabilities, obviously not sophisticated ballistic missile fleets such as the Russians have, but are geared toward what we consider to be the rogue-nation threat, as is our ballistic missile defense system that we've been deploying."
Obering acknowledged that Iran does not yet have long-range, intercontinental ballistic missile capability, but he said it is still the largest threat in the region because it is clearly working to achieve those capabilities. U.S. officials have learned from the past, such as when North Korea launched the Taepo Dong 1 in 1998, just months after experts had predicted it would be years before that country had long-range capabilities, he said.
"We want to have this in place by the 2011-2012 timeframe, because we think the Iranians, for example, shortly thereafter will be able to have a long-range capability -- not one that they've demonstrated today or necessarily tomorrow, but again you're talking about several years from now, and so it's prudent for us to be thinking about that now and begin to build toward that so that we're in a position that we can do something about it in that timeframe," he said.
The United States wants to proceed quickly in staging the missile defense capabilities in Europe, but the timeline is subject to negotiations with Poland and the Czech Republic, Brian Green, deputy assistant secretary of defense for forces policy, said in the teleconference. Obering added that all three countries are motivated by the same factor, which is building a common capability to defend against emerging threats.
Each country has three or four acceptable locations that are under negotiation, Obering said. If approved, the interceptor site will employ about 200 people, and the radar site will need contractors to maintain the equipment and the site. Both locations would also require force-protection personnel, he said.
The physical locations will remain the sovereign territory of the host nation, Green said, but the United States will have operational control of the bases. All U.S. personnel will be required to abide by the laws of the host nation, he added.
Emphasizing that these sites will not threaten U.S. allies in the region, Obering said that the U.S. interceptors will not even be capable of catching Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles. He said he has traveled to Moscow to talk with Russian leaders and briefed the NATO-Russia Council about the program.
"We will continue to work closely with the Russians and continue to work closely with our NATO allies and our European allies to make sure that they understand what the technical and the program capabilities are of these missiles," Obering said.
The United States is not asking for any funding from the host nations or other European nations for the missile sites, Obering said. This decision was made in the interest of speeding the process, he explained.
"We did not want to have to worry about any kind of long, protracted negotiation with respect to funding support to get this started, because, as I said earlier, we believe that there is a compelling reason to begin to do this because of what we see emerging with respect to the threat," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Diplomacy Remains Main Avenue for Dealing With Iran, Bush Says
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Although U.S. troops will continue to defend themselves against any elements that threaten their security in Iraq, diplomacy remains the primary avenue for solving problems between the United States and Iran, President Bush said here today.
Bush spoke at the White House following a meeting with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace, and Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, who soon will take over as commander of coalition forces in Iraq.
"It just makes sense that if somebody is trying to harm our troops or stop us from achieving our goal or killing innocent citizens in Iraq that we will stop them," Bush said. He discounted speculation that defending against third-nation threats in Iraq indicates a desire to expand the war outside Iraq's borders.
"That's a presumption that simply is not accurate," the president said. "We believe that we can solve our problems with Iran diplomatically and are working to do that."
At the Pentagon today, Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman cited instances of Iranians in Iraq found to have been involved in activities against the Iraqi government and coalition forces.
"U.S. military forces certainly are going to take action against anybody that's breaking the law with the Iraqi government, irrespective of their nationality," he said. "We've made it clear in the past that Iran's not being a good neighbor. We've had examples of specific instances where Iranians have been involved in activities that are not only meddlesome, but also destructive to the foundation and formation of the Iraqi government."
Anyone involved in illegal activities that either threaten Iraqi civilians or the coalition forces or the Iraqi security forces will be "dealt with in accordance with the appropriate rules of force," Whitman said.
Bush said that while U.S. forces will continue to protect themselves in Iraq, he believes the United States can solve its problems with Iran through diplomacy. He cited progress on the diplomatic front concerning Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
"We've convinced other nations to join us to send a clear message through the United Nations that that's unacceptable behavior," Bush said.
Bush said Iran's government must decide whether to continue to isolate Iran to the detriment of its people or to take steps that will reverse that isolation.
"Our struggle is not with the Iranian people. As a matter of fact, we want them to flourish," he said. "We want their economy to be strong, and we want their mothers to be able to ... raise their children in a hopeful society."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – Although U.S. troops will continue to defend themselves against any elements that threaten their security in Iraq, diplomacy remains the primary avenue for solving problems between the United States and Iran, President Bush said here today.
Bush spoke at the White House following a meeting with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace, and Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, who soon will take over as commander of coalition forces in Iraq.
"It just makes sense that if somebody is trying to harm our troops or stop us from achieving our goal or killing innocent citizens in Iraq that we will stop them," Bush said. He discounted speculation that defending against third-nation threats in Iraq indicates a desire to expand the war outside Iraq's borders.
"That's a presumption that simply is not accurate," the president said. "We believe that we can solve our problems with Iran diplomatically and are working to do that."
At the Pentagon today, Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman cited instances of Iranians in Iraq found to have been involved in activities against the Iraqi government and coalition forces.
"U.S. military forces certainly are going to take action against anybody that's breaking the law with the Iraqi government, irrespective of their nationality," he said. "We've made it clear in the past that Iran's not being a good neighbor. We've had examples of specific instances where Iranians have been involved in activities that are not only meddlesome, but also destructive to the foundation and formation of the Iraqi government."
Anyone involved in illegal activities that either threaten Iraqi civilians or the coalition forces or the Iraqi security forces will be "dealt with in accordance with the appropriate rules of force," Whitman said.
Bush said that while U.S. forces will continue to protect themselves in Iraq, he believes the United States can solve its problems with Iran through diplomacy. He cited progress on the diplomatic front concerning Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
"We've convinced other nations to join us to send a clear message through the United Nations that that's unacceptable behavior," Bush said.
Bush said Iran's government must decide whether to continue to isolate Iran to the detriment of its people or to take steps that will reverse that isolation.
"Our struggle is not with the Iranian people. As a matter of fact, we want them to flourish," he said. "We want their economy to be strong, and we want their mothers to be able to ... raise their children in a hopeful society."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Senate Unanimously Confirms Petraeus to Head Operations in Iraq
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – The Senate today confirmed Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus for promotion to general and assignment as commander of Multinational Force Iraq. At a photo opportunity following a meeting with Petraeus, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace about the way forward in Iraq, President Bush expressed gratitude to the Senate for acting quickly on the nomination.
"The Senate confirmed this good man without a dissenting vote," the president said. "I appreciate the quick action of the United States Senate. I appreciate them giving General David Petraeus a fair hearing, and I appreciate the vote."
Bush said he wants Petraeus to report to Iraq quickly to "implement a plan that we believe will yield our goals."
The president said that despite criticism of his plan to increase U.S. troop presence in the Iraqi capital and in the country's troublesome Anbar province, he has to do what needs to be done. Most members of Congress, he said, recognize that failure in Iraq "would be a disaster for the United States."
"I'm the decision maker," Bush said. "I had to come up with a way forward that precluded disaster. In other words, I had to think about what's likely to work. And so I worked with our military, and I worked with Secretary Gates to come up with a plan that is likely to succeed."
Critics of his plan have an obligation to propose a plan they think will work, Bush said. "I've listened to lots of members of Congress; I've listened carefully to their suggestions," he said. "And I have picked the plan that I think is most likely to succeed, because I understand, like many in Congress understand, success is very important for the security of the country."
Petraeus expressed his appreciation to the president, the Senate and his family. He also thanked "the great soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians who are out there on the front lines of the global war on terror."
No date has been set for Petraeus to succeed Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who has commanded coalition forces in Iraq since July 2004. Bush has nominated Casey to become Army chief of staff.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2007 – The Senate today confirmed Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus for promotion to general and assignment as commander of Multinational Force Iraq. At a photo opportunity following a meeting with Petraeus, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace about the way forward in Iraq, President Bush expressed gratitude to the Senate for acting quickly on the nomination.
"The Senate confirmed this good man without a dissenting vote," the president said. "I appreciate the quick action of the United States Senate. I appreciate them giving General David Petraeus a fair hearing, and I appreciate the vote."
Bush said he wants Petraeus to report to Iraq quickly to "implement a plan that we believe will yield our goals."
The president said that despite criticism of his plan to increase U.S. troop presence in the Iraqi capital and in the country's troublesome Anbar province, he has to do what needs to be done. Most members of Congress, he said, recognize that failure in Iraq "would be a disaster for the United States."
"I'm the decision maker," Bush said. "I had to come up with a way forward that precluded disaster. In other words, I had to think about what's likely to work. And so I worked with our military, and I worked with Secretary Gates to come up with a plan that is likely to succeed."
Critics of his plan have an obligation to propose a plan they think will work, Bush said. "I've listened to lots of members of Congress; I've listened carefully to their suggestions," he said. "And I have picked the plan that I think is most likely to succeed, because I understand, like many in Congress understand, success is very important for the security of the country."
Petraeus expressed his appreciation to the president, the Senate and his family. He also thanked "the great soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians who are out there on the front lines of the global war on terror."
No date has been set for Petraeus to succeed Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who has commanded coalition forces in Iraq since July 2004. Bush has nominated Casey to become Army chief of staff.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership online; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
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