By Capt. Dustin Hart, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2007 – A new system will allow airmen to identify possible enemy firing locations by tracking where shots are coming from. The 820th Security Forces Group here was selected recently as the first Air Force unit to purchase and deploy the Ground Situational Awareness Toolkit, which consists of the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial system and ShotSpotter gunfire acquisition technology.
"This system brings additional technology to the ground warfighter and keeps us at the cutting edge of technological improvements," said Col. John Decknick, 820th SFG commander. "Employing the GSAT system in the combat zone will greatly expand our combat capability."
While the 820th SFG will be the first Air Force unit to conduct a user evaluation of the GSAT system, its two components, Scan Eagle and ShotSpotter, are not new to the military. Scan Eagle has logged more than 20,000 hours, supporting Navy and Marine missions in Iraq, and ShotSpotter is used by both law enforcement and military agencies.
ShotSpotter uses acoustic sensors, located on the backs of patrolling airmen and Humvees, to detect the location of enemy muzzle blasts and, in some cases, the path of the fired projectiles. This information is then passed to on-the-ground commanders for analysis. It also is shared with an overhead Scan Eagle, which then directs its advanced cameras to the area, giving a picture of the enemy's location.
Scan Eagle, four feet long with a 10-foot wingspan, is launched by a catapult system and can fly for about 20 hours.
"This technology will allow us to observe enemy locations and activity, and conduct long-term surveillance and reconnaissance," 2nd Lt. Ben Worley, an 820th SFG intelligence officer, said of the GSAT's capabilities. "It also provides better situational awareness (of the battlespace) to our commanders.
"With the variety of missions we conduct while deployed, having an overhead capability allows us to better prosecute our mission and protect our airmen," he said.
To prepare for GSAT's arrival in early March, three airmen are traveling to Clovis, N.M., for eight weeks of training on how to operate and maintain the system.
To fully use GSAT on its own, 820th SFG officials also are sending two maintainers and an intelligence airman to Clovis to attend shorter training courses on maintaining the systems and analyzing the information they provide.
Once training is completed and GSAT arrives here, the 820th SFG airmen will begin incorporating it into the unit's ground training. This also will allow officials to evaluate the GSAT while performing the various missions it may encounter when deployed.
After the evaluation of GSAT is concluded, the equipment will be matched with one of the unit's deploying squadrons.
(Air Force Capt. Dustin Hart is assigned to 23rd Wing Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have written books.
Friday, January 26, 2007
General Officer Assignments
The Air Force chief of staff announces the assignments of the following general officers:
Brig. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, director, airman development and sustainment, deputy chief of staff, manpower and personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to commander, Coalition Air Force Transition Team, Air Combat Command, Baghdad, Iraq.
Brig. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, deputy director, national systems operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to director, airman development and sustainment, deputy chief of staff, manpower and personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, director, airman development and sustainment, deputy chief of staff, manpower and personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to commander, Coalition Air Force Transition Team, Air Combat Command, Baghdad, Iraq.
Brig. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, deputy director, national systems operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to director, airman development and sustainment, deputy chief of staff, manpower and personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
DoD Announces Afghanistan Unit Extension
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2007 – Some 3,200 soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, will have their tour in Afghanistan extended for up to 120 additional days, Defense Department officials announced today. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates approved the extension was based on the recommendations of commanders on the ground, whom Gates visited last week, Bryan Whitman, a DoD spokesman, said. The extension will provide military capability for NATO to build on the success achieved in promoting stability and security in Afghanistan while denying safe haven for the Taliban, he said.
"What is certain is that Secretary Gates is very interested in ensuring that the successes that we've achieved in Afghanistan are not lost, and that commanders on the ground have sufficient forces to build upon the successes that we've achieved so far in Afghanistan," Whitman said.
Force levels in Afghanistan continue to be conditions-based and will be determined in consultation with the Afghan government and NATO, Whitman said. The United States remains committed to leading counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, training and equipping the Afghan national security forces, and assisting with reconstruction, according to a DoD news release announcing the extension.
The United States continues to be the largest troop contributor for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, and this request for forces by U.S. commanders was endorsed by the supreme allied commander for Europe, according to the release. Whitman stressed that the United States will continue to work with NATO to get the partner countries to fulfill the rest of their military commitment to Afghanistan, and remove restrictions from forces already deployed there.
In an Army news release, Gen. Richard Cody, Army vice chief of staff, said leaders recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the extended soldiers and their families, and will continue to support them. The unit's home base is Fort Drum, N.Y.
"The Army is very proud of the soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, and will ensure that they and their families have all the support and resources they need during this challenging time," Cody said. "These soldiers have accomplished a great deal in Afghanistan and will continue to get the mission done for our Army and this nation. They and their families are truly Army strong, and I am thankful every day for their professional and selfless commitment."
Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, said Jan. 16 during Gates' visit there that NATO, U.S. and Afghan forces are preparing to counter an expected Taliban spring offensive. Speaking to reporters, Eikenberry said he expects the Taliban to launch a terror offensive in the south and east of the country, but coalition forces are ready to counter them.
"I'm very confident that, as I look at what we're doing now, although it is going to be a violent spring and we're going to have violence into the summer, I'm absolutely confident that we will be able to dominate," he said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2007 – Some 3,200 soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, will have their tour in Afghanistan extended for up to 120 additional days, Defense Department officials announced today. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates approved the extension was based on the recommendations of commanders on the ground, whom Gates visited last week, Bryan Whitman, a DoD spokesman, said. The extension will provide military capability for NATO to build on the success achieved in promoting stability and security in Afghanistan while denying safe haven for the Taliban, he said.
"What is certain is that Secretary Gates is very interested in ensuring that the successes that we've achieved in Afghanistan are not lost, and that commanders on the ground have sufficient forces to build upon the successes that we've achieved so far in Afghanistan," Whitman said.
Force levels in Afghanistan continue to be conditions-based and will be determined in consultation with the Afghan government and NATO, Whitman said. The United States remains committed to leading counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, training and equipping the Afghan national security forces, and assisting with reconstruction, according to a DoD news release announcing the extension.
The United States continues to be the largest troop contributor for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, and this request for forces by U.S. commanders was endorsed by the supreme allied commander for Europe, according to the release. Whitman stressed that the United States will continue to work with NATO to get the partner countries to fulfill the rest of their military commitment to Afghanistan, and remove restrictions from forces already deployed there.
In an Army news release, Gen. Richard Cody, Army vice chief of staff, said leaders recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the extended soldiers and their families, and will continue to support them. The unit's home base is Fort Drum, N.Y.
"The Army is very proud of the soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, and will ensure that they and their families have all the support and resources they need during this challenging time," Cody said. "These soldiers have accomplished a great deal in Afghanistan and will continue to get the mission done for our Army and this nation. They and their families are truly Army strong, and I am thankful every day for their professional and selfless commitment."
Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, said Jan. 16 during Gates' visit there that NATO, U.S. and Afghan forces are preparing to counter an expected Taliban spring offensive. Speaking to reporters, Eikenberry said he expects the Taliban to launch a terror offensive in the south and east of the country, but coalition forces are ready to counter them.
"I'm very confident that, as I look at what we're doing now, although it is going to be a violent spring and we're going to have violence into the summer, I'm absolutely confident that we will be able to dominate," he said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have written books.
States Declare May 1 'Silver Star Day'
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2007 – Thanks to the efforts of Silver Star Families of America, Indiana and New Mexico have proclaimed May 1 as "Silver Star Day" to honor the nation's wounded servicemembers. Silver Star Families of America is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the ways Americans are supporting the nation's servicemembers.
"What we really want to do is have a nationwide event that day," Janie Orman, the group's vice president, said. She added that the proclamation had been sent to every state.
The group, which would like to establish May 1 as a national day of observance honoring America's wounded servicemembers, drafted a proclamation in November for Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' consideration. His office responded a few weeks later, informing Silver Star Families of America that the governor had signed the proclamation.
New Mexico followed suit, and Wyoming recently contacted the group regarding the initiative, Orman said.
"We need someone in (each) state to represent us," she said, adding the American Legion has expressed interest in supporting the group in this effort.
"A resolution we wrote has passed the local (American Legion chapter). It has to then pass the district, then the state, then national," she said. "But they're in big support of Silver Star Day also, so that's a great help."
Orman also said that individuals wanting to help represent Silver Star Day in a their state should contact her or Steve Newton, Silver Star Families of America's president and co-founder.
"Their main goal would be to get the word out about the Silver stars and what we do: ... honor and assist our wounded and their families in any way we can," Orman said. "We do that by presenting the Silver Star banners and care packages."
The group also acts as an advocate for the wounded and works to educate the public about dilemmas wounded troops and veterans face, according to it's the group's Web site.
The Silver Star Banner, which the group is working to make a government-recognized service banner like those of the American Gold Star Mothers, will play a big part in observing Silver Star Day on May 1, Orman said. Silver Star Families of America members are hoping to present their banners to veterans and wounded servicemembers in each state.
They also hope to work with schools to help students understand why the day is important. "I guess what we try to instill in them is that their freedom (to) go to school ... depends on our troops standing up for freedom," Orman said.
The day of recognition is open to participation by other groups wishing to honor America's wounded troops, as well.
The Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that attends military funerals to shield families from protestors, has indicated it would like to hold a rally to commemorate the day, Orman said.
"We're just really getting a great response about Silver Star Day," Orman said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2007 – Thanks to the efforts of Silver Star Families of America, Indiana and New Mexico have proclaimed May 1 as "Silver Star Day" to honor the nation's wounded servicemembers. Silver Star Families of America is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the ways Americans are supporting the nation's servicemembers.
"What we really want to do is have a nationwide event that day," Janie Orman, the group's vice president, said. She added that the proclamation had been sent to every state.
The group, which would like to establish May 1 as a national day of observance honoring America's wounded servicemembers, drafted a proclamation in November for Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' consideration. His office responded a few weeks later, informing Silver Star Families of America that the governor had signed the proclamation.
New Mexico followed suit, and Wyoming recently contacted the group regarding the initiative, Orman said.
"We need someone in (each) state to represent us," she said, adding the American Legion has expressed interest in supporting the group in this effort.
"A resolution we wrote has passed the local (American Legion chapter). It has to then pass the district, then the state, then national," she said. "But they're in big support of Silver Star Day also, so that's a great help."
Orman also said that individuals wanting to help represent Silver Star Day in a their state should contact her or Steve Newton, Silver Star Families of America's president and co-founder.
"Their main goal would be to get the word out about the Silver stars and what we do: ... honor and assist our wounded and their families in any way we can," Orman said. "We do that by presenting the Silver Star banners and care packages."
The group also acts as an advocate for the wounded and works to educate the public about dilemmas wounded troops and veterans face, according to it's the group's Web site.
The Silver Star Banner, which the group is working to make a government-recognized service banner like those of the American Gold Star Mothers, will play a big part in observing Silver Star Day on May 1, Orman said. Silver Star Families of America members are hoping to present their banners to veterans and wounded servicemembers in each state.
They also hope to work with schools to help students understand why the day is important. "I guess what we try to instill in them is that their freedom (to) go to school ... depends on our troops standing up for freedom," Orman said.
The day of recognition is open to participation by other groups wishing to honor America's wounded troops, as well.
The Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that attends military funerals to shield families from protestors, has indicated it would like to hold a rally to commemorate the day, Orman said.
"We're just really getting a great response about Silver Star Day," Orman said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have written books.
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