Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Air Force Reveals Cold Facts on New Arctic Strategy

July 21, 2020 | BY C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

As conditions change in the Arctic region, the Department of the Air Force has revealed a new strategy for how it will contribute to regional stability there, what new partnerships it should pursue and how its mission might evolve.

Within the U.S. military, the Department of the Air Force has the largest presence in the Arctic region, with assets in both Alaska and Greenland. As the environment changes in the Arctic, new routes for transportation have opened up and new resources are being discovered. This creates both new opportunities in the region as well as new security challenges, the secretary of the Air Force said.

Military aircraft move down a runway. In the background are mountains.

"Historically, the Arctic, like space, was characterized as a predominantly peaceful domain," Barbara A. Barrett, said today during a panel discussion hosted by the Atlantic Council. "This is changing with expanded maritime access, newly discovered resources and competing sovereign interests."

Russia, she said, has the largest permanent military presence in the Arctic — no other country matches its presence there.

"Recent Russian investments in the Arctic include a network of offensive air assets and coastal missile systems," she said. "The Arctic defines Russia. Almost 25% of Russia's [gross domestic product] comes from ... north of the Arctic Circle, ... mostly from hydrocarbons."

Barrett said that Russian economic reliance is one explanation for its growing military initiatives in the region. But Russia is not alone in its interest in the Arctic. China, which is not itself an Arctic nation, has also staked claims there, she said.

"China is trying to normalize its presence in the Arctic to gain access to regional resources, which are said to include over 90 billion barrels of oil and an estimated trillion dollars' worth of rare earth metals," she said. "In 2018, China linked its Arctic activities to its 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. Many are concerned that China may repeat what some see as predatory economic behavior, to the detriment of the region."

Golf-ball-like radar domes sit on a rocky, snowy landscape.

As long-time Arctic occupants increase their activity there, and newcomers begin staking claims as well, the Department of the Air Force has developed, as part of its Arctic strategy, four strategic priorities to guide its involvement in ensuring the United States is equally and fairly represented in the region.

First, Barrett said, the department is increasing vigilance for both deterrence and defense in all domains.

"Vigilance encompasses everything from weather forecasting and consistent communications, to threat detection and tracking," Barrett said. "Physical facilities delivering vigilance include advanced systems like the long-range discriminating radar at Clear, Alaska, and the north warning system, stretching from Alaska to Labrador."

Second, Barrett said, is a focus on projecting power through a combat-credible force.

"Bases in Alaska benefit from the region's strategic geography," she said. "When the full complement of planned F-35s arrive at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska's unparalleled concentration of fifth-generation fighters will project unmistakable influence."

A military aircraft moves down a runway. In the background are mountains.

Third, the Department of the Air Force will continue to focus on cooperation with existing allies and partners and on building new partnerships — a goal aligned with the National Defense Strategy.

"The United States deeply appreciates its strong defense relationships with six of the seven other Arctic nations," she said. "Building upon past collaboration and expanding existing cooperation in the Arctic will continue as our priority. Already, air and space forces are increasing interoperability with allies and partners through everything from military exercises to satellite launches."

Finally, she said, the Department of the Air Force will focus on preparation for Arctic operations.

"For example, at Alaska's [Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex], the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve augment specialized exercises and training to prepare for Arctic air and space missions."

A service member walks alone across wet, desolate terrain. He carries a rifle.

The Department of the Air Force isn't alone in operating in the Arctic, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein said. Successfully operating in the Arctic and ensuring free access to the region by the United States and its allies will require a joint effort from all U.S. services, including the Coast Guard.

"The Department of Defense does its very best work when we operate as a joint team," Goldfein said. "While this is [the] Department of the Air Force strategy, it is completely nested with and must stay nested with the Coast Guard, ... with the Navy, and with the Army, and with the Marine Corps."

Goldfein said he and Space Force Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, the chief of space operations, are working through a concept called "joint all-domain operations" that addresses the need for a joint effort in the Arctic.

A golf-ball-like radar dome sits in a snowy landscape.

"It's a technological approach, but it really at the end feeds a leadership approach to joint operations, across the spectrum, from peacetime and competition, all the way to open warfare," he said. "No one domain is going to be dominant in that operation. The whole idea is to connect this team so that we can bring to bear military capabilities, from air, from space, from surface, from subsurface, manned, unmanned, all of the above."

The Space Force is new to the Department of the Air Force, but Raymond said space operations have happened in the Arctic for a long time now — and the environment in the Arctic is ideal for conducting those operations.

"If you look at one of the most critical missions that we do, and that's missile warning, the Arctic is our front edge of that mission," Raymond said. "We do that mission both at Thule, Greenland, north of the Arctic Circle, with our space professionals that are assigned there at Thule Air Base. We also do it in Alaska, at Clear Air Force Station."

Raymond said the Arctic's geographic location makes it the best place to conduct space operations.

In a night sky, colored lights appear in the sky above a military installation.

"If you look at the key terrain aspect of that environment, we also command and control satellites," he said. "If you're going to command and control satellites that are in polar orbits, where better to do it then on top of the world at the pole? It allows us to get great access to those satellites to be able to command and control and do that business. So that geography and the position on the globe ... makes it an extremely advantageous place to operate from."

Barrett said the Department of the Air Force's new Arctic policy involves both the land-based military air power the Air Force provides and the space-based capabilities provided by the Space Force.

"The U.S. air and space forces value the Arctic," she said. "Access and stability require cooperation among America's allies and partners, along with a commitment to vigilance, power projection, and preparation. The Arctic should remain a free and open domain for benevolent actors, and it is a critical domain to protect America's homeland."

Aerial Ops

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, middle, a Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16, top, and a Belgian Air Component F-16 conduct aerial operations over the North Sea, July 17, 2020.

Fierce Formation

The USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Antietam sail in formation with Australian and Japanese vessels during a trilateral exercise in the Philippine Sea, July 21, 2020.

Army Sponsorship Program Helps Ease Transition for Soldiers, Families

July 21, 2020 | BY LAURA KREIDER

In the past few years, U.S. Army Garrison Italy held Total Army Sponsorship Program training and events designed to help soldiers become better sponsors to newly arriving soldiers, civilians, contractors and their families by learning more about sponsorship resources from their respective garrison agencies. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated changes in format and location, the program's purpose remains the same.

The program, available to active duty Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and civilian employees, focuses on the sponsor, who is key to integrating newcomers as quickly as possible while making a good first impression.

A man wearing a face mask hands pamphlets to a masked soldier seated in a classroom setting.

A permanent-change-of-station move to Italy is a unique experience that requires the assistance of well-trained sponsors to set the standard for future personnel to come, said Giulio Rigodanzo, USAG Italy installation sponsorship liaison.

''During the weekly training we can have up to 15 trainees in attendance per iteration to ensure social distancing, where each of them needs to bring his own personal protective equipment,'' he said. In this uncertain period of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the training is constantly evolving to ensure the sponsor is a key player to assist the individual arriving here, he added.

''We cover step by step what a sponsor is supposed to do to ease the transition of a newly arrived community member,'' he said.

While active duty soldiers and Army civilians take the TASP training online prior to attending face-to-face training, contractors and family members can attend it without taking the online portion first. ''We just ask each unit to send us an attendees roster to ensure we don't go over the allowed maximum capacity of participants per session due to COVID-19,'' Rigodanzo said.

A man wearing a face mask speaks to an audience, with a briefing slide projected behind him.

The program, which will be offered until the end of September, is meant to be taken once.

''The final objective is to train and equip future sponsors with all the necessary information,'' Rigodanzo said. ''My favorite quote about the program is: 'Pay it forward,' which is what we are trying to achieve — a fair and smooth transition from [the United States to an overseas duty station] for all our new community members.''

Participants in the July 8 class on the Caserma Ederle military complex in Vicenza, Italy, expressed positive feedback about what they learned.

''I believe the program is helpful to future sponsors because it gives them all the information needed before the soldiers come to the base,'' said Army Sgt. Domoniq Clowers, with the 386th Movement Control Transportation Detachment, who was training to be a sponsor for the first time.

''I enjoyed the welcome packet and believe it will be helpful to all the future soldiers to come,'' Clowers said.

Army Staff Sgt. Preston L. Jackson from U.S Army Africa agreed with his classmate.

''The training helped me understand why we need to have sponsors and learn the different aspects of being one for a future soldier or family,'' he said. ''With COVID-19 going on, it can be stressful for families; and during today's training, we learned what we need to do to help others with the process.''

A man wearing a face mask presents a briefing to masked soldiers who are seated in a classroom.

Jackson added that he believes TASP is one of the greatest programs the Army has invented for soldiers, families and civilians.

''Without this program, people would be lost at their duty station,'' he said, noting that he was contacted months before moving to Italy to let him know about the program and what to do to get ready for arrival.

''My sponsor reached out and told me about the different scenarios that can happen when arriving, including getting a passport, talking about barracks availability and shipping a car,'' he said. ''[His sponsor] stayed in touch with me throughout the whole PCS. He even picked me up from the airport. If it wasn't for this program, I would be lost.''

(Laura Kreider is assigned to U.S. Army Garrison Italy.)

Sports Heroes Who Served: Baseball Legend Brooks Robinson

July 21, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

Almost every sporting event in the United States has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help fill the void, this series looks at sports heroes who also served in the military.

Most baseball fans recognize the name Brooks Robinson. He played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977 and is widely considered to be the best defensive third baseman ever.

A man plays baseball.

Robinson joined the Arkansas Army National Guard in March 1958. He was activated and assigned to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and later to the Army's 78th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas.

Robinson served  as an ordnance parts specialist. While on the rifle range for qualification with the M1 Garand rifle in November 1958, Robinson received a commendation for his performance as a squad leader for his unit. It stated, ''He has performed his duties in an excellent and commendable manner. It is recommended he be considered for more rapid promotion than his contemporaries.''

A man plays baseball.

Officials with the Arkansas National Guard at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas, said he was honorably discharged from Company A, 739 Ordnance Battalion, in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Jan. 2, 1962. 

In 1966, Robinson, by then a civilian, visited troops in all four corps areas of South Vietnam. Traveling with him on the morale-boosting tour were Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals, Joe Torre and Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves, Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins, and sportscaster Mel Allen.

A man plays baseball.

During the tour, Killebrew was heard telling Robinson that the league champion Orioles played the best ball in the American League that year and that the Orioles deserved to win the pennant.

Brooks Robinson helped the Orioles advance to the postseason six times, with Baltimore winning four American League pennants (1966, 1969, 1970, 1971) and two World Series (1966, 1970) during his career. In 39 career postseason games, Robinson hit .303 with five homers and 22 runs batted in.

The Orioles retired his No. 5 jersey in 1977. He led all American League third basemen 11 times in fielding percentage and eight times in assists. His 2,870 games at third base rank No. 1 on the all-time list.

A man plays baseball.

Frank Robinson, another baseball great, once said that Brooks Robinson was the best defensive player at any position. ''I used to stand in the outfield like a fan and watch him make play after play. I used to think, 'Wow! I can’t believe this,''' he said.

Frank Robinson also played for the Orioles. His time with the team overlapped with that of Brooks Robinson from 1966 to 1971.

More About Brooks Robinson

  • As a  boy, Robinson operated the scoreboard at Lamar Porter Field in Little Rock. The baseball sequence from the 1984 film ''A Soldier's Story'' was filmed there.
  • In 1955, Robinson played baseball in South America; he played in Cuba in 1957.
  • In 2012, a large bronze statue of him was unveiled at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

 

 

Service With a Smile

July 21, 2020 | BY Amanda Urena

With the ability of the coronavirus to spread rapidly, a tiger team from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility worked with skilled employees there and at Naval Facilities Hawa to quickly fabricate protective barriers to keep the facility open for business.

Navy sailors and contractors working.

Several codes —  offices with specific responsibility, such as Pass and ID and Document Control — conduct daily interactions with shipyard workers, contractors, military personnel and visitors. This creates a higher risk for potential spread of the virus. To mitigate this risk, the codes requested support from the tiger team.

Working with safety experts and fabrication employees, the tiger team determined that Plexiglas would provide the best protection while maintaining customer experience, both critical for safety throughout the shipyard.

Specific measurements of the areas where Plexiglas would be installed were taken from each customer service location to develop a custom installation specific to each code's needs. The measurements were then taken to Naval Facilities Hawaii for assistance in manufacturing the custom designs.

Navy sailors and contractors working.

The customization was initially expected to take more than a week to complete, but expedited manufacturing and installation resulted in a custom installed solution for each code in just one to three days.

Shipyard personnel working in the Pass and ID office were thrilled with the solution developed. Walter Fung, a security assistant, commented on the impressive work done by the team."I feel more comfortable with the Plexiglas installed," he said. "It's a relief of stress."

This protective measure not only improved safety from airborne droplets that can carry the coronavirus, but also prevented customers from leaning over the counter and potentially seeing personal identifiable information, officials said.

A man hands a file to a woman through a window. Both are wearing face masks.

The Document Control Center team also was excited about the new custom barriers. "They were quick," said Talalelei Toomata, a file and mail clerk. "The customers like it. It's fantastic — I love it!"

The new protective barriers made shipyard customer service personnel feel safer and also protect customers from potential exposure, making interactions between both parties safer, shipyard officials said,  allowing everyone to practice the shipyard's COVID-19 priorities of protecting people, minimizing the spread of the virus, and maximizing the mission, even during face-to-face interactions.

(Amanda Urena is assigned to the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.)