Thursday, October 29, 2020

Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meeting With USNAVCENT Commander Vice Admiral Samuel Paparo

 Oct. 29, 2020


On October 28, 2020, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with Vice Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command, during the Secretary’s first official visit to Manama, Bahrain.

Secretary Esper expressed his appreciation for VADM Paparo’s leadership of USNAVCENT since taking command in August, and his steadfast commitment to U.S. forces stationed in Manama and operating across the U.S. Fifth Fleet to advance the shared security objectives of the United States and our partners in the Middle East.

While USNAVCENT, Secretary Esper also visited the crews of the USS Devastator and the USS Monsoon based at NAVCENT, and spoke with the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, where he commended the U.S. forces continuing to uphold commitment of multinational maritime forces to upholding the international rules-based order in international waters and advancing the freedom of navigation in the region.

Secretary Esper thanks VADM Paparo and our U.S. service members in Manama for the warm welcome and hospitality at USNAVCENT and for their daily vigilance in protecting American interests in the region.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meetings With His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Bahrain Defence Force Commander Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa

 Oct. 29, 2020


Yesterday in Manama, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Sakhir Palace, and also met with the Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force, Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who he thanked for their gracious hospitality on his first official visit to Bahrain.

Secretary Esper expressed his gratitude to HM King Hamad and Field Marshal Al Khalifa for their friendship with the United States and U.S. forces. The parties reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Bahrain security relationship and shared commitment to advancing stability and security in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in the face of Iranian malign influence.

On behalf of the President, Secretary Esper commended the leadership of Bahrain on their country’s historic normalization of relations with Israel last month, joining the United Arab Emirates in a critical step towards strengthening regional stability.

Secretary Esper expressed his deep appreciation to HM King Hamad for nearly a quarter century of hosting the U.S. Fifth Fleet and he and the Field Marshal’s continued support for U.S. forces operating out of Bahrain.

Program Clears Bike Trail for Recovering Soldiers During Pandemic

 Oct. 29, 2020 | BY CHRISTINE AURIGEMA

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Soldier Recovery Unit has used the time constructively.

They cleared a bike trail in a stretch of woods near the SRU barracks so that recovering soldiers can learn cycling basics and become comfortable and confident cyclists. 

ARCP supports wounded, ill and injured soldiers as they transition back to the force or to veteran status. Adaptive reconditioning programs help ARCP soldiers optimize their well-being and achieve goals through activities and sports. Cycling is one example of a number of programs designed to help ARCP soldiers.

A trail cuts through a wooded area.


The Fort Bragg SRU cycling program was established years ago and welcomes riders of all experience levels. Some haven't ridden a bicycle since junior high school. Others are experienced riders who, due to illness or injury, are learning the skills again with a new approach, said adaptive reconditioning support specialist Dean Bissey.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pugh rides with the cycling group twice weekly. He said the Army's investment in this program showed him that the Army really cares about the soldiers.

The trail the soldiers used to frequent was only wide enough for one bike to pass at a time. This made it hard for the staff and cadre to ride alongside beginning cyclists while they taught starting, gearing and braking on uneven terrain.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bissey had time to survey, map and clear a small route in an unused patch of woods near the SRU barracks. The new trail allows him to ride alongside soldiers safely.

''It's not a very long path, but it's enough that we could explain the beginner-level skills, and we could work on those skills without having to involve a 30-minute drive to a mountain bike trail,'' he said.

Once the soldiers gain experience, they are invited on group rides. Some may participate in bike rides with 40-50 people, which increases their circle of friends and influencers and creates a safety net that they didn't have before, Bissey said. To keep riders safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of cyclists on rides was limited to five-plus staff members, and special cleanup and disinfecting procedures for personal protective equipment and common areas were instituted.

Pugh enjoys the camaraderie, conversations and meeting new people.

A mountain bike stands on a trail in the woods.


''The hour goes by quick,'' he said.

Pugh also cycles on his own because it challenges him every day and increases his endurance level. He plans to continue riding three to four days a week after he transitions, and he believes it will keep him fit and successful.

Bissey believes that cycling can provide soldiers with more than a good workout and a chance to expand one's social circle.

''People will remember the bike from being a kid and it being their first taste of freedom, the ability to go further and quicker than walking and the ability to explore past your own few blocks,'' he said. ''This sense of freedom is tapped into when soldiers start riding again.''

Adaptive reconditioning programs provide activities and sports that help wounded, ill and injured soldiers to optimize their well-being, achieve their goals and return to active lifestyles. Through these virtual programs, soldiers can continue classes and programs and try new ones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of 350 AR activities are offered at 14 SRUs across the country every week.

The Army Warrior Care and Transition Program is now the Army Recovery Care Program. Although the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to provide quality complex case management to the Army's wounded, ill and injured soldiers.

Dedication Ceremony for Pentagon’s Newest Permanent Display

 Oct. 29, 2020


Today, the Department of Defense will dedicate the Gold Star Families Pentagon Display at 11 a.m. EDT during a virtual ceremony in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.

Due to public health and safety concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the dedication ceremony is a virtual event.

The ceremony’s principal speaker is Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Honorable Matthew P. Donovan.

“This is an important occasion as we honor—with this new memorial—and show our great respect and love for our military families who have lost treasured sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters,” said Mr. Donovan. “I am honored to represent the Department of Defense as we unveil this memorial today, representing the heart and soul of not only our department, but our nation. Over the years, the Pentagon has become a living museum. All through these corridors, we have world class historical displays recognizing significant moments and individuals throughout the history of the Department of Defense. The memorial you will see today will do just that as we honor our Gold Star families.”

The program will include remarks by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley and Gold Star wife Jane Horton.

History of the Gold Star Family

The official history of our gold star family dates back to World War I when military families put service flags in their window featuring a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the War. If their loved one was killed in action, the star’s color would be changed to gold. In 1918, the Gold Star tradition grew as President Woodrow Wilson approved a recommendation by the Women’s Committee of National Defenses to wear a black armband with a gold star.

The Hall of Heroes

The Hall of Heroes is a room dedicated for people to honor the brave service members who have received the Medal of Honor, the highest award for bravery that can be awarded to members of America’s armed forces for exceptional acts of valor. It opened in 1968 and the name of every person to receive the Medal of Honor since the Civil War is displayed there. Three large Medal of Honor replicas are displayed prominently on the stage in the Hall of Heroes. They represent the Army, Navy and Air Force versions of the medal. Asterisks appear next to the names of those who received two medals, while dots appear next to the names of those who received medals from both the Army and Navy for the same act of gallantry.

The Making of the Gold Star Display

The Gold Star Families Display is a tribute to not only the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation, but to the families they leave behind who serve as their living legacies. The display provides the history and meaning of the Gold Star on the Service Flag and the Gold Star Lapel Button, and features a rotating story of a Gold Star family. The display features multiple Gold Star families who have continued to give back to the military community. Gold Star wife Jane Horton created the display.

The dedication ceremony will be livestreamed on defense.gov. The ceremony will also be shown on Channel 2 for live viewing in the Pentagon.

Read Understanding the Significance of the Gold Star for more information.

Learn more about how the department honors our Gold Star Families on the Military OneSource website.   

Defense Secretary Meets With Bahraini, U.S. Military Leaders

 Oct. 29, 2020 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper visited with Bahraini and U.S. leaders in Manama, Bahrain, to get a feel for conditions in the vital Persian Gulf region.

Two men sit in chairs next to each other.

Esper met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and thanked the Bahraini monarch for his country's stout support of American presence in the region.

Earlier in the day, the secretary met with Navy Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of the 5th Fleet based in Bahrain. He got a feel for operations in the Persian Gulf and the threat posed by Iran in that crucial waterway.

The secretary also visited with service members and toured the USS Devastator, a countermine ship, and the USS Monsoon, a patrol craft. Both ships are based in Bahrain and play an important role in ensuring freedom of navigation.

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper walks with a group of people.

Iran is just across the Gulf from Bahrain and remains the biggest problem in the vital thoroughfare. In the past, Iranian leaders have threatened to close the waterway. This would choke off a large proportion of the world's oil. Iran was behind last year's attacks on tanker ships in the region and launched a drone strike against a Saudi oil refinery. The Iranian regime also supports proxy groups from the Houthis fighting in Yemen to Shiite militias in Iraq.

Iran has seemed to back off from provocations. Fifth Fleet officials put that, in part, to the presence of the Nimitz carrier battle group in the Gulf and the solidarity among partners in the Gulf to ensure the waterway is safe. 

A total of 33 nations participate in operations to ensure freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf. Bahrain is a key member of that group and hosts the home port of the task force. U.S. Coast Guard personnel help teach partners' sailors the fine art of searching vessels. Task force vessels counter piracy, run counternarcotics operations and search for illegal weapons. The vessels also rescue mariners in trouble. There have been numerous reports over the years of coalition vessels rescuing Iranian mariners.

Before meeting Esper, the Bahraini king spoke briefly with reporters traveling with the secretary. He noted Bahrain has hosted the U.S. Navy for more than 70 years and was obviously proud of the association with the United States. He greeted Esper warmly at the Sakhir Palace and held his meeting with the secretary in a beautiful garden outdoors in deference to COVID-19 protocols.

Esper thanked the king for the support to American service members over the years and also thanked him for the Abraham Accords, which opened relations between the Kingdom and Israel.

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper stands with a group of service members.

Finally, the secretary met with American service members to discuss diversity and inclusion in the military. It was the 24th such session he has had with service members worldwide.

U.S. Department of Defense Hosts First Crisis Communications Working Group With the People's Republic of China People's Liberation Army

 Oct. 29, 2020


On October 28 and 29, 2020, U.S. and Chinese defense officials convened the first Crisis Communications Working Group by video teleconference to discuss concepts of crisis communications, crisis prevention, and crisis management.

The meeting provided an opportunity to build mutual understanding between the U.S. military and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on principles to prevent and manage crisis and reduce risk to forces. The two sides agreed on the importance of establishing mechanisms for timely communication during a crisis, as well as the need to maintain regular communication channels to prevent crisis and conduct post-crisis assessment.

The U.S. delegation, as host, included representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, and the United States Indo-Pacific Command. The Chinese delegation included representatives of the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) Office for International Military Cooperation, the CMC Joint Staff Department, and the PLA Southern Theater Command.

Funeral Escort

 

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” and members of “Pershing’s Own,” the U.S. Army Band conduct modified military funeral honors with funeral escort for Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Oct. 27, 2020. Shurer received the Medal of Honor for going above and beyond the call of duty April 6, 2008, while assigned to Special Operations Task Force 33 in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

During COVID-19, Use of Non-Medical Family Counselling Remains Strong

 Oct. 29, 2020 | BY C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

During the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns, the use of counseling support, such as what's available through Military OneSource has continued to rise — something that's actually been happening since before lockdowns began in March, said Lee Kelley, the director of Military Community Support Programs.

"We've seen a steady increase in Military OneSource utilization of non-medical counseling that has continued throughout COVID-19, but did not start at the onset of COVID-19," Kelley said, adding that during COVID-19, the lockdowns and the pandemic itself have increasingly shown up as stressors in counseling sessions.

A soldier holds up a phone that has his wife on screen, while looking at a person on another screen who holds a sign that says "Family"

The Military OneSource program has always provided non-medical counseling, Kelley said, for such issues related to military life that are under the threshold of what would be needed for a mental health diagnosis. Included in issues covered there, Kelley said, are relationships, anger, communications issues, grief and loss, for instance. The non-medical counseling provided through Military OneSource can be provided face-to-face, she said, but more often it's provided via telephone or video.

The related Military and Family Life Counseling Program, on the other hand, has always been face-to-face. That is, Kelley said, until COVID-19 closed down so many resources.

"What happened during COVID-19 was [that] a demand signal immediately went up from our military community, service members and families around the globe," Kelley said. "[They said] ... we don't want to lose the capability of the counseling support provided by the Military and Family Life Counseling Program. So the program quickly transitioned in a matter of days to provide telehealth support ... so that same counselor that you knew from your child's school, you were then able to connect with via video."

A young girl sits at a kitchen table and looks at a laptop computer screen.  In the background, a young woman also looks at a computer screen.

Kelley said a commonality between both counseling programs is that the most frequent topic for personnel seeking assistance from both services is relationship issues.

"That's the top issue people seek non-medical counseling through our programs for: relationship support," she said.

As a result, Kelley said, Military Community Support Programs has created a new program to focus specifically on highlighting the issue.

Three children and their parents hold hands as they walk together.

"We've been focused on a public-facing relationship campaign to help pull back the curtain on what relationship support looks like for couples in the military," she said. "And we're looking internally at how we provide that relationship support to determine how we can do it in the most effective manner possible."

No Rise in Domestic Abuse

While there have been some reports in the civilian community of a rise in reports of domestic abuse during COVID-19, the same hasn't happened in the military community, defense leaders said.

"Certainly, we see the news and we know that in the civilian community there are increases in the number of reports," said Carolyn Stevens, the director of the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy. "We are not currently seeing that within our military services. In fact, the number of reports now are very similar to the reports a year ago this time."

Three people sit at a long table. A woman stands at a lectern. In the foreground, a man sits in a chair, facing them.

Nevertheless, she said, because there have been reports of such an increase in civilian communities, the department needs to keep an eye on the issue.

"We are concerned ... and this is an issue that we do need to maintain watch [on]," she said.

Military Mission

 

Soldiers exit an M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle to head to a meeting with town elders while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria, Oct. 25, 2020.

Nasopharyngeal Swab

 

Army Spc. Chris Rodriguez, with the 996th Area Support Medical Company, and Army Spc. Nicholas Martinelli, with the 2nd, 285th Aviation Battalion, conducts training for medical personnel at a local Scottsdale, Ariz. nursing home that will soon facilitate a COVID-19 point-of-care testing system to nursing home residents and visitors, Oct. 27, 2020. The Arizona National Guard has activated more than 800 Arizona citizen soldiers and airmen to support community needs during this emergency response.

Community Service

 

Arizona National Guard service members prepare boxes of groceries for delivery to area residents at a food bank in Stanfield, Ariz., Oct. 28, 2020. Arizona citizen soldiers and airmen continue to support community needs during this state of emergency response.

Sparks Fly

 

Air Force Cadet 1st Class Joseph Way uses an angle grinder on a race car at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 27, 2020.

Helicopter Watch

 

Marines track CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters using a Tracking Head Trainer, a weapon system used for training, in Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 23, 2020.

Response Ready

 

Sailors respond to a simulated casualty during training aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford in Norfolk, Va., Oct. 26, 2020.

Haunted Halloween

 

A military child participates in a Halloween event at Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. 28, 2020.