Pacom Works to Advance U.S.-India Strategic Partnership

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, Aug. 14, 2012 – As U.S. Pacific Command strives to build stronger alliances and partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region, one of its big focuses is on taking the military-to-military relationship with India to the next level.

The new defense strategic guidance announced in January resets U.S. priorities toward the region, specifically calling for investments in a long-term strategic partnership with India “to support its ability to service as a regional economic anchor and provider of security in the broader Indian Ocean region.”

Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, who took command of Pacom in March, is using that guidance as his marching orders as he implements the expanded Asia-Pacific strategy.

“We hope to partner with [India] to share the strategic landscape as it applies to how we apply security to the globe that allows prosperity and peace, freedom of movement and … prosperity in the world,” he told American Forces Press Service.

India’s strategic location between West Asia and the Middle East, and its ascent across economic, military, diplomatic and informational fronts makes it an influential leader in the region, said Army Col. Michael Albaneze, director of Locklear’s India strategic focus group.

The group of six military and civilian experts, one of three “mini think tanks” within the Pacom staff, advises Locklear and his senior staff on a broad range of issues that shape India’s strategic environment, and ways to advance the U.S.-India strategic partnership, Albaneze explained.

It’s a partnership that’s been slow in forming, he conceded. For the past half-century, India has been a leader in the nonaligned movement, and it has an official policy of being “strategically autonomous.”

That said, Albaneze recognized signs of India’s willingness to engage increasingly with the United States as it rises on the world stage. The two countries had their first strategic dialogue in 2010, with two more since then, the most recent in June.

Without a long history of cooperation, Albaneze noted a “maturing process” that could, over time, evolve into a more typical relationship characterized by routine engagement across the board. “We are not quite there yet, but there is a lot of effort in trying to move in that direction,” he said, adding that the relationship is continuing to deepen.

One high point is the exercise program. India partners with the United States in dozens of military exercises every year as it builds an increasingly strong military. Its navy is one of the world’s largest, and its army deploys routinely for peacekeeping operations, Albaneze noted.

Most of the exercises tend to be at the component level. The annual Exercise Malabar involves the U.S. and Indian navies, with several international observers during its latest iteration, in April. The U.S. and Indian armies train together through Yudh Abhyas exercises, frequently weaving humanitarian assistance and disaster response scenarios into the engagements.

The two countries’ air forces train together through Cope India exercises, and the Indian air force participated for the first time in the U.S.-sponsored Red Flag exercise in 2008. Although India has no marine corps, U.S. Marines train with an Indian army brigade that specializes in amphibious operations during Exercise Shatrujeet.

“Those are just the major mil-mil engagements,” Albaneze said, noting a broad array of other military-to-military engagements and exchanges at U.S. and Indian military training centers and schoolhouses.

Both the United States and India hope to increase the complexity of the exercise program over time, he said, and to elevate them into joint engagements that involve more than just one service.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta underscored during his visit to India in June, just ahead of the 2012 U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, that a “close partnership with America will be key to meeting India's own stated aims of a modern and effective defense force.”

“We have built a strong foundation,” the secretary said. “But for this relationship to truly provide security for this region and for the world, we will need to deepen our defense and security cooperation.”

That, Panetta said, extends to closer collaboration in sharing defense technology and developing future systems. Despite India’s decision not to buy a U.S. advanced jet fighter, U.S. defense sales to India have grown to more than $8 billion with the potential to increase more.

The secretary recognized legal restrictions that have hampered some sales, and vowed to work to eliminate as many hurdles as possible.

“The United States is firmly committed to providing the best defense technology possible to India,” he told Indian leaders in Delhi, while recognizing India’s ambitions to advance its own defense industry. “We are both leaders in technology development and we can do incredible work together,” Panetta said.

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter followed up that visit in July, encouraging India to move forward in engaging with the United States across the spectrum, from dialogue to exercises to defense trade and research cooperation.

“We want to develop a joint vision for U.S.-India defense cooperation,” Carter said. “We want to knock down any remaining bureaucratic barriers in our defense relationship, and strip away the impediments. And we want to set big goals to achieve.”

Recognizing the many mutual and converging interests the United States and India share, Albaneze said he’s hopeful about their future prospects.

“I am an optimist on the relationship,” he said. “Every time there is a hiccup, I just think that it’s part of our getting to learn more and more about each other, and how we interact.

“Sometimes it’s two steps forward and one step back,” Albaneze continued. “But at the end of the day, we still made a step forward -- and that is really what we are trying to do in the region.”

Admiral Takes Global Message Locally in Alabama

By Bill Doughty, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, is back at work June 18 after four days of community partnership-building in his home state of Alabama.

Rear Adm. Frank Ponds' visit to Selma, Birmingham, Montgomery and Tuskegee was part of the Navy's 50 flag officers in 50 states community outreach initiative.

Ponds met with mayors, business leaders and educators. He visited the Birmingham VA Medical Center, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, University of Alabama and Tuskegee University, and he spoke to Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary clubs about the Navy's mission of protecting commerce on the world's oceans.

Millions of tons of cargo are shipped through the Alabama State Port Authority each year to more than 175 locations worldwide. More than 100,000 jobs in the state are linked directly to trade.

"Alabama is important to the Navy and the Navy is important to Alabama," said Ponds.

His message to each group included the CNO's sailing directions, Navy's commitment to renewable energy and other global issues and how they related locally.

"I spoke about what the Navy is doing, especially in the Pacific, as a global force for good - in partnership building, maritime security and humanitarian/civic assistance support, such as Pacific Partnership. The partnerships we build help us promote understanding and cooperation that ultimately helps businesses in Alabama."

Ponds also spoke about the context and consequences of the War of 1812 (200 years ago this year) and Battle of Midway (70 years ago this month), two pivotal events that shaped the Navy and the nation.

He engaged with school administrators, educators and students at various levels.

At Tuskegee University, Ponds met with professors and students at the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences.

"I showed him the work we have with the Navy and some other research related to STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said professor and Associate Dean Heshmat Aglan. "The admiral met with PHD students and also high school students who are part of our program."

"We had very fruitful discussions, and we hope we can develop an even greater partnership with the Navy," Aglan said.

Ponds stopped at Birmingham's Horizons School, whose mission statement reads, "preparing young adults with learning difficulties for an independent life."

"Our students were very impressed," said school director Dr. Jade Carter. "What Admiral Ponds was able to do was give concrete specifics about very global concepts - and they got it. Rarely is someone so able to communicate a global message in a way that students can really connect with."

At a Kiwanis Club talk, he spoke about Navy's importance and relevance to Alabama.

John "Lex" Williamson Jr., youth scholarship committee chairman for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama, sent an email to Ponds after the talk.

"As you know, Alabama has a long history of leadership in the Navy," Williamson wrote. "My father, from Birmingham, retired as a captain, but was the creator of the Williamson Turn while at sub chaser training school in Miami in the early 40s. He was also the executive officer on the USS England which sank six Japanese submarines in 12 days in the Pacific. I am bragging, but he would have enjoyed your representing the Navy."

During his visit June 11-14 Ponds gave several media interviews and spoke about the people who comprise today's Navy.

"Right now, we have the most highly educated, highly trained and highly patriotic individuals serving as we have ever had in the history of this country," he said. "The generation that is serving today are a fabulous bunch. And their families are committed to that service as well."

Ponds credited his Alabama roots for his work ethic, family values and commitment to service.

Ponds was raised in western Autauga County. He graduated from Autaugaville High School in 1977 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama in 1982. He received his commission from Officer Candidate School in 1983.

From his office window at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Ponds can look at his eleven surface warships that comprise Commander Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific. Dozens of ships will be arriving next week for the Rim of the Pacific exercise, which starts June 29.

As Commander Navy Region Hawaii, where he leads more than 3,200 civilian and military personnel, Ponds provides support at JBPHH on Oahu and Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai to units assigned to Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, providing readiness support that enables warfighters to operate forward.

 For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.

Hawaii Sailors Train to Combat Synthetic Drug Abuse

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- More than 400 Hawaii-based Sailors gathered at Sharkey Theater on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam May 1 to learn more about the policies, programs and risks regarding the abuse of synthetic drugs.

Representatives from Commander Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH), Naval Health Clinic Hawaii (NHCH), Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) in Hawaii and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) all conducted training about synthetic drugs such as Spice and Bath Salts.

Spice, a synthetic drug, looks similar to marijuana, or oregano, and is used for its psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects. The Navy has a zero tolerance policy for drug abuse, including the use of designer and synthetic compounds such as Spice.

CNRH Command Master Chief Marc Sibal said he has seen 20 to 30 Spice-related cases in the Navy in Hawaii during his tenure as CMC.

"Spice is here," said Sibal. "We still need to get our arms wrapped around it. It is still a problem. The bad thing about Spice is nobody knows about the long-term side effects of Spice. Nobody has done any studies with them."

Sibal is part of Hawaii's Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board (AFBCD) that looks at several establishments which are suspected of carrying and selling illegal drugs. The AFDCB establishes guidance and off-limits areas to military personnel in Hawaii. 

"We all joined the Navy for different reasons, to get an education, to serve our country, to get stationed here or there, to make master chief, but not to smoke Spice and get kicked out of the Navy and to figure out what to tell your parents when you come home after one year in the Navy," said Sibal.

Lt. Cmdr. Daryl Sulit, a Navy Medical Corps officer assigned to NHCH, was at the training to talk about the medical effects of Spice. Sulit said that medicine knows the effect of marijuana over a long period of time. It has been used for centuries. Spice, on the other hand, is man-made and was introduced in the past decade.

"Spice is a designer drug made to mimic Marijuana," said Sulit. "If you look at the packaging, it looks very similar to marijuana and it is smoked like marijuana. We don't know if it will cause long-term brain damage, cancer, lung damage, or heart damage."

According to Navy Alchohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP), the chemical blends in synthetic drugs are continuously manipulated, and the strength of the synthetic chemical used is unknown. As a result, there is no way to know what a person is ingesting or what the long-term health risks are if used.

Sulit said that Spice not only affects the receptors in your brain, which induce hallucinogenic effects, it can also affect other organs such as the heart, kidney and digestive systems. Spice can take effect within 20 to 30 minutes, but can last for as long as 24 hours.

"Spice is so much more dangerous because it is a lot more potent than marijuana," said Sulit.

According the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Spice is five to 200 times more potent than THC in marijuana.

Sulit added that among the latest reports of the effects of spice are anxiety and panic attacks.

"It causes confusion delusion hallucination," said Sulit. "Spice can also cause depression, which could lead to suicide attempts, irritation and bizarre behaviors. It can also cause drowsiness and impaired cognition. It has been noted to cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, chest pain and increased heart rate."

NCIS Special Agent Steven Laskey was at the training to talk about the policies and programs involved to combat spice.

"This stuff is sold as incense," said Laskey. "It is sold as potpourri. It is marked as 'not for human consumption.' However, it is marked as 'not for human consumption' because it is supposed to attempt to defer and trick law enforcement. It was made purposely to use for human consumption, but labeling it not for consumption makes it legal. Up until 2011, it was perfectly legal. It was sold and advertised as a safe and alternative means for marijuana. Well, it is not remotely safe, and it is not legal as well."

In March 2012, the Navy announced that it has begun random testing of urine samples for synthetic chemical compounds like Spice. The Navy's capacity for testing for designer drugs will continue to expand. During fiscal year 2012, the Navy will invest $1.73 million to test for synthetic chemical compounds and expects to increase that amount to $2.9 million in fiscal year 2013.

USS Russell Returns Home to Hawaii

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Families and friends welcomed back the guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, April 23, following completion of a successful eight-month deployment to the western Pacific and Arabian Gulf.

"I am exceptionally pleased and proud of the tremendous performance of every Sailor aboard Russell during this challenging deployment," said Cmdr. Joseph Carrigan, Russell's commanding officer. "I believe I speak for each member of the crew when I say that we are thrilled to be home with our families, friends and the greater Pearl Harbor Ohana."

Russell and its crew of nearly 300 Sailors conducted a wide range of operations, including ballistic missile defense, maritime security operations, and oil platform defense. Additionally, the ship and her crew participated in multinational exercises with NATO allies and Gulf partner nations in support of theater security cooperation and operations.

Mike McGuinness, the father of Seaman Matt McGuinness, flew from New Jersey to greet his son at the pier as the ship arrived.

"I thought it would be a good idea to come out and surprise him," said Mike. "This is his first deployment. He has been in the Navy for one and a half years."

While at the Arabian Gulf, Russell integrated with Carrier Strike Groups George H. W. Bush, John C. Stennis, and Abraham Lincoln, supporting a variety of missions. Additionally, Russell served as the Ballistic Missile Defense Commander platform for Commander Task Force 50 for two months, participating in 15 system operability tests, two joint air defense exercises, and a bilateral amphibious exercise with Saudi Arabia.

"While deployed to the 5th Fleet area of operations, USS Russell consistently demonstrated unparalleled operational excellence and mission accomplishment while conducting maritime security operations, ballistic missile defense operations, maritime infrastructure protection, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support," said Carrigan.

The officers and crew enjoyed several port visits in the western Pacific, East Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East, including Guam, the Philippines, the Maldives, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong and continued the U.S. Navy's longstanding tradition of ambassadorship.

During the ship's visit to Gan, Maldives, Russell Sailors connected with their Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) counterparts and interacted with the local community. Russell Sailors participated in soccer matches and culinary exchanges where coast guardsmen from the Maldivian coast guard ship (CGS) Shaheed Ali taught Sailors how to cook traditional Maldivian dishes aboard Russell.

Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare surface combatants. They operate independently for support of carrier and expeditionary strike groups and surface strike groups.

Confessions of Navy Spice Users: Two Sailors Reveal How Spice Ended Their Careers

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Two Sailors were interviewed about their use of Spice and the consequences - it ended their careers in less than two months.

After 30 days confined in the brig and separation from the Navy in March, the two Sailors volunteered to come forward and talk about how the use of synthetic drugs affected their lives. At their request, their last names were withheld for the purpose of this story.

"I was a little bit surprised, but I had a feeling when I got caught my life was going to change," said Joel, who was caught in possession of Spice.

In February 2012, two Hawaii-based Sailors, Joel and his girlfriend, Bridgette, were arrested after a routine traffic stop when a police officer discovered evidence of Spice concealed on their person and inside their vehicle.

Spice, a synthetic drug, looks similar to marijuana or oregano and is used for its psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects. The Navy has zero tolerance for drug abuse, including the use of designer and synthetic compounds such as Spice.

An investigation ensued and the two Sailors were court-martialed and sentenced to 30 days confinement, forfeiture of two-thirds pay for one month and reduction to E-1.

Bridgette had never tried Spice until she arrived in Hawaii when her boyfriend introduced it to her in December 2011. Joel and Bridgette had been in the Navy for less than two years.

"We were drinking one night I thought that it was like a cigarillo or like a Black and Mild," said Bridgette. "I had tried it and, it had reminded me of just feeling relaxed and calm, worry-free of any responsibilities."

Joel did not try Spice until he arrived in Hawaii as well, when he started mixing in with the wrong crowd.

"It was a bad choice on my part," said Joel. "I was taking it for the social aspect, but I figured they did it, and they are still able to do their jobs correctly. Maybe it helped them free themselves too. I don't really understand why but it just helped me. I never really thought about me getting caught with it."

Once Joel and Bridgette started using Spice, the two began a regular routine of taking overnight weekend trips to Waikiki to drink, smoke and escape.

For both Joel and Bridgette, Spice and other synthetic drugs are easy to come by. Aside from their peers, the illegal products are falsely marketed by manufacturers in commercial-like packages as a safe way to get high while avoiding drug testing.

Stephen Ludwig, the evidence custodian for the Criminal Investigation Division of Commander Navy Region Hawaii, said the military in Hawaii is the biggest customer of synthetic drug sales. He said the artwork on the packaging can look very attractive, no one would guess that they actually contain illegal substances.

It did not take long for Spice to have a negative effect on both Joel and Bridgette.

"After it all cleared and faded away, I felt groggy," said Joel. "I felt tired. I woke up in the morning puking in the hole in the toilet for like 10 minutes at a time. When I started waking up in the mornings I vomited black stuff out. Every time I threw up it just made me feel bad. It felt like something was turning in my stomach."

Lt. j.g. John White, a Navy judge advocate assigned at the Region Legal Service Office Hawaii, said that using Spice puts one's career at risk, but there is also the risk to the user's health.

Former Navy Surgeon General, Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., said that, "serious side effects have been reported after [Spice] use including tremors, panic attacks, delirium, impaired coordination, seizures, paranoid hallucinations, and psychotic symptoms that can last for days, even months in some cases."

"When on Spice, one's mental faculties are diminished, making it potentially fatal when one is working on military vessels, aircraft or with weaponry, where errors in judgment can cost lives," said White.

When Joel and Bridgette came to their first command assignment, they said they were highly motivated. They both enjoyed working on high-valued Navy equipment.

Bridgette said one of the best things about the Navy was meeting new people. Soon their drives changed the longer he and his girlfriend took Spice.

"I was so tired walking around at work that I didn't really want to talk to anybody," said Joel. "I kept to myself mostly and I started changing who I was as a person, something I didn't want to continue doing, but I did it because it made me fit in with the social crowd."

Joel and Bridgette knew the consequences of taking Spice. Both had been informed of the dangers even by their recruiters.

"I knew it was illegal, and it was my responsibility to say no, even though I was inebriated a little bit; I'd been drinking," said Bridgette. "Still, I should have been responsible enough to know the difference between Spice and cigarettes."

"My biggest regret is trying to fit in when you first joined and not making the right friends," said Bridgette. "I regret not putting my foot down in the beginning and walking away."

Joel and Bridgette were both discharged from the Navy at the end of March 2012. They plan to move back together to Joel's hometown and begin rebuilding their lives together.

"My message to the Sailors who are still taking Spice is if you are really serious about being in the military, being in the Navy, excelling in your career, stop what you're doing now," said Joel. "There's a big chance that you are going to get kicked out of the military. If you want that nice paycheck, a steady life, to meet the new people and to be able to continue on, get that rank, get that respect from people who have been in, just don't do it. Just stop. It's not worth it, it's really not."

In March 2012, the Navy announced that it has begun random testing of urine samples for synthetic chemical compounds like Spice. The Navy's capacity for testing for designer drugs will continue to expand. During fiscal year 2012 the Navy will invest $1.73 million to test for synthetic chemical compounds and expects to increase that amount to $2.9 million in fiscal year 2013.

"They're going to see Spice everywhere they go because it's a bigger problem than people actually realize," said Bridgette. "You should just not even try it in the beginning. Once you try it, even if you don't get addicted to it, the point is that you have tried it. Most people do have addictive personalities, and it runs in the family. Don't try it."

The Navy continues to educate Sailors about the dangers of drug use to include new and designer drugs through targeted awareness campaigns and continues to work closely with local governments to identify users and distributors.