Cost Of Elderly Care Challenging Military Families, First Command Reports

First Command Financial Behavior Index® reveals that half of middle-class servicemembers

who care for an elderly family member say costs are higher than they expected

FORT WORTH, Texas – At a time when men and women in uniform are dealing with the twin uncertainties of a global economic turmoil and defense downsizing, many military households are facing an extra financial challenge: caring for an elderly family member.

The First Command Financial Behaviors Index® reveals that 36 percent of middle-class military families (senior NCOs and commissioned officers in pay grades E-6 and above with household incomes of at least $50,000) either care for or anticipate caring for a parent or other elderly family member. This compares to just 22 percent of the general population of middle-class families.

The Index reveals that military families envision elderly care in a variety of forms. Many survey respondents are focused on in-home care (44 percent in their own home and 40 percent in the home of the elderly family member). The Index indicates that military families also recognize the need to pay for professional assistance, including:

• Home care services (30 percent)
• Health care services (11 percent)
• Nursing home care (10 percent)

Notably, the prospect of providing elderly care is shaking the long-term financial confidence of these current and future caregivers. The Index reveals 31 percent are not confident in their ability to retire comfortably. (Retirement confidence is stronger among the rest of middle-class servicemembers; just 22 percent say they are not confident.)

This crisis in confidence comes at a time when many military families appear ill-equipped to deal with the financial demands of elderly care. Among those already caring for an aged relative, more than half say the cost of care is more than they expected. The Index reveals that just 16 percent of them have done any specific financial planning related to the cost of this care. And among this group, only one in four have turned to a financial advisor for help.

“As the ranks of older Americans continue to swell, many military families are not prepared for the economic reality of ensuring elderly care for their own family members,” said Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command. “These findings underscore the importance of providing meaningful financial planning support to our men and women in uniform as they prepare for the future care of their loved ones.”

About the First Command Financial Behaviors Index®
Compiled by Sentient Decision Science, Inc., the First Command Financial Behaviors Index® assesses trends among the American public’s financial behaviors, attitudes and intentions through a monthly survey of approximately 530 U.S. consumers aged 25 to 70 with annual household incomes of at least $50,000. Results are reported quarterly. The margin of error is +/- 4.3 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence. www.firstcommand.com/research.

About Sentient Decision Science, Inc.
Sentient Decision Science was commissioned by First Command to compile the Financial Behaviors Index®. SDS is a behavioral science and consumer psychology consulting firm with special vertical expertise within the financial services industry. SDS specializes in advanced research methods and statistical analysis of behavioral and attitudinal data.

About First Command
First Command Financial Services and its subsidiaries, including First Command Bank and First Command Financial Planning, assist American families in their efforts to build wealth, reduce debt and pursue their lifetime financial goals and dreams—focusing on consumer behavior as the first and most powerful determinant of results. Through knowledgeable advice and coaching of the financial behaviors conducive to success, First Command Financial Advisors have built trustworthy, lasting relationships with hundreds of thousands of client families since 1958.

First Command Financial Services, Inc., is the parent of First Command Financial Planning, Inc. (Member SIPC, FINRA), First Command Insurance Services, Inc. and First Command Bank. Financial planning services and investment products, including securities, are offered by First Command Financial Planning, Inc. Insurance products and services are offered by First Command Insurance Services, Inc. in all states except Montana, where as required by law, insurance products and services are offered by First Command Financial Services, Inc. (a separate Montana domestic corporation). Banking products and services are offered by First Command Bank. In certain states, as required by law, First Command Insurance Services, Inc. does business as a separate domestic corporation. Securities products are not FDIC insured, have no bank guarantee and may lose value. A financial plan, by itself, cannot assure that retirement or other financial goals will be met.

NATO Ministers Discuss ‘Smart Defense’ Initiative

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2012 – NATO defense ministers held discussions in Brussels today on the alliance’s “Smart Defense” initiative and how to provide security during tough financial times, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen briefed reporters on the defense ministers’ consultations, in which Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is participating.

“This is one of the most urgent challenges facing our alliance today,” Rasmussen said, noting that during May’s summit in Chicago, the alliance’s heads of state and government endorsed the program for the NATO militaries to work together more closely.

“Today, we took stock of the progress we have made, and we discussed the work which lies ahead,” he said.

Because NATO nations must work together to develop and field technologies and capabilities that one country alone cannot afford, the summit yielded a list of more than 20 multinational projects “that will give allies more capabilities, more effectively,” Rasmussen said.

Smart Defense includes projects related to use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, and it also looks toward improving joint logistics and maintenance. Other projects stress better force protection and better training.

Since the Chicago summit, Rasmussen said, NATO has kept up the Smart Defense momentum, agreeing to two more projects. “Over the coming months, I would expect us to agree to around 10 more, and dozens more ideas are under consideration,” he added.

The effort reaches across the alliance, and all are involved. The secretary general stressed that the European allies are playing a central role in Smart Defense. “European countries are involved in every one of the 24 projects we have set in motion so far,” he said. European nations are leading two-thirds of the projects, and one-third of the projects are purely European, he said.

The interest shows European allies are aware of their security responsibilities and are looking for smart ways to strengthen the alliance, the secretary general said.

96 BS deploys to Guam

by Staff Sgt. Chad Warren
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

10/5/2012 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- A large group of Airmen from the 96th Bomb Squadron deployed to Guam in support of the Air Force's continuous bomber presence in the pacific region Oct. 1.

Barksdale is one of three Air Force Global Strike Command bases that supports the pacific bomber presence, including Minot AFB, N.D. and Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Traditionally a four-month deployment, this group will be the first to experience a longer stay on the island.

"Ours is the first six-month rotation," said Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Sternod, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant maintenance superintendent.

The longer deployment time means less money and manpower spent on the deployment process. By extending the time in Guam from four to six months, a full rotation of the three bases changes from one year to 18 months.

Barksdale and Minot support the bomber presence with the B-52H Stratofortress for two-thirds of the rotation, and the other portion is covered by B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from Whiteman.

The Airmen from the 96th are eager to take on the deployment even though the rotation is longer than the past ones.

"We will work long shifts, but it will be worth it," said Airman 1st Class Jeremy Gorman, 96 AMU crew chief. "I'm excited, I'm deploying with a bunch of friends."

Camaraderie is important during a deployment according to Sternod, who has been deployed to several locations around the globe. Bonding with fellow Airmen is an invaluable skill, and deployments provide the perfect opportunity for people to focus on the wingman concept.

"Deployments are always good because it's like a family," said Sternod. "You bond quite a bit with everybody."

The 96th BS Airmen are replacing Airmen from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Minot who have been upholding the bomber presence for the past four months.

Barksdale Airmen selected for Presidential Support Team

by Staff Sgt. Amber Ashcraft
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

10/5/2012 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Two Barksdale Airmen were recently selected to become the newest members of the Presidential Support Team that not only travel with Air Force One but with other VIP planes flying hundreds of missions per year.

Air Force One is a Boeing 747 with 4,000 square feet of interior floor space. The "flying Oval Office" transports the president, vice president, first lady, secretary of state, secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, amongst other American military, government and world leaders.

Staff Sgt. Porsha Cook, 2nd Force Support Squadron, and Senior Airman Demarious Beard, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, will be the newest flight attendants.

"When I was notified I was selected, I was nervous and excited," said Cook. "I know it will be a challenge and a change of scenery, but it's a challenge I'm willing to accept. I love talking to people and in FSS, customer service is our specialty, so I feel I'm already set up for success."

According to the career field education and training plan of the flight attendant career field, the Airmen provide passenger safety during aircraft operations and perform the following duties: preflight, through-flight, and post-flight inspections of aircraft emergency, cabin and galley equipment. They also ensure passenger comfort during aircraft operations and plan all menus and coordinate meal requirements.

With the possibility of working with our Commander in Chief and presidential staff, the flight attendants are trained to cater to distinguished leaders with world-class professionalism and service.

The training to become a special air mission flight attendant not only involves Flight Attendant Culinary and Egress Training school and the Enlisted Aircrew Undergraduate Course, but also both the combat and water survival schools- the same survival schools survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructors attend and teach.

"We've yet to leave for training and we already know the most important part of our job will be safety," said Beard, an aircraft electrical and environmental systems journeyman and staff sergeant select. "In case of an emergency, we're going to need to be the level-headed ones and take control of the situation to ensure the safety of the passengers and other crew members on board."

Beard, along with Cook, applied for the position several months ago, both having significant interest in the high visibility and world-traveling career field.

"I wanted to see other aspects of the Air Force besides maintenance," said Beard. "Flight attendant was on the critically manned list and it caught my eye because I didn't even know it was an air force specialty code. As I do with other things I don't know much about, I researched everything I could about it and it sparked my interest greatly."

The process for submitting a package to become a flight attendant was no easy task according to Cook, who ascertains her great customer service experience to working in services for four years both overseas and stateside.

"We needed several letters of recommendations, one specifically from our commander, had to submit a class three physical, pictures of myself and all my enlisted performance reports and also have an extensive background and security clearance check," she said. "I also had to submit a resume of my military experience thus far. It was a lot to put together and I was actually relieved when the package was finally sent in."

Now that the two Barksdale Airmen have been selected and set for their training dates, both are excited for their new duty station. Both Cook and Beard applied for Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on their base of preference listing and were accepted.

"Being stationed at Andrews will be a nice homecoming since I was born and raised in Maryland and it'll also be quite a change from the mission here at Barksdale," said Beard. "In maintenance there's a lot of change, so I'm used to rolling with the punches. You honestly have to grow thick skin and be adaptable, so I truly believe this will help me in my new job."

Cook and Beard will be leaving mid-October to begin their training and are wished the very best by their coworkers, leadership and Team Barksdale.

Face of Defense: Airman Continues Long Run of Softball Success

By By Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles Broadway
4th Fighter Wing

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C., Oct. 9, 2012 – While many airmen who play the sport avidly hope to make the Air Force softball team once or twice in their careers, Master Sgt. Tony Patrick has donned the blue and black uniform an unprecedented 10 times since 2000.

Air Force Master Sgt. Tony Patrick warms up prior to an Air Force men's softball game. Courtesy photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Patrick, noncommissioned officer in charge of munitions inspections for the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron here, played baseball through high school and began his softball career in 1993 while stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. With a view of the softball fields from his dorm room, he said, the urge to play led him to join his squadron’s intramural team.

 

His reputation quickly grew as an elite player, and in the late 1990s, Patrick was playing for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe team when he was issued a challenge.

“A previous Air Force team coach told me it wasn’t good enough to just play for the USAFE team,” Patrick said. “He said I needed to go out for the Air Force team.”

A spirited 25-year-old staff sergeant in the summer of 2000, Patrick flew from Germany to Kadena Air Base, Japan, for his first tryout with the Air Force team.

“I had to fly thousands of miles just to try out with the possibility of being cut in a few days,” he said. “I was skeptical of not making the team, but gave it a shot anyway. Once I made the team, I was really excited.”
That was the beginning of a long run for Patrick, who in 2012 was considered the wily veteran on a team of airmen spanning the ranks of airman first class to major. During his tenure, Patrick has helped his teams garner five gold medals over the years, and a third silver medal at this year’s armed forces championships in September.

Each year, about 50 men and women receive invitations to try out for the Air Force teams and compete in several tournaments throughout August and September. Tryouts are a week long and consist of two practices each day, followed by two games each night.

Patrick said the coaches evaluate absolutely everything the players do during this time.
“You’re expected to be ready to go when you arrive at tryouts,” Patrick said. “The coach evaluates everything from how you stand in the batter’s box to your demeanor in the field. He rates you on a number system and fields the team using that proven system.”

Once the team is selected, Patrick said, an immediate bond is formed among the players, not only because they share an Air Force background, but also because their love of the game creates an instant rapport.
“Softball has a different camaraderie between the guys. It’s a much tighter-knit group, and it starts at the intramural level,” Patrick said as he related the Air Force team to playing with his peers here. “It builds better relationships and helps build a team at work,” he said.

Patrick said softball gives him a chance to enjoy a relaxing time and get to know people a little better. It also has helped him learn how to better organize an office team and get them to focus on one goal, he added, and his skills have affected his peers both on and off the field.

“I have gained a lot of experience since I started playing alongside Master Sgt. Patrick,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Randy Wilhide, precision-guided munitions crew chief, who has played on several teams with Patrick since 2003. “You can’t help but play harder and better with him out there. Having him on a team gives you a leader on the field, and he brings everyone around him up to a higher level. I have learned more about the game and become a better ambassador to the Air Force team from playing with him.”

Patrick said he also considers himself an ambassador for the sport after 10 years on the Air Force team and feels it’s his duty to spread the word about opportunities to play for the Air Force and the benefits the Air Force receives from those opportunities.

“For the mission to be as successful as it is now, the airmen have to be taken care of,” he said. “When we have the opportunity to step outside the military uniform, yet still represent the Air Force, it’s a morale boost. Every single person wants to succeed at the highest level possible, and we have to give them the opportunity.”

Patrick said he’s received an enormous amount of support from commanders and supervisors who have understood what a privilege it is for him to wear the Air Force softball uniform. His family also has supported him, he said, from local games and weekend tournaments to the Air Force team. His wife, Mandie, daughter, Sabrina, 16, and son, Chandler, 13, always enjoy cheering him on, he added.

Patrick – who usually pitches, but also plays shortstop -- said he hopes to play for the Air Force team in 2013 and 2014 before retiring from the military. While he may hang up his combat boots, he said, he has no intention of hanging up his cleats and will play the game he loves for many years to come.

All Active Services Meet Recruiting Goals Through August

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2012 – All four active services met or exceeded their numerical accession goals for fiscal 2012 through August, Defense Department officials announced today.

Here are the services’ accessions for the first 11 months of the fiscal year:

-- Army: 51,333 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 51,889;
-- Navy: 33,579 accessions, 102 percent of its goal of 33,035;
-- Marine Corps: 31,996 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 31,681; and
-- Air Force: 26,738 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 26,738.

All four services have exhibited strong retention for the fiscal year through August, officials said.
Meanwhile, five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their numerical accession goals for fiscal 2012 through August. Though the Army Reserve is down 567 for the year, this was intentional to rebalance the force, officials explained.

Here are the reserve component accession figures for the first 11 months of the fiscal year:

-- Army National Guard: 44,067 accessions, 104 percent of its goal of 42,503;
-- Army Reserve: 23,783 accessions, 98 percent of its goal of 24,350;
-- Navy Reserve: 7,471 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 7,471;
-- Marine Corps Reserve: 8,606 accessions, 102 percent of its goal of 8,423;
-- Air National Guard: 8,294 accessions, 107 percent of its goal of 7,753; and
-- Air Force Reserve: 7,839 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 7,839.

All reserve components are on target to achieve their fiscal year attrition goals, officials said.

Persia Rising

The October 25, 2012, episode of American Heroes Radio will feature a conversation with retired police officer and former US Navy Servicemember Mark B. Langford, the author of Persia Rising.

Date: October 25, 2012

Time: 1500 Hours Pacific

Topic: Persia Rising

Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2012/10/25/persia-rising

Mark B. Langford “spent four years in the U.S. Navy, where he served on the USS Shreveport LPD-12, a dock ship that delivered U.S. marines overseas.  Shortly after his discharge, Langford began working for the Trinidad Police Department.  He also worked for the Las Animas County Sheriff Department where he was promoted to sergeant.  Later, he retired from the Basalt Police Department in 2007.  Langford spent the majority of his career as a patrol supervisor.  He also worked in arrest control, firearms, SWAT tactics, and active-shooter response.  Currently, he lives in Roaring Fork River, Colorado with his wife, two spoiled dogs, and free-range cat.”  Mark B. Langford is the author of Persia Rising.

According to the book description of Persia Rising, “Since September 11, 2001 there has been blood in the water and the predators have been circling. The ensuing decade has brought little solace or healing to our wounds. Now, Persia Rising brings you an unflinching plunge into the next major attack upon the United States of America, our allies, and our way of life, set to occur on the anniversary of 9/11. A psychopath, Ajay Majumbar, born to a moderate Muslim family in rural Texas, walks a terrible path toward murder and destruction as he facilitates the most horrendous terror attacks to ever occur on American soil. The American and NATO enemies in Iran, China, and Russia conspire to permanently eradicate the Western powers by seizing the opportunity granted by Ajay's hatred and sadistic desires. The questionable allies of China and Russia facilitate Iran's nuclear ambitions as Iranian intelligence operatives and terrorist commandos execute the attacks that will establish the next great Muslim Caliphate in historic Persia. The future is decided here. Can our nation survive? Will our culture survive? Will you survive?”

Panetta: Western Hemisphere Nations Face Threats in Common

By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay, Oct. 8, 2012 – Nations of the Western Hemisphere are a family sharing many of the same threats that confront them across borders and oceans, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today. Panetta spoke at the plenary session of the 10th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas. The themes of the conference include defense and security, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The secretary called these themes a central part of efforts to enhance regional security and increase cooperation between military forces in the hemisphere. “Over the last two decades, our people, our economies, our cultures and our values have become even more connected, not just because we are neighbors but because we are one family in this hemisphere,” Panetta told participants from many nations. “We have seen a remarkable transformation in defense collaboration in this hemisphere,” he added. “All of you, representing the nations of this hemisphere, are contributing more and more capabilities to meet our collective defense responsibilities in the 21st century,” the secretary said. Last week, Panetta released the Western Hemisphere Defense Policy Statement, a framework for implementing the new U.S. defense strategy across Latin America. In the Western Hemisphere, according to the new policy, the United States will reinvigorate its defense partnerships and pursue new ones, consistent with President Barack Obama’s approach to the region, the secretary said. The statement’s three objectives include promoting the following: - Strong national government institutions that allow all nations in the region to address legitimate threats to the state and their citizens. - Shared action against shared threats through more effectively and efficiently coordinating defense forces. - Multilateral mechanisms and institutions, like the current conference and the Inter-American Defense Board, to achieve consensus on the direction of hemispheric defense collaboration. “On the issues of defense and security, the United States recognizes that it is sometimes difficult to determine whether transnational threats to peace and stability are matters of defense or law enforcement,” Panetta said. In some cases, he added, countries have turned to their defense forces to support civilian authorities. “To be clear, the use of the military to perform civil law enforcement cannot be a long-term solution,” the secretary said. “But as partners, the United States will do what we can to bridge the capability gaps between armed forces and law enforcement.” The United States is committed to do so in a manner respectful of human rights, the rule of law and civilian authority, he added. “We can and we will provide a helping hand, but ultimately civilian authorities must be able to shoulder this burden on their own,” he said. On humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the United States supports the Chilean initiative to accelerate and coordinate support for civilian-led relief efforts, Panetta said. Nations of the hemisphere have faced earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and fires that have destroyed lives and property, he added, and they must work together to provide immediate, comprehensive and organized relief to their citizens. The Chilean initiative facilitates a rapid and fully integrated response to disasters, the secretary noted, adding that “we should implement that initiative now so that we’re ready to respond quickly and effectively when the next disaster strikes.” On peacekeeping, countries in the Western Hemisphere have assumed an impressive leadership role by engaging, addressing and improving United Nations peacekeeping, Panetta said. “Since the turn of the 21st century, 13 countries from this hemisphere have contributed to or led multinational security operations and U.N. peacekeeping missions around the globe,” he added. These included part of the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti, composed mainly of Western Hemisphere nations working side by side to accomplish their mission. In a new era of defense cooperation in the hemisphere, Panetta said, “Our goal is to work with those nations that want us to help them to develop their capabilities so that they can defend and secure themselves. Our interest is to work with you, not against you.”

In Uruguay, Panetta Meets with Regional Counterparts

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay, Oct. 7, 2012 – In advance of the 10th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas to occur here tomorrow, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta held bilateral meetings with counterparts from the region.

During one of those meetings, the secretary and Uruguayan Defense Minister Eleuterio Fernandez Huidobro agreed to update their defense cooperation agreement, adopted in 1953, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a statement.

The two defense leaders, whose nations have a longstanding and close military-to-military relationship, also agreed that updating the document will modernize the framework for future U.S.-Uruguayan defense cooperation.

“The United States views Uruguay as a key defense partner in South America,” Little said.

During the meeting with Huidobro, the U.S. defense secretary thanked Uruguay for its contributions to international peacekeeping operations, and the two leaders discussed increasing regional coordination on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the press secretary said.

This morning, Panetta began a rainy Sunday on the peninsula of Punta del Este by attending a mass delivered in Spanish at the small, quaint La Candelaria church, a blue and white building with a gabled roof and bell tower.

Later at the Conrad Hotel, the venue for tomorrow’s conference, the secretary took photographs with staff members of the Montevideo-based U.S. Embassy.

In the afternoon, in addition to the meeting with Huidobro, Panetta held bilateral discussions with El Salvadorian Defense Minister Jose Atilio Benitez Parada, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon Bueno, and Mexican Secretary of National Defense Gen. Guillermo Galvan Galvan.

Panetta also had a brief meeting with Canadian Minister of National Defense Peter MacKay, and met this evening with Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim.

Tomorrow, Panetta leaves Uruguay to travel to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, for a NATO Defense Ministerial meeting this week.

Murder, Mind Control and Martial Arts

Date: October 18, 2012

Time: 1500 Hours Pacific

Topic: Murder, Mind Control and Martial Arts

Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2012/10/18/murder-martial-arts-and-mind-control

Jonathan Mark Bruce “is an attorney who studied writing at the University of California at Berkeley. As a prosecutor and attorney in private practice, he has litigated numerous jury trials and worked on homicide and death penalty cases. Bruce served overseas in the U.S. Army infantry before two stints in the Peace Corps in Eastern Europe, where he earned a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Sofia. As an immigration lawyer, he has become fluent in Bulgarian, Russian, French and Spanish. He also represents combat veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The author’s many interests include Chinese and Malaysian martial arts. He is at work on a second novel about an American lawyer in Ukraine.”  Jonathan Mark Bruce is the author of The Deerslayer Spiral: A Law Firm. A Philosopher. Seven Murders.

According to the book description of The Deerslayer Spiral: A Law Firm. A Philosopher. Seven Murders, “Ethan Compton is a handsome, ambitious law student with a beautiful, rich fiancée, the daughter of the senior partner of a prestigious San Francisco law firm. He has left behind a tough early life to find himself with a promising legal career that could make all his dreams come true. Things change, however, when a young woman is shot to death in the alley behind the trendy Inner Temple Café. Ethan must help defend the murder suspect. Soon he becomes trapped in a murder case wherein he must enter the world of a mind-control expert who causes him to question his own sanity.

Panetta Discusses Defense With Top Officials in Peru

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Oct. 6, 2012 – The United States is committed to deepening its defense relationship with Peru, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today.

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, left, speaks with Peruvian Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano Bellido in Lima, Peru, Oct. 5, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

During his first visit to the country as defense secretary, Panetta discussed areas of common interest with Peru’s highest political and military officials, including President Ollanta Humala and Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano Bellido.

“We were able to build on significant progress that has … strengthened the bilateral relationship between our two militaries,” Panetta said during a press briefing in Lima at the Peruvian Ministry of Defense, known locally as the Pentagonito.

 

“Peru is a strong democratic partner of the United States, and I’m pleased that the relationship between our two militaries continues to grow closer, especially in recent years,” he said.

The visit to Peru is the first stop during a weeklong trip for the secretary to South America and to NATO headquarters in Brussels to meet with his counterparts and other officials in both regions.
This morning, as he left the hotel for meetings at the presidential palace, Panetta took photos with and shook the hands of U.S. Embassy staff members and Marines who gathered in the lobby to see him.

After meetings at the palace with the Peruvian president and other officials, Panetta shared a stage with the Peruvian defense minister, the U.S. Ambassador Rose Likins and Peru’s Ambassador to the United States, Harold Forsyth.

“Our two countries are friends; our two countries are partners in trying to advance the prosperity and security of this region … and the prosperity and security of Latin America,” Panetta said. “My goal is to do everything I can to strengthen that partnership ….”

About his hour-long meeting with Humala, Panetta said, “I told him in particular that the United States is embarked on a new era in the relationship with this great hemisphere. The principal thrust of our new defense strategy is aimed at reaching out and developing partnerships and alliances throughout the world, particularly in this region of the world.”

The United States is part of the family of the Americas, all of which face some common challenges, the secretary said, including terrorism, drug trafficking, meeting the needs of victims of natural disasters and protecting maritime rights.

To Humala, Panetta conveyed the regards of President Barack Obama, who indicated that the United States will do whatever it can to work with its friends in Peru.

“I ended the meeting with the president using the words of my Italian father,” the secretary said, speaking a phrase in Italian that means, ‘step by step we can go a long way. ’“And that’s what I hope to do in the relationship between the United States and Peru,” he added.

Later in the afternoon, Panetta traveled to the Peruvian Defense Ministry, where Peruvian service members held an arrival ceremony for the secretary.

They stood in military formation while Panetta reviewed the troops, and then a military band played the Star Spangled Banner and their own national anthem.

During a press conference there with Cateriano, Panetta said he and the Peruvian leaders in their meetings had a chance to discuss areas of common interest where opportunities exist for more collaboration, including humanitarian assistance, internal security, defense reform, U.N. peacekeeping and regional security.

An example of cooperation in humanitarian assistance, Panetta said, is Joint Disaster Response training provided by a recently completed New Horizons exercise that involved 420 U.S. and 100 Peruvian service members.

The exercise also provided nearly $8 million in humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities recovering from the country’s 2007 earthquake, he added.

“I want you to know that 26,000 Peruvians were able to receive medical and dental care as a result of that exercise and our strong partnership,” the secretary noted, adding, “We want to be able to continue to build that capacity for the future.”

In terms of internal security, Peru has conducted successful operations against narcoterrorists, illustrating the value of joint operations in close coordination with the Peruvian police, Panetta said.
“The United States stands ready to work with Peru on joint planning, information sharing [and] trilateral cooperation with Colombia to address our shared security concerns in this area,” he added.

On defense reform, the United States is committed to working with the Peruvian Ministry of Defense in this area, he said. “I believe our two militaries can exchange important lessons on ways to improve the functioning of our respective defense establishments.”

Peru has been a regional leader in contributing to U.N. peacekeeping operations, Panetta said.
“I want to commend the Peruvian military for its contribution with an all-female unit in Haiti,” he said. “That is a groundbreaking step and one that demonstrates Peru’s commitment to deploying effective peacekeepers across the region and beyond.”

The secretary said he and the Peruvian defense minister together will attend the 10th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas this week in Uruguay, offering that venue as an example of cooperation in regional security.

The conference, he said, “is a very important mechanism to discuss issues of common concern for all the nations in this hemisphere, such as enhancing coordination in the area of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Peru will host the CDMA in 2014 and I want to thank Peru for its willingness to serve in that capacity.”

Each of the five areas offers opportunities for greater collaboration between the U.S. and Peruvian militaries, the secretary said, adding that the nations can bolster such cooperation by working to update their Defense Cooperation Agreement, which was signed in 1952.

“The U.S. is committed to working with Peru to do that, and it will improve our ability to conduct joint activities and do training and other exchanges, and ultimately help us deal with shared security challenges in the future,” he said.

After the press conference, the Peruvian officials honored Panetta by presenting him with the Peruvian Military Order of Ayacucho, awarded mainly to military, civil guard and republican guard personnel for distinguished service in positions of command. During the ceremony, the defense secretary received a red and white sash and the Grand Cross, a bronze gilded and enameled medal.
Panetta said he was honored to receive the award and accepted it on behalf of the brave men and women who serve in the U.S. military and who are part of the Defense Department.

“I consider [the honor] a reflection of the very close relationship and bonds that we have between the people of the United States and the people of Peru,” the secretary said.

A wish come true: Colorado native becomes cadet for a day

by Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

10/7/2012 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) -- An 11-year-old boy became the U.S. Air Force Academy newest cadet when he arrived for "duty" Sept. 28 here.

Wyatt, from nearby Parker, Colo., was welcomed into the Cadet Wing through the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Academy's Cadet for a Day program.

For Wyatt, the whole day was a surprise waiting to happen for Wyatt.

"All they told me was that I would eat and walk," he said.

However, Wyatt and his family did more than eat and walk. The day began with Wyatt getting his official flight suit and cap and breakfast, Cadet Squadron 32, followed by a tour and special service at the Cadet Chapel. Then, they attended a chemistry magic show where Wyatt, his mother Patty, father Joe and brother Justin assisted in many chemical reactions.

"The elephant toothpaste (experiment) was cool," Wyatt said. "I like all of them, but my favorite was the liquid nitrogen with the balloon that looked like an acorn."

After the magic show, the whole family received pilot training in the Academy's flight simulators and lunch in the cadet's dining facility. After lunch, Wyatt and his family toured the library, met with the falconry and basketball teams, and then received a weapons demonstration and an airfield tour.

But Wyatt's cadet experience did not end with one day. The whole family tailgated with Cadet Squadron 32 before the weekend's football game. Wyatt was also brought onto the sidelines to watch up close as the Falcons beat Colorado State 42-21.

"Make-a-Wish is amazing," Patty said. "This whole experience is incredible. I didn't expect this much. (The cadets) pulled out all the stops. We are so grateful for all the Air Force is doing for us."

Wyatt is the 44th Cadet for a Day in conjunction with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The Academy hosts Cadet for a Day approximately four times a year.

"I think the program is an incredible opportunity both for the children that visit as well as the cadets who get involved," said Cadet 3rd Class Savannah Peterson, the Cadet Squadron 32 Cadet for a Day planner. "When you come into it with a great attitude and a willingness to participate, it can change your outlook on life. I am very glad that the Academy gives us this opportunity to make a very deserving child's day. I had so much fun spending time with Wyatt and his family.

"I was constantly humbled by Wyatt's love for life no matter what the circumstances. There were several times throughout the weekend I found myself tearing up just from seeing how much the family appreciated what we were doing," Peterson added.