POW/MIA Agency Leverages Diplomacy in Remains Recovery

By Amaani Lyle

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii, June 1, 2015 – An American pilot begins a mission in Italy on Christmas Eve during World War II and never returns.

A U.S. Marine goes missing during the Korean War, and more than half a century later, the daughter he last saw when she was 18 months old still longs to have known him.

In a yellowing letter, a World War II widow who never remarried pleads for answers about her husband of less than a year who went to war and faded without a trace.

No matter how minute the link or trace, no matter how much time has passed, the team at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency here ceaselessly works to find the remains of American prisoners of war and personnel still missing in action to bring answers to family and friends of their loved ones.

“Every identification tells a story,” said Gary Shaw, regional coordination branch chief at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

And more often than not, those stories have taken place where the agency’s painstaking quest to solve a mystery has diplomatic implications.

Host-Nation Sensitivities

“By the nature of our business, almost all of the casualties, except for a very few training casualties in the United States, are in foreign countries around the world,” Shaw said. “So those countries, in effect, are hosting us.”

Shaw said the countries run the gamut from allies to friends, partners, and even some countries with which the United States has had strained or inconsistent relations. But the humanitarian aspect of the mission, he added, enables the search teams to gain access to countries where a different military mission might not be welcome.

“Because it’s not a traditional [military-to-military relationship], it’s not held hostage to some of the political constraints and considerations like other mil-to-mil operations,” Shaw said. “Everyone can agree that this is a good thing to do. It’s a good-news story, and it allows us access to places where we otherwise might not be able to go.”

Building Relationships with a Former Enemy

Of note, Shaw said, is the evolution of the U.S. mission in Vietnam, where, following the war, the United States worked with Vietnamese officials to identify locations of U.S. casualties and bring them home.

Shortly after the fall of Saigon in 1975, DoD established a Hanoi-based POW/MIA office that Shaw described as a forerunner of the current organization.

“That office in Hanoi predated the presence of the U.S. Embassy, which didn’t happen until later in the [President Bill] Clinton administration,” Shaw noted. “By getting that footprint, we were able to establish a relationship with the various host nations and have some confidence-building measures where … we could learn a little bit more about them and they could learn a little bit more about us.”

Shaw also praised as a recent success the current U.S. relationship with Burma, a relationship he said is building “step by step.”

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has been in Burma for the last three fiscal years to conduct investigations on additional U.S. POW/MIA service members, Shaw explained. “When we resumed diplomatic relations with Burma, our mission is one of the first we could do,” he said.

Until about 10 years ago, recovery missions were one of the few actions the United States conducted with North Korea, Shaw said. Forensic and excavation teams estimate that about 5,500 Americans’ remains have yet to be recovered in an area about 60 miles north of Pyongyang near the Chosin-Jangjin reservoir.

Studies indicate that about 8,000 U.S. soldiers and Marines went missing during the Korean War from 1950-1953.

“There’s a good example of a place where we don’t have very good relations at all, but what little we can do will go back to this mission,” Shaw said. “When we resume any kind of relations with North Korea, I’m confident that our mission will be the one that gets our foot in the door.”

Similarly, Shaw said the agency’s mission continues unimpeded in China, even if the relationship gets somewhat tense on occasion.

Early Recovery Efforts

During World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service, as the executive agent for mortuary affairs, made frequent stops at makeshift battlefield cemeteries.

“In the olden days, they didn’t have the refrigeration [or] logistical capability we have now, so people were pretty much buried where they fell,” Shaw explained. “[The Army] would go back after the war and go to temporary battlefield cemeteries to bring the remains home, leave them in place or consolidate them.”

Meanwhile, the lack of access to the ground in Vietnam presented still more challenges, Shaw recounted. “After the Vietnam War, there were a lot of political undercurrents and context associated with that war, and the American public demanded accountability for our POWs and MIAs.”

The Army Graves Registration Service morphed into two elements: the Joint Casualty Resolution Center and the Central Identification Laboratory, both in Thailand. After the Vietnam War, the offices would conduct investigations and initial identifications before returning remains to the United States.

An earlier iteration of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency returned to Hawaii in the late 1970s, and in the early 1980s, DoD stood up a MIA office in Hanoi.

This work continued until the early 1990s before another attempt to streamline Joint Task Force Full Accounting and the Central Identification Laboratory. “We’ve always had the mission,” Shaw said. “It’s continued to evolve over the years, and we can trace our roots directly back to the old Army Graves Registration Service that policed the battlefields after World War II.”

A Noble Mission

Shaw, a retired Marine Corps officer, said this mission not only is noble, but also is relatable anywhere in the world.

“No matter where you go, people can identify with this,” he said. “Our primary mission is to bring back our missing servicemen and women, … and it’s something that everyone can get behind.”

But for the United States and the host nations in which it operates, it’s also a reminder of the terrible price of war, Shaw said.

“It really is something that strikes in the heart -- not just for us, but for our friends and allies as we jointly execute this mission with those host nation partners,” he said. “Former enemies now have become allies and join us in our search for the missing. As human beings, we have much more in common than we do differences.”

Former President Attends USS Jimmy Carter Change of Command

By Petty Officer 1st Class Kenneth Takada

SILVERDALE, Wash (NNS) -- Cmdr. Melvin Smith relieved Cmdr. Brian Elkowitz as commanding officer of the Seawolf-class attack submarine USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) during a ceremony May 29 at Deterrent Park aboard Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor.

The ship's namesake, former President Jimmy Carter, and ship's sponsor, former first lady Rosalynn Carter also attended the event.

"What makes me so proud is to have been the only submariner to have served as commander in chief and also to have a submarine named after me," said Carter. "Of all the honors I have ever received, I've never had anything of greater honor than the chance to be the namesake of USS Jimmy Carter."

During Elkowitz's command tour, which began in March 2012, USS Jimmy Carter completed five missions vital to national security and underwent a 17 month-long docking phased maintenance availability period.

"I could not have asked for a better ship, crew and supporting cast," Elkowitz said. "I am incredibly lucky to have been part of such an extremely talented team - a team that has accomplished so much for the Navy and our nation. We have done things that we can never tell others about, and must be content with the knowledge we carry within that what we did has made a difference."

In addition, Jimmy Carter earned the Battle Efficiency Award, or Battle "E", for 2012 and 2013. The ship was honored with the U.S. Submarine Forces Pacific Retention Excellence Award for 2012 and 2014, as well as the crew being awarded the Presidential Unit Commendation and the Navy Unit Commendation.

Elkowitz's next assignment will be to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Smith reports to Jimmy Carter from Navy Personnel Command, where he was the submarine assignments branch head and executive officer detailer.

USS Jimmy Carter is the last and most advanced of the Seawolf-class attack submarines and is currently homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington. The one-of-a-kind vessel has all the capabilities of a Seawolf-class submarine, plus a 100-foot-long, 2,500-ton hull extension known as the multi-mission platform to test new generations of weapons and support Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land forces) operations.

Former President Carter, one of six living people with ships named after them, has been actively interested in the ship over the course of its life. He previously visited during its christening and its commissioning.

President Carter remains the only U.S. president to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy as well as the only one to qualify on submarines. Graduating in 1946, he served in the Navy until 1953. He served as the governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975 and as the commander in chief from 1977 to 1981.

Carter: Asia-Pacific Will Continue to ‘Rise’ With Strong Security Architecture

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2015 – A strong and inclusive security architecture is key to ensuring the opportunity for the Asia-Pacific region to continue to rise, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Delivering a speech at the event's first plenary session, Carter stressed the importance of safeguarding the freedom of the seas for all nations, deterring conflict and coercion in the region and adherence to international rules.

Shared Future

“The United States wants a shared regional architecture that is strong enough, capable enough, and connected enough to ensure that all Asia-Pacific peoples and nations have the opportunity to rise and continue to rise in the future,” he said.

America wants a future, Carter said, in which an Indonesian fisherman, an energy executive from Malaysia, an entrepreneur from Singapore, a small business owner in California, and a Chinese businesswoman have the security and opportunity to rise and prosper.

The defense secretary said the U.S. seeks to protect the rights of all countries -- large or small -- to help them rise, prosper and be able to determine their own destiny.

Collective Effort

In order to realize this future, Carter said the Asia-Pacific’s security architecture must be inclusive, open, and transparent.

“It must respect rights, and not just might,” he said. “It cannot shy away from the hard issues; it must provide a forum to openly discuss the challenges we face, so that we can tackle them collectively.”

This architecture must be “action-oriented,” Carter said, to help manage today’s challenges and prevent tomorrow’s crises while rewarding cooperation -- not coercion.

“That’s an audacious idea,” he said, “but we meet today in a country that demonstrates what determination, consistency, and persistence can do, though we do so with heavy hearts.”

Carter quoted Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, whose leadership style served as an example of determination.

Here men and women of goodwill come together to think critically about the region’s future, he said, and “we owe it to all those we represent -- citizens, organizations, governments and businesses -- to work together until we succeed; until every nation can rise and everybody wins.”

70 Years of Success

Over the past 70 years, Carter said the Asia-Pacific has grown and prospered in many ways.

“Miracle after miracle has occurred,” he said. “First Japan, then Taiwan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, including Singapore, rose and prospered, and now, China and India are rising and prospering.”

And the region is not done yet, Carter added. “Today, over 60 percent of the world’s population lives in the Asia-Pacific. It’s the fulcrum of the global economy; one of the fastest growing regions of the world.”

Sustained growth, supported by increased regional and international trade has lifted millions out of poverty and into the middle class, he said.

“Even though there’s still room for improvement,” Carter said, “democracy and freedom have spread throughout the region.”

America’s Resilience

The defense secretary noted the U.S. is also “doing well” following its worst recession since the Great Depression, and the economy has since “made great gains.”

Progress will continue, Carter said, because of America’s “dynamic and innovative businesses, strong commitment to the rule of law, world-class universities, and the domestic energy revolution now underway.”

“The U.S. military,” he said, “long the finest fighting force the world has ever known, has improved its readiness while maintaining its unmatched operational edge and unrivaled capabilities.”

U.S. Commitment to the Region

Carter explained the purpose of America’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific is about sustaining the progress occurring all around the region and helping it continue to fulfill its promise.

The defense secretary said he is “personally committed” to the next phase of the rebalance where DoD will deepen “long-standing alliances and partnerships,” while diversifying America’s force posture, and making new investments in key capabilities and platforms.

According to Carter, this includes investing in technologies most relevant to the complexity of the security environment there, such as new unmanned systems for the air and sea, a new long-range bomber, and other technologies like the electromagnetic railgun, lasers, and new systems for space and cyberspace.

As new systems are developed, he said, “DoD will continue to bring the best platforms and people forward to the Asia-Pacific.”

This includes, Carter said, the latest Virginia-class submarines, the Navy's P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, the newest stealth destroyer, the Zumwalt, and brand-new carrier-based E-2D Hawkeye early-warning-and-control aircraft.

Economic and Diplomatic Engagement

Carter said the rebalance’s next phase is about more than just security; it includes increasing economic and diplomatic engagement.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, he noted, once complete, will “unlock tremendous economic opportunities,” for the U.S. and countries across the Pacific Rim.

It will create a diverse network of trade and investment relations, Carter said, driven by TPP’s high standards, reducing reliance on any one network.

The defense secretary also lauded other U.S. leaders’ devotion to standing with its allies and partners to help maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

Rebalance Strategy Inclusive

“It’s important to remember that America’s rebalance,” Carter said, “and our overall and long-standing strategy to promote an Asia-Pacific regional security architecture where everyone rises, has never aimed to hold any nation back or push any country down.”

“The United States wants every nation to have an opportunity to rise and prosper,” he said, “and win, because it’s good for the region and good for all our countries.”

As nations develop, military spending increases, and economies thrive, Carter said there’s an expectation of changes in how countries define and pursue their interests and ambitions.

“In addition to those changes,” he said, “we’ve seen the region’s complex security environment become more fraught.”

Carter cited North Korea’s provocations, disputes over international water and airspace, climate change challenges, natural disasters terrorism, foreign fighters, cyberattacks, and trafficking in both people and narcotics that plague the region like any other.

“These challenges risk upsetting the positive trajectory we’ve all been on,” he said, “and the rise of so many in the Asia-Pacific.”

“That can make it hard to remember our common interests, but the progress we’ve made, and must continue, demands that we do so,” Carter said.

Security a Shared Responsibility

The defense secretary said the Asia-Pacific has never had a region-wide alliance like NATO in Europe, and encouraged partnership in promoting regional peace, stability, and security.

“We must continue to come together,” Carter said. “Today and in the years ahead, security must be the shared responsibility of … of all our nations.”

The foundation for a stronger architecture is there, he said, but it’s incumbent on collective effort to make it better.

Carter laid out several points in achieving this collective security effort:

- Reaffirming guiding principles and rules to resolve disputes peacefully

- Strengthen regional institutions such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and continue to seek new, innovative ways to pool resources for regional security.

- Modernizing alliances to address the evolving threat environment as America has done with partners in the region.

- Enhance the capacities of the regional security architecture, particularly on maritime security such as DoD’s new Southeast Asia Maritime Security Initiative.

- Better communication and cooperation habits to ensure institutions, alliances, partnerships, and capacity-building efforts meet their potential.

“That’s how we reach the future a stronger security architecture affords,” Carter said, “ … where everyone continues to rise and everyone continues to win.”

South China Sea Dispute

In order to realize this future, Carter said the “urgent” issue of security and stability in the South China Sea must be addressed.

“Yesterday, I took an aerial transit of the Strait of Malacca,” he said. “And when viewed from the air, it is even clearer how critical this region’s waterways are to international trade and energy resources.”

“We’ve all benefitted from free and open access to the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca,” Carter said. “We all have a fundamental stake in the security of the South China Sea.”

The defense secretary noted there are many claims to the area, but one country has “gone much further and much faster” than any other -- China.

“China has reclaimed over 2,000 acres, more than all other claimants combined,” Carter said, “and more than in the entire history of the region.”

This has occurred in only the last 18 months, he said, and it is unclear how much farther China will go which why the stretch of water has become a source of tension in the region.

Renewed Diplomacy

The U.S. and other nations across the region are concerned about China constructing massive outposts, Carter said, before clarifying the U.S. position on the issue.

“We want a peaceful resolution of all disputes,” he said. “To that end, there should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants.”

“We also oppose any further militarization of disputed features,” Carter said. “We all know there is no military solution to the South China Sea disputes.”

Carter called for renewed diplomacy to find a “lasting solution,” and encouraged ASEAN and China to conclude a Code of Conduct this year.

Secondly, he said, the U.S. will continue to protect freedom of navigation and overflight principles that have ensured security and prosperity in this region for decades.

“There should be no mistake,” Carter said. “The United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, as U.S. forces do all over the world.”

“America,” he said, “alongside its allies and partners in the regional architecture, will not be deterred from exercising these rights the rights of all nations.”

Turning an underwater rock into an airfield, Carter said, simply does not afford the rights of sovereignty or permit restrictions on international air or maritime transit.

Call For Stability

Carter said with its actions in the critical body of water, China is “out of step” with both the international rules and norms that underscore the Asia-Pacific’s security architecture, and the regional consensus that favors diplomacy and opposes coercion.

These actions, he said, are spurring nations to respond together speaking up for the importance of stability in the area.

The U.S. will always stand with its allies and partners, Carter said. “It’s important for the region to understand that America is [going to] remain engaged … and help provide security and stability in the Asia-Pacific for decades to come.”

More Work to be Done

Carter said the South China Sea is just one issue and, while nations can’t predict future challenges, they can work together to ensure peace and prosperity.

The region needs an architecture “where everyone rises and everybody wins,” he said, and that is happening right now, but there is more work to do.

By taking steps now, Carter said, “we can ensure our successors at the Shangri-La Dialogue, in 20 years, will be the challenges and opportunities presented by the rise of yet other Asia-Pacific nations.”

Carter said he hopes by then discussions are about tripartite multilateral maritime engagements, and an ASEAN-wide security network.

“If those are the conversations at Shangri-La 2035, we will have succeeded,” he said. “We will still face challenges and crises, but we will face them together, with a regional security architecture where everyone rises and everybody wins.”

That will be a worthy legacy, Carter said.

Brig. Gen. Keith Klemmer speaks about service before self at 188th Prayer Breakfast

by Senior Airman Cody Martin
188th Wing

5/11/2015 - EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. -- Airmen from the 188th Wing congregated at the Citizen Airmen Dining Facility during the May unit training assembly for a prayer breakfast hosted by the 188th Chaplain's Office here.

Brig. Gen. Keith Klemmer, Arkansas deputy adjutant general, was the guest speaker at the event and spoke of the importance of serving and putting others before oneself, exemplified by how his kids chose to volunteer overseas.

"It's not about money, it's about being happy with what makes us happy," Klemmer said. "There's a lesson that my kids taught me and what's ironic is that I've drilled it in their heads their whole life, to serve your country and to serve others. That's where happiness is."

Lt. Col. Herb Hodde, 188th Wing chaplain, spoke of how significant it was to have Klemmer speak to the Airmen.

"I think it is phenomenal," Hodde said. "Anytime you have an individual who is high in rank, people will listen to them speak because they have worked hard to achieve that rank."

The chaplains' goal is to support Airmen in their spiritual beliefs, whether they have a religion or not. The prayer breakfast is one way the chaplains help provide that aspect.

"When you look at an Airman, there are four components: spiritual, physical, mental and social," Hodde said. "Regardless of an Airman's religious beliefs, the chaplain staff wants to support that 100 percent."

Hodde also wanted to thank all of the group and squadron commanders at the 188th for their support of the breakfast, as well as the 188th Services Flight for their work at the event.

"We would never have done it without [the 188th Services Flight]," Hodde said. "This exemplifies the 188th as far as a team effort. They are the ones that really put it on and made it very beneficial for us."