By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – The Defense Department honored the 15th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today, unveiling retired Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers' portrait and legacy board on The Chairman's Corridor in the Pentagon. Current Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace said it was his great fortune to work with Myers for six years - two as Myers' deputy in Japan, and four as the vice chairman.
"You get to know a man pretty well in that time," he said. "He truly, honestly cares for those in his charge."
Pace said Myers' service as chairman was particularly noteworthy. "I admired the way he served as chairman," he said. "Afghanistan, Iraq, tsunami relief in the Pacific, etc., etc. I don't know if there has been a more turbulent time than the time Dick Myers spent as chairman. And I don't know if we could have been served any better than with the talents that he brought to the leadership and to the military advice he has given."
The retired chairman's wife, Mary Jo Myers, and the entire Myers family attended the ceremony. Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and his wife, Joyce, also attended.
In his remarks, Myers thanked those in attendance, and called for a special round of applause for Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff who served as commander of Multinational Force Iraq for 33 months. "There's not a finer soldier in the United States Army or a finer officer in the military than George Casey," Myers said.
Myers said the portrait and the legacy board remind him of the people who made his tenure as chairman possible. He called his service as chairman challenging, but fulfilling.
"(It was) fulfilling because you get to represent the men and women of the United States military," he said. "Is there a better group in this country to represent than those who wear the uniform? I don't think so. They are the last ones to ever let you down. If we screw it up, it's going to be our fault, not their fault."
The portrait, by Kansas City artist John B. Martin, shows Myers in his Pentagon office. Beside him is the chairman's flag, and on the desk next to him is a model of an F-4B Phantom II - the aircraft Myers flew over North Vietnam.
In the background are depictions of significant events during Myers' term as chairman. The artist portrayed the Pentagon in ruins after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack. Next to that is the general speaking with troops in Iraq.
The legacy board shows the general inspecting Chinese troops in Beijing, at a news conference with Rumsfeld, meeting with President Bush and the National Security Council at the White House, flying an aircraft and on his retirement day with his wife.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Officials Visit African Nations, Discuss New Command With Leaders
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Defense Department officials recently met with leaders in six African countries and had "fruitful" discussions about U.S. Africa Command, the new unified combatant command the department is establishing, a senior department official told reporters at the Pentagon yesterday. U.S. officials from several government agencies met with African leaders in various nations and discussed U.S. reasons for setting up a command with responsibility for Africa, the organization of the command, possible mission areas, and the future location of the AFRICOM headquarters, said Ryan Henry, principal undersecretary of defense for policy.
"The message that we took to those who we consulted with was that we were entering into a dialogue," Henry said. "We found that that dialogue was generally positive, very cordial, with varying degrees of frankness, and we were able to answer questions and concerns."
Defense Department officials joined representatives from the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, and the AFRICOM transition team in their visits to Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, the African Union, Ghana and Senegal.
The Defense Department chose to have these consultation meetings before the command is established because AFRICOM will be like no other combatant command. It will be composed of members from several government agencies, and its primary function will be to support African nations and their indigenous leadership efforts, Henry said. The department plans several more trips like this to meet with other African nations and foster a continuing dialogue, he said.
"I think we have an understanding," Henry said of the results of the meetings. "We were not aware of any specific resistance to the idea. We do have a sensitivity, though, that AFRICOM will be better by conducting consultations such as this, getting the Africans' opinions, and (will) obviously be much more acceptable to the Africans."
AFRICOM, which President Bush announced Feb. 6, will stand up as a sub-unified command this fall and will reach full operational capacity by about September 2008, Henry said. The ultimate goal is to base AFRICOM headquarters somewhere in Africa, but no decisions have been made about its location yet, he said. However, he said, the commander of AFRICOM, who has yet to be named, will be based in Africa, probably even before the command becomes fully operational.
This trip gave the U.S. representatives a chance to clear up a few misconceptions about AFRICOM, Henry said. One, the creation of this command will not mean additional U.S. forces on the African continent or an increase in resources from the U.S. government. Henry noted that the U.S. already invests significantly in Africa, and AFRICOM's role will be to coordinate the Defense Department's efforts with the rest of the U.S. government.
The U.S. officials also assured the African leaders that the decisions about AFRICOM have not been finalized, and they are seeking input from African nations about how to proceed, Henry said. He also stressed that AFRICOM is not being stood up in response to Chinese presence on the continent or to secure natural resources, but solely to enhance counterterrorism efforts. "While some of these may be part of the formula, the reason AFRICOM is being stood up is (that) Africa is emerging on the world scene as a strategic player, and we need to deal with it as a continent," he said.
AFRICOM will have a different mission set than other combatant commands, focusing heavily on security cooperation and building partner capacity of African nations, Henry said. Military exercises will be conducted on the continent, but the command's role in kinetic operations has not been determined, he said.
"There is a mission for the military there," he said. "Sometimes, not very often, it is in the lead; normally, it will be supporting other elements of the U.S. government."
The exact make-up of AFRICOM headquarters has not been determined, Henry said, but more than half of the personnel will probably be from the Defense Department. He noted that creating a true interagency command will be a challenge for everyone; while other commands usually just have liaison officers from other governmental agencies, AFRICOM will have action officers from those agencies directly involved in running the command.
"This is not something we're used to doing," he said. "We are not used to putting our civilian forces forward as part of a unified command, so it will be a lot of learning on all parts of the U.S. government, and hopefully we'll be able to support each other."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Defense Department officials recently met with leaders in six African countries and had "fruitful" discussions about U.S. Africa Command, the new unified combatant command the department is establishing, a senior department official told reporters at the Pentagon yesterday. U.S. officials from several government agencies met with African leaders in various nations and discussed U.S. reasons for setting up a command with responsibility for Africa, the organization of the command, possible mission areas, and the future location of the AFRICOM headquarters, said Ryan Henry, principal undersecretary of defense for policy.
"The message that we took to those who we consulted with was that we were entering into a dialogue," Henry said. "We found that that dialogue was generally positive, very cordial, with varying degrees of frankness, and we were able to answer questions and concerns."
Defense Department officials joined representatives from the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, and the AFRICOM transition team in their visits to Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, the African Union, Ghana and Senegal.
The Defense Department chose to have these consultation meetings before the command is established because AFRICOM will be like no other combatant command. It will be composed of members from several government agencies, and its primary function will be to support African nations and their indigenous leadership efforts, Henry said. The department plans several more trips like this to meet with other African nations and foster a continuing dialogue, he said.
"I think we have an understanding," Henry said of the results of the meetings. "We were not aware of any specific resistance to the idea. We do have a sensitivity, though, that AFRICOM will be better by conducting consultations such as this, getting the Africans' opinions, and (will) obviously be much more acceptable to the Africans."
AFRICOM, which President Bush announced Feb. 6, will stand up as a sub-unified command this fall and will reach full operational capacity by about September 2008, Henry said. The ultimate goal is to base AFRICOM headquarters somewhere in Africa, but no decisions have been made about its location yet, he said. However, he said, the commander of AFRICOM, who has yet to be named, will be based in Africa, probably even before the command becomes fully operational.
This trip gave the U.S. representatives a chance to clear up a few misconceptions about AFRICOM, Henry said. One, the creation of this command will not mean additional U.S. forces on the African continent or an increase in resources from the U.S. government. Henry noted that the U.S. already invests significantly in Africa, and AFRICOM's role will be to coordinate the Defense Department's efforts with the rest of the U.S. government.
The U.S. officials also assured the African leaders that the decisions about AFRICOM have not been finalized, and they are seeking input from African nations about how to proceed, Henry said. He also stressed that AFRICOM is not being stood up in response to Chinese presence on the continent or to secure natural resources, but solely to enhance counterterrorism efforts. "While some of these may be part of the formula, the reason AFRICOM is being stood up is (that) Africa is emerging on the world scene as a strategic player, and we need to deal with it as a continent," he said.
AFRICOM will have a different mission set than other combatant commands, focusing heavily on security cooperation and building partner capacity of African nations, Henry said. Military exercises will be conducted on the continent, but the command's role in kinetic operations has not been determined, he said.
"There is a mission for the military there," he said. "Sometimes, not very often, it is in the lead; normally, it will be supporting other elements of the U.S. government."
The exact make-up of AFRICOM headquarters has not been determined, Henry said, but more than half of the personnel will probably be from the Defense Department. He noted that creating a true interagency command will be a challenge for everyone; while other commands usually just have liaison officers from other governmental agencies, AFRICOM will have action officers from those agencies directly involved in running the command.
"This is not something we're used to doing," he said. "We are not used to putting our civilian forces forward as part of a unified command, so it will be a lot of learning on all parts of the U.S. government, and hopefully we'll be able to support each other."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Musician Champions Recognition of Soldiers' Sacrifice
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – A Cleveland-based musician and songwriter is hoping one of his newest works will raise the country's collective awareness of the sacrifices its servicemembers are making every day. "Our Sacrifice" offers musical support to servicemembers and their families, Mark Reis said. "After I wrote the song, I started looking at the lyrics and the meaning behind it. I knew that it was intended to support (servicemembers) and their families and what they're going through."
"Our Sacrifice" was recorded in Nashville with Frank Camp and Nicole Cuglewski singing vocals. For a year, Reis said, he didn't really do anything with the song. And though the song's intent was clear, its true purpose came to light only recently.
Working in the entertainment business has Reis in and out of airports frequently. During a two-hour layover in Dallas, he took advantage of the beautiful weather and wandered outside.
"There was this woman and she was standing there and she was thanking this young soldier who was on his way to Iraq," he said.
But that woman's actions were the exception to the norm, he said he discovered during his two hours in Dallas.
"I watched soldiers coming by, and they were just being passed by by businessmen and women ... and nobody's actually thanking them," Reis said. "That kind of struck me as odd."
Reis said he's trying, through "Our Sacrifice" and its accompanying video, to raise the country's awareness of how important it is for Americans to support their servicemembers regardless of their views on the war.
"That's pretty much what the real goal is, to remind people that we have a patriotic duty to support and honor our brave servicemen and women and their families," Reis said. "They're making sacrifices -- some of them are making the ultimate sacrifices -- to defend us (and) protect our freedom."
He said he hopes that eventually "Our Sacrifice" will be "embraced as the national theme for all Americans to show their support for troops and their families."
To help make that happen, he has turned to major corporations in hopes of getting one to come on board and use the song and video in its advertisement campaign. This, he said, will raise awareness to the next level.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – A Cleveland-based musician and songwriter is hoping one of his newest works will raise the country's collective awareness of the sacrifices its servicemembers are making every day. "Our Sacrifice" offers musical support to servicemembers and their families, Mark Reis said. "After I wrote the song, I started looking at the lyrics and the meaning behind it. I knew that it was intended to support (servicemembers) and their families and what they're going through."
"Our Sacrifice" was recorded in Nashville with Frank Camp and Nicole Cuglewski singing vocals. For a year, Reis said, he didn't really do anything with the song. And though the song's intent was clear, its true purpose came to light only recently.
Working in the entertainment business has Reis in and out of airports frequently. During a two-hour layover in Dallas, he took advantage of the beautiful weather and wandered outside.
"There was this woman and she was standing there and she was thanking this young soldier who was on his way to Iraq," he said.
But that woman's actions were the exception to the norm, he said he discovered during his two hours in Dallas.
"I watched soldiers coming by, and they were just being passed by by businessmen and women ... and nobody's actually thanking them," Reis said. "That kind of struck me as odd."
Reis said he's trying, through "Our Sacrifice" and its accompanying video, to raise the country's awareness of how important it is for Americans to support their servicemembers regardless of their views on the war.
"That's pretty much what the real goal is, to remind people that we have a patriotic duty to support and honor our brave servicemen and women and their families," Reis said. "They're making sacrifices -- some of them are making the ultimate sacrifices -- to defend us (and) protect our freedom."
He said he hopes that eventually "Our Sacrifice" will be "embraced as the national theme for all Americans to show their support for troops and their families."
To help make that happen, he has turned to major corporations in hopes of getting one to come on board and use the song and video in its advertisement campaign. This, he said, will raise awareness to the next level.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Louisville Troop Support Shines Bright
By Petty Officer 1st Class Lucinda Thierry, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – A senior Navy leader lauded Louisville for its "America Supports You" spirit as hundreds of sailors participated in Louisville Navy Week, April 16-21. America Supports You is a Defense Department program that spotlights and facilitates support for the nation's servicemembers by the American public and the corporate sector. "The Navy and Louisville enjoyed a busy six days, culminating in Thunder Over Louisville," a six-hour air show capped by the largest annual fireworks show in America, said Navy Rear Adm. Michael C. Vitale, who commands Strike Group Two aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
"Louisville can be very proud of its military as a whole, realizing these servicemembers are serving around the world with pride and honor," the University of Louisville graduate added.
Navy Week events included tours, speaking engagements and media appearances, along with visits to local Navy commands. Vitale and Petty Officer 1st Class Virginia D. Mayo, a hospital corpsman who recently returned from Iraq duty with the U.S. Marines, threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Louisville Bats vs. Norfolk Tides triple-A International League baseball game.
"The goal is to lift up troops serving in harm's way around the globe, about 12,000 of (whom) are sailors in ground jobs serving alongside Army and Marine troops in Iraq and Afghanistan," Vitale said. The stadium also held a moment of silence for the Virginia Tech tragedy, with sailors in dress whites lining the baselines.
The USS Louisville crew came in from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to add to community awareness and recruiting efforts by visiting local schools, meeting corporate leaders, attending receptions and viewing local attractions.
"We'll definitely come back again," said Cmdr. John A. Sager, Louisville commanding officer. The sub crew had not made a visit to its namesake city in nearly three years.
The Navy Band Midsouth's "Freedom" band performed all week at high schools and at downtown's "Fourth Street Live!"
"We pan the audience to determine how to connect with our music," said Chief Petty Officer Christopher Griffin. "We played rock and roll, from old school funk to U2," he said. Judging from the dancing in the street and at all the schools, the band hit the mark.
The Navy Parachute Team's Leap Frogs also jumped, landing inside school stadiums, Louisville Slugger Field and the Great Lawn along the Ohio River banks to bring in the flag and open Thunder Over Louisville.
With perfect weather and roaring audiences, the Navy Seals master jumpers wowed crowds all week at area schools. The team includes Chief Warrant Officer Larry Summerfield II, who was wounded three years ago on an Afghanistan mission and received the Purple Heart. His shipmate, Petty Officer 1st Class Dave Fisher, had a proud moment when he brought in the "America Supports You" banner to start Thunder Over Louisville in front of a record crowd of about 800,000.
"Louisville has been one of our best weeks ever," said Fisher. "The patriotism of this town is in our face. Everywhere we go, people call out to us, 'Thank you for serving."
(Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Lucinda Thierry is assigned to the Navy Office of Community Outreach.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – A senior Navy leader lauded Louisville for its "America Supports You" spirit as hundreds of sailors participated in Louisville Navy Week, April 16-21. America Supports You is a Defense Department program that spotlights and facilitates support for the nation's servicemembers by the American public and the corporate sector. "The Navy and Louisville enjoyed a busy six days, culminating in Thunder Over Louisville," a six-hour air show capped by the largest annual fireworks show in America, said Navy Rear Adm. Michael C. Vitale, who commands Strike Group Two aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
"Louisville can be very proud of its military as a whole, realizing these servicemembers are serving around the world with pride and honor," the University of Louisville graduate added.
Navy Week events included tours, speaking engagements and media appearances, along with visits to local Navy commands. Vitale and Petty Officer 1st Class Virginia D. Mayo, a hospital corpsman who recently returned from Iraq duty with the U.S. Marines, threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Louisville Bats vs. Norfolk Tides triple-A International League baseball game.
"The goal is to lift up troops serving in harm's way around the globe, about 12,000 of (whom) are sailors in ground jobs serving alongside Army and Marine troops in Iraq and Afghanistan," Vitale said. The stadium also held a moment of silence for the Virginia Tech tragedy, with sailors in dress whites lining the baselines.
The USS Louisville crew came in from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to add to community awareness and recruiting efforts by visiting local schools, meeting corporate leaders, attending receptions and viewing local attractions.
"We'll definitely come back again," said Cmdr. John A. Sager, Louisville commanding officer. The sub crew had not made a visit to its namesake city in nearly three years.
The Navy Band Midsouth's "Freedom" band performed all week at high schools and at downtown's "Fourth Street Live!"
"We pan the audience to determine how to connect with our music," said Chief Petty Officer Christopher Griffin. "We played rock and roll, from old school funk to U2," he said. Judging from the dancing in the street and at all the schools, the band hit the mark.
The Navy Parachute Team's Leap Frogs also jumped, landing inside school stadiums, Louisville Slugger Field and the Great Lawn along the Ohio River banks to bring in the flag and open Thunder Over Louisville.
With perfect weather and roaring audiences, the Navy Seals master jumpers wowed crowds all week at area schools. The team includes Chief Warrant Officer Larry Summerfield II, who was wounded three years ago on an Afghanistan mission and received the Purple Heart. His shipmate, Petty Officer 1st Class Dave Fisher, had a proud moment when he brought in the "America Supports You" banner to start Thunder Over Louisville in front of a record crowd of about 800,000.
"Louisville has been one of our best weeks ever," said Fisher. "The patriotism of this town is in our face. Everywhere we go, people call out to us, 'Thank you for serving."
(Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Lucinda Thierry is assigned to the Navy Office of Community Outreach.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Extended Deployments Should Lessen Army Stress, Commander Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Extended overseas deployments affecting soldiers serving in Afghanistan and other locales overseen by U.S. Central Command should help to alleviate the stress on the Army, a senior U.S. officer in Afghanistan told Pentagon reporters today. "I'm absolutely confident that that's going to work and that'll manage the pressure and the stress on the force," Army Col. Martin Schweitzer, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, said during a satellite-carried news conference.
All active U.S. Army units already operating within U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, including Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa, or en route there "will deploy for not more than 15 months and return home for not less than 12 months," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced April 11 at a Pentagon news conference.
The change automatically increased the length of soldiers' overseas tours in those areas from 12 to 15 months.
A 22-year Army veteran, Schweitzer is on his second tour in Afghanistan, having previously served there in 2002. The colonel began his current tour of duty in Afghanistan in January.
The 4th Brigade Combat Team operates in Paktika, Paktia, Lowgar, Ghazni and Khost provinces in the southeastern part of Afghanistan, Schweitzer said, noting this is the brigade's first overseas deployment.
The 15-month deployments are needed to ensure that the Army retains the capacity to sustain the deployed force, Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, said April 13 from Baghdad during a teleconference with Pentagon reporters.
The tour extensions will provide more predictability and stability for soldiers and their families, Odierno said, noting the policy "will ensure 12 months at home station between rotations."
Schweitzer acknowledged difficulty in measuring how the extended deployment affects individual soldiers under his command. However, he expressed strong support for the personnel decisions made by senior defense department and Army leaders.
The Pentagon's civilian and military leaders "put a lot of rigor and analytical analysis into this (tour extension) to determine what is best for the service and what is sustainable," Schweitzer said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Extended overseas deployments affecting soldiers serving in Afghanistan and other locales overseen by U.S. Central Command should help to alleviate the stress on the Army, a senior U.S. officer in Afghanistan told Pentagon reporters today. "I'm absolutely confident that that's going to work and that'll manage the pressure and the stress on the force," Army Col. Martin Schweitzer, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, said during a satellite-carried news conference.
All active U.S. Army units already operating within U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, including Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa, or en route there "will deploy for not more than 15 months and return home for not less than 12 months," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced April 11 at a Pentagon news conference.
The change automatically increased the length of soldiers' overseas tours in those areas from 12 to 15 months.
A 22-year Army veteran, Schweitzer is on his second tour in Afghanistan, having previously served there in 2002. The colonel began his current tour of duty in Afghanistan in January.
The 4th Brigade Combat Team operates in Paktika, Paktia, Lowgar, Ghazni and Khost provinces in the southeastern part of Afghanistan, Schweitzer said, noting this is the brigade's first overseas deployment.
The 15-month deployments are needed to ensure that the Army retains the capacity to sustain the deployed force, Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, said April 13 from Baghdad during a teleconference with Pentagon reporters.
The tour extensions will provide more predictability and stability for soldiers and their families, Odierno said, noting the policy "will ensure 12 months at home station between rotations."
Schweitzer acknowledged difficulty in measuring how the extended deployment affects individual soldiers under his command. However, he expressed strong support for the personnel decisions made by senior defense department and Army leaders.
The Pentagon's civilian and military leaders "put a lot of rigor and analytical analysis into this (tour extension) to determine what is best for the service and what is sustainable," Schweitzer said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Airmen Missing In Action From Vietnam War Are Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors. They are Col. Norman D. Eaton, of Weatherford, Okla., and Lt. Col. Paul E. Getchell, of Portland, Maine, both U.S. Air Force. Eaton will be buried April 25 at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., and Getchell will be buried later this spring at Arlington.
On Jan. 13, 1969, Eaton and Getchell crewed a B-57B Canberra bomber participating in a nighttime attack on targets in Salavan Province, Laos. The target area was illuminated by flares from a C-130 aircraft; however, the flares dimmed as the B-57 began its third bombing run on the target. The crew was low on fuel, but decided to continue the attack run without illumination. The C-130 crew received a radio transmission indicating that the B-57 was off target and seconds later, the plane crashed. Eaton and Getchell could not be recovered at the time of the incident.
In 1995, a joint U.S.-Lao People's Democratic Republic (L.P.D.R.) team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), investigated the incident and interviewed a Laotian citizen who recalled the crash. Another joint U.S.-L.P.D.R. team surveyed the site and found wreckage and crew-related materials consistent with the citizen's report.
In 2003, a joint U.S.-L.P.D.R. team excavated the crash site and recovered Eaton's identification tag. The team was unable to complete the recovery and subsequent teams re-visited the site five more times between 2004 and 2005 before the recovery was complete. As a result, the teams found Getchell's identification tag, human remains and additional crew-related items.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of the remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http;//www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
On Jan. 13, 1969, Eaton and Getchell crewed a B-57B Canberra bomber participating in a nighttime attack on targets in Salavan Province, Laos. The target area was illuminated by flares from a C-130 aircraft; however, the flares dimmed as the B-57 began its third bombing run on the target. The crew was low on fuel, but decided to continue the attack run without illumination. The C-130 crew received a radio transmission indicating that the B-57 was off target and seconds later, the plane crashed. Eaton and Getchell could not be recovered at the time of the incident.
In 1995, a joint U.S.-Lao People's Democratic Republic (L.P.D.R.) team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), investigated the incident and interviewed a Laotian citizen who recalled the crash. Another joint U.S.-L.P.D.R. team surveyed the site and found wreckage and crew-related materials consistent with the citizen's report.
In 2003, a joint U.S.-L.P.D.R. team excavated the crash site and recovered Eaton's identification tag. The team was unable to complete the recovery and subsequent teams re-visited the site five more times between 2004 and 2005 before the recovery was complete. As a result, the teams found Getchell's identification tag, human remains and additional crew-related items.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of the remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http;//www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Civic, Business Leaders Learn About Africa Operations
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Eroding extremism, securing borders and coastlines, and helping African nations prevent a terrorist resurgence is the goal of troops stationed in Djibouti, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa told a group of visiting business and civic leaders today. "We're not about dropping bombs here, we're about preventing conflict," Navy Rear Adm. James Hart told participants in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. "We're here with our coalition partners to keep from having to come here and fight some day."
Hart's command in Africa is one he said is under the "tyranny of distance." The 100-acre camp hosts 2,000 joint U.S. forces, but has a geographical challenge of covering nearly 12 million square miles over 53 countries.
Tensions based on religion, tribes or colonial borders affect nearly every country on the continent, Hart said. But by working with their coalition partners, the joint task force works daily to prevent conflict, promote regional stability, protect coalition interests, and prevail against extremist groups.
"The work we do is about eroding extremism and changing regional perspectives," Hart said. "The people we are most trying to affect are the school-age children. We want to teach young Africans how to take care of African problems."
Hart said empowering Africans to solve their own problems will set the stage for long-term success in the area.
"We want to continue our effort to sustain military training, civil affairs and humanitarian efforts because this is all about Africans helping Africa," Hart said.
Hart's senior enlisted advisor, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Harris, said that by taking one hour out of the day to develop friendships with Africans, U.S. servicemembers can make great headway in their efforts.
"This is really a hearts and minds tour," Harris said. "This is very rewarding for our troops. By helping drill wells, start schools and build relationships with local children they are getting instant gratification for their efforts."
From U.S. Army soldiers working to drill wells in Kenya to U.S. Navy Seabees helping build schools in neighboring countries, task force troops are operating in every African country except for Eritrea and Somalia to work with other U.S. agencies to provide humanitarian relief, offer civil affairs assistance and provide military-to-military training.
The visitors to the camp had the opportunity to step off the installation to see some military training first hand. U.S. Army soldiers were working to train Djiboutian soldiers on how to conduct traffic control points to check personnel and vehicles for car bombs and weapons.
"With practice comes perfection," said Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Fausto, as he explained the procedures Djiboutian soldiers were demonstrating for the spectators. He said the soldiers were seasoned veterans who picked up on American techniques very quickly.
Fausto and his team have been training the soldiers primarily how to conduct defensive measures, such as personal security details and responding to enemy contact, but they were also showing the Djiboutians how to perform hand-to-hand combat.
This is very significant training, said Joint Civilian Orientation Conference co-host Army Brig. Gen. Susan Lawrence, director of communications for U.S. Central Command, explaining to the group that soldiers are at their most vulnerable while they are manning vehicle checkpoints. Insurgents can easily detonate bombs, injuring or killing soldiers conducting sweeps. That makes it even more important for the correct implementation of anti-terrorism measures.
Troops from Special Operations Command Central and Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command also are taking a large part in the planning and implementation of efforts in the region.
"This war isn't defined by geographic boundaries, but by ideologies," said Army Lt. Col. Louis Leto. He said that special operations soldiers have to take a different approach in dealing with it.
While maintaining current operations, he said special operators are hoping to help build lasting peace on the continent.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Eroding extremism, securing borders and coastlines, and helping African nations prevent a terrorist resurgence is the goal of troops stationed in Djibouti, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa told a group of visiting business and civic leaders today. "We're not about dropping bombs here, we're about preventing conflict," Navy Rear Adm. James Hart told participants in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. "We're here with our coalition partners to keep from having to come here and fight some day."
Hart's command in Africa is one he said is under the "tyranny of distance." The 100-acre camp hosts 2,000 joint U.S. forces, but has a geographical challenge of covering nearly 12 million square miles over 53 countries.
Tensions based on religion, tribes or colonial borders affect nearly every country on the continent, Hart said. But by working with their coalition partners, the joint task force works daily to prevent conflict, promote regional stability, protect coalition interests, and prevail against extremist groups.
"The work we do is about eroding extremism and changing regional perspectives," Hart said. "The people we are most trying to affect are the school-age children. We want to teach young Africans how to take care of African problems."
Hart said empowering Africans to solve their own problems will set the stage for long-term success in the area.
"We want to continue our effort to sustain military training, civil affairs and humanitarian efforts because this is all about Africans helping Africa," Hart said.
Hart's senior enlisted advisor, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Harris, said that by taking one hour out of the day to develop friendships with Africans, U.S. servicemembers can make great headway in their efforts.
"This is really a hearts and minds tour," Harris said. "This is very rewarding for our troops. By helping drill wells, start schools and build relationships with local children they are getting instant gratification for their efforts."
From U.S. Army soldiers working to drill wells in Kenya to U.S. Navy Seabees helping build schools in neighboring countries, task force troops are operating in every African country except for Eritrea and Somalia to work with other U.S. agencies to provide humanitarian relief, offer civil affairs assistance and provide military-to-military training.
The visitors to the camp had the opportunity to step off the installation to see some military training first hand. U.S. Army soldiers were working to train Djiboutian soldiers on how to conduct traffic control points to check personnel and vehicles for car bombs and weapons.
"With practice comes perfection," said Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Fausto, as he explained the procedures Djiboutian soldiers were demonstrating for the spectators. He said the soldiers were seasoned veterans who picked up on American techniques very quickly.
Fausto and his team have been training the soldiers primarily how to conduct defensive measures, such as personal security details and responding to enemy contact, but they were also showing the Djiboutians how to perform hand-to-hand combat.
This is very significant training, said Joint Civilian Orientation Conference co-host Army Brig. Gen. Susan Lawrence, director of communications for U.S. Central Command, explaining to the group that soldiers are at their most vulnerable while they are manning vehicle checkpoints. Insurgents can easily detonate bombs, injuring or killing soldiers conducting sweeps. That makes it even more important for the correct implementation of anti-terrorism measures.
Troops from Special Operations Command Central and Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command also are taking a large part in the planning and implementation of efforts in the region.
"This war isn't defined by geographic boundaries, but by ideologies," said Army Lt. Col. Louis Leto. He said that special operations soldiers have to take a different approach in dealing with it.
While maintaining current operations, he said special operators are hoping to help build lasting peace on the continent.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
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