These facts involving women in combat are: Women comprise approximately 15 percent of the U.S. Army today, and as of September 2007, 70 Army women have been killed and a significantly larger number wounded; the American public is vaguely aware of this state of affairs and has raised no outcry. The nature of the current battlefield makes it impossible to apply the existing rules for excluding women from combat without serious reduction in combat capabilities, degrading the professional development and thus status of women, and producing a potentially serious reduction in overall readiness. Two major conclusions are reached: (1) the nature of combat for the U.S. Army has changed, and the existing rules governing the employment of women do not fit this new situation; and (2) there is not the slightest doubt that women can perform their assigned duties in the combat zone, including engaging in combat actions essential to their personal and unit’s self-defense, with skill and valor equal to their male comrades.
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http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?PubID=830
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Face of Defense: Sergeant's Art Funds Surgeries for Needy Children
By Senior Airman Tabitha Kuykendall, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - Where most just see trash, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Sommers, of 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here, sees possibility. On any given day, the squadron's noncommissioned officer in charge of operations management can be found sorting through leftover wood scraps and paints in his shop to create paintings and donate the proceeds to help pay for heart surgeries for children whose parents are unable to pay for the surgeries themselves.
"Possibilities are endless; everybody has a talent and can use it to help others who are less fortunate," Sommers said. "This is what I am trying to do."
The Children's Heart Ward is a facility that houses infants and children who need surgery to correct heart defects stemming from a combination of inherited genes and environmental factors, such as illness or mothers being exposed to chemicals during pregnancy.
Two local doctors perform these surgeries free of charge. But an oxygenator -- a disposable piece of equipment that serves as the lung during cardiac surgery and is designed to expose the blood to oxygen and remove carbon dioxide -- is needed for each operation, and each costs $560.
The Manas Air Base Outreach Society has addressed that need with its Children's Heart Ward focus group. Airmen raise money to pay for the oxygenators and sometimes for other types of surgeries so more children can be assisted. Since the foundation stood up, 97 surgeries have been supported, most by covering the cost of an oxygenator.
During his five-month tour, Sommers' donated proceeds have paid for three oxygenators.
"There are many people in this world who by some circumstance are less fortunate than we are," he said. "I viewed this tour as a possibility to help a few of these people."
Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, said Sommers embodies the spirit of service of today's airmen.
"He epitomizes our Air Force core value of service before self," she said. "Not only did he honorably serve our great Air Force here at Manas Air Base, but also he represented our enlisted corps extremely well to our Kyrgyz hosts."
Sommers said it's simply a matter of human nature to help others in need.
"It has really brought an incredible amount of joy to my heart to know that I could use a talent that the good Lord gave me to assist someone else," he said. "There are ample opportunities for all of us to do the same. Use your talents to help someone else, and then you will be blessed. You'll experience some of the best feelings of your life as you serve others in need."
(Air Force Senior Airman Tabitha Kuykendall serves with 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - Where most just see trash, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Sommers, of 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here, sees possibility. On any given day, the squadron's noncommissioned officer in charge of operations management can be found sorting through leftover wood scraps and paints in his shop to create paintings and donate the proceeds to help pay for heart surgeries for children whose parents are unable to pay for the surgeries themselves.
"Possibilities are endless; everybody has a talent and can use it to help others who are less fortunate," Sommers said. "This is what I am trying to do."
The Children's Heart Ward is a facility that houses infants and children who need surgery to correct heart defects stemming from a combination of inherited genes and environmental factors, such as illness or mothers being exposed to chemicals during pregnancy.
Two local doctors perform these surgeries free of charge. But an oxygenator -- a disposable piece of equipment that serves as the lung during cardiac surgery and is designed to expose the blood to oxygen and remove carbon dioxide -- is needed for each operation, and each costs $560.
The Manas Air Base Outreach Society has addressed that need with its Children's Heart Ward focus group. Airmen raise money to pay for the oxygenators and sometimes for other types of surgeries so more children can be assisted. Since the foundation stood up, 97 surgeries have been supported, most by covering the cost of an oxygenator.
During his five-month tour, Sommers' donated proceeds have paid for three oxygenators.
"There are many people in this world who by some circumstance are less fortunate than we are," he said. "I viewed this tour as a possibility to help a few of these people."
Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, said Sommers embodies the spirit of service of today's airmen.
"He epitomizes our Air Force core value of service before self," she said. "Not only did he honorably serve our great Air Force here at Manas Air Base, but also he represented our enlisted corps extremely well to our Kyrgyz hosts."
Sommers said it's simply a matter of human nature to help others in need.
"It has really brought an incredible amount of joy to my heart to know that I could use a talent that the good Lord gave me to assist someone else," he said. "There are ample opportunities for all of us to do the same. Use your talents to help someone else, and then you will be blessed. You'll experience some of the best feelings of your life as you serve others in need."
(Air Force Senior Airman Tabitha Kuykendall serves with 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)
National Guard Responds to Tornado Disaster
By Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - More than 160 National Guard members turned out today to support recovery missions in three states hit by a violent string of tornadoes last night. The National Guard Bureau reported that Guard members were called out to perform search and rescue missions, provide security at traffic control points, and to support civilian authorities in other ways in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Many of the Guard soldiers who responded were undergoing pre-deployment training at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., about five miles from one of the areas hit by a tornado.
At least 52 deaths have been blamed on the unseasonably early storms that swept across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky.
In Kentucky, 112 Guard members with 16 Humvees and other equipment responded to emergency support requests after the tornados and severe thunderstorms caused widespread power outages and damage to homes and businesses. Central City officials called for Guard support after a tornado struck Muhlenberg County. The Kentucky Guard Mobile Command Post is being deployed to Muhlenberg County to provide phones and data capability to the county government.
Thirty-three soldiers from the Louisville-based 223rd Military Police Company, which was in Greenville for pre-deployment training, assisted the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement in Central City. They were later relieved by 24 soldiers from the 307th Maintenance Company.
The 307th also is operating Guard heavy equipment, including 15 Humvees, a wrecker and a bus. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, were on standby with four Army Guard helicopters: two UH-60s and two OH-58s.
In Monroe Country, the 623rd Field Artillery is providing 22 soldiers and four Humvees for security support to the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement in Tompkinsville and Gamaliel. The unit will provide 24-hour security operations there.
The 63rd Aviation Brigade has provided 10 soldiers and two UH-60s to fly Gov. Steve Beshear as well as Kentucky Guard and Emergency Management officials to assess the disaster areas.
The 149th Brigade Support Battalion, located in Bowling Green, was tasked to provide six soldiers to prepare equipment for a potential response in western Kentucky and as a possible relief force for the 307th and 623rd.
In Tennessee, about 20 Guard members with two heavy wreckers were helping local crews restore power by transporting support vehicles through storm-damaged areas to work sites. The Tennessee Guard also had one UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter providing aerial search and damage assessment for Gov. Phil Bredesen and emergency management personnel. The Tennessee Guard also set up three armories as Red Cross shelters.
In Arkansas, officials reported that 28 soldiers from the 142nd Fires Brigade, stationed at Fort Smith, were dispatched with nine Humvees to the town of Atkins, northwest of Little Rock. There, Guard members were assisting search and rescue personnel and removing debris from the area where officials said the first tornados touched down in the state. A half dozen counties were hit by the storms.
Maj. Keith Moore, an Arkansas Guard spokesman, said Gov. Mike Beebe declared states of emergency for some of the damaged areas. He said the Army Guard was operating two UH-60s to assist the governor and emergency management personnel who were assessing the damage.
In Mississippi, officials at the state Army Guard's Southaven Armory reported minor damage from a tornado that struck in Southaven. Mississippi Guard members were assessing damage to the armory and its equipment, but no requests for Guard support have yet been reported.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - More than 160 National Guard members turned out today to support recovery missions in three states hit by a violent string of tornadoes last night. The National Guard Bureau reported that Guard members were called out to perform search and rescue missions, provide security at traffic control points, and to support civilian authorities in other ways in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Many of the Guard soldiers who responded were undergoing pre-deployment training at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., about five miles from one of the areas hit by a tornado.
At least 52 deaths have been blamed on the unseasonably early storms that swept across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky.
In Kentucky, 112 Guard members with 16 Humvees and other equipment responded to emergency support requests after the tornados and severe thunderstorms caused widespread power outages and damage to homes and businesses. Central City officials called for Guard support after a tornado struck Muhlenberg County. The Kentucky Guard Mobile Command Post is being deployed to Muhlenberg County to provide phones and data capability to the county government.
Thirty-three soldiers from the Louisville-based 223rd Military Police Company, which was in Greenville for pre-deployment training, assisted the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement in Central City. They were later relieved by 24 soldiers from the 307th Maintenance Company.
The 307th also is operating Guard heavy equipment, including 15 Humvees, a wrecker and a bus. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, were on standby with four Army Guard helicopters: two UH-60s and two OH-58s.
In Monroe Country, the 623rd Field Artillery is providing 22 soldiers and four Humvees for security support to the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement in Tompkinsville and Gamaliel. The unit will provide 24-hour security operations there.
The 63rd Aviation Brigade has provided 10 soldiers and two UH-60s to fly Gov. Steve Beshear as well as Kentucky Guard and Emergency Management officials to assess the disaster areas.
The 149th Brigade Support Battalion, located in Bowling Green, was tasked to provide six soldiers to prepare equipment for a potential response in western Kentucky and as a possible relief force for the 307th and 623rd.
In Tennessee, about 20 Guard members with two heavy wreckers were helping local crews restore power by transporting support vehicles through storm-damaged areas to work sites. The Tennessee Guard also had one UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter providing aerial search and damage assessment for Gov. Phil Bredesen and emergency management personnel. The Tennessee Guard also set up three armories as Red Cross shelters.
In Arkansas, officials reported that 28 soldiers from the 142nd Fires Brigade, stationed at Fort Smith, were dispatched with nine Humvees to the town of Atkins, northwest of Little Rock. There, Guard members were assisting search and rescue personnel and removing debris from the area where officials said the first tornados touched down in the state. A half dozen counties were hit by the storms.
Maj. Keith Moore, an Arkansas Guard spokesman, said Gov. Mike Beebe declared states of emergency for some of the damaged areas. He said the Army Guard was operating two UH-60s to assist the governor and emergency management personnel who were assessing the damage.
In Mississippi, officials at the state Army Guard's Southaven Armory reported minor damage from a tornado that struck in Southaven. Mississippi Guard members were assessing damage to the armory and its equipment, but no requests for Guard support have yet been reported.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
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