Thursday, December 09, 2010

Air Force Selects Preferred Alternative Base for C-27J Training Aircraft

The Air Force announced today that it has chosen Key Field Air National Guard Base, Miss., as the preferred alternative base for the C-27J training aircraft.

The secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force carefully considered the site survey results, mission-specific objective criteria, and other military judgment factors in making this preferred alternative decision.

 “This base is the right location for these two C-27J training aircraft,” said Kathleen Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations.  “This will provide the Air Force with the appropriate synergy to accomplish its mission.”

This announcement is not a final basing decision.  Selection is subject to completion of the environmental impact analysis process.  Pending completion of the analysis, the Air Force intends to beddown two training C-27Js, with aircraft arriving in the second half of fiscal 2014.

For questions regarding this release, please contact Air Force Public Affairs at 703-695-0640.

Defense Department Leaders Urge Treaty Ratification

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2010 – Senior Defense Department leaders strongly support the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, both for what it does and what it doesn’t do, a defense official said yesterday.

James N. Miller, principal deputy under secretary of defense for policy, detailed the department’s position on the treaty at the Brookings Institution here.

“The senior leaders of the military understand the treaty well, because DOD focused in detail on what we wanted from the treaty as we conducted the nuclear posture review,” he said.

The new treaty strengthens strategic stability with Russia, provides the United States flexibility to retain and modernize robust missile delivery systems, and advances U.S. security interests including nonproliferation, Miller said.

New START strengthens U.S.-Russia strategic stability by imposing equal limits on their strategic delivery systems and nuclear warheads, and by reinstituting verification measures, he said.

“Those limits are 700 deployed strategic delivery vehicles, 800 combined deployed and nondeployed delivery vehicles, and 1,550 accountable strategic warheads, equal limits for both sides,” he said.

The United States and Russia have lacked mutual verification measures on strategic nuclear weapons and delivery systems since Dec. 5 of last year when the previous START treaty expired.

“Since that time, the United States has had no boots on the ground for inspections of Russian [intercontinental ballistic missile] bases, bomber bases and other facilities,” Miller said. “And [new START’s] data collection provisions and exchange provisions will give us important insights into Russian strategic forces.”

Without verified information about Russian strategic forces, he said, the military will have to rely much more on worst-case planning, which would be both expensive and potentially destabilizing.

The flexibility new START provides, Miller said, is “that it allows us to choose our own force mix and to modernize our forces.”

The department's Nuclear Posture Review, conducted in parallel with treaty negotiations, “drove our negotiating positions on the treaty's key limits,” he said.

The treaty allows U.S. retention of its 14 strategic ballistic missile submarines, which Miller called “the most survivable” of the nation’s strategic delivery systems.

Land-based missiles and nuclear- or dual-capable bombers form the other two legs of the strategic nuclear weapon delivery “triad,” Miller said, adding that, together, the three systems “provide for strong deterrence of any attack on the United States or our allies.”

While U.S. officials agreed under the treaty to limit the number of warheads carried by those systems, in the case of a breach of the treaty, “the United States has the capability to upload a large number of additional warheads,” he said, “so that Russia could gain no real or perceived advantage.”

The third DOD objective the treaty accomplishes is advancing broader U.S. interests, Miller said, including nuclear nonproliferation, progress on tactical nuclear weapon agreements and sustaining momentum in U.S.-Russia relations.

“The biggest nuclear threat today is not from Russia, but from the danger of nuclear proliferation and the potential for nuclear terrorism,” he said. “Ratifying new START and making the associated reductions is key to meeting our obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This will help us strengthen the coalition to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear capability and help us prevent proliferation in the future.”

An agreement on tactical nuclear weapons likewise rests on adoption of the new treaty, Miller said, adding, “It is highly unlikely that we will get to those negotiations if new START is not ratified.”

New START is a link in the chain of recent successes in U.S.-Russia relations, Miller said, citing the Russian decision not to sell the S-300 anti-aircraft missile to Iran, and its agreement allowing the United States to move key supplies for Afghanistan through Russian territory.

What the treaty won’t do, Miller said, is constrain the United States from deploying the best missile defenses possible, limit the nation’s ability to develop conventional prompt global strike capabilities, or impair its ability to invest in the nuclear-weapons complex and infrastructure.

“Just a few weeks ago, NATO endorsed our proposal for territorial missile defense of Europe, the first time NATO has taken on this mission,” he said. “The administration plans to deploy all four phases of the so-called phased adaptive approach for European missile defense … and [we] are making investments and plans accordingly.”

With missile defense assured, Miller said, DOD is examining alternative concepts for future prompt global strike systems not limited by the treaty, such as the hypersonic glide vehicle.

“These systems have a number of advantages, including the ability to steer around countries to avoid overflight,” he said.

While it hasn’t reached final decision, the department plans to invest more than a billion dollars in research and development on conventional prime global strike over the next several years, he said.

Finally, new START doesn’t impair U.S. ability to invest in its nuclear-weapons complex and infrastructure, Miller reiterated.

“We plan to invest more than $85 billion over the next decade to modernize the U.S. nuclear-weapons complex that supports our deterrent,” he said. “This level of funding is necessary, and it's unprecedented since the end of the Cold War.”

“For what the treaty does and for what the treaty does not do, it's supported by the secretary of defense, as I said, all the joint chiefs and the commander, U.S. Strategic Command,” Miller said. “Our NATO allies also expressed strong support for new START at the Lisbon summit a few weeks ago. And finally, every president for the last several decades has pursued verifiable arms-control agreements, and the Senate has provided support.”

Miller said the START treaty, negotiated by presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, was approved in 1992 by 93 votes to 6. The Moscow Treaty, negotiated by President George W. Bush, was approved by 95 to 0 in 2003.

“It's time again, and DOD and the entire Obama administration are urging the Senate to give its advice and consent to ratification of the new START treaty this year,” Miller said.

Truman Sailors Volunteer in Souda Bay

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Kristina Young, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- During a recent port visit to Souda Bay, Crete, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) crew members volunteered to participate in several community relations (COMREL) projects Dec. 3-6 in an effort to bond with the local community.

Eighty-eight Sailors and Marines volunteered their time, energy and services during the three COMREL projects.

"I think it is important for us to do COMRELs because it shows the locals we are people who are willing to give and help out in any way we can," said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class (SW) Michaella Suffa-Wuya. "It shows we are not only here to visit the town, but also to do good while we are here."

The Sailors and Marines spent more than 390 volunteer hours at the Chania Senior Citizens Center and Church, the Chania Boys' Long Term Care Facility and the Naval Support Activity Souda Bay Church.

During the visit to the Boys' Long Term Care facility, Truman Sailors and Marines interacted with the 29 underprivileged boys and provided them with ping-pong equipment, basketballs and soccer balls donated by the ship's crew.

"The kids really enjoyed the toys we brought them and couldn't wait to kick around the ball," said Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Shelby Bennett. "I feel we established a good bond with them, and we had a great game of soccer."

"One little boy was so excited to see us there," said Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Shelby Bennett. "He just wanted to run around and meet everyone in our group. It was a really fun and rewarding experience."

Crew members who participated in the Chania Senior Citizens Center and Church project expressed similar satisfaction with their efforts in helping to make the center a better place to live. The Sailors and Marines spent more than four hours cleaning windows, rails, stairs, grass areas, walkways and painting.

"I felt like we worked great as a team," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Elana Haas. "It was fun to be thrown into an unfamiliar situation and figure out what we needed to do together."

In appreciation for their work, the center's caretakers provided the volunteers with a traditional Greek lunch.

"The food they provided us was very hearty, and it was great to enjoy it after working hard all morning," said Haas. "It was really nice to be able to do something for the community and show them how much we like to help out."

For some crew members, the COMREL projects gave them a broader perspective of things they have to be thankful for in their own lives.

"I think the volunteers who gave their hearts during the COMRELs will be able to look back at this and see that no matter where they are in their lives, somewhere out there are people who may have it worse than they do," said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Lewis, of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312. "It can give them perspective and a different outlook on their lives and troubles."

Navy Surgeon General Thanks Personnel for Care Provided to Marines

From Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

TWENTY-NINE PALMS, Calif. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy Surgeon General visited the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital Dec. 3., during his tour of Navy medical facilities that support the the Marine Corps in southern California.

Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr. toured the hospital, participated in a retirement ceremony, and spoke with command leadership where he discussed the history and importance of Navy Medicine's partnership with the Marine Corps.

"The bond that Navy Medicine shares with our Marines is like none other - it's sacred and unique," said Robinson. "When our Marines deploy, they know they will be well-cared for, from the battlefield to when they return home. We will follow the Marines into heaven or to the gates of hell."

The Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital, located in the High Desert region of the Mojave Desert, is a tenant command on the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in the city of Twentynine Palms.

The Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command conducts relevant live-fire combined arms training, urban operations, and joint/coalition level integration training that promotes operational forces readiness. The hospital is a state-of-the-art, 160,000 sq. ft. facility containing 22 beds, an Emergency Medical Department, four operating rooms, a new seven-bed Desert Beginnings Labor Delivery Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) Unit, and a 15 bed multi-service ward (MSW) for inpatient care. A modern full-service pharmacy, laboratory, radiology departments and a physical therapy clinic are also available to beneficiaries.

Capt. Ann Bobeck, Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms commanding officer, said it is an honor to support the Marines mission.

"I am very proud of our staff here at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital," said Bobeck. "They work hard every day to deliver the best possible care to the Marines and their families here at Twentynine Palms, not to mention the many military retirees who live in the area."

During his visit, Robinson also highlighted his commitment to supporting force readiness and the importance of providing quality patient and family centered care.

"When our Sailors and Marines deploy, it is critical that they know their families will be well cared for in their absence," said Robinson. "This commitment by Navy Medicine not only brings peace of mind, but it supports force readiness as our war fighters can better focus on the job at hand."

During his tour of select Navy medial facilities in the area, Robinson also participated in the ground breaking ceremonies of the replacement Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton Dec 2.

Stanley: Pentagon Must Do Better in Hiring Disabled

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 8, 2010 – The Defense Department is doing a “pretty good” job at hiring talented disabled people for its civilian work force, but it needs to do much better, the Pentagon’s top personnel official said here yesterday.

“I am somewhat routinely frustrated by a bureaucracy that coins terms like, ‘hiring reform,' to get people into the system faster,” Clifford L. Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said during his keynote remarks at the 30th annual Disability Awards Ceremony and Forum. “I don't even want to tell you what our percentage is of disabled employees at the Defense Department, because I'm not too happy about it.”

Stanley said the department is doing a “pretty good” job in its hiring of talented disabled employees, but it could be doing be a lot better.

“We need to do a better job of finding people,” Stanley said, noting that he goes to sleep “each night thinking about how I can make this day better” in the hiring of disabled civilians and former servicemembers.

Stanley partly blames a bureaucratic system that he believes “doesn’t want to move the way you think it should move.”

“It shouldn’t take as long as it does to hire people,” he said, noting that talent “is not a function of eyesight, walking, hands and arms.”

Stanley has an emotional stake in the disabled. In Wheaton, Md., in April 1975, a gunman shot and killed his uncle and wounded his wife, Rosalyn, leaving her partially paralyzed.

“Talent is a function of what's going on in here,” Stanley said, pointing to his head. “And I want to underscore 'spirit.’ Spirit is the motivation that gets you over the hump each day.”

When people love what they’re doing and love their country, “you’d be surprised at the heights you’d go to, no matter what your disability might be, to make a difference for our nation,” he said.

The undersecretary told the audience he wanted to “plant that seed,” as he introduced Army Capt. Ivan Castro, an active-duty soldier who is blind.

Castro told the audience his story of serving near Baghdad in September 2006 when he had just released two of his men from an observation post. It was minutes later when mortars landed near him.

Castro’s injuries were myriad and severe, he said, and in the end, the doctors could not save his eyesight.

The wounded warrior said he set out on a mission to stop feeling sorry for himself and to learn to walk again and live independently. After intensive physical and occupational therapies, Castro said, he developed many everyday skills, including how to use a computer and send e-mail.

“Because technology changes all the time, I consider myself a work in progress,” he said.

Castro also developed his physical skills, logging four Army 10-milers, five half-marathons, 13 marathons, and several other running, biking and hiking feats.

But the best was yet to come.

Castro connected with the Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program, a federal initiative that equips federal disabled employees and servicemembers – with disabilities ranging from dexterity issues to cognitive difficulties, vision loss, and hearing impairments -- to perform tasks. CAP uses assistive technology devices, equipment and training to help them recover and transition into employment.

Castro was able to return to active-duty with the Army.

“Thanks to a change in military culture and mindset,” he said, “some of us [disabled servicemembers] have been able to sustain life-threatening injuries and deploy back into combat” or serve in other military assignments.

Today, as of one of three active-duty servicemembers who are blind, Castro is an officer in the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C.

“We are honoring, today, our disabled [employees], but there’s more to it than just that,” Stanley said. “My wife reminds me every day that I'm temporarily able. It doesn’t take much -- for any of us here -- for circumstances [to change and] find you in a way you didn't anticipate.”

Department officials awarded 19 civilians and servicemembers with disabilities for their outstanding service, and four agencies for their commitments to “further equality to individuals with mental and physical disabilities.”

The Department of the Navy won the award for best military department for 2010; the National Security Agency took the best intelligence component for the year; the best mid-sized agency went to the Defense Logistics Agency, and the defense office of Inspector General won in the best small agency category for the year.

Gates Visits United Arab Emirates

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 9, 2010 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here today to meet with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nubayan.

It’s the latest stop in an overseas trip that has taken the secretary to Oman and Afghanistan, as well as to the deployed aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

“Secretary Gates is happy to be back in Abu Dhabi to meet with our close friend and ally, the crown prince,” Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.

It’s the secretary’s fourth meeting with the crown prince since he became secretary, and their second since March, when Gates was last here, Morrell said.

“They will discuss a range of bilateral and regional security issues -- everything from defense cooperation to challenges that we are working together to try to solve,” he added.

Morrell said Gates will update the crown prince on the situation in Afghanistan, where the United Arab Emirates is contributing forces. “He’ll likely discuss the situation in Iraq, as well as Yemen and certainly Iran as well,” he said.

The crown prince is deputy commander of his nation’s armed forces and a leading national security official, a senior Defense Department official told reporters this week.

The official said that as with Gates’ visit to Oman, his visit here has no particular agenda, but simply provides a chance for the secretary to meet a valued ally while he was in the region for his trip to Afghanistan and the USS Abraham Lincoln. It’s also an opportunity, he added, to continue U.S. efforts to encourage more cooperation among nations in the region.

“The idea is taking as the starting point that the region increasingly sees the same challenges: piracy, terrorism, ballistic missile proliferation, [weapons of mass destruction] proliferation,” the official said. “The regional security architecture is oriented around the fact that if you have all these common interests, you should have more avenues for multilateral cooperation, which is historically not something that there has been a lot of in the Gulf.”

Most countries in the region have bilateral relationships on these issues with other nations, the official said. “And so, in integrated air and missile defense, shared early warning, maritime task forces [and] counterterrorism cooperation, the idea is to leverage the fact that we have different forms of bilateral cooperation in all of these issues with most of these countries to gradually, over time, show them the benefits of starting to stitch their efforts together.”

The official said that although inroads are taking place for multilateral cooperation in issues such as piracy and maritime security, the concept is mainly “aspirational” in other areas at this point.

The secretary’s meeting with the crown prince is scheduled to take place this evening.

Mullen: Trilateral Cooperation Best Response to North Korea

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

TOKYO, Dec. 9, 2010 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met here today with Japanese leaders to encourage closer bi and multilateral cooperation, not only to confront current threats like North Korea, but also to tap new opportunities to advance regional security.

Meeting with Gen. Ryoichi Oriki, Japanese chief of staff, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and Vice Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen underscored the importance of the longstanding U.S.-Japan alliance and the desire to reinvigorate it during “these very critical times.”

Mullen, who traveled here after meeting with South Korean leaders in Seoul, recognized the volatility of the region, much of it owed to “the reckless behavior of the North Korean regime, enabled by their friends in China.”

The chairman condemned North Korea’s recent provocations, most recently, an unprovoked Nov. 23 artillery attack on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island, and said he fears it’s not the last.

“I actually believe that because these provocations continue in seemingly more frequent intervals that the danger is going up and that steps must be taken to ensure that they stop,” he told reporters at a news conference at the U.S. Embassy.

Mullen reiterated his call for China to exert its influence and get North Korea to change course. “There is no country in the world that has more influence in Pyongyang than China,” he said. “And that is part of responsible leadership, … of being a global power, and I would hope [China] would heed this call and do that.”

But Mullen said it’s also up to Japan, South Korea and the United States, as well as other regional nations, to work together in a way that that not only sends a clear deterrent message to North Korea and China, but also promotes longer-term regional security.

“The strong preference is that this be done peacefully, that we don’t get into a situation that escalates, and that leaders and countries step forward to ensure that doesn’t happen,” he said.

Noting the 42 nations contributing troops in Afghanistan, Mullen called multilateral cooperation “the way of the future.”

“No single nation can address all of today’s challenges alone,” he said. “Even if someone could, there is a greater strength to be found in the diversity of talent and skill presented through multilateral cooperation.”

The chairman, visiting here as the United States and Japan conduct the “Keen Sword” bilateral military exercise, said he was encouraged that South Korea had sent military observers to participate. Mullen called it “a terrific first step to broadening our trilateral relationship and deepening our collective readiness.”

Mullen emphasized the value of this trilateral military engagement, citing “a real sense of urgency” on the Korean peninsula “that is much better addressed with all of us, together, in terms of showing strength and getting to a point where we are able to deter North Korea’s behavior.”

The chairman acknowledged past acrimony between Japan and South Korea, but said today’s challenges and future opportunities require looking ahead, together. “All leaders, civilian and military, have to figure out a way, in the region and in the world, to work together and be less tied to our past,” he said.

Dwelling on the past "too often drags us back when we should be moving forward,” he said. It “can hold back initiatives for the future which are really important as we look at this changing world.”

Mullen praised Japan’s leadership in that changing world: spearheading international maritime and commercial initiatives and expanding its role in international security affairs, including contributions to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He said he was heartened during today’s meeting with Japanese leaders about their commitment to the Japan-U.S. partnership and their willingness to enhance it in ways that benefit the alliance and the region.

In doing so, the chairman warned against letting tactical issues drive strategic thought – with short-term objectives obscuring long-term outcomes.

“It was through such a view that we approached our discussions in Seoul, and it is through this view that I believe Japan and the United States must continue to approach our own bilateral relations,” he said. “What is necessary, over the long term, is a larger vision for a stable, secure and even more prosperous region -- not based on threats but on opportunities, not mired in fear, but alighted through mutual trust and cooperation.”

Japan and the United States have shared this type of trust and cooperation for 50 years, Mullen said, and will continue building on it as they explore ways to strengthen their alliance for the future.

“Yesterday I was in Seoul, reaffirming in the face of this hostility our strong commitment to the defense of South Korea and to security on the peninsula,” he said.

“Today, I come to Tokyo for much the same reason: to reaffirm America's unbreakable bond with the people of Japan, to reassure you of our enduring defense obligations under Article Five of the mutual defense treaty, and to our pledge to look for ways to improve cooperation across the full spectrum of military operations.”

Coast Guard Family of the Year

Written by: LTJG Stephanie Young
Post written by LTJG Ryan White.

The Kennedy family describe themselves as “can-do.” That is not a far cry from the Coast Guard’s motto, Semper Paratus, or “Always Ready.” This positive attitude resonates in all they do and was central to the family’s selection as the National Military Family Association’s Coast Guard Family of the Year.

The family has preserved through the typical military family challenges, which during Cmdr. John Kennedy’s 16-year Coast Guard career has taken the family through six moves in 14 years. Most recently, they moved to Atlantic Beach, N.C., where Kennedy serves as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter Elm. Their endurance has allowed the family to thrive through it all thanks to the enthusiastic support of wife, Bobbie and their three children. Military life isn’t always easy, but they have found a way to make it rewarding.

“The Kennedy family is more than deserving of this award because of their constant commitment to not only the United States Coast Guard, but to their community,” said Jessica Geri, the ombudsman for CGC Elm. “They go above and beyond to assist others and help out with volunteer projects. They are a very down-to-earth and kind family that makes connecting with them on a personal level very easy.”

The Kennedy family’s activities are as diverse as the Coast Guard’s missions, which only strengthens the family bond. Between singing and dancing to playing in the church and county band, the family sticks together as a team. Each of the children participate in athletics with the girls attending dance and the son playing baseball and basketball as his father coaches.

Through it all, the family has become very close; relying on each other as they tackle challenges ranging from half-marathons to getting settled in new towns making new friends. The Kennedys approach each move as an opportunity to broaden their horizons and embark on a new adventure.

“My family is thrilled to represent our Coast Guard and its families in this way. Although challenging, the military lifestyle reminds us every day of the blessings of liberty,” said Kennedy.

When asked where their favorite duty station has been, the family admits they can’t decide because “we’re not finished moving!” And with every move the Kennedys will add to their extended family of friends.

Congratulations to the Kennedy family on Military Family of the Year!

Chairman Seeks to Restore Military Relationship With China

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

TOKYO, Dec. 9, 2010 – Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed optimism that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ visit to China next month, and a possible visit to Washington early next year by Mullen’s Chinese counterpart, could invigorate the two countries’ stalled military-to-military relationship.

“I would hope that we can sustain that military-to-military relationship as opposed to what it has been, which has been on-and-off over the years,” Mullen said today during a news conference at the U.S. Embassy here.

That arrangement “doesn’t do either one of us … any good,” he said.

“We follow very closely the development of defense capabilities of China,” Mullen said.
But “one of the real problems of not having a relationship is, I don’t understand much about what they are doing,” he said. “I don’t understand why they are doing it. I don’t understand the depth or the reasons for their military investments.”

China says it wants a “peaceful rise,” which “would be a positive outcome for everybody,” Mullen said. But some of China’s investments -- including space and anti-ship capabilities -- “don’t necessarily match up” with that goal, he said.

“I’m hopeful that we can get a relationship established between our militaries, where we can have much more fruitful conversations that are much more transparent than has been in the past,” the admiral said. “Historically, our relationship has been far too opaque.”

Mullen reiterated during today’s news conference his call for China to exert its influence to curb North Korea’s recent spate of provocations. The most recent, a Nov. 23 artillery attack on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island, left four people dead.

“There is no country in the world that has more influence in Pyongyang than China,” the chairman said. “And that is part of responsible leadership, … of being a global power, and I would hope [China] would heed this call and do that.”

Mullen also acknowledged China’s complaints about U.S. military operations in the Yellow Sea, but dismissed them as baseless.

“We were very transparent about when we were going to go there and what we were going to do,” he said. “And we went when we said we were going to go and we did what we told them we were going to do. And there were no problems associated with that.”

The United States operates in these free waters with the sole reason of supporting regional security, particularly on the Korean peninsula, he said.

“We have operated in that part of the world for decades,” Mullen continued, noting his own experience there as a young junior officer stationed in the Pacific. “And we will continue to do that in the future."

VADM Currier Visited Royal Navy in United Kingdom

By DCMS Log

SAT. 4 December: VADM Currier completed a trip to the United Kingdom (UK) where he visited the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) Dartmouth, and HMS Raleigh, the Royal Navy's enlisted training center.

VADM Currier presented an award at HMS Raleigh's recruit graduation. He was the presiding official for the ceremony.

This Day in Naval History - Dec. 08

From the Navy News Service

1933 - The Secretary of the Navy establishes the Fleet Marine Force, integrating a ready-to-deploy Marine force with their own aircraft into fleet organization.
1941 - The United States declares war on Japan.
1941 - USS Wake (PR 3), a river gunboat moored at Shanghai, is only U.S. vessel to surrender during World War II.
1942 - Eight PT boats (PT 36, PT 37, PT 40, PT 43, PT 44, PT 48, PT 59 and PT 109) turn back eight Japanese destroyers attempting to reinforce Japanese forces on Guadalcanal.

Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, December 09, 2010

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is traveling.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn has no public or media events on his schedule.

A National Capital Region flyover of Arlington National Cemetery occurs at with one B-52.