Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Special Ops Aviator and Author

The May 17, 2012, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with Chief Warrant Officer (4) Michael J. Hangee, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment; and, the author of Penalty of Pride.

Program Date: May 17, 2012
Program Time: 1500 hours, PACIFIC
Topic: Special Ops Aviator and Author
Listen Live:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2012/05/17/special-ops-aviator-and-author

About the Guest
Chief Warrant Officer (4) Michael J. Hangge, enlisted in the United States Army in 1989.  During the First Gulf War he was promoted to sergeant.  In 1994, he attended Warrant Officer Candidate School.  A pilot, he is currently assigned to160th Special Operations  Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell.  Chief Warrant Officer (4) Michael J. Hangge is the author of Penalty of Pride (Dispersive Ground).

According to the book description Penalty of Pride (Dispersive Ground), “The powder keg of war lights when the brutal legacy of Kim Jong-il is passed to his youngest son. As the Young General struggles to cope with his inheritance of fear, famine, disease, and death, there are powerful forces lurking in the shadows, ready to usurp control of the failing nation. When the dead dictator’s eldest son realizes his brother has lost control of their nation, he calls James Faulkirk to help him end his family’s vile nepocracy. James, an ex-CIA analyst haunted by the pain of his own losses, climbs out of his soju bottles as the countdown to war nears zero. But can the unlikely duo warn the world and rescue the Korean peninsula before it sinks into the putrid hole which has already rotted its very bedrock?”

About the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
According to the United States Army, “it owes its modern night fighting aviation capabilities to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) who pioneered night flight techniques, shared in the development of equipment and proved that “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit,” a motto the Regiment lives by. The unit originally formed from attachments of the 101st Airborne Division. It immediately entered into a period of intensive night flying, quickly becoming the Army’s premier night fighting aviation force and the Army’s only Special Operations Aviation force. Task Force 160 was officially recognized as a unit on Oct. 16, 1981, when it was designated the 160th Aviation Battalion. Since that time, the 160th has become known as the “Night Stalkers” because of its capability to strike undetected during the hours of darkness and its impeccable performance around the world.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life.  Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years.  He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant.  He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University.  He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership.  Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One.  He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:

Listen from the Archive:
http://www.americanheroesradio.com/special_ops_aviator.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

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‘Heroes of Hope’: Learn More About Children’s Mental Health


By Robyn Mincher, DCoE Strategic Communications

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) is paying tribute to children with their annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day May 9. Themed “Heroes of Hope,” the day promotes support and progress of children’s mental health, and includes an exhibit featuring artwork from students and an evening program at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The event also complements activities occurring across the country to support the mental health needs of children.

 Since 1994, SAMSHA’s “Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health” effort has increased public awareness around children’s mental health issues. And this year’s theme not only recognizes children and youth who have demonstrated resilience after traumatic events, but also heroes of hope — caring adults who helped them enhance their resilience. In support of children’s mental health, SAMSHA is highlighting resources, tools and activities to help children cope and gain resilience as they navigate through challenges.

SAMSHA offers trauma resources for parents and caregivers to help them connect and communicate with young children coping with trauma. The organization also offers resources from collaborating organizations, such as the Child Mind Institute “Speak Up For Kids” program and stopbullying.gov.

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) offers related resources for families, including the Children of Military Service Members Resource Guide, a tool to assist parents, family members and health care providers address the mental and emotional health needs of military children. Sesame Workshop, a DCoE partner, created a new website, familiesnearandfar.org, to help military families create, communicate and stay connected through the transitions of military life. MilitaryKidsConnect.org, from the National Center for Telehealth and Technology, unites children, tweens and teens with their deployed loved ones and other military kids online.

Want to help raise awareness for children’s mental health? Take part in community events in your area. And if you can’t attend SAMSHA’s Heroes of Hope program in person, watch the live webcast on samhsa.gov/children, scheduled today from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (EDT).

During Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 6–12), you can use social media to share facts surrounding children’s mental health with SAMSHA’s pre-drafted social media messages. And check out more positive social media messaging about psychological health for the military community by becoming a fan of the DCoE Facebook page, and following us on Twitter.

Secretary of the Navy Names High Speed Ferries Guam and Puerto Rico


The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the names of the Navy’s recently acquired high speed ferries (HSFs); the USNS Guam and the USNS Puerto Rico.

The selection of the name Guam honors the long-standing historical and military relationship between Guam and the United States.  This relationship began in 1898 when the United States acquired the island from Spain as a result of the “Treaty of Paris” that ended the Spanish-American War.  Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese captured Guam which they occupied until U.S. troops retook the island on July 21, 1944, a date commemorated every year as “Liberation Day”.  Guam continues to host many of the United States’ critical military installations in the Pacific Ocean.

Selection of the name Puerto Rico honors the association of Puerto Rico and the United States that dates back to 1898 when Spain ceded control of the island in the Treaty of Paris.  Although the initial intent was for the island to serve as a location for rest, coaling and repair stations for the Navy, Puerto Rico has formed a close relationship with the United States.   Numerous Puerto Ricans have served proudly and the territory has been home to five Medal of Honor recipients -- Fernando L. Garcia, Carlos James Lozada, Euripides Rubio, Hector Santiago-Colon and Humbert Roque Versace. 

 “High speed ferries will be used for peacetime operations such as troop transport training, exercise missions and humanitarian and disaster relief,” stated secretary Mabus.  “I am pleased that Guam and Puerto Rico will serve as namesakes for these important additions to the fleet, in honor of their strong military heritage and our many shared values.”

Prior to being acquired by the U.S. Navy, both HSFs assisted in humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti while operating under the names Alakai and Huakai.  Guam and Puerto Rico are currently being modified to support military operations and to increase the platforms’ endurance by installing crew berthing, sewage treatment plants and water-making equipment.

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342.  For more news from secretary of the Navy public affairs, visit http://www.navy.mil/SECNAV .

Marine Corps Dedicates OCS Battalion Command Post


By James Johnson, NAVFAC Washington Public Affairs

QUANTICO, Va. (NNS) -- The Officer Candidates School Battalion Command Post, designed by Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington, was dedicated during a ceremony held aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, May 4.

The dedication of Wilson Hall, named after former Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Louis H. Wilson, was presided over by current Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos.

"I want you to look at this building, because this is almost a miracle that the United States Marine Corps would have something this nice, this new. It even smells like a new car," said Amos. "I'm very grateful to Sauer and NAVFAC for doing this for us. It is absolutely wonderful."

The dedication marked completion of the 13,024 square foot Wilson Hall and Bobo Hall, a 29,600 square foot mess hall, which will serve 2,400 Marines per meal. Geothermal wells at Wilson Hall and photovoltaic cells and solar water-heater panels at the Bobo Hall will help reduce the amount of energy the buildings take from the power grid.

"We had a great team," said Ensign Anna Hallais, project manager. "A lot of typical construction challenges, but it was a very rewarding project. The final product is excellent. The quality is superior-quite possibly the finest facility at [MCB] Quantico," said Hallais of Wilson Hall.

Col. Kris J. Stillings, commanding officer of the Officer Candidates School also noted how well-constructed the building is. "The name Wilson Hall is very fitting for a building of this magnitude," he said.

NAVFAC Washington awarded Sauer Inc. a contract Dec. 30, 2009, to build the two facilities which cost $17,577,300.