Family Members in Japan Can Relocate Voluntarily

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2011 – The State Department has authorized family members and dependents of U.S. government officials -- including those of service members -- to relocate from northeastern Japan, officials announced last night.

The U.S. government also is working to facilitate the departure of private American citizens from areas within a 50-mile radius of the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan said.

Detailed information is available in a travel warning posted at the State Department’s website, Lapan said. Meanwhile, he added, U.S. forces remain in Japan, and the United States has full capability to fulfill its alliance commitments to defend Japan and maintain peace and security in the region.

Defense Department family members eligible to relocate will receive travel instructions from their local commands, Lapan said, noting that the relocation is temporary and that the family members will return when the situation in the region is resolved.

Indian Head Division Promotes STEM in Maryland

From Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division Public Affairs

LA PLATA, Md. (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Division employees, including scientists and engineers, helped judge more than 500 science projects at the Charles County Science Fair, in La Plata, Md., March 5.

The science fair, held at La Plata High School, is one of several educational outreach opportunities Indian Head employees support in Charles County.

"Indian Head Division is part of the Charles County community," said Charlie Huber, NSWC IHD security guard. "Giving back to [the] community and participating in [science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs] is an important thing to do."

The division sponsors several STEM activities in the local area, including robotics competitions and summer camps.

Daren Eaton, an engineer at NSWC IHD, coaches a team from Grace Christian Academy. The team recently competed in the future Lego League (FLL) competition.

"In my role as the technical coach, I guide much of the FLL research project, and a significant amount of the robot development," said Eaton. "The biggest compliment I get from the team [is how the] competition makes science, math and engineering fun and engaging."

The Charles County Science Fair, attended by personnel from NSWC IHD, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), is one of many programs and partnerships across the NAVSEA enterprise demonstrating the command's commitment to education and outreach.

These efforts throughout NAVSEA have built lasting and productive connections with educators, business leaders, government officials and affinity groups in STEM-related fields.

Navy Supports Northrop Grumman Corp. Shipbuilding Spin-Off

The Department of the Navy announced that it is now in a position to support Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NGC) spin-off of its shipbuilding business.  The Navy finds Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (HII) responsible for award of amphibious transport dock ship LPD 26 and guided missile destroyer DDG 113, both contracts currently under negotiation with NGC.

 “NGC has cooperated with the Navy in working through the complex issues related to its potential spin-off of its shipbuilding business to HII,” said Sean Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.  “Our support of the spin-off is based on a critical review of HII’s proposed capital structure, current contract financials, required capital investment and proprietary forward-looking projections.  Ultimately, with appropriate adjustments made by NGC as a result of the Navy’s findings and captured within an agreement between NGC and the Navy, we have been able to resolve our concerns about the risk involved to this important segment of our shipbuilding industrial base.”

The Navy’s concern with HII’s credit rating, driven by its initial debt, has been offset by NGC’s agreement to relieve HII of first quarter 2011 debts, to provide a starting cash balance of $300 million, and not to recoup retentions, performance incentives, and economic price adjustment payments that the Navy might owe under current shipbuilding contracts with Northrop Grumman Ship Building from HII.

 “The Navy evaluated the extent of considerations made by NGC as appropriately addressing the risk of this spin to Navy shipbuilding” said Stackley, “The Navy regards HII as a responsible contractor and is proceeding to finalize the negotiations with the intent to award the contracts for construction of LPD 26 and DDG 113 to HII.”

For more information, please contact the public affairs officer in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition at 703-695-0611.

General Officer Announcements

The chief of staff, Army announced today the following assignments:

Maj. Gen. James C. Boozer Sr., director of operations, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, Installation Management, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C., to deputy commanding general/chief of staff, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany.

Maj. Gen. Ming T. Wong, commanding general, William Beaumont Army Medical Center/deputy commanding general for readiness, Western Regional Medical Command/chief, Dental Corps, El Paso, Texas, to commanding general, Brooke Army Medical Center/Southern Regional Medical Command/chief, Dental Corps, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr., commanding general, Brooke Army Medical Center/Southern Regional Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to commanding general, Walter Reed Army Medical Center/North Atlantic Regional Medical Command, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Horlander, director for resource management, Installation Management Command, Arlington, Va., to director of resource management, Third Army/U.S. Army Central, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Brig. Gen. Michael K. Nagata, deputy chief, operations, Office of the Defense Representative, Pakistan, to deputy director for special operations, J-37, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Camille M. Nichols, commanding general, Joint Contracting Command, U.S. Forces-Iraq, to program executive officer, soldier, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Brig. Gen. Curt A. Rauhut, director, business operations, Office of Business Transformation, Office of the Secretary of the Army, Washington, D.C., to director for resource management, Installation Management Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey J. Snow, director, Iraq Training and Advisory Team-Army, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation New Dawn, Iraq, to director, J-5, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation New Dawn, Iraq.

Col. Paul C. Hurley Jr., who has been selected for the rank of brigadier general, deputy commander/director of operations, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., to commanding general, 19th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Eighth U.S. Army, Korea.

Col. Richard L. Stevens, who has been selected for the rank of brigadier general, executive officer to the chief of staff of the Army, Washington, D.C., to commanding general, U.S. Army Engineer Division, Pacific Ocean, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, March 17, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has no public or media events on his schedule.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn delivers keynote address on "Progress with Financial Reform Imperatives" at the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) National Capital Professional Development Institute in Washington D.C. at 8:25 a.m. EDT.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn and General Counsel Jeh Johnson testify at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on Guantanamo detainees at 1 p.m. EDT in room 2118, Rayburn House Office Building.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz testify at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Department of the Air Force in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal 2012 and the future years defense program at 9:30 a.m. EDT in room SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) Clifford Stanley; Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Bostick; Chief of Naval Personnel, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson; Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones and Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert Milstead testify at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on Military Personnel Overview at 11 a.m. EDT in room 2212, Rayburn House Office Building.

This Day in Naval History - March 16

From the Navy News Service

1911 - The hulk of battleship USS Maine is sunk at sea with full military honors.

1945 - The island of Iwo Jima is declared secure.

1966 - Gemini 8 is launched. Former naval aviator Neil Armstrong flew on this mission, which completed seven orbits in 10 hours, 41 minutes at an altitude of 161.3 nautical miles. Recovery was by USS Leonard F. Mason (DD 852).

Officials Generally Pleased with Base Closure Process

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 – Defense Department officials are generally pleased with the progress of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process as it moves toward its final months, an official involved in the effort said.

The 2005 BRAC law has over 200 recommendations affecting over 800 locations and some 125,000 people. It is one of the largest realignments in the department’s history, and its purpose was different from those that went before, said Peter Potochney, director of the Pentagon’s basing directorate.

Unlike earlier closures and realignments, the push in the 2005 process was for the department footprint to make more sense, Potochney said. “It was to use BRAC as a change agent,” he explained. “The 2005 [process] was more about restructuring than it was about trimming excess capacity.”

The 2005 law called for the department to look 20 years into the future and configure installations and capabilities to support that force.

“The biggest difference in this BRAC was we set up these joint groups that looked across service lines and were empowered to make recommendations,” he said. These recommendations received the same weight and attention that service recommendations received.

The questions became whether functions aligned correctly and how organizations should be based to encourage open communication, efficiencies and synergy. “It made for a much more complicated background,” Potochney said during a recent interview.

It was one thing, for example, to manage a program getting rid of excess capabilities or infrastructure, but something quite different to mix and match organizations from different services with the assorted cultures, requirements and methods of doing business.

The support functions in the military particularly lend themselves to the process. Defense research labs, military medical care, logistics and industrial facilities were among those consolidated. “A lab that looks at guns, for instance,” Potochney said. “Are they similar across the services or not? Would you need separate service labs, or not?”

All this has to be accomplished without violating the Title 10 authority the services maintain to “man, train and equip” the forces.

The fact that the nation is at war complicated implementation of the BRAC, if not the BRAC selection, Potochney said. “We were very careful to ensure we didn’t violate any warfighting equities,” he said.

The pace of these realignments is different also. The earlier realignments and closures “peaked out somewhere around year three,” Potochney said. “This round peaked closer to the sixth year, and that pushes us up against the deadline,” which is Sept. 15.

Functions are the operative word in the base realignment process, he said. “If an old organization had 10 people doing something -– say travel –- and at the new site there is consolidation and there may be some efficiencies there and you made need only eight people, so be it,” he said. “It’s the function being transferred, not just the people.”

Potochney said he thinks the process will meet its deadline. “A lot of [the realignments] are already done, a lot of them are finishing now, and then there is a handful -– five or six -– that are bumping up against the deadline,” he said.

A good example of the latter is the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Md. “We think there is enough time to do it,” he said. “But if a tornado came through tomorrow and blew the building down, would we move medical care just because the BRAC recommendation says it? I don’t think we would jeopardize our medical care. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I am reasonably sure we will make it. But we’re watching it because it is extremely complex.”

Joint basing is another outgrowth of the process. The Defense Department now has 12 joint bases that truly are mergers, with all the facilities and infrastructure personnel becoming parts of the new organization, Potochney said. The process does not say how the missions will be accomplished, only that they will be, he noted, and those involved must meld procedures from different services to make the process work. Officials expect these mergers will save money, he added, and are giving the organizations time to operate together and then will look for efficiencies.

BRAC is extraordinarily hard because it directly affects peoples’ lives, Potochney said. But looking at it broadly, “this BRAC will set us up to be ready for the 21st century,” he said.

“It sounds like a cliché, but this is really going to position us for years and years to come," he added. "Painful? Yes. But also necessary.”

Blue Angels Announce Changes to 2011 Show Schedule

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Julia A. Casper, Blue Angels Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, or Blue Angels, announced two changes to their 2011 show schedule Mar. 10.

Two new show sites were announced as Lynchburg, Va., May 14-15; and Battle Creek, Mich., July 2-3.

Demonstration sites are selected in support of Department of Defense objectives and in the interest of the armed services with safety as the primary consideration.

Performances greatly assist in the recruiting and retention goals for the military services, enhance esprit de corps among uniformed men and women and demonstrate the professional skills and capabilities of the Naval services to the American public and U.S. allies.

For information on individual air shows, please go to the air show's official websites. For details on the Centennial of Naval Aviation please visit http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/centennial/Pages/welcome.aspx.

For more news from Navy Blue Angels, visit www.navy.mil/local/blueangels/.

Ambassador Issues Message to Americans in Japan

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 – U.S. Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos today issued a message to Americans living there to bring them up to date on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the island nation last week.

Here is the text of the ambassador’s message:

Today our hearts remain with our Japanese friends who, after suffering this devastating tragedy just four days ago, have to undertake recovery and reconstruction and address the ongoing nuclear emergency.

We understand that many of you are anxious and have questions in the shadow of the Fukushima emergency, since we are in the midst of a complex, constantly changing, and unpredictable situation. In this fluid situation, our commitment to our citizens is to accumulate accurate information and assess it sufficiently in order to make important judgments.

Since the first reports of trouble with the reactors, American nuclear experts have worked around the clock to analyze data, monitor developments, and provide clear assessments on the potential dangers. While at times we have had only limited access to information, I am personally committed to assuring that our experts have as much access and information as possible, and the necessary resources to understand the situation. I have personally been deeply engaged in these efforts.

After a careful analysis of data, radiation levels, and damage assessments of all units at Fukushima, our experts are in agreement with the response and measures taken by Japanese technicians, including their recommended 20 km radius for evacuation and additional shelter-in-place recommendations out to 30 km.

Let me also address reports of very low levels of radiation outside the evacuation area detected by U.S. and Japanese sensitive instrumentation. This bears very careful monitoring, which we are doing. If we assess that the radiation poses a threat to public health, we will share that information and provide relevant guidance immediately.

The United States will continue to work around the clock to provide precise and up-to-date information supported by expert analysis to ensure the safety and security of our citizens and to help Japan in its time of great need. U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should send an e-mail to JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov with detailed information about their location and contact information, and monitor the U.S. Department of State website at travel.state.gov.

Naval Special Warfare Hosts Blood Drive

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John Scorza, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) hosted the first of its quarterly Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) blood donor drive's in San Diego, Calif., March 15.

Sailors and civilians joined in the NSW donor effort and contributed more than 40 pints, which will benefit military members and their families around the world.

"We are a military blood donor center and our mission is to support the military," said Doreen Rekoski, NMCSD blood donor recruiter. "We do that in two ways. The first way is by sending the blood to our hospital, NMCSD, and the other way is by sending a weekly shipment of blood to the troops overseas for the forward deployed medical units."

Military blood donations are limited due to federal restrictions stating that military collections must be performed on military installations. Although anyone can donate, they must have base access to participate.

"Really, our primary donors are active duty or retired military," said Rekoski. "Anyone can donate, but it is a matter of being able to get on base which limits our exposure."

"Donating blood saves lives," said Rekoski. "There is no substitute for human blood and even though you don't know who you're going to help, you will help someone."

Operations Specialist 3rd Class April Reimers has given blood more than 10 times in her life and advocates the importance of donating.

"It saves lives. It's that simple," said Reimers. "People should think about what it would be like to be in a position of needing blood and not having anyone volunteer to give any."

"I've never donated before," said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class (EXW) Jeffrey Jones. "I've contemplated giving blood for many years, and I couldn't really say what made me do it this time, but I'm glad I did it."

Face of Defense: Captain Cares for Pets Left Behind

By C. Todd Lopez

Army News Service

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 – On Jan. 25, Egyptians began protesting against the government of then-President Hosni Mubarak. By Feb. 1, the U.S. State Department had ordered the departure of all nonemergency U.S. government personnel and their families from Egypt.

But not all "members" of the families departed. The four-legged ones stayed behind.

"A lot of people had pets that they really didn't have a good plan for being taken care of in the event of evacuation," said Army Capt. Eric Coulson, who works in office of military cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo as part of a team that manages nearly $1.3 billion in annual aid to the Egyptian military. "And the vets and the kennels here were kind of overwhelmed."

Coulson's wife, Karen, left Egypt -- but he and the couple's two dogs, Molly and Sayeret, stayed behind. Coulson and a fellow soldier at the embassy, Army Maj. Alavora Roa, teamed up to take care of those pets that were left behind when their owners departed the country.

"We sort of organized an emergency kennel for all the people who didn't have a place to put their animals while they were being evacuated," Coulson said. "We sort of reached out to people we knew had animals."

In all, Coulson and Roa found themselves running an impromptu pet hotel for about 20 animals, scattered among the deserted apartments of their coworkers who had evacuated. The two checked in on their co-workers’ apartments and also stopped in to feed and walk the animals.

One co-worker, Coulson said, had a fairly large roof available on his apartment, and they kept several animals there.

"We consolidated them at the apartment of one of the other persons involved in this -- he has a large roof, and we put them on the roof with some shelter with large water bowls and large food bowls, and we took turns taking them out."

Coulson said the local Purina distributor in Cairo made a generous donation of supplies to keep the kennel operating.

"Most of the people who were leaving told us where to pick up dog food," he said. "The local Purina dealer did give us a couple hundred pounds of dog food, as well as cat litter and cat food. Between what people had and a generous donation from the Purina dealer here in Cairo, we've been able to take care of the animals at minimal expense."

Now, several of the pet owners have come back to Egypt, Coulson said, and some of the pets have been shipped back to their owners. Coulson's pet boarding days eventually will be a distant memory, but the events in Egypt will stay fresh for a while, he said. The speed at which events in Egypt unfolded was thrilling, he said.

"It went from probably about 10 miles an hour to 60 miles an hour in just a matter of days," he said. "It was absolutely interesting to watch -- to be in the middle of history."

The recent events weren't the first time Coulson has been struck by historical change in Egypt. He was just 13 when President Anwar Sadat was assassinated -- old enough to be able to gauge the impact and significance of what had happened.

"That was sort of one of my first big memory of things in the news -- of what we had as far as 'wall-to-wall coverage' back in 1981," he said. "I remember being riveted by the TV.

"The two transitions of power in Egyptian history that have taken place in my life are really sort of important memories to me," Coulson added.

Patrol Squadron 4 Relocates Assets to Misawa

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devon Dow, U.S. Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan Public Affairs

MISAWA, Japan (NNS) -- More than 70 crewmembers of Patrol Squadron 4, currently on deployment in Okinawa, Japan, arrived at Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAFM), March 16, to better assist with Japanese relief efforts.

The squadron repositioned their relief efforts in the wake of the recent 9.0 magnitude earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami on Japan's eastern seaboard.

The Hawaii-based squadron initially provided its efforts from Kadena Air Base, but the transition to NAFM will increase the Squadron's time on site and reduce time in transit.

They will provide two aircraft and four combat aircrews rotating daily from NAFM, which will provide search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The repositioning, according to Cmdr. Kevin Long, Patrol Squadron 4 executive officer, could not have come soon enough.

"This is where we need to be," he said. "Being on site for longer periods of time will allow us to do a more thorough search. Transiting from Kadena to the devastated areas required a total of six hours en route...coming here will dramatically decrease that."

Long said he and his crew are prepared and ready for the missions ahead and are looking forward to cooperating with NAFM as they combine their resources to aid Japan's recovery efforts in any way possible.

"Our guys are ready on arrival," he added. "We are bringing a lot of support and are willing to provide assistance where needed."

Lt. Matty Welch, a pilot assigned to Patrol Squadron 4, flew on a search-and-rescue mission when the squadron was operating from Kadena Air Base. He said he is happy they are in Misawa because from what he saw, the increased time on site is needed in Misawa.

"It is hard to describe the destruction," he said. "Being here is going to be a huge benefit for us. We are looking forward to the missions we will conduct out of NAFM and helping with the relief efforts from this vantage point."

Misawa Service Members Tireless in Recovery Effort

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley, Naval Air Facility Misawa Public Affairs

OFUNATO, Japan (NNS) -- Service members from Misawa Air Base played a vital role in the recovery effort in Ofunato, Japan, March 14 after a devastating earthquake and tsunami ravaged the country's eastern coastline.

Airmen from the 35th Fighter Wing provided logistic support and transportation to the port town of Ofunato for search and rescue teams from Los Angeles County, Fairfax County, Va., and the United Kingdom.

After the teams arrived in Misawa, the base's Airmen immediately began offloading, palletizing and loading supplies and rescue equipment onto flatbed trucks. Twenty-three service members provided transport for the rescue crews and equipment to the port town that lies about 100 miles south of Misawa.

Air Force Senior Airman Alan Early, from the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, said he was grateful for the opportunity to volunteer and help out.

"I wanted to take the opportunity to give back to people in need and further strengthen the friendship between Japan and America," said Early.

After arriving in Ofunato, Air Force Senior Master Sgt. John Mitchel said the damage he saw was surreal.

"I've been through typhoons before and seen devastation, but nothing on this level," said Mitchel. "We're here and to offer whatever assistance we can."

Mitchel added that the people of Japan seemed genuinely grateful for our assistance.

"When we left Misawa Air Base, people were lining the streets bowing at our convoy - some were even crying," said Mitchel.

Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

Undersecretary of Defense (Policy) Michele Flournoy and Commander, International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Army Gen. David Petraeus testify at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on developments in Afghanistan at 10 a.m. EDT in room 2118, Rayburn House Office Building.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Chief of Staff, Army Gen. George Casey testify at a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee on the fiscal 2012 Army budget at 10 a.m. EDT in room H-140, The Capitol.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos testify at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee on fiscal year 2012 Navy budget request at 10:30 a.m. EDT in room SD-192, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) James Miller and Commander, U.S. Cyber Command Army Gen. Keith Alexander testify at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on fiscal 2012 budget request from U.S. Cyber Command at 3:30 p.m. EDT in room 2212, Rayburn House Office Building.

NAVADMIN Announces NWU Pattern Gore-Tex Foul Weather Trouser

From Chief of Naval Personnel

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy Working Uniform (NWU) now has a matching foul weather trouser made of Gore-Tex for wear during inclement weather, as announced in NAVADMIN 081/11 March 11.

This uniform change is a result of fleet input requesting a waterproof foul weather trouser to match the look and performance of the NWU Type I parka.

The proposal was endorsed by U.S. Fleet Forces Command, recommended by the Navy Uniform Board and approved by the chief of naval operations.

The NWU foul weather trouser is classified as organizational clothing and is intended to be worn with the NWU parka during inclement weather or during the performance of duties requiring protective clothing, as directed by the commanding officer.

Organizational clothing is defined as any clothing loaned to an individual by a naval activity, for which there is a requirement above and beyond authorized navy uniforms. The trousers will remain the property of the Navy and Sailors must return the trouser upon transferring. As with all organizational clothing, the trousers will be worn with working uniforms only while performing duties.

The NWU Gore-Tex foul weather trouser is manufactured by Tennessee Apparel Corp and is available to commands through GSA Advantage.

This Day in Naval History - March 15

From the Navy News Service

1865 - In the largest amphibious operation of the war, Union forces capture Fort Fisher, N.C.

1943 - The Numbered fleet system is established.

1957 - Airship ZPG-2 lands at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., after an 11-day non-stop flight across the Atlantic.

1966 - River Squadron 5 is established in Vietnam.

Official Notes Readiness Challenges in Pacific

By Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2011 – The U.S. military response following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan highlights the importance of a forward troop presence in the region, a senior defense official told Congress today.

Michael Schiffer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, testified today before the House Armed Services Committee’s readiness subcommittee on long-term challenges in the Pacific region.

“Our forward presence in Japan and throughout the Asia-Pacific region has allowed us to respond to Japan’s urgent needs quickly,” Schiffer said.

The U.S. military is contributing humanitarian assistance and helicopter search-and-rescue operations in Japan, Schiffer said, while U.S. Navy ships are providing water purification, medical teams and hospital beds. The military services will continue to provide “whatever assistance our Japanese friends require,” he added.

U.S. service members in the Pacific region are ready to meet any challenges they may face in the near, medium or long term, Schiffer said.

The Asia-Pacific region represents $1 trillion annually in U.S. trade and holds more than half of the world’s population, 15 of the world’s major ports and six of its largest armies, Schiffer said: “China, India, North Korea, South Korea, Russia, Japan and, of course, our own.”

Schiffer discussed U.S. military readiness in the context of the rise of China, North Korean provocation and the evolving U.S. regional posture.

China offers cooperation and partnership on certain regional challenges, he said, but also poses regional challenges.

“Areas such as its military modernization efforts, its opaquely defined long-term strategic intentions, and questions about the development of its anti-access and area-denial capabilities [cause] concern,” Schiffer said.

Long-term readiness requires the United States to work with its allies and with China to “positively shape China’s rise both within the Asia-Pacific region and globally,” he said. U.S. strategy must be flexible enough to capitalize on the potential of the nation’s relationship with China, while managing the risk inherent in China’s rise, he added.

As China’s military capabilities continue to increase, both nations benefit from a healthy military-to-military relationship, Schiffer said.

The United States will continue to strengthen its posture, presence and capabilities in the region and to build its alliances there, he said.

North Korean provocations represent a complicated security threat, Schiffer said.

“The United States and our ally, the Republic of Korea, are enhancing our deterrent capabilities and so ensuring that we are fully prepared to meet any threat from North Korea,” he said.

The U.S. must maintain a forward-deployed military presence on the Korean peninsula, he said.

“The Department of Defense is evaluating U.S. global posture on an ongoing basis, to better position us and our forces to meet the demands of the myriad emerging threats and provocations in the region,” Schiffer said. The U.S. defense posture in Asia is shifting to one that is more geographically distributed, operationally resilient and politically sustainable, he told the panel.

Schiffer said the United States and Japan are working closely to relocate Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from its present location to a less-populated area on the Japanese island of Okinawa.

“Indeed, events in the region have conspired to remind us all of the importance and the necessity of Marine forces on Okinawa, and the vital role [U.S. forces play] in both deterring potential conflict and responding to crisis in Japan,” he said.

America has deep roots and enduring interests in the Asia-Pacific region, and DOD remains focused on “protecting American interests and allies against the range of threats and challenges we will face together in the 21st century,” Schiffer said.

USS Barry Corpsmen Teach Crew How to Save Lives

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) medical team provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to crew members March 9.

Training included situational awareness, victim rapid evaluation, automated external defibrillator techniques, first aid and basic CPR.

The training was designed to train Sailors on what to do and how to react in a situation where someone might need immediate medical attention.

"Barry's medical team aims to be at the forefront of the new training initiative, which states all watch standers must be basic CPR qualified," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Young. "This initiative is an attempt to foresee new requirements from Afloat Training Group for all top-side rovers and watch standers to be basic CPR qualified."

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), CPR is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions delivered to a victim in cardiac arrest. CPR can support a small amount of blood flow to the heart and brain to "buy time" until normal heart function is restored.

The CPR program aboard Berry is sponsored by the AHA, which provides Barry's medical team with materials they need to train and inform Sailors.

"There are new changes to the AHA curriculum that Barry has implemented into the shipwide course," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Michael Brandy. "It's our job to make sure that Sailors are properly trained, informed and aware of new changes in the procedure."

Current Navy standards require only certain ratings, such as electricians and medical staff, to be CPR qualified. Electricians have to qualify annually, but all other ratings will remain certified for two years.

"CPR is an important skill for all of our Sailors to learn," said Ensign Luke Freeman, Barry's assistant training officer. "Not only can it be used in an emergency aboard the ship, but our Sailors can use it to help civilians ashore as well."

AHA developed the first CPR guidelines in 1966. During the past 50 years the fundamentals of early recognition and activation, early CPR, early defibrillation and early access to emergency medical care have saved hundreds of thousands of lives around the world.

Barry is on a scheduled deployment conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

Air Force Flies More Egyptians Home

By Lisa Daniel

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2011 – The Air Force today airlifted 175 Egyptians home from Tunisia to Cairo in the latest U.S. transport of refugees fleeing the turmoil in Libya, a Pentagon spokeswoman said today.

The Egyptians had been in Libya and fled to Tunisia when violence broke out last month between groups seeking political reforms and forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. They stayed several weeks in camps in Djerba, Tunisia.

Two Air Force KC-130 aircraft flew the Egyptians from Djerba to Cairo today. Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft now have returned more than 1,100 Egyptians to Cairo at the request of the Egyptian government since March 5, Navy Cmdr. Wendy Snyder said.

The Air Force KC-130s are based out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, but are staging at Naval Station Souda Bay, Crete, for transporting the evacuees, Snyder said.

More than 250,000 people have fled the fighting in Libya since it began last month, United Nations officials said, with about 6,000 people leaving Libya each day.

COMUSNAVSO, C4F Hosts Command Open House

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Vic Guillory, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) hosted a command open house event for the local Jacksonville, Fla., community at Naval Station Mayport, March 9.

The command open house provided the local community with information about some of the many deployments and missions COMUSNAVSO/C4F performs in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility.

"This open house gave our local community an opportunity to become familiar with our mission here at Fourth Fleet and to understand and see first-hand how we conduct our daily business fostering partnerships to maintain security and stability throughout the region," said Guillory.

Along with the familiarization, the distinguished guests were given a tour of the various office functions throughout the headquarters. Afterwards, the guests were treated with a banquet-style lunch and continued on with the social event.

COMUSNAVSO/COMFOURTHFLT supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing sea-based forward presence, to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

For more information, please contact COMUSNAVSO/C4F Public Affairs by email at comusnavso-c4f_mypt_pao@navy.mil, visit www.public.navy.mil/comusnavso-c4f, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT, or on Twitter at twitter.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT.

Senior Leader Stresses That Seeking Help is ‘Sign of Strength’

By Sarah Heynen, DCoE Strategic Communications

The importance of suicide awareness and prevention is the focus of the annual Department of Defense (DoD)/Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Suicide Prevention Conference. This year’s conference, “All the Way Home: Preventing Suicide Among Service Members and Veterans,” began yesterday in Boston with more than 1,000 active-duty service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, veterans, military family members, researchers and clinicians from federal and non-federal agencies in attendance.

Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for Health Affairs and TRICARE Management Activity director, opened the conference with a focus on accountability. He stressed that leadership has the responsibility to ensure service members and veterans know how to seek help. “Getting help is what real warriors do,” said Woodson.

During the four-day conference, participants will gather to discuss ideas and learn more about suicide prevention. Sessions will also focus on the vital role of community efforts – ranging from peer-to-peer support groups to clinical interventions – in preventing suicides among service members and veterans.

“Progress will be measured by the leadership at the squad level, in the airmen’s dorm, and down at the deck plates where it will become accepted that seeking help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness,” Woodson said.

Learn more about the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury and VA cosponsored event and download presentations at http://www.dcoe.health.mil/Training/UpcomingConferences.aspx. The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury is Tweeting live updates from the event --follow the conversation online at http://twitter.com/DCoEpage.

Last Doughboy’s Burial Marks End of Era

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., March 15, 2011 – America recognized the end of an era today as it bade a solemn farewell to Army Cpl. Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving U.S. World War I veteran, as he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery here with full military honors.

President Barack Obama paid tribute to Buckles this afternoon as he lay in repose in the chapel beneath Arlington’s Memorial Amphitheater stage. Buckles died Feb. 27 at age 110.

Obama was the last of a long line of mourners who began filing past his flag-draped casket early this morning to pay their last respects to Buckles, and a whole generation of combat veterans he came to represent.

The visitors paused in quiet reflection within the stark grandeur of the white-marble chapel. Its most striking adornment is a gold-leaf “Winged Victory” figure the Chinese government presented to President Warren G. Harding when the unknown soldier of World War I was buried at Arlington on Nov. 11, 1921. Today that figure, along with a single soldier from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” kept a constant vigil over the last “doughboy” to serve in World War I.

As they streamed from the chapel, the mourners – a mix of families, school groups, veterans, even a Canadian air cadet group – said they were honored to be able to say a final goodbye to a generation of American heroes.

“I felt like it was my duty as an American to come here and give him my respects,” said Ray King, who took time during a family trip here from Houston to pay homage to Buckles. “It’s because of him, and those he served with, that we have the freedoms we have today.”

King’s wife, Marilyn, said she felt privileged to be able to personally honor Buckles and those who served alongside him in World War I. “What we are doing here today is a statement, and to be able to be part of it is just awesome,” she said. “We will carry this home in our hearts, and it is going to change us. I don’t think we will go back to Texas the same way.”

At 4 p.m. this afternoon, members of The Old Guard transferred Buckles’ casket to a horse-drawn caisson and made the slow, solemn trek to his final resting place.

The soldiers, too, recognized the significance of Buckles’ passing.

“What we are seeing here is history,” said Army Spc. Athiambo Onyango, who supported today’s funeral activities. “To me, this feels like the passing of an era.”

Although he’s participated in more funerals than he can count – Arlington typically conducts more than two dozen every weekday -- Onyango said he felt particularly honored to be a part of Buckles’. “I think this is probably one of the most important ceremonies I’ve been in,” he said, holding it right up with Obama’s inauguration as an experience he’ll never forget.

Army Sgt. 1st Class William Cramer, another Old Guard soldier, said he, too, felt honored to render honors to Buckles and the whole lineage of World War I doughboys he came to symbolize.

“But this is not just about Mr. Buckles,” Cramer said. “It’s also about what he represents … This is the end of that lineage for that generation, a recognition of everyone who stepped forward and volunteered… and a way to thank them for their sacrifices.”

After brief remarks at Buckles’ gravesite, an Old Guard firing party fired three rifle volleys and a U.S. Army Band bugler sent the wail of “Taps” across the burial grounds. Buckles was laid to rest in Arlington’s Section 34, slightly down the hill and within view of Army Gen. John “Black Jack” Pershing’s gravesite, and site of Arlington’s World War I National Memorial that bears Pershing’s words.

“You are remembered,” it says, recognizing 116,516 Americans killed in World War I. “Their devotion, their valor and their sacrifice will live forever in the hearts of their grateful countrymen.”

Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I -- the “War to End all Wars” -- that 16-year-old Buckles quit school with dreams of becoming a part of. After lying about his age to one recruiter after another, he finally hoodwinked one into enlisting him into the Army in August 1917.

The United States had entered World War I just four months earlier, and Buckles was among fewer than 422,000 soldiers at the time. But within a year, he watched the Army swell to 2.4 million, most of it serving in the American Expeditionary Force.

Buckles deployed to the Western Front, driving an ambulance in France and Germany and earning the rank of corporal before his discharge in 1920.

As he lived out his later years in West Virginia, Buckles worked tirelessly to ensure the sacrifices made during World War I never be forgotten. One of his pet projects was a campaign to refurbish a little-known memorial to World War I veterans from the District of Columbia and rededicate it as a national memorial.

In 2008, on the death of 108-year-old Harry Richard Landis, Buckles became the sole living link to more than 4.7 million Americans who served in that war.

It’s a role he embraced, visiting the Pentagon at age 107 for the unveiling of a World War I veterans’ exhibit. “Whoever views this display will, I am sure, feel a connection to Mr. Buckles and his comrades-in-arms,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during that presentation. “We will always be grateful for what they did for their country 90 years ago.”

Officials Urge Precautions at Yokosuka, Atsugi

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2011 – Officials told personnel in and around Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Japan today to limit outdoor activities and to turn off air conditioning due to the detection of low levels of radioactivity.

U.S. 7th Fleet officials said sensitive instruments aboard the USS George Washington, docked at Yokosuka, detected low levels of radioactivity released from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant.

Limiting outdoor activities and turning off air conditioners “are strictly precautionary in nature,” the announcement said. “We do not expect that any United States federal radiation exposure limits will be exceeded even if no precautionary measures are taken.”

Officials stressed that these are low-level readings and the public is not in danger.

“According to the instrumentation at Fleet Activity Yokosuka, the levels are very low,” said Navy Lt. Anthony Falvo, 7th Fleet deputy public affairs officer. “For perspective, the additional radiation exposure over the past 12 hours was about 20 millirems –- which is less than one month’s exposure to naturally occurring radiation that one would get from the sun, the earth or rocks.”

Officials will continue the monitoring program and will constantly check the weather and prevailing winds, Falvo said. If anything changes, base officials will immediately notify service members and their families, he added.

NPC Aligns Applications to Navy Standard

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- More than 40 applications on BUPERS OnLine (BOL), the Electronic Military Personnel Record System (EMPRS) and others will be offline from 6 p.m. CDT March 25 to 5 a.m. CDT March 28 as the applications are moved from the Millington Data Center to Navy/Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) servers.

"The move is taking place due to requirements from the Navy's information technology and security directorates," said Doug Burgess, director, Information Technology Division, Navy Personnel Command (NPC). "The applications aren't changing, and other than the downtime, users shouldn't notice a difference."

This action is being taken primarily to place the applications behind increased levels of security. Additionally, once the migration to the NMCI servers is complete, there will be more bandwidth available for the BOL and EMPRS applications.

The increase in bandwidth may provide some users an upgrade in performance within these specific applications, said Burgess.

The move will not affect other NMCI programs, such as Outlook and share drives. Currently, applications are being tested prior to the move.

"After the migration, users may experience intermittent outages as remaining bugs are worked out," said Burgess.

Users experiencing issues should contact the NPC Information Technology Helpdesk at (901) 874-4717 or mill_legacyhelpdesk@navy.mil.

Services Meet, Exceed Recruiting, Retention Goals

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2011 – Recruiting and retention remained high throughout the services for the first five months of the fiscal year, according to numbers Pentagon officials released today.

Through February, all four active-duty services and four of the five reserve components had met or exceeded their recruiting goals for fiscal 2011, which began Oct. 1, officials said. The Air National Guard had met 99 percent of its goal, of recruiting 2,779 new members since the fiscal year began.

Here’s where the active-duty services stand for fiscal 2011 recruiting through February:

-- Army: 28,112 accessions, for 102 percent of its goal of 27,500;

-- Navy: 12,795 accessions for exactly 100 percent of its goal;

-- Marine Corps: 9,681 accessions, exceeding 100 percent of its goal of 9,656; and

-- Air Force: - 11,728 accessions for exactly 100 percent of its goal.

Here are the reserve component fiscal 2011 recruiting figures through February:

-- Army National Guard: 22,694 accessions, 104 percent of its goal of 21,777;

-- Army Reserve: 12,708 accessions, with a goal of 11,427, for 111 percent;

-- Navy Reserve: 3,297 accessions for exactly 100 percent of its goal;

-- Marine Corps Reserve: 4,310 accessions, for 113 percent of its goal of 3,820; 113 percent;

-- Air National Guard: 2,770 accessions, 99 percent of its goal of 2,779; and

-- Air Force Reserve - 3,762 accessions, exceeding its goal of 3,748.

All of the active-duty services and reserve components are on target to meet their fiscal-year retention and attrition goals, officials said.

Field artillery conference in Green Bay a booming success

By 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson

Wisconsin National Guard

In artillery parlance, a two-day conference of National Guard field artillery leaders - aimed at improving already strong bonds between the active duty Army, reserve components and Training Doctrine Command, or TRADOC, and finding solutions to common artillery challenges - hosted by the Wisconsin Army National Guard recently in Green Bay was right on target.

"We met all of our goals and objectives," said Sgt. 1st Class Chard Heron, an operations noncommissioned officer with 1st Battalion, 426th Field Artillery - a teaching unit at the Wisconsin National Guard's 426th Regional Training Institute at Fort McCoy. "These conferences are a communication tool for everyone in the field artillery community."

Maj. Gen. David Halverson, commander of the U.S. Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Okla. - in essence, head of the Army field artillery - was on hand to address the nearly 200 artillery Soldiers from National Guard units across the nation at the conference.

"Field artillery in the Guard has been very important," Halverson said. "The tightness we have now is such that nobody knows the difference between active duty, National Guard and Reserves. Our reliance on the National Guard field artillery is going to be greater than ever."

He pointed out that President Harry Truman was a National Guard field artillery officer who served in World War I, and brought that experience to bear in the closing days of World War II.

"Fort Sill grounded him for the most important decisions," Halverson said.

Halverson and Brig. Gen. Thomas Vandal, commandant of the Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, paid a visit to what some in the Wisconsin National Guard like to refer to as "Fort Sill North" - the 426th RTI, which has three National Guard Bureau field artillery subject matter experts and has been certified a center of excellence for artillery instruction.

"Our goal was to meet or exceed Fort Sill standards," Lt. Col. Kerry Morgan, commander of the 1st Battalion, 426th Field Artillery, said during his briefing to Halverson and Vandal. He detailed how the 426th works closely with Fort Sill and that 426th instructors have taught at Fort Sill to underscore what the Wisconsin National Guard facility can provide.

"As they face challenges, they can see us as an additional resource," Morgan explained after the official visit. "We have these phenomenal resources and Soldiers out here available to them."

Col. Richard Borkowski, commander of the 426th RTI, added that it was important to show Halverson and Vandal that active duty artillery Soldiers would receive the same standard of training at the 426th RTI as at Fort Sill.

"They are the movers and innovators in field artillery," Morgan continued. "This is an educational process so they can see another tool in the toolbox."

Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard is also the deputy commanding general for the Army National Guard at Fort Sill's Field Artillery Center. His role there is to advise Vandal and the active duty field artillery community about the capabilities of the National Guard field artillery community as well as regional training institutes in Wisconsin and other states.

"This is a great opportunity for Wisconsin to showcase the collective work of the Soldiers assigned here at the 426th RTI," Anderson said, "the capabilities they bring to the field artillery and the U. S. Army."

As Halverson prepared to leave, it appeared that message had been received loud and clear.

"You have all the skill sets here," he said. "I'm very impressed. The question now is how do we integrate?"