World War II Veteran to Perform Time Honored Commissioning Role

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By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- A World War II veteran who served aboard the submarine USS Batfish (SS 310) will pass the "long glass," a tradition to signify the start of the first watch, during the commissioning ceremony aboard the Virginia-class submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit California (SSN 781) Oct. 29.

Dr. Joseph Cox, former national president of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Organization will be passing the "long glass" to Pre-Commissioning Unit California's first officer of the deck.

Cox will pass the long glass to Lt. j.g. Kyle Jones, from Knob Noster, Mo.

"Dr. Cox has been very active from day one as it relates to the commissioning of PCU California," said Bill Huesmann, director of the commissioning support team.

Huesmann is coordinating the Virginia-class submarine's commissioning and working with Cmdr. Dana Nelson, California's commanding officer, on the best person to perform this pivotal role.

"On the captain's behalf, I asked Dr. Cox if he would be willing to perform this time honored tradition during the ceremony," said Huesmann.

Some would say Cox has lived a storied life full of highs and lows from living through the Great Depression, to enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II at the age of 18 to earning both a master's and doctoral degree in education.

"I'm very excited about it and to be a part of the commissioning," said Cox.

When asked what advice the sage veteran has for the crew of the newest Virginia-class submarine, Cox replied, "Try to do the job the best you can, and you will succeed."

The 86-year old World War II veteran will arrive in Norfolk Oct. 28 to participate in the pre-commissioning activities.

Cox has resided in California since 1935 when his parents moved there from Booneville, Ark. during the Great Depression.

California will be commissioned Oct. 29 at Naval Station Norfolk. The ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m., will be streamed live on www.navy.mil.

Once California is commissioned it will become the seventh U.S. Navy ship - and the first submarine - to bear the name of the great state of California.

Wisconsin National Guard unit trains for Kosovo mission

By Staff Sgt. Matt Scotten
Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs

EDINBURGH, Ind. - Spc. Michelle J. Weissinger squinted her eyes as wind and cold rain pelted her face. The weather is typical of Indiana in late fall and early winter - but more than that, it is typical of where she is training to deploy to Kosovo, right down to the hilly and wooded terrain.

Weissinger, a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, is at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center training to deploy with Multinational Battle Group East Kosovo Force 15 this month. The approximately 150 members of the 157th MEB were notified March 6 of a potential deployment, and sendoff ceremonies were held Sept. 16 and 24.

While in Kosovo, the 157th MEB will serve as the brigade headquarters for Multi-National Battle Group East, referred to as Task Force Falcon. They will command foreign military units from Poland, Turkey, Greece, Armenia, Ukraine and Romania, as well as more than 700 U.S. Soldiers from Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Georgia, Mississippi, North Dakota and Wyoming.

"It's a three-pronged mission," said Col. Jeffrey J. Liethen, an Onalaska, Wis., native and KFOR 15 commander. "We monitor the pulse of the populace, so to speak, keeping track of the feelings and opinions of the people. We also act as third responders to demonstrations and riots, and maintain freedom of movement for other KFOR forces."

According to Sgt. Angie J. Gross - a Bismarck, N.D., native and human resources specialist with the aviation element of KFOR 15 - one of the biggest benefits of coming to train together at Camp Atterbury is that everyone has learned how to work as one team.

"When we all first got here, everyone had their own little cliques. We are all from different places and even different states altogether," Gross said. "Now, you see the entire KFOR coming together. You see little things, like how many people sit together at chow time. We are really all coming together."

Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center is the only mobilization site in the United States for American forces training for missions in Kosovo. Besides the installation's historical expertise as a world-class training site, the weather and the terrain are all very similar to what Soldiers will encounter in Kosovo. "The support we have received here from the installation cadre has been excellent," Liethen said. "I would encourage other units to train here."

KFOR 15 will continue to train at Atterbury until they are ready to leave for Kosovo. Weissinger said, however, that she feels she is ready to go today.

"Our National Guard Soldiers have been trained on crowd and riot control, reacting to improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordinance, and law and order." Liethen said. "Our aviation task force has been practicing troop movements and sling loads, and the aviation and medical facilities here at Atterbury closely resemble what we will have in Kosovo."

Demand Grows for Squad-level Linguist Program

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

MONTEREY, Calif., Oct. 26, 2011 – Last year, 74 soldiers at Fort Campbell, Ky., became the first to participate in a new program that provides short-term, intensive language and cultural training to deploying military members.

The general purpose force program wasn’t designed for professional linguists or interpreters, explained Sam Garzaniti, who manages it at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center here.

Rather, the program provides basic Dari or Pashto instruction, taught by native Afghan speakers, to help nonlinguists -- military police, medics, truck drivers and infantrymen, among them, -- operate more effectively on the ground in Afghanistan.

Retired Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal came up with the concept when he commanded the International Security Assistance Force to create what deployed forces refer to as “squad-designated linguists” able to communicate with the Afghan people. Graduates of the program proved so beneficial to their deployed units that it’s now growing by leaps and bounds.

Fort Carson, Colo., one of three pilot sites when the program stood up last year, soon sent almost 300 soldiers to a condensed version of the training before they deployed. The vast majority studied Dari, with the other 49 soldiers learning Pashto. Fort Drum, N.Y., also in the pilot program, sent 55 10th Mountain Division soldiers to its initial general purpose force training.

“After that, it has just been a steady flow of classes,” Garzaniti said. Schofield Barracks in Hawaii signed on to the program in September 2010. Fort Bragg, N.C., followed earlier this year.

The Marines jumped on board, too, with Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Camp Pendleton, Calif., joining the program last fall.

To date, about 1,000 service members have completed the program, Garzaniti said. He expects more enrollment in the program as word about it spreads.

Classes typically run 13 to 16 weeks, with students spending as much as six hours a day in the classroom, in addition to practice sessions and mandatory study halls.

Unlike other Defense Language Institute programs, the general purpose force curriculum focuses on listening and speaking skills, Garzaniti said. Students learn vocabulary and verb tenses and how to construct sentences. Then they practice using them in various scenarios similar to what they might encounter in Afghanistan.

“It’s a very-focused program,” Garzaniti said. “We’re not going for global proficiency. We are going for tactical functionality.”

Graduates aren’t meant to take the place of professional linguists and interpreters, he said. For example, they typically aren’t able to discuss the news with local Afghans. They can, however, ask for directions or share pleasantries over tea or during key leader engagements.

They also have the skills to ask questions and understand responses at roadblocks and read street signs and even graffiti on walls that may provide clues about insurgent activities.

“That makes them a force multiplier,” Garzaniti said. “When they go out and do their operations, whatever they may be, having somebody there in the front able to at least greet [the Afghans] and lay groundwork for something makes a huge difference. They are somebody to help.”

Returning units report that even limited language and cultural skills have helped them in their mission. “We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback from people who have been in country saying, ‘Hey, this works absolutely great,’” Garzaniti said. “They tell you that you speak two words and you see a face light up.”

A professional linguist himself who retired from the Army last year, Garzaniti said he has seen firsthand the impact language ability had on the Afghans we encountered.

“They know you took the time to learn at least a few words, a phrase, two phrases,” he said. “It makes all the difference in the world.”

More units are signing up as the message spreads about general purpose force training availability, Garzaniti said.

“I definitely don’t see any slowdown in business,” he said. “As more commanders hear the good stories from our brigades and battalions and companies that have used these people [during deployments], we see them starting to put their hands up and asking, ‘What about me?’”

USS Wasp Concludes JSF Testing

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Tommy Lamkin, USS Wasp Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 21 after spending three weeks at sea hosting the initial sea trials of the F-35B Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The first F-35B landed on Wasp's flight deck Oct. 3, beginning an 18-day test period for the aircraft. During the testing, two F-35B Marine Corps test jets (BF-2 and BF-4) accomplished vertical landings and short take-offs under various conditions.

While underway, the world's first supersonic short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) fighter logged more than 28 hours of flight time and completed 72 short take-offs and 72 vertical landings. Wasp crew members worked around the clock with pilots, engineers, mechanics and a wide-array of aeronautical professionals, both military and civilian to meet the mission of the F-35B sea trials.

"Wasp Air Department personnel and the JSF team started working together from day one," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Curcio, Wasp's assistant air officer and JSF program officer. "Starting initially with the leadership interacting to set the vision for the ship trials, we worked a top-down approach to gradually bring in more people from each respective team.

"This ensured that, from planning to execution, every detail was tended to and no stone was left unturned. Ultimately, this group was well ahead of the power curve at every juncture," he said.

The Wasp and the JSF team have prepared for these sea trials for more than a year. The ship, which typically accommodates the AV-8B Harrier, had to receive modifications and installation of test monitoring equipment in preparation for the F-35B's arrival.

"We used Harrier operations as a baseline from which to deviate. Working with the JSF team, we identified the operational differences between the AV-8B and the F-35B, and we trained to those differences." said Curcio.

The trials are the first of three scheduled sea based developmental test events for the STOVL variant. One of the goals was to collect environmental data on the deck using instrumentation to measure the F-35B's sound, power, and thermal impact during flight operations.

Ansis Kalnajs, better known as "AK," a topside design and integration technical warrant for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and his team of 31 engineers, collected data to capture the effects of the F-35 on flight deck and superstructure components.

"We have been collecting data on how the main engine affects deck edge equipment," said Kalnajs, "as well as thermal load stresses to the structure and the acoustic effects."

"We got a sufficient amount of data and really good assessments for the road ahead," he said.

Also being tested is a newer non-skid deck surface, Thermion, which is supported by a mechanical bond of ceramic and aluminum that makes the surface more resistant to extreme heat and better endures the wear and tear of flight operations. The Thermion covers landing spot nine on the flight deck, a small area used for vertical landings.

"The Thermion shows no signs of heat stress, which is good for the F-35, and eventually good for all surface ships," said Kalnajs.

During the testing period the Wasp and JSF team demonstrated the F-35B's at-sea capabilities for the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus; Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Amos; senior military officers; and JSF international partners as well as members of the national media.

The testing for the F-35 and its sea-based operations will continue over the next several years.

"It is imperative that we build off that basic knowledge for the next sea trials," said Curcio.

The next sea trial, DT-2 is scheduled for 2013 after Wasp receives additional modifications for F-35B operations.

The F-35B is one of three Joint Strike Fighter variants. The 'B' was designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps, and is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B will replace the AV- 8B Harrier and will continue test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.

National Youth Transitions Center Opens Doors: First Center Devoted Exclusively to Serving Youth with Disabilities and Wounded Veterans

Washington, D.C. (October 26, 2011)  -- Surrounded by healthcare, labor, community and military leaders, The National Youth Transitions Center (NYTC) was launched and officially opened its doors today, making needed services available to hundreds of young adults across the country.  Developed by the HSC Foundation, the NYTC will, for the first time, bring multiple organizations together in one space to provide much-needed transition services, research, public policy, and wounded veterans’ services to youth. The center will provide assistance for youth with physical, sensory, intellectual, and emotional disabilities like autism, and to veterans making that difficult transition from life on the battlefield to life as a civilian.

“The National Youth Transitions Center will enhance the ability of young people and veterans to re-enter the workforce, participate in and contribute to community life, and to become productive members of society. This vitally-needed center will bring together experts from across the country to ensure that our youth and young veterans with disabilities are included in all aspects of our communities,” said Thomas Chapman, President and CEO of the HSC Foundation. “We’re making sure a neglected youth population doesn’t fall through the cracks as they enter adulthood.”

More than 40 organizations (see attached list) are collaborating with the center and will see youth and young veterans with disabilities  (ages 14-26) to help get them ready for higher education and the workforce. Twelve of these organizations are housed in the new, state of the art, seven-story facility that is located in northwest Washington D.C. near Georgetown University’s campus. It will be equipped with the latest technology to provide services not only to youth at the center, but across the nation. 

Some of the services they will provide include:

•             Personal development and leadership training

•             School¬-to-¬work readiness training
•             Family education and support
•             Work based learning (mentoring and internships)
•             Career counseling and exploration

Ari Ne’eman is the president and co-founder of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), one of the organizations collaborating with the National Youth Transition Center. Ne’eman also sits on the National Council on Disability—a position he has held since being confirmed by the Senate last year. He says a center like this is long overdue.

"The National Youth Transitions Center is an extraordinary project that ASAN is proud to be a part of. By bringing together disability organizations from across the spectrum of our broad community, we can make progress we never could manage on our own. We're stronger together - and the NYTC is making that happen,” Ne’eman says.

For young people with disabilities that do not have assistance, the outcome is grim, as statistics have shown:

  Youth with disabilities are more than twice as likely as their peers to drop out of school, and they will face much higher unemployment rates.

  The adjudication rate of youth with disabilities is four times higher than for youth without disabilities.
  Youth with disabilities are three times more likely to live in poverty as adults than their peers without disabilities.

In addition to serving youth with disabilities, the center will also serve young veterans who are making that difficult transition from life on the battlefield to life in an office or college environment (especially when that transition brings with it new mental and physical disabilities).

Veterans like 27-year old Ryan Lamke understand the need for a center like this all too well. Lamke joined the Marine Corps after the September 11, 2001, attacks. He served for four years doing two deployments in Iraq. After being blown up by several roadside bombs and a grenade, Lamke suffered multiple brain and orthopedic injuries forcing him to resign from active duty. He found going back to civilian life was more difficult than he ever imagined.

“When you get out of the military it’s as if you have to go through a whole new boot camp. When you enroll in basic training, you’re taught how to be a solider, when you get out you need to be taught the same things, but most people don’t understand that,” Lamke says. “When I came back I had to learn not only how to deal with the people I had left behind I had to learn simple things like budgeting, paying bills, and most importantly understanding how to trust people in the civilian world again. That coupled with my injuries made life incredibly complicated,” Lamke says.

Until now, there has not been a comprehensive facility that really offered a safe haven for young veterans to talk about their problems and experiences. The NYTC is partnering with The Student Veterans of America not only to give them that place, but also to be surrounded by the support of young counselors and employment advisors who have faced and overcome the same issues as the men and women they’re helping.

“The National Youth Transition Center is about employment, education, freedom, and independence and you can’t have independence without an education or a job. We’re giving them the tools to help them build a path to independence and reach their highest potential,” Chapman said.

The partners at the center envision a multitude of benefits that include:

•             For youth and veterans with disabilities:  Readiness for jobs or college, eased reentry into their communities as well as confidence and skill

•             For employers:  Outstanding, capable employees ready to help reach goals and fulfill missions
•             For the disabilities and transitions fields:  New thinking and learning from research, evaluation, advocacy, and models of service
•             For the nation:  A valuable human resource for the future

The official opening ceremony was attended by several members of Congress including Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) and Rep. Gregg Harper (MI), as well as Sue Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Education, Ortiz, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans’ Employment and Training Services for the Department of Labor, and Gen. Gale Pollock.

About The HSC Foundation

The HSC Foundation (HSCF) is dedicated to improving access to services for individuals who face social and health care barriers due to disability and chronic illness. It puts a particular emphasis on youth, especially those who are transitioning to adulthood. Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc., The HSC Pediatric Center, HSC Home Care, LLC and Special Needs Consulting Services are subsidiary organizations of the Foundation. To learn more about The HSC Foundation, visit HSCfoundation.org.

OPERATION HOMEFRONT AND ARMED SERVICES YMCA COLLABORATE TO SUPPORT MILITARY FAMILIES

Working Together Will Make Both Organizations More Effective In Assisting Military Families

San Antonio – Operation Homefront and the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) announce a commitment to collaborate on the provision of programs and services to military personnel and their families. The two leading military support organizations will refer those who need their services to each other based on available programs, allowing them to better serve those who serve. Operation Homefront is a national non-profit organization that provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and Wounded Warriors. The ASYMCA provides a variety of recreation, wellness and other programs and services for military personnel and their families.

“We’re pleased to be able to work more closely with the Armed Services YMCA as we both serve our military families,” said Jim Knotts, President and CEO of Operation Homefront.  “Our service members on the battlefield are more successful when they work as a team, and we’re more successful in taking care of military families when we work with other great organizations that share our commitment and values.  Each playing to our strengths, we can more effectively and efficiently get military families to the organization best suited to meeting specific needs.”

“We are proud to work closely with Operation Homefront to better serve our military families in need,” said Mike Landers, National Executive Director and CEO of the Armed Services YMCA..  “With our shared commitment to making military life easier, this collaboration is a tremendous opportunity to expand our program and service offerings to better serve those who rely on our organizations.”

Both the Armed Services YMCA and Operation Homefront have received a four star, exceptional rating from Charity Navigator for several years running.

“ASYMCA and Operation Homefront are both best-in-class organizations that help fill gaps in supporting military families,” continued Knotts.  When we work together, it is our military families who reap the benefits.”

The partnership will also extend to the Army Homefront Fund, a legal sub-entity of Operation Homefront, which provides emergency financial and other support to Soldiers and their families, with a focus on Wounded Warrior care and transition assistance. 

About Operation Homefront

A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 5000 volunteers across 25 chapters and has met more than 430,000 needs since 2002.  As four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, and a top-rated charity by the American Institute of Philanthropy,  Operation Homefront ensures that 94 percent of its total donated revenue  goes to programs.  More information is available at www.OperationHomefront.net.

ABOUT ASYMCA

150 Years of Service to America’s Military: The YMCA’s dedication to America’s armed forces began in 1861 when a handful of members voluntarily provided relief services to Civil War soldiers. Today, the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) is the leading private provider of educational, recreational, social and support services to military personnel and their families, promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

The Armed Services YMCA, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, recently earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year and is a top-rated charity according to the American Institute of Philanthropy. An affiliate of the YMCA of the USA, ASYMCA is headquartered in Alexandria, Va. For more information, visit ASYMCA.org.

Is Stress Therapy Going to the Dogs?

By Jayne Davis, DCoE Strategic Communications
 
“I looked at Thor who was to be euthanized that day at the kill shelter. He was quiet and calm and looked like he didn’t belong with the other, more engaged dogs, and I thought, ‘I feel the same way.’”
 
That day, retired Army Capt. Adrian Veseth-Nelson not only saved Thor’s life, but claims Thor saved his. I recently heard Veseth-Nelson talk about the dog during a Military Pathways® webinar “Canine Companions and Your Emotional Health.” Although he didn’t know it when he met Thor, Veseth-Nelson’s anger, sleeplessness and restless mind were symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He credits his companion dog with forcing him to engage in life while distracting him from his darker inclinations.
 
Veseth-Nelson’s experience with Thor is being echoed by other vets with PTSD who credit a dog for their improved condition. Now he and his wife, Diana, believe they’re helping save veterans’ lives with Battle Buddies, their mentoring and canine placement program for veterans with PTSD.
 
Battle Buddies joins a growing movement of canine-assisted therapy programs in the country. Paws for Purple Hearts mimics the military’s peer support tradition by teaching veterans with PTSD how to train service dogs for other veterans with physical and psychological health concerns. In the process, trainers must face their own issues, such as hyper-vigilance and emotional numbness, to effectively train the animals. Many recovering service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center participate in the program as part of an internship.
 
Within this movement, distinctions are made among service dogs, therapy dogs and companionship dogs. Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort to specific groups of people, such as those in nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities. Companionship dogs fill emotional and social needs.
 
Service dogs go through intensive training to perform specific tasks for people with visible or invisible disabilities. Examples include the dog checking out a dark room or turning on the light for a nervous veteran with PTSD; interrupting a nightmare by encouraging the person to move; or keeping track of everyday items such as keys and wallets. That training grants service dogs the right of public access under the amended Americans with Disabilities Act, allowing them to accompany their handlers in all public places. Your family pooch is not likely service dog material; service dogs are not pets.
 
What makes a good service dog?
 
Temperament, physical soundness and desire to work are some criteria. Maybe that would explain why we see certain breeds more often than others as service dogs. “Labradors, golden retrievers and lab-golden mixes are the most frequently used service dogs in the United States,” said Cathy Reisfield, Battle Buddies program coordinator.
 
Why do we look to dogs for help with PTSD?
 
Dogs have a long history of providing emotional support. Dogs are vigilant, protective, respond well to authoritative relationships, love unconditionally, help relearn trust and remember feelings of love, notes Dr. Tracy Stecker, assistant professor at the Dartmouth Medical School Psychiatric Research Center.
 
While there is ample anecdotal support for canine therapy, evidence-based support still needs to be developed to fully embrace it for PTSD patients, noted Dr. Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, psychiatry professor at Uniformed Services University and chief clinical officer for the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health, during a recent DCoE Monthly Webinar on integrative health. In cooperation with the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Paws for Purple Hearts plans to test and gather statistics on sleep studies, biomarker tracking and symptom reduction to support the premise that service dogs help PTSD patients.
 
Veseth-Nelson doesn’t need convincing. “I was in a dark place and Thor brought in the light,” he said.
 
More organizations that provide therapy dogs for veterans:

■VetDogs®

■Patriot PAWS
■Pets for Patriots™
■Hawaii Fi-Do
■Paws and Stripes

Face of Defense: Marine Recalls Bomb Blast

By Marine Corps Cpl. Walter D. Marino II
2nd Marine Division

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Oct. 25, 2011 – As a teenager working on farms and in construction in his hometown of Urbana, Ohio, Marine Corps Capt. Chase B. Wheeler never thought he’d one day be a Marine combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient.

Wheeler’s blue-collar work ethic gave him the drive to work hard. After high school, he earned a degree in construction management and mining. It was while playing football for Morehead State University that Wheeler decided he wanted to fight for the United States.

“I didn’t want to be 55 saying, ‘I wish I would have done this.’ It was my obligation to fight for my country, because there was a fight to be had,” said Wheeler, executive officer of Company C, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division here.

Military service runs in Wheeler’s family. His father served as an Army staff sergeant. His grandfather is a World War II veteran, and his great-grandfather fought in the Spanish-American War.

“Being around veterans -- it was kind of set I would serve in some sort,” Wheeler said.

In Afghanistan, Wheeler led Marines in clearing roadside bombs from convoy routes and building combat outposts. While on patrol during his first deployment, Wheeler was wounded by an improvised explosive device blast.

“I’m fortunate to be alive,” he said. “Makes you realize the importance in life -- family and friends.”

Wheeler’s fighting spirit was undiminished. In February 2011, Wheeler deployed again with 2nd CEB.

Marine Corps Capt. John E. Shubeck, Wheeler’s company commander, noticed Wheeler’s courage during one mission in particular.

“We were in combat during the whole operation,” Shubeck said. “Multiple times he stood out from the side of a vehicle with binoculars to draw fire behind tree lines and determine where the fire was coming from. It was successful. We were able to bring air [support] on station and break up the enemy assault.”

Wheeler’s father and fellow Marines from Afghanistan were present Oct. 3 when he was awarded the Purple Heart and promoted to captain.

Pentagon Monitors Thailand Flood Situation

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2011 – Defense officials are carefully monitoring the situation in Thailand as that nation faces the worst flooding it’s had in more than 50 years.

Recent flooding across Thailand has killed more than 360 people, and more than 2.5 million people have been affected, Thai government officials said.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, who is traveling in Asia, has expressed serious concern about the disaster, said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, who is with Panetta’s traveling party.

The defense secretary “offers his deepest condolences to all those who have suffered as a result,” Little said in a written statement. “The secretary is closely monitoring the situation, and applauds the Thai government’s quick response to this major natural disaster. Thailand is a close ally, and we will continue to work with Thai officials to assess what they may need in the form of assistance from the United States.”

When the flooding started, U.S. Pacific Command ordered the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, which was conducting a port visit to Singapore, to get underway earlier than scheduled to pre-position in case assistance was required. The command sent a 10-Marine humanitarian assistance survey team from Okinawa, Japan, to Bangkok, Thailand, to assess the situation in the country.

After meeting with Thai officials, the team determined that U.S. military assistance was not needed.

“The Thai government and military have led a tremendous effort to protect and help its citizens during the recent flooding,” Pentagon officials said.

The Navy ships have been released to participate in a previously scheduled annual exercise with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, Pentagon officials said. The destroyer USS Mustin now plans a previously unscheduled port visit to Laem Chabang, Thailand, to conduct community service events and military-to-military engagements.

Pacific Command officials are working with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok to determine if U.S. military assets are needed to support the Thais.

Vietnam Veteran Driven by Personal Experience Vows to Say “Thank You” to All Vietnam Vets for Their Service

Bob Graveen Spearheads 10-day Heroes Homecoming Event in Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville, NC – October 25, 2011 – Bob Graveen voluntarily enlisted in the military in 1972 to serve in the Vietnam War. Now, more than 30 years later, he is finally getting the welcome home he deserves but never received when he returned to the states. And he’s making sure Vietnam vets across the country get theirs as well.

“We were told to change out of our uniforms and into civilian clothes at the airport, which didn’t bother us at the time because we were so thankful just to be home,” said Graveen. “But we never expected to be ostracized by society like we were. Many people actually felt like we owed them an apology for doing our duty and serving our country.”

For the past two years, Graveen has been a key player in planning Heroes Homecoming, the biggest commemoration ever for Vietnam veterans. The 10-day, 60-event celebration will take place in Fayetteville, North Carolina from November 4-13, 2011. Vietnam veterans everywhere are invited to finally get their long overdue “welcome home.”

Graveen served as a helicopter crew chief outside of Saigon from 1972 to 1973. According to Graveen, most of his fellow soldiers spent their entire time in Vietnam wishing they were home. They had no idea the reception that would greet them upon their return.

“We weren’t heroes and didn’t expect to be treated as heroes when we came home, but a simple ‘thank you’ would have been nice,” said Graveen. “That’s why Heroes Homecoming is going to be such a big deal after all this time.”

Originally from Wisconsin, Graveen came to Fayetteville when he enlisted and decided to stay when he returned because of the community’s overwhelming support for the military.

“There’s no other place in the country like Fayetteville when it comes to its support for the military and their families,” added Graveen. “I hope the rest of the country, especially Vietnam vets, will get to experience this firsthand during Heroes Homecoming.”

Graveen is now president of the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter and a member of the 82nd Airborne Association. He lives in Fayetteville with his wife and has two grown sons, two granddaughters and three step-grandsons. He got involved with Heroes Homecoming after finding out about the event from Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne, who hand-selected him to join the planning task force. Graveen was one of eight people chosen to speak at the opening ceremony for Heroes Homecoming at Freedom Memorial Park last November when the official event logo was unveiled. He is working closely with Fort Bragg on the Rededication of the Vietnam War Memorial scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 10 at the Fort Bragg Main Post Parade Field, as well as helping coordinate Vietnam veteran participation in the Veterans Day Parade taking place on Saturday, November 12.  

Fayetteville/Cumberland County is home to the largest military installation in the country. Since more than 200,000 troops trained at Fayetteville’s Fort Bragg before being deployed to Vietnam, there’s no more fitting place to host Heroes Homecoming than America’s First Military Sanctuary community. Event organizers are pulling out all the stops to make sure that Vietnam veterans across the country know about the event.

“We are doing everything within our power to make sure each and every Vietnam vet knows about Heroes Homecoming and has the opportunity to finally get their ‘welcome home,’” said John Meroski, President and CEO of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (FACVB). “In particular, we want the streets of downtown Fayetteville to be overflowing with vets and supporters during our annual Veterans Day Parade so we say a very visible ‘thank you” to our Vietnam vets.”

The Veterans Day Parade will be the most visible of all the Heroes Homecoming events. Vietnam veterans are invited to take part by marching in the parade. If you are interested in participating, contact Bob Graveen at (919) 498-1770 or grav1730@aol.com.

Heroes Homecoming is being held in partnership with the FACVB. All Heroes Homecoming events recognize the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans, ranging from concerts and parades, to lectures and movie viewings, to cultural celebrations and recognition ceremonies. For more information on Heroes Homecoming, visit www.HeroesHomecoming.com.

About Heroes Homecoming:

As America’s First Military Sanctuary Community, Fayetteville/Cumberland County is giving brave Vietnam veterans the welcome home they deserve. The community will host Heroes Homecoming – the biggest commemoration/reunion of its kind – for the 10 days leading up to Veterans Day 2011. The event series will feature celebrations, discussions, fellowship and memories for all those who attend. Heroes Homecoming is Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s way of showing all Vietnam veterans that we remember and appreciate their courage, their sacrifice and everything they’ve done to defend our freedom – now and forever.

About the FACVB:

The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fayetteville/Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com or call 1-800-255-8217. Fayetteville/Cumberland County is America's first military sanctuary. Through the Army's Army and other volunteer groups, our citizens and businesses are dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us ©.”

NORAD Flight Exercise Planned for National Capital Region

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR), will conduct an exercise -- Falcon Virgo 12-011 beginning early Wednesday morning, Oct. 26, in the National Capital Region.

Flights in the National Capital Region are scheduled to take place between 12:30-5 a.m. EDT.  In the event of inclement weather, the exercise will take place the following evening, until all training requirements are met. If bad weather continues, officials will then make a decision to postpone or cancel the exercise.

For more information on Falcon Virgo exercises, please contact CONR Public Affairs at 850-283-8080, or the NORAD Public Affairs Office at 719-554-6889.

Akron Navy Reservists Welcomed by DASN to New, Energy-Efficient Home

By Bill Couch, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Midwest Public Affairs

GREEN, Ohio (NNS) -- Navy Reservists in eastern Ohio officially brought their new headquarters to life with the help of the Secretary of the Navy's senior advisor for Navy and Marine Corps Reserve issues Oct. 23.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Reserve Affairs) Dennis Biddick praised the global contributions of Navy Reservists and thanked the construction team as he welcomed nearly 500 selected reserve and active-duty Sailors and Marines to their new, energy-efficient Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC).

"I can't say enough about how much I appreciate what [Reservists] do for this country," said Biddick. "Though sometimes it might seem over-said, our most important asset really is our people--you."

The center's Sailors and Marines deploy to conduct operational and humanitarian assistance missions worldwide, including Operation Tomodachi, which came in response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March.

"You support operations around the world, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those of you here this morning directly supported Operation Tomodachi in Japan," said Biddick. "I'm constantly amazed at how you handle two careers--your full-time civilian careers, and, as Reservists, your Navy and Marine Corps commitments as citizen-Sailors and citizen-Marines. Thank you so much for your service."

NOSC Akron Commanding Officer Cmdr. Eric Johnson echoed Biddick's recognition of the service of the assembled Reservists.

"As a Reservist, you wear the uniform part-time, but every day in every community across the country, you are the face of the Navy, sharing our core values with your families, in your churches, places of employment, and with everyone you meet," said Johnson.

"Here at NOSC Akron, we are committed to supporting the fleet and our Reservists by preparing them for mobilization, supporting their families--especially while their Sailors and Marines are deployed--and assisting demobilized Sailors and Marines in reintegrating with their families, employers and community," added Johnson. "We are committed to maintaining the 'equilateral triangle' of balance between family, career and Navy."

The new NOSC replaces the units' previous home in nearby Akron, a 1950s-era building that had exceeded its design lifespan and could no longer adequately support the unit's operational requirements. The new facility improves the unit's ability to conduct training and administration activities for Reservists, most of whom live in the local area.

"I always like to see progress, and, especially compared to your previous 1950s home, this is definitely a great facility," said Biddick. "Its design is in line with the Secretary of the Navy's desire to 'go green.'"

The 50,000-square-foot building is designed to be energy efficient and sustainable, meeting at least the "silver" standard under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Now that the building has been completed, the independent council will evaluate the LEED features incorporated into the design and determine a rating, which can range from "certified" through "platinum."

The building's LEED features maximize durability and sustainability over the building's planned 20-to-30-year lifecycle. Examples include the one-story design itself, which reduces expenses such as those associated with an elevator, egress stair towers, upper-story window cleaning, and suspended flooring. Steel-reinforced concrete masonry bearing walls are durable and require little maintenance, and they reduce the structure required to support the durable, standing seam metal roof.

Energy efficiency measures include a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that recovers heat from restroom and locker exhaust air to be reused before venting. The system will also allow maximum use of outside air for "free cooling" when outside temperatures allow. The masonry walls will also support energy efficiency by slowing the release of heat from the sun to the interior. In addition, the building's windows are placed to maximize natural lighting without allowing excessive heat gain.

The construction contractor's plans promoted resource conservation and environmental responsibility by recycling half of the project's non-hazardous construction debris and choosing at least 10 percent construction materials that contained recycled material. In addition, at least 10 percent of the construction materials were produced from within 500 miles of the site, in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions during shipment.

The site was also planned to manage storm water runoff, using catch basins and grass pavers to reduce impact to the local drainage system.

"The men and women of NAVFAC Midwest, and our partners at Better Built Construction and Clark Construction are proud to have completed this project," said Lt. Cmdr. Leticia Soto, public works officer for Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Midwest's Public Works Department Central, which supports Navy and Marine Corps reserve centers throughout the Midwest. "This ceremony not only gives us a chance to take satisfaction in a completed project, but more importantly, it allows us to stand with the men and women of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserves and say, 'Welcome to your new home. We've done our best for you, and we're confident it will serve you well.'"

Established in 1946, the current NOSC Akron organization includes former members of NOSC Cleveland, which was disestablished in 2007 and consolidated with nearby NOSC Akron. The move was mandated as part of the military's 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process to consolidate facilities and improve operational efficiency across the Department of Defense.

Middletown, Ohio,-based small business Better Built Construction was awarded the $11.4-million project in February 2010 along with its Lansing, Mich.-based partner Clark Construction.

NAVFAC Midwest provides civil engineering, public works, and environmental support to Navy, Marine Corps and other Department of Defense activities across the 16 states that comprise Navy Region Midwest. The command's 900 professionals include civilian architects, engineers, acquisition specialists, environmental specialists, public works trades people, and administrative personnel, as well as active-duty Civil Engineer Corps officers, Seabees, and Reservists.

Face of Defense: Friends Become Army Brothers in Arms

By Susanne Kappler
Fort Jackson

FORT JACKSON, S.C., Oct. 24, 2011 – When Army Pvt. Jereld Vanhook arrived to go through basic combat training here nine weeks ago, his good friend Pfc. Omari Paul was by his side.

Vanhook and Paul, who are assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, are not related, but the two friends from Brooklyn, N.Y., have lived together since 2007, and consider each other as brothers.

Vanhook lived with Paul and his family throughout high school, and they later studied at the same college. Motivated by Paul's sister, who had served in the military, the two decided to enlist in the Army Reserve.

Paul and Vanhook were chosen as platoon leaders at the same time early in basic training.

"For me to get picked, I felt honored. I never expected to come into the military and be in any leadership position at all," Vanhook said.

Paul “is a natural-born leader. He stood out from Day One," said Army Staff Sgt. Marquita Daniels, one of Paul’s drill sergeants.

"I wasn't aware that he had a brother [here], until one day I actually heard him say they were brothers,” Daniels said. “I thought it was a joke. Both of them are very high-speed soldiers."

Army Capt. Sherric Nelson, the company commander, said the synergy between the two soldiers is apparent.

"They motivate the company together. … They push each other on the physical fitness test. They're just a positive [duo]," Nelson said.

Vanhook said serving with Paul during basic training is an advantage.

"It feels great knowing that I have someone that I already had a connection with before the Army," he said.

The two soldiers are scheduled to graduate Oct. 27. Their families are planning to attend Family Day and graduation events together.

After graduation, Vanhook and Paul will move on to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where they will attend training to become military health care specialists. They plan to finish their college educations, Paul in electrical engineering and Vanhook in accounting and business financing.

Panetta Lauds Growing U.S.-Indonesia Partnership

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2011 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praised Indonesia’s leadership in promoting regional security cooperation as part of the growing U.S.-Indonesia defense partnership.

In a commentary published today in Indonesia’s Jawa Pos newspaper, Panetta reported on progress following yesterday’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations annual meeting held in Bali, Indonesia, and his session with Purnomo Yusgiantoro, his Indonesian counterpart.

Following his visit to Indonesia, Panetta arrived in Japan today as part of a weeklong Asia trip that’ll include a later stop in South Korea.

Indonesia, the secretary wrote in his Jawa Pos article, “has emerged as one of the most important contributors to the peace and prosperity of Asia.” America, he added, “has watched with deep admiration over the past decade as Indonesia has emerged as a strong democracy and an important regional and global leader.”

Panetta cited Indonesia’s role in promoting multilateral security cooperation to tackle challenges ranging from terrorism and piracy to natural disasters and maritime security.

He underscored the U.S. commitment to closer, stronger engagement in the Asia-Pacific region to promote security and stability and to stand up to these and other threats.

“Nowhere is the deepening of our relations more exciting than in Southeast Asia,” he wrote. “I can assure you that I am personally committed to our relationships in this region and to building on the remarkable progress we have made over the past several years.”

The secretary highlighted strides already made by the United States and Indonesia, built on a foundation of shared values including a belief in tolerance, pluralism and religious freedom.

Panetta noted the comprehensive partnership formed last year between the two countries, and a new defense framework arrangement that builds on it. This arrangement, he observed, paves the way for stronger military-to-military ties and closer cooperation in areas including disaster relief and maritime security.

“Although we face a range of threats and security challenges, I am confident that the United States and Indonesia will succeed in overcoming them,” Panetta wrote. “As Indonesia and the United States confront the challenges of the 21st century together, I have no doubt that we will show the world that this spirit remains strong and vital.”