Willard Passes Pacific Command’s Reins to Locklear

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – The approximately 330,000 troops in U.S. Pacific Command have a new commander today, as their former top leader relinquished command.

Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard passed leadership of Pacom to Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. Willard retired after nearly four decades of naval service.

“I can’t possibly express my full appreciation to U.S. Pacific Command’s 330,000 uniformed and civilian personnel who have supported our effort here and across half the world the past two-and-a-half years,” Willard said.

The command’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines and special operators “are really the forward face of the Asia-Pacific and Pacific Command,” Willard said. “And who for more than a decade shared rotations into and out of Iraq and Afghanistan with the rest of our nation’s joint forces, it’s been my profound honor to serve you.”

Willard expressed sorrow for the sacrifice of the men and women that lost their lives during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and reflected upon the words of comfort he provided to their families.

“In the last two years, two-and-a-half years, hardly a week passed that I didn’t sign letter of condolence to families of these brave service members,” he said. “I signed seven on Wednesday, and for that no words can express what they sacrificed.”

Willard said he noted the importance of the Asia-Pacific region when he assumed command of Pacom.

“When I assumed command of U.S. Pacific Command in 2009, the Asia-Pacific was a complicated place containing the largest economies, populations, militaries and diversities in the world,” he said. “In the intervening time, it’s grown more complex not less.”

Willard cited the sometimes rocky relationship between the U.S. and North Korea and concern about China’s military modernization among the complex regional issues.

“President Obama’s and Secretary Panetta’s new defense priorities rightly focus on the Asia-Pacific,” Willard said. “No other region in the world holds so much promise amidst its challenges.”

The incoming commander declared his intent to stay the course with current Pacom methods as he described his new assignment as a “dream come true.”

“Well, in my case, let me say I’m extremely privileged to assume this command that is well-led, well-organized and is a superbly purposed combatant command,” Locklear said. “A command that has a clear strategic intent and clear direction from our nation’s leadership.”

Admiral Willard “has masterfully charted a course to help us navigate the dynamic 21st-century security environment,” he added. “And as any good naval officer, I expect a smooth transition from his hand on the helm to mine … the last thing you do is put the rudder over hard and make significant changes overnight.”

Locklear expressed his gratitude to the nation’s leadership and lauded the service members in his new command.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank President Obama, [Defense] Secretary [Leon E.] Panetta and General [Martin E.] Dempsey for this opportunity and the privilege to lead the outstanding men and women of Pacom,” Locklear said.

“I’m deeply appreciative of your trust and confidence in me,” he added, “and well, I guarantee you we’ll take this vast and critically important Asia-Pacific region forward in the right way.”

Willard stated his confidence in his successor and the future of Pacom and the region.

“No one in the U.S. military is as well suited and prepared to face up to the challenges and opportunities as Admiral Sam Locklear,” Willard said. “And we’re thrilled for Pacific Command and the nation that our president and our secretary have postured the finest U.S. commander and spouse team possible in the Asia-Pacific.”

Health System Seeks Savings While Retaining Excellence

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Iraq and Afghanistan have been dangerous places over the past decade, but deployed troops often passed a saying on to new arrivals: “If you’ve got to get shot, this is the best place to do it.”

The saying spread because the medical care for wounded service members was state-of-the-art, with the survival rates significantly higher than in previous conflicts.

Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, told the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee yesterday that he wants to retain this excellence while controlling spiraling costs.

“Over the last 10 years, the men and women of the Military Health System have performed with great skill and undeniable courage in combat,” Woodson said. “Their contributions to advancing military and American medicine are immense. The Military Health System’s ability to perform this mission and be able to respond to humanitarian crises around the globe is unique among all military and nonmilitary organizations on this globe.”

All department leaders are committed to sustaining this precious resource, Woodson said. But he acknowledged that military health care is now more than $51 billion of the yearly defense budget. The 2011 Budget Control Act calls for $487 billion in defense cuts over the next 10 years, and the health care system is not immune, he said.

Military health System officials are taking four roads to savings, Woodson told the panel. The first is to find efficiencies inside the system. The second is a continuation of efforts to appropriately pay for private-sector providers. A third initiative promotes healthy lifestyle choices while seeking to reduce illnesses, injuries and hospitalizations. The last is proposed changes to beneficiary cost-sharing under the TRICARE military health plan.

The fiscal 2013 defense budget request includes this recommended path to reorganize the military health system, Woodson said. “We have learned a great deal from our joint medical operations over the last 10 years,” he added, “and we recognize that there is much opportunity for introducing even a more agile headquarters operation that shares common services and institutes common clinical and business practices across our system of care.”

Woodson noted that the recommended changes to TRICARE fees came about only after officials had explored other avenues of potential savings. “Before we even considered TRICARE fees, there were a number of initiatives and considerations taken,” he told the committee.

DOD health affairs is looking to control headquarters costs, Woodson said, and it has had some success eliminating 780 full-time equivalent positions from the headquarters. Other efforts, he added yielded further savings.

“We put in a number of management reforms that have yielded very positive results in reducing costs, including a robust fraud and recuperative program that has yielded $2.6 billion over the last four years,” he said.

In addition, Woodson said, a pharmacy management program has saved $ 3.4 billion, medical supply and acquisition standardization has saved $31 million, and an amalgamation of other efficiencies that saved about $1 billion.

North Dakota National Guard musicians win Army honors

North Dakota National Guard

Courtesy Report

FARGO, N.D. (3/9/12) - Two Soldiers from the North Dakota National Guard’s 188th Army Band were honored as among the Army’s best Feb. 27.

 Army Sgt. DeAnn Fylling was named 2011 Reserve Component Army Band Junior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year while Army Spc. Aaron Bedford was runner-up for the 2011 Reserve Component Army Band Soldier of the Year.

“Congratulations to Sergeant Fylling and Specialist Bedford on this outstanding accomplishment,” said Army Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general.

“North Dakota’s 188th Army Band truly is the finest in the entire National Guard, and having two of their Soldiers chosen for such an honor further validates that,” he said.

 The Band Soldier of the Year contest is an annual event to identify the most outstanding Soldier-musicians in the Army. The competition evaluates candidates’ leadership abilities, artistic integrity, military accomplishments and organizational and planning skills. A candidate must excel in musical proficiency and physical fitness to qualify for the competition.

“It’s extremely gratifying to have other band leaders validate my opinions of these soldiers,” said Warrant Officer Dave, 188th Army Band commander. “They excelled at every category of the competition.”

Fylling joined the Guard in 2001 and works full time for the Guard’s Military Funeral Honors program in Bismarck. She plays saxophone for the band.

“I was very surprised that I won,” Fylling said. “I knew that it was an Army-wide competition and that lots of noncommissioned officers would be competing. It was really just a shot in the dark — I wanted to know where I stood among my peers.”

She graduated in 2001 from Minot’s Bishop Ryan High School. Her father, Brian Hickel, and her mother, Shelli Hickel, live in Minot. Fylling earned an education degree from Jamestown College in 2005.

 Bedford, a percussionist with the band, said the Band Soldier of Year audition was a challenging test.

“I had to prepare to play mallets, snare drum and drum set,” he said. “The audition tests you on all the categories, from concert and marching music to jazz, funk and country.”

Bedford joined the military in 2000 and served four years on active duty in the Marine Corps. He deployed to Iraq from 2009 to 2010 with the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division Band.

Bedford is a 1999 graduate of Fargo South High School. His parents, David and Laurie Bedford, live in Fargo. He is studying medical laboratory sciences at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

“Sergeant Fylling and Specialist Bedford stand out because of their individual work and dedication,” Stordalen said.

“These Soldiers’ achievements show that the band is raising its standards,” he said. “The band’s soldiers asked for more challenges and tougher training, and we are working every drill to meet the high expectations we’ve set for ourselves.”

Nimitz Completes Sea Trials, Arrives at New Homeport

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Vanessa Y. David, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) arrived at its new homeport of Naval Station Everett, Wash., March 9 after spending nearly a week at sea conducting sea trials.

"The main objective was to make sure all systems and equipment worked properly following the extended yard period," said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Webster, Nimitz training officer. "In addition to checking out major systems like the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) firefighting system and Close in Weapons System (CIWS), several training requirements, in areas such as navigation and damage control were met."

An additional goal of sea trials was to prepare the crew to operate the warship at sea, said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Dominique Anderson. "It gives Sailors the opportunity to actually see the responses that the equipment will have," he said. "There's a difference between running a simulation and actually running the plant. Everybody has responded positively to this experience."

Nimitz met the set criteria for testing its equipment and procedures to include conducting high-power steering evolutions, tested the ship's weapons and combat systems and conducted various damage control evolutions.

A pre-action aim calibration fire with its two newly installed CIWS systems was conducted March 7. "Firing the CIWS is [one of] the first significant evolutions since (docked planned incremental availability) DPIA," said Senior Chief Fire Controlman (SW/AW) Matthew Barry, Nimitz' CS-7 division's leading chief petty officer.

The crew's damage control response capabilities were also put to the test in several general quarters evolutions during the underway period, during an AFFF test on the hangar bay and flight deck and through a flight deck countermeasure wash down.

"We were able to accomplish almost everything we needed to during this short period," said Webster. "For the few things we couldn't complete, we should be able to knock out during the next underway period."

Before Nimitz left for sea trials, the ship had been in Bremerton for the past 15 months conducting a DPIA where the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Intermediate Maintenance Facility and Ship's crew completed a $239 million maintenance package that included upgrades to the carrier's self-defense, combat, navigation and potable water systems.

Program Inspires DOD Students to Aim for Public Service

By Elaine Sanchez

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2012 – Two Department of Defense Education Activity students were among the more than 100 student delegates from across the nation who stopped by the Pentagon today to hear from senior leaders and to gain insight on the inner workings of national defense.

Jane Rudy from Brussels American High School in Belgium and John Bonney from Vicenza High School in Italy traveled here as delegates to the 50th Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program. Their visit to the Pentagon was the culminating event of the program’s Washington Week, an educational experience for high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service.

This week has been “humbling and inspiring,” Rudy, daughter of Air Force Lt. Col. Martin Rudy and his wife, Peg, told American Forces Press Service today.

Each year, two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and DODEA spend a week in Washington to experience their national government in action. Student delegates meet with the president and hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Defense and State Departments and other federal agency directors.

“It’s important for us to encourage the future leaders of this country to go on to pursue careers, not only in public service … at the national level, but also at the state, local and community levels,” Rayne Guilford, program director for the Senate Youth Program, told American Forces Press Service today. “We hope this program inspires them to do so.”

Guilford said they strove to make the 50th year of this program a special one for the students. Throughout the week, the students met with President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Chief Justice John Roberts, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr., and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who was a delegate in 1971 and the program’s first alumna to become a senator. Today, the students toured the Pentagon and met with defense officials, including Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter.

Rudy said the highlight of the week for her was the speakers, particularly the defense secretary. “[Secretary] Leon Panetta was one of the coolest people I’ve ever talked to -- not just at the program,” Rudy said. “I haven’t always considered joining the military necessarily, but after this week I’m considering that too.”

Bonney agreed. “I really enjoyed speaking with Leon Panetta,” said the son of Army Maj. Philip Bonney and his wife, Georgia, and an aspiring doctor of pediatric orthopedics. “It was great to hear him speak and get to know the man behind everything my dad is doing.”

Each year, the program seeks delegates with confidence, knowledge of current events and government, and with a desire to serve, Guilford said, noting delegates all serve in an appointed or elected student office back home. DODEA students possess these qualities in abundance, she added.

“They bring the overseas perspective,” Guilford said. “They come from countries across the world and have seen different forms of government; they can compare and contrast.”

They also bring an “incredible perspective of parents serving in the military,” she added, “and what service means on a deeper level.”

While Bonney and Rudy are accustomed to being surrounded by service members, some of the other students hadn’t met military members prior to this week, Guilford said. But this week they were up close and personal with the troops as military mentors escorted the students to hear speakers and visit museums and memorials throughout the city. Each year, mentors -- officers representing each service, including the Coast Guard –- travel here from installations across the nation.

Marine Corps Lt. Col. Peter Epton led this year’s 16 military mentors. “It’s a good way for the Department of Defense to put a face to the military in general,” he said of the program, “and a good way for the students to see us as individuals.”

Navy Lt. Janelle Kuroda, a military lawyer assigned to the Washington Navy Yard here, said she was excited to serve as a mentor this year, particularly since she’s a former delegate herself. Kuroda traveled here as a student delegate from Hawaii in 1997. “These students are so bright, so enthusiastic and real leaders,” she said. “You really see the passion they have. They all have a commitment to public service.

“I feel so fortunate to be a part of this program again,” she added.

Through the military mentors, Guilford noted, students learn what “service means at the most profound level.”

Guilford said the Defense Department is an integral part of the program’s success. “We want to thank the Department of Defense for 50 years of providing us with the most excellent officers who serve as mentors to our students, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come,” she said.

The Hearst Foundations provide transportation, hotel and meal expenses for the delegates. Additionally, each delegate is given a $5,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies.