Kosovo-deployed Guard Soldiers visited by state leadership

By Lt. Col. Jackie Guthrie

Wisconsin National Guard

National Guard troops keeping the peace in Kosovo received praise and gratitude from home as part of a leadership visit, April 19-23.

The governor of Wyoming, along with the top military officers for the states of Wisconsin and Wyoming, witnessed first-hand the efforts National Guard Soldiers have been performing as part of their year-long deployment in support of Operation Joint Guardian, a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

"I'm here to tell you that what you are doing here really matters," said Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar , adjutant general of Wisconsin. "You have brought your combat experience and leadership skills to Kosovo and what you are doing is very important."

Dunbar was accompanied by Wisconsin State Command Sgt. Maj. George Stopper.

Gov. Matt Mead, commander-in-chief of the Wyoming National Guard , was accompanied by Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner , the adjutant general of Wyoming, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jayson Walford.

Soldiers from both states serve alongside more than 700 National Guard Soldiers from 28 other states, as well as seven other nations, as part of a NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo known as KFOR . Their mission is to promote a safe and secure environment and ensure freedom of movement for citizens throughout Kosovo.

Most of the approximately 200 Wisconsin National Guard troops in country are part of the Multi-National Battle Group East (MNBG E), led by the Milwaukee-based 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade headquarters and includes Soldiers from the 32nd Military Police Company; Company F, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment ; and Detachment 1, Company B, 248th Aviation Battalion. Also part of MNBG E is approximately 20 Soldiers from the Wyoming National Guard's Detachment 2, Company B, 777th Aviation Support Battalion.

"Everyone's job differs," said Staff Sgt. Danielle Miller, a legal assistant from Wisconsin working at KFOR headquarters in Pristina. "This has been a very unique experience working with all the different nationalities. I consider it an opportunity of a lifetime."

MNBG E, along with MNBG West, ensures safety and security for Kosovo residents, performing a wide variety of missions in a supporting role to the Kosovo Police force and European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). Whether it's airlifting critical supplies like food and water to remote outposts, conducting vehicle checks or sharing best-practice methods with Kosovo law enforcement agencies, Wyoming and Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers have proven their value to their multinational partners.

"They do a really good job," said German Army Maj. Gen. Erhard Drews, KFOR commander. "I appreciate what they are doing," adding that the Soldiers do an excellent job balancing the force protection mission with deterrence.

"The job that these Soldiers are doing here is absolutely critical," said Wyoming's Reiner. "It's an important mission to keep this region of the world safe and secure, and for our Wyoming Guard Soldiers to come over here and participate in this is a big deal and it makes a difference."

"Everyone back home in Wyoming and all the states should be very proud of the work that's being done here," Mead asserted. "I think it's just a great opportunity to visit these guys and see how they're doing."

In addition to performing their missions, many of the Soldiers deployed to Kosovo are completing military education requirements. Approximately 40 soldiers participated and graduated from the Warrior Leader Course for junior noncommissioned officers April 11, and another class is scheduled to graduate April 30. The command hopes to graduate 120 by the end of the group's tour. Officers in the command are also participating in the Intermediate Level-Education course, and a Battle Staff NCO course for intermediate and senior NCOs is expected to start later this summer.

"If we can help them get those requirements done while they are here it's a win-win for all," said MNBG E Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Shields from Wisconsin. "Not only is it good for the Soldier, the Army and the Guard, but it also benefits the family and employers back home because the Soldier doesn't need to be away from home again to accomplish the training."

NATO has been leading a peace support operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of wider international efforts to build peace and stability in the area. Originally fielded by active duty units like the 82nd Airborne Division when NATO was the primary peacekeeping force in the region, the Army National Guard has taken a prominent role in the KFOR mission as Kosovo and European Union institutions assert themselves.

Over time, as the security situation has improved, NATO has been gradually adjusting KFOR's force posture towards a minimal presence - essentially, a smaller force progressively relying more on flexibility and intelligence with fewer static tasks, according to NATO officials.

"The intent is to teach them to take care of and provide for themselves," said Lt. Col. Jon Russell, MNBG E, operations officer from Wisconsin. This includes training and mentoring Kosovo security forces, conducting engineer inspections and educating medical personnel.

According to Kosovo native Ardian Nrecaj, who has been an interpreter for MNBG E since 1999, the Army National Guard forces joined the peace keeping effort in 2003 when the Pennsylvania Army National Guard took over from the active Army.

"National Guard members brought to Kosovo not only their military skills to keep a safe and secure environment, but they brought also their civilian skills, knowing that they are not only Soldiers but teachers, cops and other [types of workers]," he said. "With these extra sets of skills, they helped in training Kosovo institutions to receive more responsibility from KFOR."

The National Guard Soldiers currently assigned to MNBG E are more than halfway through their year-long deployment in Kosovo, and are expected to return in the fall.

"You're halfway there," Reiner said "Stay focused, stay safe, and make sure the second half is just as good as the first half."

USS Russell Returns Home to Hawaii

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Families and friends welcomed back the guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, April 23, following completion of a successful eight-month deployment to the western Pacific and Arabian Gulf.

"I am exceptionally pleased and proud of the tremendous performance of every Sailor aboard Russell during this challenging deployment," said Cmdr. Joseph Carrigan, Russell's commanding officer. "I believe I speak for each member of the crew when I say that we are thrilled to be home with our families, friends and the greater Pearl Harbor Ohana."

Russell and its crew of nearly 300 Sailors conducted a wide range of operations, including ballistic missile defense, maritime security operations, and oil platform defense. Additionally, the ship and her crew participated in multinational exercises with NATO allies and Gulf partner nations in support of theater security cooperation and operations.

Mike McGuinness, the father of Seaman Matt McGuinness, flew from New Jersey to greet his son at the pier as the ship arrived.

"I thought it would be a good idea to come out and surprise him," said Mike. "This is his first deployment. He has been in the Navy for one and a half years."

While at the Arabian Gulf, Russell integrated with Carrier Strike Groups George H. W. Bush, John C. Stennis, and Abraham Lincoln, supporting a variety of missions. Additionally, Russell served as the Ballistic Missile Defense Commander platform for Commander Task Force 50 for two months, participating in 15 system operability tests, two joint air defense exercises, and a bilateral amphibious exercise with Saudi Arabia.

"While deployed to the 5th Fleet area of operations, USS Russell consistently demonstrated unparalleled operational excellence and mission accomplishment while conducting maritime security operations, ballistic missile defense operations, maritime infrastructure protection, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support," said Carrigan.

The officers and crew enjoyed several port visits in the western Pacific, East Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East, including Guam, the Philippines, the Maldives, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong and continued the U.S. Navy's longstanding tradition of ambassadorship.

During the ship's visit to Gan, Maldives, Russell Sailors connected with their Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) counterparts and interacted with the local community. Russell Sailors participated in soccer matches and culinary exchanges where coast guardsmen from the Maldivian coast guard ship (CGS) Shaheed Ali taught Sailors how to cook traditional Maldivian dishes aboard Russell.

Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare surface combatants. They operate independently for support of carrier and expeditionary strike groups and surface strike groups.

Obama Recognizes Defense Department Teacher at White House

By Lisa Daniel

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – President Barack Obama today recognized a Defense Department teacher for the first time as a finalist in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

During a White House ceremony, Obama recognized Angela Wilson, a seventh-grade English teacher for the Department of Defense Education Activity at Vicenza Middle School in Vicenza, Italy, among four finalists considered for the 62nd annual competition. While paying tribute to teachers everywhere, the president announced Rebecca Mieliwocki, a Burbank, Calif., seventh-grade teacher, as the National Teacher of the Year.

“A lot of important people visit the White House,” Obama said during a ceremony in the mansion’s East Room, “but to young people in classrooms around the country, nobody is more important than the men and women that we honor here today.”

The president said he was honored to have Mieliwocki, Wilson, Gay Barnes of Alabama, and Alvin Aureliano Davis of Florida at the White House.

“These are the kind of teachers who change lives forever,” Obama said. “I wouldn’t be here today if it were not for teachers like these who challenged me, and pushed me, and put up with me, and inspired me -- and set me straight when they had to.  And I think everybody here can say the exact same thing.

“Teachers matter,” he continued. “That’s why I often tell young people:  If you want a guarantee that you're making a difference every single day, become a teacher. A teacher is the key to a child reaching their potential.”

Teachers not only help individuals achieve the American Dream, they also keep the United States the best in the world, the president said, standing alongside Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

“We’ve all got something at stake here,” Obama said. “Our parents, our grandparents -- they didn't build the world’s most prosperous economy and the strongest middle class in the world out of thin air.  It started with a world-class education system.  That was the foundation.  And in the long run, no issue will have a bigger impact in our success as a country and the success of our citizens.

“So every day, when teachers like you put in long hours, or dig into your own pockets to pay for school supplies, or tweak lessons so they’re even better than they were last year, you’re not just serving your schools or your students, you’re also serving your country,” he continued. “And you’re helping to preserve the basic promise of America: that no matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, what your last name is, you can succeed.  You can make it if you try, if you put in the effort.”

Biden hosted a reception for the finalists last night at the vice president’s residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory here. The “second lady” has continued to teach at a community college since moving to Washington with her husband.

Biden began her address by reflecting on her life as an instructor and public servant. After the election, she said, "I said to Joe, ‘I'm going to continue to teach because I have to do what I love.’" So four days after inauguration, she said to much applause, "I was in the classroom."

While the finalists were honored at the White House today, Biden said, “I will be in the classroom." It is the fourth year the Bidens have hosted the finalists for the competition sponsored by The Council of Chief State School Officers.

"I want to say thank you for all that you do because you are the best of the best," Biden said.

Wilson agreed, telling American Forces Press Service in an interview today, “The teachers I’ve met here will blow anyone away. They are the most dedicated individuals I’ve met in my life.”

Although she didn’t receive the top billing, Wilson said she had an amazing week packed full of training events and meetings, including meeting individually with Obama, Duncan, and Biden, whom she said demonstrated their commitment to both education and military families.

“They do value education, you can tell,” she said.

Wilson said she enjoyed Obama’s sense of humor, and sharing classroom strategies with Biden to help students from military families, and she looks forward to meeting with Duncan later this week to discuss the administration’s educational policy initiatives. “They want our input,” she added.

Wilson, whose husband also is a DOD teacher, said she supports the administration’s efforts to raise respect for the teaching profession.

Of all her experiences, Wilson said, what she most wants to share with her students is the support they have from the highest levels of the U.S. government.

“It’s really neat to be with the Department of Defense because there is such a love of the military from these leaders,” she said. “I will definitely bring back their love and admiration for the military community.  I think that’s really powerful for the students.”

Asked what she would most like to share with other teachers, Wilson said, “The key for any student, but especially for military students, is to get to know them. Form that special connection to your students.”

For many children, including military children, she said, “school is a home away from home” and may be their most stable environment. “We need to look beyond test scores, we need to look at the whole child -- their creativity, innovation, social and emotional needs. There’s so much to the whole child, yet how do we evaluate teachers? We just look at the test scores.”

Military children, she continued, “are some of most resilient, flexible, adaptable students you’ll ever meet. You can make the biggest difference in their lives by finding what inspires them. Military children have so much to give … learn from them, value them and get to know them.”

Mayport-based Frigate Departs on Final Deployment for Southern Seas 2012

From Naval Station Mayport Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Underwood (FFG 36) departed on its final deployment in support of Southern Seas 2012, April 23.

The deployment will begin by participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX) with the Eisenhower Strike Group as part of their pre-deployment training. The ship and crew will then deploy to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) May 2 to conduct Southern Seas 2012. Southern Seas will include the multinational exercises UNITAS Pacific (UNITAS PAC), Silent Forces Exercise (SIFOREX) and UNITAS Atlantic (UNITAS LANT).

"Underwood completed our final basic phase training back in February and we've been working for well over a year in preparation for Southern Seas 2012. As we head out the door we'll finish our integrated phase training with Eisenhower Strike Group COMTUEX, which will be our certifying event allowing us to move out on deployment to Fourth Fleet," Cmdr. Peter T. Mirisola, commanding officer, USS Underwood (FFG 36) said.

Underwood will also support Operation Martillo, a joint, interagency and multi-national collaborative mission among Western Hemisphere and European nations to deny Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) air and maritime access to the littoral regions of the Central American isthmus. Operation Martillo targets narcotics, precursor chemicals, bulk cash, weapons and humans being transported via maritime and air domains.

Southern Seas is an annual collaborative deployment to conduct a variety of exercises, missions and multinational subject matter expert exchanges. The focus is on enhancing interoperability, increase regional stability, and building and maintaining regional relationships with countries throughout the hemisphere through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

"It is going to be quite a privilege and an honor to go down there. I know the crew's excited. We're going to have a lot of great visits. We're looking forward to the multi-national engagement with our Central and South American and Caribbean nation hosts," Mirisola said.

Formally known as the Partnership of the Americas, Southern Seas gives a distinct name to one of the United States' marquee deployments. This is the seventh such deployment and falls under U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) Partnership of the Americas initiative.

"There's no better way for Underwood to deploy than to support Southern Seas and UNITAS. This is the United States' longest standing annual exercise and the crown jewel of naval exercises for the U.S. Navy. There's no better way to end the ship's service life than to finish with UNITAS deployment," said Mirisola.

Underwood will return to Mayport in November 2012 and be decommissioned in March 2013. The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate was commissioned January 29, 1983 and conducted her maiden deployment in 1985. Underwood participated in numerous counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea in her 29 years of service to the fleet.

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Underwood and her crew deployed immediately to the island and provided critical medical assistance in support of Operation Unified Response.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally 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.

Wisconsin National Guard names Soldier, NCO of Year

By Spc. Eric Liesse

112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT McCOY, Wis. - After a grueling three-day competition, the Wisconsin Army National Guard announced its 2012 State Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Sunday (April 22). Both Soldiers now advance to next month's Region 4 Soldier and NCO of the Year competition at Camp Grayling, Mich.

Sgt. Jeremy Smith, a Watertown, Wis., native with the Madison-based 54th Civil Support Team, beat out five fellow Soldiers to be named the State Soldier of the Year. Sgt. Darren Habermehl, a Muskego, Wis., native from Troop C, 1st Battalion, 105th Cavalry Regiment out of Reedsburg, Wis., won over seven other NCOs to take the State NCO of the Year title.

"It's been quite a competitive weekend, for sure," Smith said soon after winning the Minute Man statue. "A lot of the competitors are very good at what they do."

"I'm not going to lie - everybody wants to win, and I probably have a competitive streak as big or bigger than most," Habermehl said. "I was really hoping that my scores... would put me on the top. And thankfully, it fell in my favor this time."

The state-level Soldier of the Year competition is usually headed by State Command Sgt. Maj. George Stopper, Wisconsin National Guard's senior enlisted leader. However, this year he was part of a Wisconsin National Guard delegation visiting troops in Kosovo, so the competition was directed by Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Rosemore, the state Recruiting and Retention sergeant major.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Stopper has a favorite saying that he uses every year," said Staff Sgt. Jason Walters, the competition's administrative NCO and chief scorekeeper. "He says if you see him or any other [sergeant major] walking around with a big grin on their face, it's not because they enjoy watching you suffer. It's because they enjoy watching the top 10 percent that the Wisconsin National Guard has to offer."

Though Smith and Habermehl will advance to the regionals, they were not far ahead of their fellow competitors.

"This year, like every year, [the scores were] very tight," Walters said. "It always comes down to the last few events. Sometimes, halfway though, you have one or two people jump ahead of the rest. But once everyone gets that working rhythm and that initial adrenalin wears out, it's just a matter of endurance after that."

"I think it's been fairly close," Smith said. "We were going over bonus points earlier with some of the other people trying to figure out who might be up. There's still some things that you don't know when they read the names. It was a great feeling. It's definitely a great experience and something I'm never going to forget."

The competition started late Thursday night at the Wisconsin Army National Guard's Wisconsin Military Academy, with Rosemore briefing Soldiers and NCOs on scores, expectations and support.

Competitors endured a grueling gauntlet of events: physical fitness test, a combatives tournament, a virtual firing range programmed with "shoot-don't shoot" scenarios, life-fire pistol and rifle ranges, day and night land navigation courses, a written exam, combat water survival assessment, Soldier skill proficiency demonstrations, a confidence and obstacle course, a formal appearance board before senior noncommissioned officers, and a 9-mile road march.

Habermehl and Smith finished first in the combatives tournament in the NCO and Soldier categories, respectively. Habermehl was the first to finish the road march with a time of 1:44:57, and Smith was tied for second with a time of 1:47:13.

"[I] did some marching and some training for that definitely, 'cause that's not something you just want to pick up and do," Smith said about the road march. "I started to dabble with the whole cross-fit thing - who knows if that is going to pay off."

Now that this weekend's events are over, Habermehl and Smith are already looking to the next level - the regional competition in Michigan.

"I'm not sure what's in store for the Regionals," Smith said, "but hopefully they give us a heads up on some of the events or at least what we should be expecting. "

Smith was confident in his training thus far. "Maybe see I can get my hands on an obstacle course somewhere," he said, "but pretty much just keep up with what I have been doing."

"There will be some definite adjustments to the training," Habermehl said of his preparation for next month. "[I'll put] much longer ruck marches in. My guess is they'll probably throw it up to... that Army-standard, 12-mile ruck march. I'm going to try to get some more time on the range, something that I definitely need to improve on."

As the weekend closes and the 13 remaining competitors head home, both Soldiers realized their time for extra preparation is short.

"We actually were just talking about trying to coordinate our efforts both at our level and at the unit level to make sure that we maximize the little bit of time that we have before the regional," Habermehl said.

Dempsey, NATO Defense Chiefs Gather for Conference

By John D. Banusiewicz

American Forces Press Service

BRUSSELS, April 24, 2012 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will meet with his NATO counterparts and the defense chiefs of partner nations in a two-day conference that begins tomorrow at NATO headquarters here.

The chairman arrived here from Afghanistan today for the third stop in an overseas trip that began with a visit to Jordan.

NATO foreign and defense ministers recently met to set the agenda for the alliance’s summit in Chicago next month, when the heads of state and government gather to finalize commitments. Over the next two days, Dempsey said, the defense chiefs will discuss how to act upon the guidance.

“The ministers get together and provide us with political guidance, and we discuss how we turn that into military advice and planning,” the chairman explained.

But the Chicago summit will focus on the way ahead after 2014, when Afghan forces will have security responsibility for all of Afghanistan, he noted, and challenges remain in the meantime. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, will brief the defense chiefs, as will Simon Gass, the alliance’s senior civilian representative in Afghanistan. Dempsey met privately with Allen at ISAF headquarters April 22.

Partnerships based on capabilities will be another important aspect of the defense chiefs’ discussions, the chairman said.

“Our new U.S. strategy rebalances our forces toward the Asia-Pacific region while sustaining our commitments in the Middle East,” he noted. “We and our partners need to innovate. We need to move away from our traditional paradigm and take a fresh look at re-emphasizing policies and procedures that allow us to provide the capabilities we all need.”

Rotations, exercises and military academy exchange programs go a long way toward building and sustaining partnerships and helping partner nations’ respective military capabilities fit together, the general said. “As we move forward in this direction,” he added, “we’re building on a strong foundation.”

The defense chiefs also will discuss the alliance’s mission in Kosovo, counterpiracy and counterterrorism efforts, and lessons learned from Operation United Protector in Libya. In addition, defense chiefs from Russia, Ukraine and Georgia will participate in discussions on the practicalities of NATO military partnerships and ways to deepen cooperation.

Country Music Star Toby Keith Entertains Lincoln Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan P. Idle, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Country music superstar Toby Keith performed for more than 4,000 Sailors during an underway concert in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), April 23.

The concert was part of a tour sponsored by the United Services Organization (USO) in conjunction with Navy Entertainment to boost the morale of deployed Sailors.

The Sailors gathered in the hangar bay to hear Keith perform several of his numerous hit songs, including "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," "American Soldier," "Should've Been a Cowboy" and "Red Solo Cup."

Keith, who is currently on his 10th USO tour since 2002, said he started performing for service members as a way to honor his late father's memory, but after his first tour, he knew it was something he wanted to continue doing.

"I was going to do a couple weeks just to honor my dad and the time he did in the service, and we just fell in love with it," Keith said. "The men and women that serve had such a good time that the USO said, 'they want you to go back.' So we started going every year. Now, 10 years and 180-something shows later, we keep coming back. It's been a wonderful time."

While aboard Lincoln, Keith toured the ship, signed autographs, posed for photographs and stood witness as a group of Lincoln Sailors reenlisted.

Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class Kenneth Gaal, one of the reenlisting Sailors, said he was honored to have Keith there for the ceremony.

"Toby Keith has supported the Navy and the United States in our military endeavors for over a decade," Gaal said. "He is a patriotic celebrity who shows his support for the sacrifices we make, and I'm proud to have been able to reenlist in his presence. This has certainly been the highlight of my deployment."

Keith said he appreciated all the Sailors in attendance at the show as well as all U.S. service members stationed around the world.

"I see the job you do every day," he said. "It's a tough job. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard; I get to see it all. You do a wonderful job. Godspeed to you. As long as you're out here, we'll keep trying to come back, shake your hand and thank you for what you do."

Lincoln is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 9, which also includes guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and Destroyer Squadron 9, comprised of guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).

CSG 9 and Carrier Air Wing 2, embarked aboard Lincoln, are deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support exercises in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.