Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers support Bosnian mission

By Sgt. 1st Class James Wagner

MNBG E Public Affairs

CAMP BUTMIR, Bosnia-Herzegovina - While the majority of the deployed Wisconsin Army National Guard's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Soldiers support NATO peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, a smaller contingent are on mission in another Balkan state entirely.

Last year, as approximately 300 Wisconsin Guard Soldiers mobilized to support the Kosovo Force mission at Camp Bondsteel, five Badger State Soldiers found themselves flying to Camp Butmir in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The five took over positions supporting NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo and its European Union Force, the international peacekeeping effort that began in 2005 when active peace enforcement operations as part of the Stabilization Force ended in the region.

NHQSA has three primary missions: advise the Bosnia government on defense reforms in order to integrate with the European Union, oversee Camp Butmir and oversee NATO personnel in Sarajevo.

According to Lt. Col. Michael Smith, U.S. Balkans National Support Element commander, the Wisconsin Soldiers at Camp Butmir support all U.S. personnel to include Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

"As European Command's only direct reporting unit in the Balkans area of responsibility, the NSE protects and executes U.S. interests on behalf of the geographic combatant commander," he said.

In addition to sharing the same geographical area - the Balkan Peninsula - the missions in Kosovo and Bosnia share many similarities. NATO peacekeeping forces in both regions are there to prevent further bloodshed in the wake of ethnic cleansing campaigns in the 1990s, while implementing measures to ensure subsequent flare ups don't occur in the region.

Only in the details are the mission requirements different. KFOR's primary responsibilities include actively providing a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement; EUFOR's mission is to oversee the military implementation of the 1995 Dayton Agreement, which ended the war between Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs and Catholic Croats.

Pfc. Koty Slough from Oconto, Wis., a postal clerk who works in the National Support Element at Camp Butmir, said the people of Sarajevo and surrounding communities find the NATO presence here crucial to their country's long-term well-being.

"Our military presence in Bosnia leaves the people with a feeling of security and comfort, knowing that if they needed help we would be able to assist," he said.

Slough is one of several Wisconsin Soldiers working in the NSE, supporting U.S. forces stationed at Camp Butmir. In addition to postal service, they provide logistics and personnel support during their year-long deployment.

Soldiers from more than 20 countries are deployed to Camp Butmir, and like the many challenges posed at Camp Bondsteel, where Wisconsin soldiers in Kosovo are headquartered with Multinational Battle Group East, language differences are one of the biggest obstacles to properly executing a mission.

Capt. Jay Wilson from Helenville, Wis., logistics chief at NHQSA, has been on several deployments around the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Deployed Soldiers work extensively with their sister service counterparts, like the Navy and Air Force, to accomplish a mission.

Working at a NATO headquarters, however, introduces another level of joint service in a coalition environment. With more than 20 nations from around the world involved, finding a common language can be difficult. Fortunately for Americans, English is the predominant language spoken around the world, though individual skill levels in the language vary wildly from soldier to soldier at NATO.

"I find a lot of the people come here not knowing a lot of English - it takes time for them to get used to speaking it," Wilson said. "There are some misunderstandings before they get used to it."

Language barriers aside, NHQSA soldiers find common ground with projects over and above their mandated mission that help the people of Bosnia. Many take the time to work on projects that better assist the country assimilate into the European Union, whether it's visiting an international elementary school or raising money for disabled people.

"Several people have come up to me and said, 'Hey, thank you for being here, it means a lot to our people,'" Slough said. "A friend told me once, whether good or bad, you will leave this city a different person. Cliché or not, I know now that is true and only in a positive way, for me and for those I have come to know."

For the Soldiers of the 157th MEB, whether they went to Kosovo or Bosnia, that's a sentiment likely true in both regions.

Navy Continues to Lean Forward, Evolve, Greenert Says

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

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – The Navy continues to evolve, making operational and other changes based on the U.S. defense strategic guidance, the chief of naval operations told Pentagon reporters today.

“Our Navy requirements during this time frame have definitely been evolving, and frankly, there was quite an inflection point, I think, last fall where we had a confluence of vectors economically with the Budget Control Act and the deficit,” said Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert.

He noted there have been strategic changes for the U.S. military because of events in the Middle East and in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Operationally, [there were changes] in the [Middle] East with the conclusion of operations in Iraq, and the changes that have been laid out in Afghanistan, and of course, for us especially, in the Arabian Gulf, changes in forces required,” he said.

“From that, the Department of Defense developed a new strategy and I’m happy to say it’s a very transparent, very collaborative process that I was very glad to be a part of,” said Greenert, who assumed his position in September 2011.

The admiral said the Navy’s maritime strategy is being revised to align with the defense strategic guidance, and to reflect the changes in the geo-strategic environment that have taken place since October 2007 when the Navy rolled out its Cooperative Strategy for the 21st Century. A year in the making, the strategy also involves the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and applies maritime power to protect vital U.S. interests in an increasingly uncertain and globally connected world.

The Navy, however, will “revise the Cooperative Strategy for the 21st Century to define how sea power will support the defense strategic guidance,” Greenert said. “I think that will be about a six- [or] eight-month effort from there.”

Greenert noted the “foundational tenets” he rolled out upon taking his position as chief of naval operations, which he called “sailing directions,” have not changed.

“Warfighting is first -- [it’s] important to me,” he said. “We have to have the right, relevant capability brought forward, and from the ward room to the boardroom to the ready room, that’s what I want our guys thinking of.”

Simultaneously, he said, “We’ve got to operate forward -- that is where your Navy has always been most effective -- and I think, where it’ll continue to be effective,” Greenert said. “And we need to be ready to do the job that we’re asked to do today.”

The admiral noted there are other regions where “we have work to do,” citing its continuing support to U.S. Central Command and to security efforts in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz as “a Navy focus.”

“And of course, in the Horn of Africa, counterterrorism capability will need to continue to be a supporting element for us as we support special operating forces and continue our counterpiracy patrols that we’re signed up to do with our coalition,” Greenert added.

Regarding the Asia-Pacific rebalancing, Greenert said it applies to four areas -- forces, capability, intellectual capacity, and basing.

“Forces -- it’s ships, and aircraft as well, as we migrate the Joint Strike Fighter, the P-8 [reconnaissance aircraft], our maritime patrol aircraft, and our broad area maritime surveillance system -- our marinized Global Hawk,” he said.

The Navy “will continue to evolve and lean forward in air-to-air, electronic attack, electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare and our capabilities in anti-ship ballistic missile and anti-ship cruise missile [defense].”

Following forces and capabilities, Greenert said, there are intellectual capacity and basing elements.

“We will focus our attention in the security challenges of Asia-Pacific in the training and certification of our people who will deploy there.”

Greenert also announced a successor for Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West.

“I think we picked the best in Fleet Master Chief Michael Stevens, who is currently stationed at U.S. Fleet Forces Command,” Greenert said. “He has great experience, great leadership, [is a] good communicator and, frankly, Master Chief Stevens, I've found, has been very much in sync with our sailors, both officer and enlisted.”

Greenert thanked West for his service and said he looks forward to serving with Stevens. He also praised sailors throughout the Navy.

“It's really an honor to lead the great sailors that are out there getting the job done with their joint partners … in the joint force,” the admiral said.

National Park Service Offers Military, Families Free Annual Pass

By Amaani Lyle

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – The National Park Service extends free annual park passes far beyond the droves of Pentagon employees who lined up to take advantage of the offer today.

Through its America the Beautiful series, the National Park Service grants complimentary access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, national parks and wildlife refuges to active duty service members and activated Guardsmen and reservists and their families, said Kathy Kupper, National Park Service spokeswoman.

“The park service is just so grateful for the service of the military, so we’ve been looking for a way to show our gratitude,” Kupper said. “It’s taken a couple of years to get all the details worked out, but we’re honored that we can pay back a little bit.”

Service members can get a pass, valued at $80, by showing their military identification card. Family members can obtain their own passes, even if the service member is deployed or if they are traveling separately, Kupper explained.

A pass covers entry and standard amenity fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas, or up to four adults at sites that charge per person. Children age 15 or under are admitted free. Wounded warriors or any American citizen with a disability can get a free lifetime pass to all national parks.

A 25-year National Park Service employee, Kupper recalled the organization’s decades-long military ties, specifically to the Army, which oversaw national parks between the 1876 establishment of Yellowstone, the first national park, and the 1916 stand-up of NPS.

“For about 40 years, you had the U.S. Army, particularly the U.S. Cavalry, including Buffalo Soldiers, care for our first national parks,” Kupper said. “Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon all had roads set up, built, with trails established and wildlife protected … by the U.S. Army.”

Kupper added that even park ranger uniforms are inspired by the cavalry uniform, symbolizing the enduring bond.

“Many national parks were set aside for use strictly by military, whether for rest and relaxation trips … or for training,” the spokeswoman said, adding that through the years, the parks have been home to some of America’s most iconic images of freedom.

“Our service members are fighting to protect our freedoms and a lot of them are manifested in these symbols like the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore -- all sites cared for by the Park Service,” Kupper said. “These places inspire the military and remind them what they’re fighting for so where better for them and their families to visit?”

Face of Defense: Marine Bonds With Son Through Martial Arts

By Marine Corps Cpl. Bruno J. Begg

2nd Marine Logistics Group

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., June 27, 2012 – Finding the time to bond with your kids can be challenging in the highly demanding life of a Marine.

But Marine Corps Sgt. James W. Bridger, a combat engineer with 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s 8th Engineer Support Battalion and a member of the Lejeune Grappling Team since September 2011, bonds with his eldest son, Christian, through martial arts.

“It started by just coming home and watching [Ultimate Fighting Championship] fights on TV with my son,” Bridger said. “Eventually it came around to where I would come back home and he would be in the room at 3 years old watching the fights by himself.”

Bridger realized his son’s desire to do martial arts was the perfect opportunity to improve their relationship.

“I started to introduce him to martial arts with the [Marine Corps Martial Arts Program],” Bridger explained. “He would watch as I would bring friends over to the house to teach them and train them. … He always wanted to participate.

“He loved training with the pugil sticks and batons,” he added. “I taught him the stuff I knew, and I trained him myself for a while.”

Due to family issues and the needs of the Marine Corps, however, Bridger and his son have been away from each other for more than a year.

“I entered him in a [martial arts academy] up in Virginia, where he lives,” he added. “I knew I couldn’t spend time with him every day, and I did not want him to lose his interest for the sport, so I signed him up.”

Although Christian has been attending the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy for nearly a year, he had never competed until June 23. A North American Grappling Association tournament not only gave him his first opportunity to compete, but also gave him the chance to see his father participate during the same event.

“Seeing my son fight and winning was priceless,” Bridger said. “To see him grow into the sport from the beginning, to be able to be there for his first official competition, was great.” Christian competed in two categories, and he finished first in one and third in the other.

While supporting his son in learning a martial art for three years, Bridger said, he also has taught him the self-discipline involved.

“This sport is very humbling,” he said. “You might be with your best friend and he could make you tap out, so this martial art really teaches you how to be modest.”

Bridger said he will continue to support his son in anything he wants to do.

“Ultimately, what I want for my son is to be happy doing whatever sport he wants to do,” he said. “I am just very lucky that he likes the same thing as me, but I will support him and teach him to be the best he can be.”