DoD’s Maritime Strategy Addresses Nation’s Asia-Pacific Interests

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, September 18, 2015 — The Defense Department’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region is a strategy that safeguards U.S. interests and military access, builds partner capabilities and preserves stability in that part of the world, the assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs told a Senate panel yesterday.

David Shear and Navy Adm. Harry Harris Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Command, outlined to Senate Armed Forces Committee members how the U.S. Maritime Security Strategy for the Asia-Pacific will uphold maritime security in the region.

The strategy reflects U.S. interests and the importance of maritime peace and security in a critical part of the world, Shear said. It is also one part of a larger strategy to protect American interests in “international law, freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, and peaceful resolution of disputes,” he added.

The U.S. military has been indispensable in the region for 70 years to ensure peace, stability and security, Shear told panel members. But today, he said, regional military modernization “has increased significantly the potential for dangerous miscalculations or conflict in the maritime domain.” Shear pointed to the risks of China’s large-scale efforts to reclaim land and construct artificial islands in the region.

“As we've stated clear to [the] Chinese, ‘These actions are not only unilaterally altering the status quo; they're also complicating the lowering of tensions and the peaceful resolutions of disputes.’” Shear said.

Strategy Uses 4 Lines of Effort

DoD’s strategy employs four lines of effort to counter such challenges, he said, which would:

-- Strengthen military capacity to deter conflict and coercion, and respond decisively;

-- Build U.S. allies’ and partners’ maritime capacity for greater interoperability and more integrated operations. And DoD’s new Southeast Maritime Security Initiative, he added, will increase training, exercises, personnel support and maritime domain awareness;

-- Leverage defense diplomacy to reduce miscalculations and conflict risk, and promote shared maritime rules of the road; and,

-- Strengthen regional security institutions and encourage open regional security architecture. As an example, Shear cited Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s recent announcement to deploy a technical adviser to support the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' maritime security.

“We've seen positive momentum in promoting shared rules of the road,” Shear said, adding thanks to committee members for their support of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “Our efforts would be greatly strengthened by Senate ratification of UNCLOS,” he added.

Asia-Pacific is Vital to Nation

Harris said the Asia-Pacific region’s importance to U.S. security and prosperity cannot be overstated, and he noted that nearly 30 percent of the world's maritime trade, or more than $5 trillion, transits the South China Sea each year. “This includes $1.2 trillion in shipborne trade bound for the United States,” he said

And while the region has remained free of conflict for decades, “the security environment is changing, potentially placing … stability at risk,” Harris said.

“Rapid economic and military modernization and a growing demand for resources have increased the potential for conflict," he said. "Peacetime freedom of navigation is under pressure. If not handled properly, territorial and maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas can disrupt stability throughout the region.”

DOD's maritime strategy “capitalizes on the momentum” of the Asia-Pacific rebalance, Harris told the panel.

Senior Pentagon Leaders Honor POW/MIA Sacrifices During National Recognition Day

By Shannon Collins DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, September 18, 2015 — Tears streamed down the face of former Army Technician Grade 5 Robert “Bob” T. Davis, a World War II prisoner of war, as the honor guard marched across the Pentagon’s River Parade Field, to post the colors before the defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff addressed the solemn crowd.

“In a year of anniversaries – when we mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War’s end, the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end – today we remember that even when war ends, not everyone comes home,” said Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described his own way of honoring Operation Iraqi Freedom missing-in-action service members who served under his command from 2003 to 2004.

'Make It Matter'

“On my desk, less than 100 yards from where we stand, sits a small wooden box. And inside that box, there’s small laminated cards with a picture of every service member lost in Iraq under my command from 2003 to 2004," Dempsey said. "And on that box are inscribed three simple words, ‘Make It Matter.’

"I carry three of those cards in my pocket at all times. That’s all the inspiration I need to try to make my decisions matter, to make their sacrifices matter, to make my life matter," the chairman added. "The lives and the sacrifices of those we honor today matter. They matter to me, and they matter to our nation.”

Dempsey said he’s fond of the Marine Corps’ slogan, “Semper Fidelis’ [always faithful] “because they don’t just say it, they live it. It’s more ethos than slogan. The words ‘We Will Never Forget’ are more than just a slogan. They are a powerful, animating force for those individuals and organizations who dedicate their purpose to fulfilling our nation’s promise -- a promise to unite every prisoner of war and every service member still missing in action with their loved ones.

"'We will never forget' is a constant call to make it matter, to stay the course until the job is done until every family is made whole again,” Dempsey said.

'A Long Way Home'

Davis said it was an honor to meet the Carter, and it will give him bragging rights back home. After landing in France nine days after D-Day, he fought in the battles at Saint-Lo and Mortain before he was captured by German soldiers and spent six months in a POW camp.

“It was a tough battle. Our company was wiped out,” said Davis, a 91-year old Ocean City, New Jersey, resident. “We were in the town of St. Bartholomew in France when we were captured, and then I was in a prison camp close to Trent in Poland. We were starving to death. All we got was a ladle of soup and a slice of bread a day. We just went down to nothing.

"Then the Russians came in, killed all of the Germans, and I walked all the way across Poland to as far as Lublin, and then the Russians picked us up and took us to Odessa [Ukraine]. It was a long way home,” Davis said.

Remembering Those Who Never Came Home

He said he had never seen a ceremony like the event today and it brought tears to his eyes. It was also his first time back at the Pentagon since 1945.

“It was an unbelievable experience,” Davis added. “I can’t believe I shook hands with the Secretary of Defense.”

For Thomas “Tom” Horio, a former Army Specialist 6, attending the event was more about honoring the fallen.

“We were working the Cambodian border and our firebase got overrun,” Horio said, a Vietnam POW. “I was on [listening post] duty, and we were captured by the North Vietnamese," he said. "I spent six months in a Cambodian jungle camp, and then we walked up to Hanoi along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. I spent a little over three years at Hanoi."

Horio said he attends events like this for the fallen who were not recovered during his stay.

“This is not for me, but for the people who are still there, because there were two or three guys who were killed in our jungle camp, and they’ve never recovered the remains," Horio said. "It’s in remembrance for them really that I come."

He said he hopes others will honor and respect the fallen.

“We served our country, and we served it well, and we honored the Code of Conduct,” Horio said. “Remember the fallen. They tried to honor their country and keep the Code of Conduct, and that’s the reason they’re not here.”

The Mission Continues

Carter said there are still 73,515 missing from World War II; 7,841 missing from the Korean War; 126 missing from the Cold War; and 1,626 missing from the Vietnam War.

The Defense Department is harnessing new technology and investing in advances in forensic science to identify previously unidentifiable remains of some of the fallen, Carter said.

“We’re also using new communication channels to keep in touch with families of the missing,” he said.

One of the improvements the department has made is the creation of the new Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which combined the activities and resources of three different organizations and more than 600 staff members. Amid the reorganization, Carter said they identified 67 missing service members this year.

“We are the defense organization that is responsible for doing the research, investigation, field recoveries and identifications of those who have never returned from all of our past wars,” said Michael Linnington, DPAA director. “We’re expanding our operations through strategic partnerships, and we’re going to try and significantly increase the number of folks we identify and provide answers to family members in the years to come.”

Linnington, who retired from the Army after 35 years of service, said he was inspired to talk to the six POWs in attendance.

“Today is one day, but this commitment to recovering our missing from previous wars is an all-year enduring effort," Linnington said. "So I appreciate the commitment of our families, our family groups, everybody in DoD, and all of our partners to continuing this as we go forward. There are 365 days like today for our organization, and we appreciate all of the collaboration we can get.”

Carter said he was committed to bringing all service members home.

 “Every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman should know that we will --I will -- do everything we can to bring them back to their families,” he said.

Fairchild, Spokane first responders participate in joint exercise

by Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/18/2015 - SPOKANE, Wash. -- Fairchild Air Force Base Airmen worked together with Spokane County emergency response agencies during a

Major Accident Response Exercise that involved a simulated crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker Sept. 15, at Riverside State Park in Spokane, Washington.

The exercise kicked off Tuesday morning when the FAFB air traffic control tower received a mock distress call from the incoming aircraft stating it lost power to all four engines due to multiple bird strikes and was going down. Shortly after the fake distress call, the tower lost all radio contact with the aircraft.

More than 25 first responders from Fairchild and Spokane County arrived at the simulated crash site, including the Spokane County Sheriff's Department, Spokane Fire Department and Fairchild's Fire Department, Security Forces, Medical, Safety, Public Affairs, and Bioenvironmental teams. The "accident scene" consisted of actual aircraft parts, medical dummies and other real and simulated debris that would likely be encountered at an aircraft crash site.

Once on scene, on and off base agencies worked together to ensure they were communicating and integrating effectively and were in compliance with all inspection checklists.

"There are just a lot of things, training-wise, that we're doing together," said Kimo Kuheana, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief.  "It's just huge overall for Spokane County. We have better responders now."

In a real-world aircraft crash scenario, the incident commanders would have to work together to contain any fires, cordon off the crash site and keep all civilians and media out of the immediate area. In addition to controlling all of these factors they would have to make sure not to disturb any of the aircraft debris and protect any human remains.

A mutual aid agreement exists between the base and local community that allows Air Force resources to be used to assist with off-base incidents when local response capabilities are either overwhelmed or don't exist, such as the recent HAZMAT response at Pacific Steel in Spokane.

"They've got resources we simply just don't have," said Brian Schaeffer, District 9 Assistant Fire Chief. "Within the last couple of years, especially with the leadership that is out at Fairchild now, the willingness to go off base and be a part of the community with emergency resources is unsurpassed."

For the past two years, Fairchild has been working with local emergency responders during monthly training as part of the mutual aid agreement. Having these agencies working side by side allows for quicker response and higher probability of saving lives and protecting property.

"All agencies worked well together," said Master Sgt. Joel Jones, 92nd Air Refueling Wing flight safety superintendent. "It is always a great experience when we can pull all of the base and local emergency services together for a joint exercise."

MWD, handler certify in detection

by Senior Airman Christine Halan
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/17/2015 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- Military Working Dog handlers are responsible for the training and care of their feisty companions. These teams provide RAF Mildenhall the protection and deterrence night and day - and they are certified in their trade.

Staff Sgt. Roy Carter, 100th Security Forces Squadron, and MWD Luc have been a dynamic duo since July 2015. They recently took their initial detection certification to ensure they're fit to fight.

This certification is initially done within a few months of the team working together, verifying the team is succeeding in their overall mission - explosive or drug detection.

Both dog and handler underwent inspection Sept. 8, 2015, while being observed by Team Mildenhall leadership.

The team's goal during the initial certification is to find 10 different training aids which are placed randomly within an open area, vehicles and buildings. The training aids, which resemble items that they would find in a real-world mission, must be found within a certain time limit that can vary depending on the situation they are put in.

"We have to show we're maintaining that standard. Not everybody is perfect, so there's a little bit of room [for error]," said Carter.

Held to high standards, bomb detector teams have to be 95 percent reliable. Drug dogs must also display their keen sense of smell by hitting the odors 90 percent of the time.

Carter and MWD Luc, they made the job look easy. Within a mere 40 minutes, the duo was able to locate all 10 aids, making them 100 percent successful.

Unfortunately, not all teams are as effective. If a team is unable to complete the task, they are then given 30-day of remedial training which incorporates MWD, handler and kennel master, in vigorous drills.

"Staff Sgt. Joseph Serrano, 100th Security Forces Squadron MWD kennel master and trainer, does a lot of work with us. He loves going out there to train," said Carter. "He pushes us by making it as tough as possible, leading up to certification, which makes the certification not quite as tough."

Although Carter and Luc make the job look easy, their accomplishment isn't possible without the extensive and continuous training.

"Everything they do leading up to it is a lot more difficult," Carter explained. "Pushing you to think outside of the box and to push your dog to different limits, it's challenging, but worth it."

Although demanding, the certification is only one step in the many mission requirements for a dog and their handler to stay fit to fight.

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Searches for the Missing

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian Kimball DoD News Features, Defense Media Activity

SEMBACH, Germany, September 18, 2015 — September 1 marked the 76th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland, which led Britain and France to declare war against Germany, setting off World War II.

During the period from 1939 to 1945, approximately 400,000 U.S. service members lost their lives. Many of those troops were brought home to be buried in the United States, but more than 73,000 Americans missing from the war still remain unaccounted for and are considered missing in action.

Streamlining Recovery Efforts

After the war ended in 1945, the U.S. government began an effort to recover those MIA’s and developed an initiative known as, “The Return of World War II Dead Program,” which focused its efforts on finding the locations of aircraft crash sites, disinterment of temporary military gravesites and researching records on former battlefields in order to locate those left behind.

Over the years, the recovery efforts continued under a variety of defense agencies, most recently the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The agency was established in January to strengthen and consolidate DoD’s global investigation and recovery efforts for American service members while increasing their overall capabilities as an organization. The agency consolidated three organizations: the Defense Prisoner of War Missing Personnel Office, the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command and the Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory.

“[Our] priority, as we work through our reorganization, is to maintain the mission and our ongoing operations," said DPAA Director Michael Linnington, a retired U.S. Army three-star general. "It’s a difficult task, but it is one that we are proud to be a part of, and we are going to continue as we move forward.”

And that is exactly what is currently taking place. The day that marked the beginning of Britain’s and France’s involvement in World War II 76 years ago is the same day this year that three DPAA teams performed recovery missions in Europe to help find Americans missing in action from World War II.

5 Missing Airmen

One team near the area of Richelsdorf, Germany, is searching for five missing airmen who went down with their B-24 Liberator in September 1944. The team has successfully recovered bone matter along with personal effects and life support equipment from the wreckage, but much more work is still to be done. The recovered items must be analyzed, cataloged and correctly identified with 100 percent accuracy. Much of that work will be completed at the DPAA Forensic Identification Lab located at Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.

Robert Ingraham, a forensic archeologist and recovery leader with DPAA, led the recovery team in Germany.

“Our specialist will look at all lines of evidence to [determine] a legally sound identification for the individuals we are recovering,” he said.

In the future, the organization is making it a priority to increase and streamline communication efforts with the family members of those who still have missing loved ones abroad, as well as increase public-private partnerships that enhance global recovery efforts.

While some families of the missing have not yet received the closure that they so long hoped for, the people of DPAA have made a commitment to continue the search, keeping with their motto, “Until they are home.”