Officials Cite Military's Domestic Response Role

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 28, 2009 - If not for the logistical capability and other unique assets the U.S. military has at its disposal during times of crises, the American population would suffer significantly, federal health officials said. U.S. Public Health Service Rear Adm. (Dr.) W. Craig Vanderwagen, former assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services, underscored the critical role the military plays in responding to catastrophic events domestically.

"In terms of domestic response capability, the most significant logistical capability in this country for response is in the hands of our military personnel," Vanderwagen said in a telephone interview this week. "And if we do not have their engagement in planning and execution, the civilian population would suffer significantly."

Vanderwagen, a physician who is set to retire next month, said part of the military's role in humanitarian and disaster aid is in planning for and responding to potential events.

"What the military has to bring to the fight is a huge and capable logistics experience," he said. "The civilian environment does not have the kind of reserves – the tools and people – that allow for extensive and timely logistical response to events."

In a separate interview, Dr. Kevin Yeskey, deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response and director of the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations at HHS, echoed Vanderwagen's conviction.

"We all know [catastrophic events] are going to happen," he said. "You can think of scenarios where there's just a devastating earthquake, a devastating hurricane, a devastating chemical release or accident, or something where there's just an overwhelming number of casualties.

"If we don't plan for them and we don't exercise for them, and we don't understand what's going to happen at the local, state and federal levels and how those responses are going to take, and make sure they're integrated," he continued, "we're not going to have an efficient response. We're not going to have an effective response, and there's going to be lost lives unnecessarily."

Yeskey said the point of thorough planning and exercises is to work out as many of the bugs as possible and to anticipate potential surprises where possible.

"So when the event happens, we're ready to go, and it doesn't take us a long time to get out of the starting blocks and respond," he said in a phone interview this week.

Vanderwagen said the Department of Homeland Security and its components have laid out roughly 15 scenarios – from anthrax exposure to a nuclear attack or accident to hurricanes – on which responders base their preparation.

"What has increasingly begun to occur and is becoming a routine part of business is joint planning between [U.S. Northern Command] and the civilian elements," he said, referring to the military command responsible for anticipating and coordinating responses to domestic events.

Vanderwagen praised Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., the commander of Northcom, for his level of engagement and similar efforts by Renuart's Northcom predecessor, Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating.

"Renuart has provided great support from the assets that they have within Northcom to do planning for those various scenarios and identify those specific operational and tactical missions where the [Defense Department] elements would be most useful," he said. Such assets, Vanderwagen said, include not only logistic support, but also public health personnel and medical personnel.

"The role of the Northcom as the relevant command here has been an expanding role, and one that's been extraordinarily important in filling gaps that the civilian population just can't deal with in a timely manner," he said.

MILITARY CONTRACTS October 28, 2009

NAVY
BAE Systems Applied Technologies, Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $29,489,406 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-07-C-0013) to exercise an option for approximately 420,000 hours of engineering and technical services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Special Communications Requirements Division's Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) Communications-Electronics Program. Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Md., and is expected to be completed in October 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

LTM, Inc., Havelock, N.C., is being awarded a $25,843,072 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-01-D-0101) to exercise an option for approximately 431,707 hours of maintenance planning and design interface technical/management support services for the Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) East, Cherry Point, N.C. These services include evaluating initial designs and proposed design changes, maintenance planning, and sustaining maintenance plans. Work will be performed at FRC East, Cherry Point, N.C., (99 percent), and at various locations across the United States (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Frontier Systems Integrators, LLC*, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $5,780,879 ($5,745,919 firm-fixed price (FFP) and $34,960 estimated indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ)) modification under a previously awarded combination FFP, IDIQ contract (N40080-06-D-0456) to exercise Option 3 for regional security guard services at various locations within Naval District Washington. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, security operations to ensure security and safety for personnel, property, facilities, and assets. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $20,986,722. Work will be performed at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.; National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.; Carderock Naval District Washington, West Bethesda, Md.; Defense Information Systems Agency, Arlington, Va.; Naval Research Labs, Chesapeake Beach Detachment, Annapolis, Md., and work is expected to be completed Oct. 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Wash., D.C., is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE
McDonnell Douglas Corp., of St. Louis, Missouri was awarded a $72,022,275 contract which will provide for a quantity of 2,925 Lot 14 guided vehicle kits are procured for joint direct attack munition purposes. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 678 ARSS/PK, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida is the contracting activity (FA8681-10-C-0072).

Opticomp Corp., of Zephyr Cove, Nevada was awarded a $5,543,337 contract which will develop a semiconductor optical amplifier structure that is integrated monolithically with OptiComp Corporation's prototype antenna demonstration. At this time, $1,974,000 has been obligated. Det 8 AFRL/RVKS, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is the contracting activity (FA9453-10-C-0202).

Mrs. Obama, Dr. Biden Praise Troops, Vets, Families

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 28, 2009 - The wives of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden praised servicemembers, veterans and their families today during a visit to a Veterans Affairs hospital in New York City. Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden spoke at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx hours before the scheduled start of the 2009 World Series at nearby Yankee Stadium. Major League Baseball is dedicating Game 1 of the Series in support of "Welcome Back Veterans," an MLB Charities initiative designed to support returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families with mental health treatment and job opportunities.

"One of the first events Michelle and I did together just about a year ago was a roundtable with military spouses," Biden said in her introduction of the first lady. "We have worked together since then to understand the issues faced by our soldiers and their families while they are deployed and when they return home. We have been truly overwhelmed by the courage of our men and women in uniform and inspired by the dignity and sense of patriotism that our military families exhibit every day."

Noting Major League Baseball's decision to salute servicemembers, veterans and their families in conjunction with the opening of this year's Fall Classic, Biden called on all Americans to do the same.

"There is a role for each and every one of us in supporting our military families," she said. "We are asking all Americans to take action and show their thanks through simple acts of kindness to these families and our veterans.

"As a military mom," she continued, "I know how a simple act of kindness can make a difference to a soldier, whether it's troop greeters who are meeting our troopers coming back, a neighbor offering to baby-sit, or a classroom adopting a unit. It is our sacred duty to honor the service of those who sacrifice for our country -- and we can all play a role with a simple act of service. I hope that the millions of viewers watching tonight's game will join us in this effort."

Obama said she visited VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki and the department's headquarters staff last week to underscore the importance of their mission and to thank them and VA staff members across the nation for their service.

"And I know that many of you are veterans yourselves -- the people who work at the VA, the people who work at facilities like this -- and your work couldn't be more important," she said.

The first lady said today's visit underscores the fact that for many of the nation's warriors, the battle continues even after they come home.

"But when I talk with these brave men and women, they speak less about themselves and more about the stress that their sacrifice puts on their families who live each day without them and hold everything together in their absence," she said. "That's all these folks think about and worry about. As a nation, we have a responsibility to honor their service by doing everything we can to support our servicemen and women, our veterans, and their families."

Obama pointed out that the president signed legislation into law today that gives the family members of wounded veterans federal family leave protection so they can care for their loved ones without losing their jobs. "But providing our military and their families with the support they deserve requires far more than government can do, as Jill pointed out," she added. "It requires all of us to be very active in this effort."

Business owners, big or small, can help returning servicemembers, veterans or their spouses by helping them get or keep a job, she noted, or people with professional skills can provide their services free to military families who need assistance. But everyday people can help too, the first lady said, by doing things as simple as offering to drive a carpool, baby-sit or make a meal.

"Just so many small things can really make the difference and make sure that our veterans and our men and women in uniform know that we care and that we're thinking about them," she said.

But above all, Obama added, people can simply say, "Thank you," and she expressed the hope that a public service announcement to be shown at the ballpark and during the World Series telecast would hit its mark.

"Each and every one of us is living in a community that has some family who has been touched in some way," she said. "They're in our schools, in our churches. They're walking through the streets at the grocery store. Sometimes they're easily identified, sometimes they're not. But as Jill said, part of why we're here is that we want to urge all Americans who ... get a chance to see our PSA, hear the sound of our voices, to never forget that these folks have made sacrifices. And we owe for what they've done for us."

In pregame ceremonies at Yankee Stadium tonight, the nation's first and second ladies are scheduled escort Yankees legend and World War II veteran Yogi Berra and Tony Odierno, who will be throwing out the first pitch.

Odierno, a U.S. Military Academy graduate who lost his left arm during the war in Iraq, earned the Bronze Star with valor and a Purple Heart and now works for the Yankees in stadium operations. Odierno's father is Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Force Iraq.

"We are looking forward to welcoming the first lady and Dr. Biden to Yankee Stadium and Game 1 of the 2009 World Series," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig. "We hope their presence at both the game and the hospital visit will be an inspiration to the veterans who proudly served our country. The support for welcomebackveterans.org, an incredibly important initiative for Major League Baseball, will make a difference as we look to help today's veterans and military families with their transition back to civilian life."

U.S.-Indian Armies Wrap Up Historic Exercise

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 28, 2009 - With a massive display of firepower and teamwork, the U.S. and Indian armies finished their largest joint military exercise to date yesterday. The exercise is dubbed "Yudh Abhyas," loosely translated as "war preparation."

About 250 U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Cavalry Squadron, based out of Hawaii brought 17 of their Stryker combat vehicles and paired with the Indian army's 7th Mechanized Infantry Battalion here at one of India's premier military training sites.

Since Oct. 12, the two armies have swapped soldiers, shared equipment and traded war stories, officials said.

"That's the most important aspect of this whole exercise -- getting to know each other, getting to appreciate our cultures, and working together as a team," said Army Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, the commander of U.S. Army forces in the Pacific.

Mixon and a host of Indian army generals traveled here Oct. 26 to view a culminating demonstration of firepower that offered up both the conventional battlefield power of the Indian's T-90 tanks with the high-technology precision of the U.S. military's tank killer, the Javelin.

Both infantries brought out their vehicles and weapons for a live-fire demonstration, and Indian helicopters dropped soldiers from both armies to join in the live-fire assault.

This was the largest deployment of the Stryker vehicle outside of deployments for war, and the Indian soldiers were eager to get a peek at its firepower and technical capabilities. The only restrictions were that the Indian soldiers could not drive the Strykers or use the high-tech communications network that manages the crew's weapons.

Both armies traded firing their big guns on the range, and U.S. soldiers rode alongside their Indian counterparts in their infantry vehicle. A handful of Indian troops were allowed to fire the Javelin, a treat that many U.S. troops in the infantry have yet to experience.

The training started two weeks ago with simple handshakes among the soldiers and a display of the each army's equipment. It quickly escalated to the two nations' armies working side by side on complex maneuvers, some scenarios strongly resembling the types of joint operations troops see in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As opposed to joint military operations in which U.S. technology and firepower clearly positions itself as the superior force, the Indian army proved itself a capable force, teaching as much as it was learning, U.S. commanders on the ground said. The Indian army has long been fighting an insurgency, and brought new tactics to the table.

"The Indian army is a professional military force," Mixon said. "I would be comfortable going with the Indian army anywhere, any time."

The 2-14th returned from Iraq six months ago, and is slated to return in about nine months. This exercise is a ramp-up in training, as the unit prepares for larger pre-deployment training exercises such as those at the National Training Facility in California.

But while the U.S. troops leave this week with training under their belts that prepares them for their next deployment, the value of the training was integrating successfully with the Indian army.

"At the end of the day, the important part of the exercise is the future cooperation and the understanding between the two armies," Mixon said.

The United States has sought to increase its military relations with India in recent years. Until now, most of the exercises in that effort have been smaller troop exchanges or command-level exercises using only computer-driven scenarios. This is the first time that a large number of boots on the ground have acted out those scenarios together.

"This is all about training with the Indian army, to enhance relationships so that we gain a greater understanding of each other. That's really what this is all about," the general said.

U.S. Pacific Command works regularly with other militaries on large-scale military operations, especially maritime.

Yudh Abhyas started in 2004 as the first conventional army-to-army training in India since 1962. In 2005, U.S. troops came to train at India's counter-insurgency and jungle warfare school. In 2006, Indian troops went to Hawaii for training, and in 2007, troops traveled to Alaska. The exercise shifted back to Hawaii last year.

"We want to be able to work together as militaries," Mixon said. "By us training together and getting to know each other, if there were a contingency, we would be better prepared to respond to that contingency. You cannot do that training here at the last minute."

Act Ends Controversial Personnel System

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 28, 2009 - With President Barack Obama's signature today on the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, a controversial pay-for-performance personnel system is abolished. About 220,000 Defense Department employees who had come under the National Security Personnel System will transition back to the long-standing General Schedule system, but that will take time, a senior official said.

Tim Curry, acting program executive officer for NSPS, said the department could start transitioning employees in six months. The department has begun a comprehensive planning process, he explained, with the goal of ensuring a smooth and orderly transition of employees and organizations out of NSPS.

"The department is going to proceed deliberately and cautiously without unnecessary delay," Curry said during an interview today. The transition will take place organization by organization, he said to minimize disruption. Meanwhile, employees under NSPS will remain in that system.

"It took three years to bring those 220,000 employees into the system," Curry said. "Congress recognized that it was going to take time ... to do it right."

The new law gives Defense Department officials six months to develop and submit a plan to Congress detailing the transition. The whole transition must be finished by Jan. 1, 2012.

"We will work under NSPS for the time being, while we are working on the transition plan," Curry said. "When we're at the point where employees come out of the system, ... the law ensures that no employee's pay will be reduced when converting out of NSPS."

Employees outside of NSPS are not affected by the change.

Curry's office is also studying the new law's other civilian personnel ramifications. He said these include requirements for performance management, hiring flexibilities, training requirements and the department's ability to go back to Congress for added personnel flexibilities.

"We're looking at what that means and how to proceed,"
Curry said. "We're just assessing the impact and how to move forward."

The major complaint about NSPS was that it was overly complicated and that no employee understood the pay pool process, Curry said, pledging that department officials will take the lessons from the NSPS experience as it moves ahead.

"We'll be particularly mindful of issues surrounding complexity and transparency," he said. "Those are certainly important considerations to ensure employees understand and accept and buy into any rules that will be put in place."

Civilian employees under NSPS finished a rating cycle at the end of September. These workers will receive performance ratings and payouts effective in January under NSPS, Curry said. A provision of the act requires that employees with Level 2 ratings or higher are guaranteed a pay increase in January that's at least equivalent to the pay increase that applies to General Schedule employees.

Willard Looks to Partnerships in Pacific

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 28, 2009 - Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard made his Hollywood debut as the Soviet MiG pilot who challenged Tom Cruise's character – known by the call sign "Mustang" – to an exhilarating dogfight before meeting his demise in the 1986 "Top Gun" blockbuster.
While serving as operations and executive officer at the Navy's "Top Gun" Fighter Weapons School at the time, Willard was aerial coordinator for the movie. That got him a short, but pivotal, on-screen appearance as the pilot of an F-14 fighter jet painted black and embellished for the movie with a MiG-style fin flash on its tail.

"I kept looking back over my shoulder, and another missile was on its way," Willard recalled of the dogfight scene in which he ultimately was shot down. "It was very exciting."

More than two decades later, in his new role as the top U.S. officer in the Pacific, Willard doesn't have the luxury of being able to fixate on a single, Warsaw Pact-type threat. His vast region of responsibility, which stretches across half the world's surface and includes half its population in 36 countries, enjoys a relative peace. But its tensions, like its volatile geology, are bubbling just at or slightly below the surface.

North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programs and China's military buildup and lack of transparency loom large. Terrorist activity threatens Indonesia, the Philippines and most recently, India. Other challenges range from piracy to the proliferation of technology for weapons of mass destruction.

Willard sat down with reporters last week in Seoul, South Korea, just two days after assuming command, to discuss these and other challenges and his vision for U.S. Pacific Command.

"I love this region of the world," he said. "The Asia-Pacific region, to me, is extremely complex [and] has a great history associated with it."

As he spoke, Willard had yet to set foot into his new headquarters office at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, perched on a mountain with a majestic view of Pearl Harbor. After consultative sessions in South Korea last week and an off-site defense chiefs conference in Hawaii this week, Willard said, he was looking forward to getting settled into his new office and getting down to business with his new staff.

North Korea is high on his priority list.

"A nuclear-armed North Korea, and a North Korea that chooses to provoke and ... may be on the brink of succession – all those things make North Korea worthy of our attention now," he said. "North Korea needs to be watched very closely."

Meanwhile, China is expanding its military might at "an unprecedented rate," Willard said, exceeding U.S. intelligence estimates every year for the past decade. Equally troubling, China also has obtained "asymmetric capabilities that are concerning to the region," including anti-access capabilities, ballistic missiles and sophisticated weaponry.

And even the historically rock-solid alliance with Japan is demanding more attention these days, as Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's new government reassesses security agreements made by previous administrations.

Willard told reporters he's intent on strengthening the five U.S. alliances in the region and bringing new partners, including China, into the fold.

China abruptly halted all military-to-military engagement when the United States announced arms sales to Taiwan in October 2008. But now that China has demonstrated a willingness to re-engage, Willard wants to increase the interface and take the relationship to a new level.

"China is not our enemy," he said. "We look forward to a constructive relationship with China and their constructive contribution to the security of the Asia-Pacific region."

Willard said he'll work to promote more multilateralism in a region that historically has been characterized by bilateral relationships with the United States. "Ten years ago, the Asia-Pacific was, by and large, a place where ... countries were very comfortable talking one-on-one with the United States or with other partners, but rarely together," he said.

Although that's been improving, Willard said, current challenges facing the region demand even closer cooperation. He pointed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the power of like-minded nations engaging together, as valuable lessons for the Pacific.

"We are looking for as many partners ... as we can find in the region," he said.

As he takes on these challenges, Willard brings to the job extensive experience in the Pacific, both operationally, as a Navy pilot, and in command positions.

Most recently, he spent two and a half years commanding U.S. Pacific Fleet, the world's largest fleet command, with its 180 ships, 1,500 aircraft and 125,000 sailors and Marines. He previously commanded the Fighter Squadron 51 "Screaming Eagles"; the amphibious flagship USS Tripoli; the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln out of Everett, Wash.; Carrier Group 5 aboard USS Kitty Hawk; and 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan.

While he's already putting his experience to work, Willard conceded that the top Pacom job demands an entirely different focus.

"This is a more strategic level of command than the components are, and as a consequence, it will be a little different level of engagement," he said. "It's a new experience for me, and I very much look forward to it."

To help in preparing himself, Willard spent the past couple months consulting with think-tank and Asia experts and working with a small transition team to ensure a smooth transition to his new post.

He noted during his Oct. 19 assumption of command ceremony the vast changes that have taken place in Asia and the Pacific in recent decades. The one constant, he said, has been Asia's growing importance, not just to the region, but to the world.

Willard said he'll work tirelessly to ensure Pacom lives up to the challenges, and sends an unmistakable message of U.S. commitment to Asia and the Pacific.

"Our nation's interests are here," he said.

Postal Service Announces Holiday Mailing Guidelines

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Jung
Special to American Forces Press Service

Oct. 28, 2009 - U.S. Postal Service officials have announced recommended mailing dates for delivery by Christmas to U.S. servicemembers serving in Afghanistan and other overseas locations. First-class and priority mail for servicemembers stationed in Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4 for arrival by Christmas. The deadline for parcel airlift mail is Dec. 1, and space-available mail bound for Afghanistan should be sent by Nov. 21.

Officials recommend that parcel post mail to all military overseas locations should be sent by Nov. 13.

A chart with recommended mailing deadlines for all types of mail to various APO and FPO addresses is available at the Postal Service's Web site at http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/pr09_082.htm.

Express mail cannot be used to mail packages to Afghanistan; however priority mail is available.

Priority mail packaging products, including priority mail flat-rate boxes, can be obtained free at any post office, or online at http://shop.usps.com. The priority mail large flat-rate box can be used to mail to any overseas military address, no matter the weight of the box, for $11.95.

The Postal Service offers free military care kits, designed for military families sending packages overseas. To order by phone, call 800-610-8734 and ask for the military care kit. Each kit includes two "America Supports You" large priority mail flat-rate boxes, four medium-sized priority mail flat-rate boxes, six priority mail labels, a roll of priority mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.

"All packages and mail must be addressed to the individual servicemember by name, without rank, in accordance with Department of Defense regulations," said Air Force Master Sgt. Deb LaGrandQuintana, the 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron official mail manager here.

Military overseas units are assigned an APO or FPO ZIP code, and in many cases, that ZIP code travels with the unit wherever it goes, LaGrandQuintana added.

The Postal Service places APO and FPO mail to overseas military servicemembers on special transportation destined to be delivered as soon as possible.

Mail sent APO and FPO addresses may require customs forms. All mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. For general guidelines on sending mail to servicemembers overseas, visit http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/.

Postal Service officials recommend taking the following measures when sending packages:

-- If you use a regular box, use one strong enough to protect the contents with no writing on the outside.

-- Cushion contents with newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam. Pack tightly to avoid shifting.

-- Package food items like cookies, fudge, candies, etc. securely in leak-proof containers.

-- Use pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced packing tape.

-- Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or cellophane tape outside the package.

-- Print your return address and the servicemember's complete name, without rank, followed by unit and APO or FPO delivery address on one side only of the package.

-- Place a return address label inside the package.

-- Stuff fragile items with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage.

-- Remove batteries from toys and appliances. Wrap and place them next to the items inside.

-- Purchase insurance and delivery confirmation service for reassurance of package delivery.

(Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Jung serves in the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs office.)

Gates Asks Xu to Help Break 'On-Again, Off-Again' Cycle

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 27, 2009 - Breaking the cycle of "on-again, off-again" military-to-military relations between the United States and China is of primary importance to the two nations, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told his Chinese counterpart here today. Gates met with Chinese Gen. Xu Caihou, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Liberation Army, for more than an hour at the Pentagon. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell called the meetings "good and productive."

The two men spoke about the course of U.S.-Chinese relations, the progress made on military-to-military relations and the military-to-military goals for 2010.

Gates emphasized that the military-to-military relationship is key to the overall relationship between the two countries, Morrell said. He listed a number of areas where the United States and China cooperate and operate together. These include humanitarian operations, disaster relief, maritime security, counter-piracy, counter-proliferation and counter-narcotics.

"[Gates] also said there is a need to break the on-again, off-again cycle of our military-to-military relationship," Morrell said.

This often happens as military leaders "make strides, have a good visit, agree to cooperate on certain things and then there will be a hiccup that causes a suspension in mil-to-mil relations," he continued. "[Gates] said that cycle has to end."

Xu said the two countries need to increase cooperation and military exchanges particularly in education opportunities for junior officers and senior noncommissioned officers.

The visit paved the way for the secretary to make a reciprocal visit to China early next year. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also will visit his Chinese counterpart in the coming months.

The secretary praised efforts aimed at transparency in military affairs, Morrell said. The Chinese recently issued a White Paper, which – in part -- explains the justification for the Chinese military build-up.

The two defense leaders discussed Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"The take-away is that there was broad agreement on the importance of and how to deal with the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the need to work together to create a more stable and secure environment in both those places," Morrell said.

There also is an appreciation for the United States and China to work together to prevent Iran and North Korea from pursuing nuclear weapons and proliferating. The Chinese encouraged engagement and diplomacy for these countries.

Gates thanked the Chinese for their help in recovering the remains of U.S. personnel from previous wars.

"We've seen increased cooperation lately, and that was appreciated and noted and the secretary shared that with General Xu," Morrell said.

Tomorrow, Xu will travel to Fort Benning, Ga., and then move on to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The general will visit Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., on Oct. 29 and will move on to San Diego where he will tour the USS Ronald Reagan on Oct. 30.

The general then will tour U.S. bases in the Pacific region as the guest of the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, before returning to Beijing on Nov. 3.

'Af-Pak Hands' Strives for Continuity in U.S. Mission

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 27, 2009 - The U.S. military is building a cadre of officers who each will serve a multi-year assignment dedicated to a narrow piece of the U.S. strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Known as "Af-Pak Hands," the program steeps officers in the language and culture of the region, and limits the range of their duties and focus on a single area for a four-to-five-year cycle. Officers will serve in a similar job at home and downrange, an aspect of the program military officials say will enable them to create and maintain relationships with the local populace abroad, a lynchpin of counterinsurgency doctrine.

"They'll be a group of experts that will learn to speak the local languages, understand the dialects, become attuned to the culture and remain focused on the problem for an extended period, rather than just on a rotation basis," a military official said, speaking on background.

In a normal rotation cycle, troops returning to the United States from deployment would likely occupy a different job from the one they held downrange. But the continuity of Af-Pak Hands would reduce the learning curve usually attendant to fresh boots on the ground, with officers building on their knowledge of local culture, language and tribal dynamics upon each of multiple, relatively short deployments.

"The idea is that you're not reinventing the wheel each time a new servicemember replaces an old one," another defense official speaking on background said of the program. The department has identified 300 billets that will comprise Af-Pak Hands personnel, including 121 new positions created as part of the initiative.

Af-Pak Hands training began recently, with about 30 officers enrolled in courses taught by the Defense Language Institute, the department's flagship language and cultural training center. Dari, Pashto and Urdu – the region's three dominant tongues – make up the 16-week language curriculum.

The initiative comes to fruition as President Barack Obama and his advisors weigh decisions on the next phase of the Afghan war. The debate is said to cover a spectrum of proposals ranging from deploying more troops to a narrower, scaled-down approach that moves away from the counterinsurgency model.

Counterinsurgency is a form of warfare in which a civilian population is in the center of a tug-of-war between an insurgency and the forces attempting to stop it. The Army and Marine Corps in late 2006 published a counterinsurgency strategy written by a host of contributors, and its implementation is credited with helping to reverse violence in Iraq.

"If the strategy remains a counterinsurgency strategy and that's where the White House takes us, then [Af-Pak Hands] will be critical in the 'clear, hold and build' classic counterinsurgency strategy," the military official said. "You want to get to the point where you relate to the general populace and you've built the trust, so that it's more the population pushing the Taliban out than you trying to pull them out."

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, established the program, which has garnered support from Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who took command of forces in Afghanistan earlier this year. Career fields that apply include intelligence, special operations, combat arms and engineering, and could include civil-military operators, a military official said.

"The program goes back to a focus that both Admiral Mullen and General McChrystal had on wanting to maintain some continuity, and understanding that the key to the counterinsurgency effort is building the relationships," the official said.

"And your best opportunity to build those relationships is to have the same faces and the same understanding of the language and culture. If you're going to nurture that relationship and really build the trust that you need, it's got to be a sustained effort."

Tours of duty, which are expected to be primarily in the contentious southern and eastern parts of Afghanistan, will last six to 12 months, the official said. Duty stations domestically include the Joint Staff's Pakistan-Afghanistan coordination cell in the Pentagon; U.S. Central Command's Center of Excellence or U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Fla.; and the Joint Special Operations Command in North Carolina, among other possible locations.

The program is being coordinated through the U.S. Central Command, NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, U.S. Joint Forces Command and the military services. Service branches are identifying officers for participation in the program, which will comprise a joint force with members of all branches and possibly a civilian component, a military official said.

MILITARY CONTRACTS October 27, 2009

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
AmeriQual Group, LLC D/B/A AmeriQual Packaging, Evansville, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $177,835,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meal, Ready-to-Eat and Humanitarian Daily Ration. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the fourth option year period. The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM3S1-06-D-Z103).

Sopakco Inc., Mullins, S.C.*, is being awarded a maximum $157,296,250 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meal, Ready-to-Eat and Humanitarian Daily Ration. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the fourth option year period. The date of performance completion is December 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM3S1-06-D-Z104).

The Wornick Co., Cincinnati, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $136,881,250 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for for Meal, Ready-to-Eat and Humanitarian Daily Ration. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the fourth option year period. The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM3S1-06-D-Z105).

NAVY
Innovative Defense Technologies, LLC * Arlington, Va., is being awarded a $49,145,248 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed fee contract for software development and engineering services in support of the automatic test and re-test (ATRT) product. This contract will continue development of the ATRT product and associated technical and engineering support to produce documentation and training in support of the long term goal of implementation of automated testing of submarine combat systems for all classes of submarines currently in the fleet and under development. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., and is expected to be completed by October 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $775,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity (N66604-10-D-0037).

Marine Keeps Vehicles Rolling

By Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Luis R. Agostini
Special to American Forces Press Service

Oct. 27, 2009 - Within a week of arriving here, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gary Mishoe is preparing his motor pool for his unit's takeover of counterinsurgency operations in the province. From preventive maintenance to headlight and tire checks on the unit's Humvees and 7-ton trucks, Mishoe works to ensure his fellow Marines will have safe and operable vehicles throughout their deployment.

Mishoe, a 27-year-old Marine from Virginia Beach, Va., is deployed as a motor transport operator with Regimental Combat Team 7, which will conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of Afghan forces throughout the province.

But his path from Virginia Beach to Afghanistan was not a simple high school-to-boot camp route.

Within a year of graduating from high school in 2002, Mishoe secured a spot on the assembly line at a car assembly plant in Norfolk, Va. His job was simple: assemble drive shafts. The task earned him about $75,000 a year. Life was good.

"I felt very secure. I had a good job, an apartment, bought a new car and had a family," Mishoe said. "I thought I was going to retire there." But four years later, the assembly plant couldn't survive a weakened economy and its effect on the auto industry. He received three months notice that the plant was shutting down.

"I got a $100,000 severance package. But I still needed a job," said Mishoe, who had a wife, toddler and baby on the way.

The Virginian's life revolved around the auto industry as far back as he can remember. His mother had worked at the same assembly line 10 years earlier.

"When I was in high school, I would wash some of my mom's co-worker's cars. I was a kid, washing these people's cars, and then I found myself working right next to them on the assembly line," he said.

Following the layoff, Mishoe traveled up and down the East Coast, securing modeling gigs at New York fashion shows, and eventually following his wife to Atlanta. It was there that he decided to accept a commitment he's always had on his mind: to enlist as a U.S. Marine. He knew the challenge ahead.

"I knew it was going to be hard," he said. "I knew I had to work for it. But I was willing to do it."

Mishoe knew he was enlisting in a wartime Marine Corps, and was fully aware of the chance that he may deploy to either Iraq or Afghanistan.

"I wanted to come out here and do what Marines do," he said. "I've been training since boot camp to do this, and here I am."

Mishoe enlisted Aug. 11, 2007, and after graduating from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., he completed follow-on training at Camp Geiger, N.C., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he learned how to become a motor transport operator.

"Working for Ford was tougher, not because of the job itself, but because of the lack of a team attitude. I was doing the job by myself," he said. "There's a lot more pride in the Marine Corps. If you're struggling, there's always someone to help. There's always that team spirit."

Mishoe looks forward to heading out of the forward operating base and into the country roads, driving convoys and leading Marines.

"I want to learn about the Afghan culture, what they've been through," he said. "I believe that we are helping them in a turning point in their civilization. It's good that we are here."

He also hopes to do some soul-searching.

"The Marine Corps has helped me become a better father, husband and person," he said. "Now, I want to learn about myself, about my limits," he said.

After completing his yearlong deployment, Mishoe said, he hopes to secure a spot at the Marine Inspector/Instructor staff at Chesapeake, Va., about 15 miles from the Ford plant where he used to work. The days of the lucrative assembly line are a distant memory, and the plant's closing may have been a blessing in disguise.

"I'm thinking about the here and now, and the future," Mishoe said. "My prayers were answered. I got what I wanted. I'm a Marine."

(Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Luis R. Agostini serves with Regimental Combat Team 7.)

Shinseki Cites Collaboration in Mental Health Care

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 27, 2009 - Psychological war wounds are nothing new to U.S. servicemembers, but the support of the nation to care for their injuries, until recent years, was somewhat uncharted territory. The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are committed to advancing that care because it's the right thing to do as a nation, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said yesterday when he and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates launched a joint National Mental Health Summit here.

Improving mental health care has become a top priority for both departments, which have made great strides in mental health research, treatment and overall care, respectively. And through this week's summit, they hope to advance their expertise and resources even further.

"Our collaboration with [the Defense Department] is mission-critical, because we share the same clients, the same population, at different stages in their lives," Shinseki said. "There can be no 'seamless transition' or 'continuum of care' without serious and high-quality collaboration between both departments."

The first-of-its-kind summit continues through Oct. 29. Shinseki said he hopes the gathering of more than 200 defense and VA health care professionals will advance both organizations' understanding and spark positive communication in their joint efforts.
"We hope this summit enables us to measurably enhance, strengthen and expand and better coordinate the operating relationships between [our] mental health activities," he said. "We want to ensure a fail-safe network of support for servicemembers and veterans that reaches out beyond the confines of either department."

Post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury have outcomes as devastating as those from physical injuries, and everyone is vulnerable, Shinseki said, noting that both departments are eager to learn how to better address those injuries through various programs and methods.

The debilitating effects of psychological trauma can lead troops and veterans into a downward spiral of drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, anger issues, failed marriages and eventually suicide, he explained, noting that more veterans have committed suicide since 2001 than the number of servicemembers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan over that period.

"There is urgency in addressing the mental baggage of war," he said. "Our newest generation of veterans, returning from the ongoing conflicts, is experiencing increased rates of alcohol and drug abuse and domestic violence as they undergo reintegration at home. While [Iraq and Afghanistan] veterans comprise no more than 10 percent of all veterans being seen for mental health care, they could be in treatment for a very long time if early intervention, diagnosis and treatment are not priorities."

Shinseki said the summit's work this week holds a profound potential for good. He left the group with three goals as they go into their group sessions:

-- To build on and enhance the current level of mental health care;

-- To maintain advances in mental health by promoting psychological health, enhanced resilience and prevention; and

-- To establish a mental health model that leverages the nation's resources, not just the military's.

"Beyond families, we must look to workplaces, educational institutions, houses of worship and community-based health and other organizations," Shinseki said. "At every juncture of care, we must ask ourselves pivotally: What else can be done?

"Your charter is to think broadly and boldly to envision a future with a unified public health approach to mental health," he continued. "We must translate the most promising ideas and strategies into research, policy and practice."

Army Announces Force Structure Actions

The Department of the Army announced today a series of planned unit activations and conversions at Fort Riley, Kan. These force structure actions will result in a net increase of 288 military authorizations at Fort Riley. Implementation of these changes is expected to be completed in October 2011.

The 3rd Engineer Battalion, 538th Engineer Company, 510th Engineer Team, and 10th Engineer Team will activate and the 1st Ordnance Support Maintenance Company will convert to modular design.

These force structure actions are a part of the integrated force structure changes that support Army transformation. These actions are not expected to change Army civilian authorizations.

Point of contact for this notification is Lt. Col. Lee M. Packnett, (703) 614-2487, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Army.

MILITARY CONTRACTS October 26, 2009

NAVY
General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $24,999,954 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide non-nuclear maintenance and repair support at the Naval Submarine Support Facility, Naval Submarine Base. Under the terms of the contract, Electric Boat will continue to provide services required to support planned and emergent non-nuclear maintenance and repair for operational nuclear submarines, floating dry-docks, support and service craft, and other platforms and equipment. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $5,765,500 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-4302).

IAP–Hill, LLC (a joint venture), Cape Canaveral, Fla., is being awarded a $19,600,000 modification to task order #0904 under a previously awarded combination firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62467-00-D-2451) for regional base operating support services at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, and the surrounding Southeast region. The work to be performed provides for service calls over and above the firm fixed price threshold of the contract. Service calls consist of repairs of base facilities, utilities, transportation and fire alarm systems. The total contract amount after exercise of this task order modification will be $480,651,969 ($234,151,921 FFP and $246,500,048 IDIQ). Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Fla., and the task order is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

Vision Systems International, LLC, San Jose, Calif., is being awarded a $6,782,599 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 20 Navy joint helmet mounted cueing system 40-degree night vision cueing and display units, including hardware and associated support equipment. Work will be performed in San Jose, Calif., and is expected to be completed in April 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $4,582,071 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0007).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Buckeye Energy Services, LLC, Telford, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $5,944,272 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance include New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Using services are Army, Air Force and federal civilian agencies. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is April 30, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-8512).

Pentagon, VA Team Up to Improve Mental Health Care

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 26, 2009 - Defense and Veterans Affairs Department health care professionals began a three-day workshop here today to harness initiatives to improve psychological health care for servicemembers and veterans. Through the first-of-its kind joint mental health summit, officials of both departments hope to gain a broader, national perspective of the care servicemembers, veterans and their families need to overcome the emotional wounds of war, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

"Beyond waging the wars we're in, treatment of our wounded -- their continuing care and eventual reintegration into everyday life -- is my highest priority," Gates said. "I consider this a solemn pact between those who have risked and suffered and the nation that owes them its eternal gratitude."

Gates' remarks comes less than a week after President Barack Obama signed the Veterans Healthcare Reform and Transparency Act, which improves the way VA receives health care funding.

"The attention being paid to mental health issues is so important, because in the past, unseen injuries such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury were not accorded the full attention they deserved," he said.

Gates noted that such conditions have been "around as long as war itself." But repeated deployments since Sept. 11, 2001 to Iraq and Afghanistan have brought new focus to these illnesses, he added.

More than 6,000 current servicemembers, according to recent studies, are potentially affected with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury or similar conditions, Gates said, noting some of the signs of such circumstances.

"Some of the signs are apparent – severe depression, or even suicide," he said. "Others are more elusive and sometimes ill-defined, arriving in the form of nightmares, anxiety or unexplained and uncontrollable anger. Other acts, seemingly unrelated, bear this enemy's indelible fingerprints: petty thefts, fights, spousal abuse, drug or alcohol abuse.

"Today, it is all too clear that TBI, post-traumatic stress, and numerous other related mental ailments are widespread, entrenched and insidious," he continued.

Defense officials have gradually realized that care for psychological wounds must have the same focus, initiative and standards as the care for physical injuries, Gates said, noting the past two years have seen significant improvements in mental health care.

About $3.3 billion of the fiscal 2010 defense budget is allotted to meet those needs. Gates cited that this year alone, the department has increased its numbers of case managers and mental health providers, developed a new disability evaluation system with VA, established a dozen more Army Warrior in Transition complexes and pursued a number of other initiatives to improve the quality of life for psychologically wounded troops.

The Army, which has seen a steady increase in soldier suicides in the past four years, "is putting renewed emphasis" on leader responsibilities in noticing the signs of psychological stress, Gates noted. The Army began a five-year partnership this year with the National Institute of Mental Health, which is considered the largest study of suicide ever embarked upon.

"These [initiatives] include early recognition of warning signals and intervention in the hope of preventing the kinds of tragedies that have destroyed careers, families and lives," he said. "This military research and activity on psychological stress may have positive ramifications for society at large for understanding and treating the effects of traumatic events on civilians who suffer from accidents, natural disasters, personal tragedies or crime."

Positive steps have been made, but more must be done, Gates said. He said the Defense Department and VA must continue defining roles and responsibilities and keep searching for better ways to share information.

Gates noted that the eight years of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan constitute the longest war America has fought with an all-volunteer force. Retention goals continue to be met and troops and their families have shown "remarkable resilience," Gates said, but he added there's no telling how long that trend could last.

"We don't know the limits of their endurance and the consequences once those limits have passed," he said. "The humbling fact remains that there is so much we still don't know about post-traumatic stress and other psychological problems.

"This reality makes it imperative that we continue the work that has already begun," he continued. "The military medical community, the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs, is supremely dedicated to this issue."

Obama Salutes Servicemembers' Duty, Sacrifices

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 26, 2009 - President Barack Obama today thanked U.S. military members for their service and sacrifice to the nation during his visit to a Florida Navy base. America has the best military in the world, "because we have the finest personnel in the world," Obama told servicemembers at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. "You are the best-trained, the best-prepared, the best-led force in history," Obama said. "Our people are our most precious resource."

Obama then cited the 11 U.S. servicemembers and three U.S. civilians who perished today in Afghanistan as a result of two separate helicopter crashes.

"Fourteen Americans gave their lives. And our prayers are with these servicemembers, their civilian colleagues and the families who loved them," Obama said.

Relatives and friends of the departed may find some comfort, Obama said, in knowing that their loved ones died to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a safe haven for al-Qaida terrorists and their extremist allies. Those who perished in the helicopter crashes in Afghanistan "gave their lives to protect ours," said the president added.

Obama told the military members that he is humbled by their service to the nation.

"The American people thank you for your service," he said. "We honor you for your sacrifices. And just as you have fulfilled your responsibilities to your nation, your nation will fulfill its responsibilities to you."

Of all the presidential privileges and responsibilities, Obama said, his highest honor is to serve as commander in chief of the U.S. military. "You inspire me," he said. "And I'm here today to deliver a simple message – a message of thanks to you and your families."

Earlier today, Obama conducted a sixth White House meeting with his national security advisors to discuss the way ahead in Afghanistan. As deliberations continue, the president emphasized in Jacksonville, he will never rush the decision to send America's servicemembers into harm's way.

"I won't risk your lives unless it's absolutely necessary," Obama told servicemembers. "And if it is necessary, we will back you up to the hilt, because you deserve the strategy, the clear mission and the defined goals as well as the equipment and support that you need to get the job done."

Obama pledged that U.S. servicemembers always would be fully supported back home, noting he will soon sign a $680.2 billion defense authorization bill for fiscal 2010 that contains added funding for the military.

Obama also vowed to take care of U.S. servicemembers' families, noting First Lady Michelle Obama has been visiting bases across the country to connect with military families. Recent actions, the president said, have increased military pay and education benefits and improved child care and hospital facilities as part of efforts to improve quality of life for servicemembers and military families.

He also cited initiatives designed to reduce military families' stress while loved ones are deployed and efforts that bolster medical care for wounded warriors.

"We're improving care for our wounded warriors, especially those with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries," Obama said.

And to take better care of the nation's veterans, Obama said, the Department of Veterans Affairs budget is being increased by the highest percentage in more than 30 years. Servicemembers, their families and veterans deserve these initiatives and more, the president said, because of their service to the nation.

"You have always taken care of America; America must take care of you, always," Obama told servicemembers.

Obama recalled Jacksonville's recent welcome home for previously missing Navy aviator Capt. Michael Scott Speicher, whose remains were discovered in August in Iraq and returned to his family for burial. Speicher was shot down over Iraq in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War.

As Speicher's flag-draped casket lay in repose at the naval base's chapel before his burial, Jacksonville's military members and civilians "gave Scott back to the city he loved," Obama said.

"That's what you do," he added, "not only for Scott, but for all the fallen warriors you bring home."

While in Jacksonville, Obama also met with 11 sailors and Marines noted for their leadership, high achievement and excellence during performance of their duties.

Ophthalmology Academy Honors Military Doctors

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 26, 2009 - The American Academy of Ophthalmology presented military ophthalmologists with its Distinguished Service Award in San Francisco yesterday for their ongoing service and contributions to vision care. "It is my distinct honor to accept this award on behalf of all ophthalmologists who have proudly served in our military," said Army Col. (Dr.) Donald Gagliano, director of the newly established Vision Center of Excellence. "Military ophthalmologists understand the importance of war-related eye injuries and are committed to improving the quality of care for our wounded warriors, who deserve the very best for the sacrifices they have made for our nation."

In cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Department is leading the way in providing the best possible surgical and rehabilitative eye care available to military personnel. The Vision Center of Excellence will track serious eye injuries and eye diseases, update clinical progress in a timely and accessible manner, and jointly arrange and collaborate on vision research studies. It is charged specifically to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat and rehabilitate military eye injuries.

"This year's Distinguished Service Award recognizes all military ophthalmologists, past and present, for their persistent dedication to serving the eye care needs of active duty, dependents and retirees," said Dr. Michael Brennan, president of the academy and himself a former military ophthalmologist. "I know the commitment to excellence in eye care that these physicians bring to our profession, and we are proud to honor them for their dedication at home and abroad."

(From an American Academy of Ophthalmology news release.)

Exercise Seeks to Reduce 'Friendly-fire' Incidents

By Jacob Boyer
Special to American Forces Press Service

Oct. 26, 2009 - Warfighters from the United States and 10 allied nations will assess coalition combat identification systems during a U.S. Joint Forces Command exercise Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 here and at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Bold Quest 2009, a capability assessment designed by Joint Forces Command's joint capability development directorate, will focus on testing air and ground units' ability to exchange information and on improving coalition warfighters' ability to identify friendly forces on the ground, said John Miller, the joint capability integration and fires division's operational manager for the exercise.

"It's about passing friendly ground force location information to strike [aircrews] who may have to engage ground targets," he said. "We're assessing some advanced technologies and the associated procedures that would enable those [aircrews] to interrogate ground target areas and receive a quick, accurate response from any friendly ground forces who are equipped with compatible technologies."

Miller said the assessment, the latest in the Bold Quest series, is driven by a need to provide tools that make warfighters more effective in engaging targets while minimizing the risk of fratricide. Past assessments focused on ground forces' ability to interact and identify each other. This time, the idea is to see whether aircrews can use those same technologies.

"Identifying your friends is about as basic as it gets," he said. "Shooters are confronted with a lot of confusion - noise, dust, darkness. The technologies, techniques and procedures that we're assessing here are designed to enable them to start sorting that confusion out."

The demonstration will collect both technical data on systems and subjective judgments from the warfighters using them. Demonstration analysts will collect and analyze information which will be put together as the exercise's coalition military utility assessment.

Bold Quest 2009 includes military units and technical teams from all four services and U.S. Special Operations Command, as well as representatives from the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Most of these nations participated in past Bold Quests, and Miller said their continued participation shows that their militaries see the value in continued participation.

"An event like this enables them to collectively get an early look at what works, what doesn't work, and what has the highest degree of military utility," he said. "As they look at their resources, an event like this will allow them to get an early look at the military utility of these solutions and better enable them to invest further their limited developmental dollars."

Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. Rob Roscoe, United Kingdom liaison officer, said his nation's military gets multiple benefits from participating in the demonstration.

"We do it to look at emerging technologies," he said. "[It also allows us] to demonstrate our own kit. ... We've bought the kit, but the environment that you have at Bold Quest is an ideal opportunity to test out what the full capability of that kit is."

Improved interoperability between coalition and U.S. systems is another reason to participate, Roscoe said.

"The ability to test [our systems] with a range of aircraft isn't available to us in the U.K.," he said. "We can test it against our own aircraft, but it's when we go to Afghanistan or other regions, we can test it to a much wider range of aircraft.

"We need to know where the U.S. is going," he continued. "If you go down a particular path of technology, we need to have the same ID system or the same capability to operate an ID system. Otherwise, we'll be a liability when we come to operate together, because you won't know it's us."

Besides operating out of Cherry Point, aircraft from the United States, Canada and France supporting the demonstration will launch from Langley Air Force Base, Va.; Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.; Patuxent River, Md.; and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

Demonstrations have been held annually since 2003.

(Jacob Boyer works in the U.S. Joint Forces Command public affairs office.)

Mullen Vows Continued Support for Korean Military

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 23, 2009 - (Editor's note: This story corrects an error contained in the original version, in which an inaccurate statement about future troop levels in South Korea was attributed to Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The article inaccurately reported the chairman said U.S. troop strength would be cut by roughly 14,000. The admiral's actual statement was that over the next nine years or so, about 14,000 U.S. servicemembers – half of the 28,000 serving in South Korea -- would be accompanied by command-sponsored dependents. We regret the error and apologize to all concerned.)

As South Korea's military transitions to full operational control, it's important to remember the past 60 years of U.S. commitment to the country and to not waver in that support, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen talked yesterday with servicemembers and defense civilians at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, Korea.

He spoke about his earlier meetings with his South Korean counterpart, citing "tremendous change" on the horizon. The Korean military is expected to assume a larger defense responsibility there in April 2012.

The alliance will only get stronger, the chairman said, with continued commitment from the United States.

The U.S.-South Korea alliance dates to the Korean War in 1950. An armistice was signed in July 1953 with North Korea, unofficially ending the war. The United Nations and U.S. military have maintained a presence in South Korea since then.

"Sometimes you don't think about this, but you are here as a part of that, and sometimes we don't think about how significant that alliance is in terms of preserving the freedom, preserving the democracy that is here in the Republic of Korea," Mullen said. "We are very much supportive of executing and sustain that alliance."

Mullen spent the previous two days with his Korean counterparts reviewing the changes and specifics of their alliance. One of the changes will be more command-sponsored families and new infrastructure to accommodate them, he said.

In December, about 1,700 U.S. troops with families were there. The number has since grown to 3,100. The chairman said that by the end of 2010 there would be about 4,500 command-sponsored U.S. families. That number is expected to grow to 14,000 over the next nine years of so, he added, noting that the Defense Department is planning to normalize three-year tour lengths there.

"That's a big undertaking, and it's difficult," the admiral said. "We've got to get the schools in, we've got to get the housing in, [and] we've got to have the entire infrastructure in the peninsula upgraded to make sure that we are ready for that transition."

Mullen also talked about changes occurring with the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. and NATO forces are in their ninth year of fighting in the Middle East, but where there was once doubt in Iraq, security is sustained and Iraq now can focus on building its government capacity, he said.

"Most of what's left in Iraq, quite frankly, is politics," he said. "When they have the elections in January, we start a pretty rapid drawdown in the March timeframe ... from 120,000 troops to about 35,000 to 50,000 less than a year from now.

"There was no group that made a bigger difference than men and women in uniform," he said of the progress made in Iraq. "I'm extremely grateful for your service, for the difference ... and the sacrifices that you make.

He added that all U.S. forces will be out of Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011, allowing more focus on securing and building a democracy in Afghanistan.

Families also share in the sacrifices servicemembers make in the name of freedom and democracy, the admiral said. Mullen's wife, Deborah, met with spouses there during their visit and also is meeting with spouses of troops in Japan today.

"We try to do this wherever we go to understand what the challenges are for the families," he said. "We couldn't do it without family support, so [family] is a big focus for me."

Mullen credits leadership at all levels within the military for its ability to adjust to the persistent conflicts throughout the world. America values the combat experience of today's military, and maintaining that knowledge is critical to the future armed forces, he said.

"If we don't do that well, we will in fact be in a much more difficult situation at a time where things are changing and the pace will continue for the foreseeable future," he said. "Lead exceptionally well. It's an enormously challenging time."

Chairman Calls U.S.-Japan Relationship 'Vital'

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 24, 2009 - U.S. basing in Japan, Japanese help in Afghanistan and regional and global challenges were among the issues the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed during a news conference yesterday in Tokyo. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen met with the leaders in the region during a Pacific trip.

This was Mullen's first visit to Japan since a new government took over. It also was his first meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Gen. Ryoichi Oriki.

The U.S.-Japan relationship is about more than mutual defense; it has regional and global implications, Mullen said.

"This is a vital relationship, bilaterally," the chairman said. "It's a vital region in the world. I actually spent a great deal of my time in the Pacific growing up, and I'm particularly focused on this relationship and this region. And some of the areas – whether it's missile defense or counter-piracy – we're looking for ways to strengthen the bonds."

He said the U.S.-Japan alliance is as strong as it ever has been.

Mullen thanked the Japanese for their contributions to peace around the world. "I'm especially grateful for the contributions of Japan in Central Asia: the refueling operations, the support to the ... Pakistani military," he said. "I'm also mindful of the contributions to the salaries of the police in Afghanistan. That's a significant contribution, and we really think the way to stability in Afghanistan is through the development of their forces – their army and police."

The admiral said he wants the agreement signed between the United States and Japan in 2006 to move forward. That agreement calls for the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam, the realignment of other U.S. forces and ways the two nations work together militarily. While the alliance is about the defense of Japan, "it has also provided a basis for regional stability and for response," Mullen said.

The realignment of U.S. forces in Japan provides "the military capability, the operational flexibility, the adjustment to the continuing threats in the region," Mullen said, giving the nations the ability to respond to current and future threats.

Reporters quizzed Mullen about Japanese contributions to operations in Afghanistan. The Japanese have provided ship refueling capability in the Indian Ocean. The Japanese also sponsored a donors' conference for the region and have financed police training and pay.

The chairman called Afghanistan and Pakistan the epicenter of terrorism in the world. "So it's not just a regional issue, it's a global issue," he said.

He applauded the Japanese efforts in many areas. The Japanese have opportunities to help in building or rebuilding infrastructure in Afghanistan, he noted, and he called on them to continue their support to the Afghan National Police. The Japanese can continue to fund "those kinds of things which aren't as directly militarily focused as some others that could also be very helpful," he said.

The chairman spoke about the regional picture in Northeast Asia, and said North Korea clearly is a threat to Japan. The success of talks designed to get North Korea to dismantle its nuclear facilities and stop proliferating nuclear and missile technology, he added, are vital to the region.

"I think we all agree that a denuclearized North Korea is the outcome we all seek," Mullen said. "We can't accept anything else."

The chairman also addressed the Chinese military build-up. "I have been concerned about their increased investment in their defense capability, their clear shift of focus from a ground-centric force to a naval- and air- centric force that seems to, now, push off-island, if you will, beyond the first island chain and out to the second island chain," he said.

The United States has renewed military-to-military relationships with China, and the chairman said he believes this is a positive move. "I have said for a long time that the peaceful rise of China, the economic engine that China is, there's a lot of positive potential there," Mullen said.

But it is still difficult to understand the strategic intent of China's military buildup, he acknowledged. He said some of the build-up seems targeted at U.S. and Japanese naval forces.

"And so I would hope in the end that, in fact, their strategic intent is a positive one of security for their people and their country and not one that puts us into a position that could generate a conflict," he said.

The chairman said cyberwarfare is becoming a "mainstream threat" and that all nations of the region must deal with it. The cyberspace domain is critical to both the United Stats and Japan, and he said the two nations will work together to defend this new battlespace.