Holly Petraeus to Lead Office of Servicemember Affairs

By Elaine Wilson

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2011 – The wife of the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan will head up an office devoted to strengthening consumer financial protection for service members and their families, an official announced today.

In a White House blog, Elizabeth Warren, assistant to the president and special advisor to the secretary of the treasury on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, formally welcomed Holly Petraeus, wife of Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, to the bureau’s implementation team, where she’ll direct efforts to establish an Office of Servicemember Affairs.

“She is the kind of leader we need,” Warren wrote in her blog. “Military families have unique challenges, and now they have a unique advocate to ensure that their special concerns get the attention they deserve.”

The Office of Servicemember Affairs will work closely with the Defense Department to help in ensuring that military families receive the financial education needed to make wise financial decisions, to monitor and respond to complaints and questions from military families, and to ensure that federal and state agencies coordinate their activities to improve consumer protection measures for military families, Warren explained.

Later this month, Warren and Petraeus will travel to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio to hear from service members and financial counselors about “the unique lending circumstances and challenges facing military communities,” Warren wrote.

“In this and in our later trips, we will ask many questions, listen to our troops and apply what we learn directly to our efforts,” she added.

Warren outlined some of the “unique” challenges military members and their families face, particularly when new to the military. Newly enlisted members, some of whom are receiving their first steady paycheck, may be lured in by easy credit offers and “far too many also get tangled in debt traps,” she said.

“Regrettably, the evidence is clear,” she wrote. “Service members and their families are sometimes easy targets for unscrupulous lenders. Even families that stay with mainstream lenders can struggle as the impact of separation and frequent moving takes a financial toll, leaving a family mired in debt and trying to digest reams of fine print.”

Financial issues can be a “dangerous distraction” for troops, she noted. Surveys have shown that finances trail only behind work and career concerns as a source of increasing stress, and ahead of deployments, health, life events, family relationships and war. Financial issues also can cause troops to lose often essential security clearances, Warren noted. In 2007, the Navy reported that financial management issues accounted for 78 percent of security clearance revocations and denials for Navy personnel, she added.

“Those who serve in the military should be able to focus on their jobs and their families without having to worry about getting trapped by abusive financial practices,” she said. “America’s national security depends on that basic premise.”

Warren expressed confidence that Petraeus was the right fit for the job of protecting military families from financial woes, and said she was impressed by her from their first meeting. At the time, Petraeus was serving as the director of Better Business Bureau Military Line, a partnership between the BBB and the Defense Department’s Financial Readiness Campaign that provides consumer education and advocacy for service members and their families.

“After we introduced ourselves, she got straight to the point: despite strong efforts by the Department of Defense and others, too many military families find themselves in financial trouble, scrambling hard to deal with mounting debts or falling into the arms of a predatory lender,” Warren said. “‘Wow,’ I thought. ‘This woman is fired up.’

“It soon became clear that Holly would be the perfect person to guide the establishment of the office,” she said.

Africa Strategy Encourages Democracy, Development

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2011 – The United States is pursuing a strategy that aims to foster stability and good, cooperative relationships with nations on the African continent, said Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy.

“That strategy puts a premium on supporting democratization and the emergence of democracies in Africa, supporting economic growth and development and building capacity,” Flournoy said during a recent interview in the Pentagon.

U.S. government agencies work closely with each other in Africa. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development have the lead in the nations of the continent. The Defense Department and U.S. Africa Command are in support of these lead federal agencies.

Much of the defense work in the nation is building partner capacity. This can range from small unit tactics to medical training to peacekeeping skills to humanitarian assistance operations.

“It may be just general military training or it may be training them in a specialty area like medical evacuation,” the undersecretary said. “We also use our military forces to do a lot of civil affairs type of work where we are supporting the interagency process and working with militaries and communities writ large, again particularly in humanitarian operations.”

U.S. Africa Command is the Defense Department’s newest geographic command, and its establishment has given more coherence to defense support of U.S. strategy on the continent, she said. Previously, the African continent was split between three geographic commands: U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command.

“This led to somewhat uneven levels of focus, energy, resourcing, projects and so forth,” Flournoy said. “Pulling it all together under U.S. Africa Command gives it a more stable strategic perspective on what we’re doing across the continent. It also gives a greater ability to prioritize effort and resources towards things that really will make the greatest difference.”

Africa has some increasingly strong regional alliances, including the African Union and Economic Community of Western African States. “DOD works very much by, with and through these regional alliances,” the undersecretary said. “We are working closely with the African Union and ECOWAS to develop peacekeeping capacity.”

One example of this work is the peacekeeping mission in Somalia. U.S. trainers worked with military personnel from Uganda, Etyhiopia and other countries to train them for the mission. These are not large missions, but small teams training the trainers.

The department is also learning more about the cultural and linguistic and ethnic make-up of the continent.

“We are understanding the sub-regional dynamics of the continent,” Flournoy said. “The issues that you deal with in the north are different than those in the south. We are dealing with violent extremist groups in North Africa – al-Qaida in the Mahgreb for example – that have used ungoverned or under-governed spaces to try to gain a foothold. We’re also seeing organizations in Somalia –al Shabab, al-Qaida on the Arabia Peninsula.”

There is a growth in piracy centered in Somalia and spreading throughout the Indian Ocean, she noted. “We are taking a more challenge-oriented approach and a more sub-regional approach that really looks at how we can take a common challenge and work with a group of countries to build their capacities to be more effective in dealing with that with us in support,” she said. “In 10 years, we hope these countries will have the capacity and they will be more able to respond to crises, and also get ahead of them and prevent them.”

Much of the progress posited depends on the progress of democratization and development. “So many of these crises in Africa come from very weak experiences with democracy and peaceful changeovers in power – we’re seeing that right now in Cote d’Ivoire,” Flournoy said. “Every time you have a situation that becomes a full-time crisis, you are essentially setting back the development effort for a period of time as well.”

The creation of peaceful political processes that set the conditions for development to occur “is the name of the game in Africa,” she said.

Flournoy said there are many that have had peaceful transitions and are experiencing the growth that such peace and stability brings.

The U.S. is also working with other nations outside Africa to make best use of resources. For example he U.S. is collaborating with France to combat terrorism in North Africa. American leaders are also cooperating with ships from China, India, Russia, Singapore and the European Union to combat piracy.

One constant in U.S. strategy in Africa is reducing the ungoverned or under-governed pockets on the continent. The AIDS epidemic, problems of poverty and corruption and little or no infrastructure in many areas hampers progress, and that can mean dangers to Americans.

“Violent extremism grows from not fulfilling the needs of the people,” Flournoy said.

The undersecretary praised the National Guard’s state partner program for its work not only in Africa, but globally. The Guard teams come from a state and team with a country to foster collaboration and understanding. “We have these all over the world,” she said. “We see in so many of these situations how long-term relationships are so important to build trust and build capacity.”

This is not a one-time deal for the teams and the nations participating in the program, Flournoy pointed out. “They come again, and again, and again and the relationships are built, the trust is built and over time real capacity is built,” she said. “At a time when the active force is so heavily engaged in Iraq and in Afghanistan, having the National Guard teams that can provide consistent focus and work within the countries with which they are paired.”

Coast Guard Commandant addresses future officers

Posted by: Christopher Lagan

Earlier this week, cadets at the United States Coast Guard Academy were given insight on what it means to be a military officer from none other than Adm. Bob Papp, Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Papp’s speech to the service’s future leaders focused on the oath of office each cadet will take when four years of academy life ends and their careers begin in earnest as commissioned Coast Guard officers.

Papp told the Corps “your oath is sacred, your commission is timeless” while noting that the wording of his commission is virtually identical to the 1791 commission of Hopley Yeaton — the first Coast Guard Officer.

Cadet 1st Class Meghan Zehringer, chosen by her peers to lead the 1,030-strong corps of cadets as regimental commander for the spring semester, was inspired by Papp’s message.

“With graduation approaching and my class about to take the oath to serve in the Coast Guard as junior officers, I found Admiral Papp’s address to be very eye opening and informative. I have never truly looked at the oath and the fact that he was able to analyze and explain each part of it increased not only my awareness of the importance of understanding the words that I pledge to live by but also that of the entire Corps of Cadets, the [Officer Candidate School] students, and all others present [at the speech].”

As the most junior members at the academy, 4th class cadets gained perspective on their chosen profession from the commandant’s words.

“I was humbled by Admiral Papp’s presence and how someone of his ranking could take the time to talk to the corps. He even stayed after for anyone who wanted to personally talk with him. His speech on commitment to the oath really made me appreciate what I am doing and gave me something to look forward to after my time at the Academy.” – Cadet 4th Class Devin Fellman

“Admiral Papp’s speech provoked a sense of unpretentious kinship between his self and the corps, blending perfectly with his message that we are all shipmates. I believe that this sense of kinship has inspired the corps to a greater trust of and willingness to follow the Commandant of the Coast Guard.” – Cadet 4th Class Laura Carts

“I stayed behind after and talked a little bit with the admiral, and what was awesome was the fact that he was able to relate to what I was going through as a 4th class cadet. He asked me how the school year was going and some goals I was going to set for myself. He provided words of encouragement and support. Also, even though the admiral is in such a high position of power, he doesn’t let that change his attitude or how he acts. He honestly acts like he is one of our shipmates. In other words, he is very down to earth and an approachable guy.” – Cadet 4th Class John Ramirez

Canadian Member of Parliament Visits Makin Island

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kellie Abedzadeh, USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Canadian Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence toured USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a visit to Naval Base San Diego Jan. 6.

While aboard Makin Island, the Honourable Laurie Hawn toured a number of the ship's operational spaces, including the hangar bay, medical facilities, command information center, flight deck and upper vehicle stowage.

The visit to Makin Island was Hawn's first tour of an amphibious assault ship. Hawn said he was impressed with the multioperational capabilities of Makin Island, and called the crew very "focused and professional."

"Canada is looking at similar types of ships, so the tour and visit to San Diego's naval base helps Canada better understand what the U.S. Navy is doing," Hawn said.

Hawn also emphasized the importance for both Canadian and American militaries to maintain close relationships. "Wherever we are, Americans are," he said. "So it's critical to both countries that we maintain close ties as allies."

As a retired lieutenant colonel who served more than 30 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Hawn is a strong supporter of military members worldwide. Hawn currently serves as a member of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan and the Standing Committee of National Defence.

Makin Island, the Navy's first hybrid-electric amphibious assault ship, is currently undergoing a maintenance availability period in preparation for its maiden deployment later this year.

Statement by Secretary of Defense Gates on Tucson Shooting

“I am saddened to hear of the attack on Congresswoman Giffords and members of her staff earlier today in Tucson, Arizona.   I have had an opportunity to interact with Congresswoman Giffords in her capacity as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where she served on the Readiness and Air and Land Forces subcommittees.    She is a strong supporter of America’s national defense, cares deeply about our men and women in uniform, and has pursued her oversight responsibilities with dedication.  Our thoughts are also with her husband, Navy Captain Mark Kelly, an aviator and astronaut of great distinction, as well as the families of the other victims of this attack.  Ms. Giffords represents a new generation of principled and thoughtful political leaders that have come to Washington in recent years.  We will miss her strong character and good judgment in the Congress during these important days ahead, and we are praying for her full recovery.”

Today in the Department of Defense, Monday, January 10, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is traveling.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn has no public or media events on his schedule.

Gates Praises Wounded Congresswoman

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates praised Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) for her support of the military and expressed his wish for her full recovery. Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, was reportedly critically wounded by a gunman who shot her in the face during a Tucson, Ariz., shooting rampage today that left six people dead.

"I am saddened to hear of the attack on Congresswoman Giffords and members of her staff earlier today in Tucson, Ariz. I have had an opportunity to interact with Congresswoman Giffords in her capacity as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where she served on the Readiness and Air and Land Forces subcommittees. She is a strong supporter of America's national defense, cares deeply about our men and women in uniform, and has pursued her oversight responsibilities with dedication," Gates said in a released statement.

"Our thoughts are also with her husband, Navy Captain Mark Kelly, an aviator and astronaut of great distinction, as well as the families of the other victims of this attack.  Ms. Giffords represents a new generation of principled and thoughtful political leaders that have come to Washington in recent years.  We will miss her strong character and good judgment in the Congress during these important days ahead, and we are praying for her full recovery," he said.

US 5th Fleet Mine Countermeasures Squadron Changes Command

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 5/Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain Jan. 6.

Capt. Glenn Allen relieved Capt. Gerard O'Regan as commander of MCMRON 5/CTF 52.

MCMRON 5/CTF 52 plans and executes mine warfare operations in support of the U.S. 5th Fleet operational objectives. The command's efforts are critical to maintaining sea lines of communication, deterring and countering disruptive countries and strengthening regional partner maritime capabilities to promote a secure maritime environment in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR).

"Conducting the mine countermeasure mission is absolutely critical to our ability to operate in the region. Maintaining free movement of goods and services around the world is a strategic imperative," said Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Vice Adm. Mark Fox, who presided over the change of command ceremony. "The expertise, knowledge and leadership Capt. O'Regan brought to the fight was invaluable, and will be missed, but his experience and knowledge will live on in the Sailors he has led, taught and mentored."

O'Regan was commissioned in the Navy in May 1982 and assumed command of MCMRON 5/CTF 52 in August of 2009. He will retire from the Navy in April 2011 after completing 29 years of fithful service.

"I joined the Navy for adventure," said O'Regan. "I stayed because I felt a part of something special, something bigger than myself."

Fox awarded O'Regan the Legion of Merit for his work as the commander of MCMRON 5/CTF 52 at the ceremony.

Allen, a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, reports from the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command, where he served as the assistant chief of staff for strategy and future technology.

"MCMRON 5/CTF 52 is a critical component of maintaining unfettered access to the Arabian Gulf and ensuring unencumbered use of the maritime domain for military and commercial needs," Allen said. "Our mission contributes directly to the well being of our country and our coalition partners. It is an honor to accept this responsibility."

MCMRON 5/CTF 52 oversees all mine countermeasures assets in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR, which include mine countermeasures ships USS Scout (MCM 8), USS Gladiator (MCM 11), USS Ardent (MCM 12) and USS Dextrous (MCM 13), and Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, Detachment 2.

General Officer Assignments

The Air Force chief of staff announces the assignments of the following general officers:

Brig. Gen. Jack L. Briggs II, commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Air Combat Command, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to deputy commander, Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Region, and deputy commander for operations, 1st Air Division, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Brig. Gen. Darryl L. Roberson, deputy director of legislative liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Air Combat Command, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander, 8th Fighter Wing, Pacific Air Forces, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, to deputy director of legislative liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. John R. Ranck Jr., deputy director, strategic effects, U.S. Air Forces-Iraq, U.S. Central Command, Baghdad, Iraq, to director, warfighter systems integration, Office of Information Dominance and chief information officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Naval Branch Health Clinic Bangor Renovation Project Breaks Ground

By Douglas H Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB), with the assistance of Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest and Naval Base Kitsap, broke ground on Jan. 4, commencing a major facility upgrade and renovation of Naval Branch Health Clinic Bangor.

"The most important thing we do is provide care for our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines and their families," said Rear Admiral C. Forrest Faison III, Commander Navy Medicine West, honored guest who was hosted by NHB during his tour of the Naval Medical facilities in the Pacific Northwest.

The estimated $5.8 million project will improve patient care and allow clinic staff to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. The renovation will result in a well-organized layout with more exams rooms, updated handicapped accessibility, and associated services in close proximity which will greatly improve patient flow.

The project will also construct a 2,900 square foot addition to the building. Additionally, the clinic will undergo energy efficient and conservation measure upgrades.

"The modifications we are making in the next 18 months will present a challenge, but it's for the greater good of all," said Capt. Mark E. Brouker, commanding officer of NHB. "We are in a must-win situation in the ongoing war and the top weapon systems we have are our individual Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines. Providing the best in medical and dental services has always been vital, not just for them, but also for their families."

"Ground breakings are about progress and growth. Today's event is important because it involves improving the medical services to our Sailors and Marines," said Capt. Mark Olson, NBK commanding officer.

NBHC Bangor provides medical and dental services to approximately 9,000 active duty personnel and their dependents, along with another 3,000 eligible retiree beneficiaries and their dependents.

"Along with improving our health care and helping to win the war against terrorism, by working with our contractor for the project, Veterans Northwest, we are creating jobs on the Kitsap Peninsula and helping the local economy," said Capt. Pat Rios, NAVFAC Northwest commanding officer.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Christian Wallis, NBHC Bangor officer in charge, the renovation has been planned in a manner that will minimize impact on patient services.

"There should not be an impact on access to care for our enrolled population," said Wallis. "It is important for our beneficiaries to know that they will still receive the high quality, customer friendly care that our clinic provides."

Wallis says that the renovation has been in for works for some time.

"The clinic is a relatively old building and is in need of modern 21st century upgrades. The current layout has grown cumbersome as our services have expanded over the years," he said. "The new layout will provide staff and patients with a better design which improves patient flow throughout the clinic."

Wallis noted that the majority of the high volume services such as active duty care, pharmacy, general dentistry, lab, and optometry will continue to occur inside the clinic. However, there will be times when these services are either moved within the main clinic or moved adjoining modular buildings for a temporary period.

There are plans in place to relocate some services for the renovation period. These include: specialty dental services (prosthedontics, periodontics) will be moved to Building 506 on NBK Bremerton; some general dentistry will relocate to the Intermediate Maintenance Facility lower base Dental Annex on NBK Bangor; Occupational Health will be moved to the Behavior Health and Education Center on NBK Bangor; and Family Care Center "Gold Team" (family member care) will relocate to the temporary modular building in front of NBHC Bangor.

Today in the Department of Defense, Sunday, January 09, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is traveling.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn has no public or media events on his schedule.

Marine Corps Amphibious Tracked Vehicle

By LtGen. George Flynn
MARINE CORPS COMBAT DEVELOPMENT COMMAND, QUANTICO, Va.

Jan. 6, 2011

“We ought not to look back, unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors and for the purpose of profiting by dear bought experience.” (George Washington)

There is no guarantee we will learn from the bloody combat lessons of the last century. The current penchant by some for questioning the Marine Corps’ need for an amphibious tracked vehicle suggests an ignorance of history and a lack of understanding of the future; it is unsupported by hard lessons learned, world trends, and a security environment characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. Our Nation will most certainly require continued global access from the sea, and just as certainly there are forces at work that are actively and aggressively attempting to deny us that much needed access.

The Secretary of Defense clearly stated that his decision to cut the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program does not call into question the amphibious assault mission of the Marine Corps. Moreover, he stated the requirement of developing a more affordable and sustainable amphibious tractor to provide the Marines a ship-to-shore capability into the future.

As America’s expeditionary force in readiness, the Marine Corps specializes in rapidly deploying anywhere in the world to develop access through partnership building activities, to create access in response to crises, and to provide the ability to force access to deter and/or defeat threats. The Corps will never be defined by a program, but rather by the capabilities we bring to the fight.

As a maritime Nation the tyranny of distance, geography, and topography remain constant challenges to our global influence. As demonstrated countless times, our ability to come from the sea and overcome the challenges of natural and manmade barriers allows us to protect and defend U.S. interests. Our continued ability to respond is dependent on our ability to operate in uncertain environments, create opportunities and ensure freedom of action regardless of access challenges.

The Marine Corps has learned that amphibious operations should avoid fixed defenses whenever possible. This option is not always available, however. In such cases the amphibious tracked vehicle is essential to success. The tracked amphibious vehicle provides the ability to perform three critical tasks: ship-to-shore movement, breakout from the beach and protected land mobility and firepower. As a result, the amphibious tracked vehicle has been a mainstay of amphibious capability. It has often proven the indispensible, enabling capability that Marines employ to both solve the sea/land mobility challenge and to gain advantage over our enemies.

Recent operational experience and history attest to the effectiveness of amphibious tracked vehicles in providing the capability and capacity demanded by numerous operating environments—permissive, uncertain, or hostile. Most recently, amphibious tracked vehicles assisted in overcoming the devastated infrastructure in Haiti. These same vehicles were used to rescue stranded citizens and deliver relief supplies following Katrina’s devastation of the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005. In the 1990s these vehicles enabled relief efforts in Somalia during Operation RESTORE HOPE and subsequently provided the key capability necessary to safely withdraw U.N. forces in UNITED SHIELD. During the Korean War they allowed us to project power from the sea at Inchon to reverse the looming defeat of U.S. forces trapped at Pusan. Given the proliferation of area denial weapons among both state and non-state actors, we believe that future operations—even those conducted for benign reasons—will be conducted under uncertain and highly dangerous conditions.

Amphibious tracked vehicles employed from ships at sea provide the means to assure littoral access that no other capability can provide. They are the only combat vehicles built to operate effectively in the littorals: a complex environment of salt and fresh water, muddy marshes and estuaries, and dry land; rural, suburban and urban landscapes; wildly varying terrain; high to low population densities; and temperature extremes. They can quickly and seamlessly transit from ship-to-shore as well as swim rivers and negotiate inland water obstacles, providing the ability to achieve tactical and operational surprise. They protect their occupants as they maneuver on sea and land to a position of advantage and can close with an enemy or rescue our friends. Their known presence off shore historically has been a powerful deterrent and effective capability across the range of military operations.

A modern amphibious tracked vehicle uses the sea as maneuver space, creates opportunities in the littorals, optimizes employment of amphibious forces, and enhances survivability in the face of area denial threats. An amphibious tracked vehicle is the proven means to overcome access challenges, natural or manmade, ranging from tsunami-ravaged infrastructure to an armed aggressor seeking to oppose our maneuver. Amphibious tracked vehicles empower a flexible, ship-borne force to wait off shore for the opportunity to shape the security environment or alter an outcome. This unique capability provides our Nation with a critical power projection asset.

There is no doubt that the sustainment and further development of our Nation’s amphibious capability is important for continued access to strategically vital regions of the world. We see a clear mandate to be ready to shape, influence, deter, and if necessary defeat would be forces that seek to deny us access. Meeting this mandate will allow us to profit “by dear bought experience” rather than repeat the errors of the past.

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: New Medical Mission for Air Guard

We have scheduled a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with Air Force Col. Brett Wyrick, air surgeon, Air National Guard for Monday, Jan. 10 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Col. Wyrick will discuss the new medical mission for Air Guard. Beginning next week specialized medical personnel from the Air National Guard will begin flying Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) missions from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The CCATT consists of a physician specializing in an area such as critical care, pulmonology, anesthesiology or surgery, along with a critical care nurse and a respiratory technician. The Air Guard will place at least one CCATT on each rotation flying out of Ramstein for the next two years, and are looking to combine with the Air Force Reserve to field even more teams in the coming months.

Family Matters Blog: Navy Program Helps to Strengthen Families

By Elaine Wilson

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2011 – Military families have many support programs at their fingertips, but I wanted to highlight one in particular that’s making inroads in family care.

The Navy’s Project FOCUS, or Families OverComing Under Stress, equips military families with the skills they need to weather the psychological and physical challenges brought about by a decade of war. The program educates and builds coping skills among service members and their families, while also informing communities about the stressors military families and how they can best support them.

“Families make such sacrifices to support service members and their country,” Kirsten Woodward, family programs division director for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, told me in a recent interview. “It’s important for us to support families in the same manner in which they are sacrificing.”

For more on this program, including information on the program’s onsite and online options, read my American Forces Press Service article, “Navy Program Puts “FOCUS’ on Military Families," or visit the Project FOCUS website.

Navy Intel Chief: Information Dominance Must Balance Firepower

By Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2011 – “Information as warfare” requires operational commanders to employ intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to dominate the information realm even as they direct combat actions, the Navy’s senior intelligence officer said today.

Vice Adm. David J. “Jack” Dorsett, the director of naval intelligence and deputy chief of naval operations for information dominance, spoke to defense writers about what he called a shift from an Industrial Age military force to an Information Age force.

“We’re great at strike warfare -– dropping bombs. It’s now time for the Navy, and frankly the U.S. joint forces, to step up and start dealing with information in a much more sophisticated manner than they have in the past,” Dorsett said.

Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, announced in October 2009 the Navy was combining its intelligence directorate, communications networks and related information technology capabilities into the information dominance organization.

Dorsett said as leader of that organization he serves as the Navy’s “banker” for information capabilities.

“I do resources, I do requirements, I do policies,” he said. “Tenth Fleet is the operational commander for our cyber forces and our network forces, and our Navy’s information operational capabilities.

“Tenth Fleet is a three-star operational commander,” he continued. “The [chief of naval operations] this past year also created Navy Cyber Command, a two-star commander, and he’s responsible for manning, training and equipping the fleet.”

In just over a year since the Navy reorganized its intelligence and technology communities, Dorsett said, the service has made great progress in organizing its work force and developing sensors and networks, but hasn’t accomplished as much in analyzing collected intelligence.

“Managing data, making sense of the information, is one of our largest challenges,” Dorsett said. “Part of the job dealing with information dominance is looking at information from one end to the other: from sensors to networks to transport to exploitation dissemination.

“One area this past year we haven’t made as much progress on was on processing, exploitation and dissemination,” he continued. “It’s high on our list for this upcoming year.”

Within the Defense Department, the Navy is primarily partnering with the Air Force in “tackling imagery exploitation first, as something … easier to get our hands around,” Dorsett said.

“But we’re also partnering with agencies like the National Security Agency on their cloud computing initiatives, their cyber pilot initiatives, and … how you manage information, how do you get it to flow from one point to another,” he added.

Effectively processing intelligence imagery –- managing data -– requires combining automated tools with skilled human analysis, Dorsett said.

“An awful lot can be automated,” he said. “You don’t need to look at every single piece of electro-optical imagery that comes in, necessarily. You need tools to alert you to the key issues that you can then apply an analyst to.”

But if those analysts aren’t well-trained and experienced in looking at data from signals intelligence to imagery to open-source data, Dorsett said, some of the available information will be lost.

“We look at things holistically,” he said. “If you just look at the data and technology and tools and you forget to apply energy to training your people, you won’t get to the right solution set.”

A major emphasis over the past year, he said, has been to increase the number of sensors gathering imagery in the “battle space.”

“But I think more needs to be applied to this issue of processing, exploitation and dissemination, especially as all of the services bring more sensors to bear in our future capabilities,” Dorsett said. “That’s part of our game plan.”

In replacing legacy weapons systems with new capabilities, he said, a one-for-one substitution isn’t the most effective approach.

The Navy is taking a “family of systems” approach to balance information and firepower requirements, he said, noting the approach includes incorporating signals intelligence capability on surface ships.

“One of the principles for information dominance is, every platform needs to be a sensor and every sensor needs to be networked,” Dorsett said.

While increasing the intelligence-gathering capability of weapons systems is critical, he said, the military also needs to maintain its other combat capabilities.

The Navy’s P-8 Poseidon aircraft is an example, he said. The aircraft, now in development as an anti-submarine and shipping interdiction platform, is “a primary warfighting tool for the Navy,” Dorsett said.

“We don’t want to optimize it for [signals intelligence] at the expense of [asymmetric warfare],” he said. “We’ll deal with spiral approaches to a variety of our systems and platforms and plug-and-play in the years ahead, so I wouldn’t preclude the P-8 from having a [signals intelligence] or [multi intelligence] payload, but at this point we’re going to focus on primarily on [asymmetric warfare].”

Historically, the U.S. military has emphasized combat power over intelligence activities, Dorsett said.

“I think you see, with the Department of Defense and the creation of [U.S.] Cyber Command, the recognition by the secretary of defense and the seniors within the department that the nonkinetic, the cyber, the information side of the house is really critical,” he said. “You need a combatant commander that is dealing in that arena as his primary mission area.”

Commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan have seen the value of integrating intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities with operations over the last five years, he said.

“Ops-intel integration was the 2000-2010 era improvement we made in joint war-fighting,” Dorsett said. “2010-2020, it needs to be this elevation of non-kinetic information capabilities.”

The Navy has integrated intelligence and surveillance capabilities, electronic warfare, cyber, networks, oceanography and meteorology –- knowledge of the environment –- to break down barriers in warfighting, Dorsett said.

“Out of balance? We have been,” he said. “I think … DOD is taking a variety of steps to make improvements in this non-kinetic, information side of the house.”

Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, January 06, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

NPC Search Engine Give Sailors Resources

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) LaTunya Howard, Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON Tenn. (NNS) -- In 2011, Navy Personnel Command (NPC) recommends that Sailors take advantage of the search engine available at www.npc.navy.mil.

This search engine, called "Knowledge Base," is available to answer Sailors' personnel questions.

"The Knowledge Base is really easy to use and it was created to supplement our customer service efforts," said Vincent Vuketich, of the NPC Customer Service Center (CSC). "A Sailor can call the CSC or email us for information, but they don't have to. The Sailor can go to www.npc.navy.mil research and answer his or her own questions online 24/7."

NPC has a Knowledge Base team that works daily to keep the database current with continuous updates of Navy regulations and instructions.

"KB (Knowledge Base) is an online tool, public facing, and can be accessed from anywhere in the world," said Vuketich. "Sailors, retirees and their families can ask essentially any question they want about the Navy. The system uses keywords to generate a solution to their question."

Sailors can access the Knowledge Base by visiting the NPC website and by clicking on the 'Ask NPC a Question' icon in the upper right corner of the page. In fiscal year 2010 the self-help page received more than 14,000 visits.

"This system has been up and running for approximately eight years now," said Vuketich. "We currently have nearly 1,000 solutions, but we are always interested in hearing from the fleet about additional solutions that are needed."

Solution categories range from advancement and promotions to education or career information. Sailors can also search for Navy programs, pay and benefits or NAVADMINS.

"Our goal is to meet Sailors' needs by providing them instant access to relevant Navy information any time they need it from anywhere in the world," Vuketich said.

For more information, contact the CSC at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC, via email at CSCMailbox@navy.mil or online at the NPC website.

This Day in Naval History - Jan. 05

From the Navy News Service

1855 - USS Plymouth crew has skirmish with Chinese troops.

1875 - Cmdr. Edward Lull begins expedition to locate the best ship canal route across Panama.

1943 - In the Southwest Pacific, USS Helena (CL 50) fired first proximity-fused projectile in combat, shooting down a Japanese divebomber in the process.

1968 - Lt. Clarence W. Cote becomes the first male Nurse Corps officer in the regular Navy.

Risk Management Key to Mitigating Mishaps in 2011

By April Phillips, Naval Safety Center Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Following the holiday season, Sailors and Marines across the fleet are returning from leave and getting back to the regular routine at their duty stations in January 2011.

Whenever large numbers of people are returning from extended time away from the job, there's a potential for mishaps to occur due to complacency or skills that have become rusty.

January is also a time when many Sailors and Marines enjoy winter sporting activities such as skiing and snowboarding. There's a greater likelihood for inclement weather, deteriorated driving conditions and slips, trips and falls.

All these factors combine to make this a good time to remember the basics of risk management, said Derek Nelson, head of the Media Division at the Naval Safety Center (NAVSAFECEN). Nelson writes the popular weekly "Summary of Mishaps," which is better known as the "Friday Funnies." In this capacity, he pores through the mishap reports received by NAVSAFECEN, and he has noticed some trends.

"Snowboarding mishaps have really been on the rise in the last few years," said Nelson. "People seem to have a hard time recognizing their limitations."

Nelson said a lack of training contributes to many snowboarding mishaps. Others attempt to outdo their experience level, including a second class petty officer who had been on five separate snowboarding trips before he hit the slopes with some shipmates who had far more training than he had.

"He wasn't completely inexperienced, but he went with people who knew a lot more, and he wanted to keep up with them. He ended up with a concussion and a lot of days on limited duty," Nelson said.

Other mishap reports he has examined show a general complacency trend. He said one of the major problems is people who are in a hurry and cut corners.

"Whether you're driving or performing a task around the house or on the job, being in a hurry to get things done is a needless risk that too often ends in a trip to the emergency room," said Nelson. "Usually, the person doesn't take time to make a risk assessment beforehand, and therefore, there's no risk management that takes place."

Nelson cited one particularly memorable example; a Sailor was using a gas-powered snow blower to clear his driveway after a winter storm. The blower became clogged, and rather than turning it off to clear it, the Sailor just reached his hand inside the still spinning blades.

"It chopped off one of his fingers," Nelson said.

He also said he hoped Sailors and Marines would take time to reflect on risk management. It doesn't have to be a formal military training session to be effective.

"When people simply talk about their experiences, it can be very helpful. Everyone's got a story and sharing that story could help others. Talk about what could have been done to avoid the mishap or near miss," he said.

Those who need resources to start a risk management discussion can find them on the NAVSAFECEN website. Nelson recommends a product called "Deckplate Dialogue," which provides information and discussion ideas about numerous safety-related topics. This tool is available for download at http://www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/Pages/media/deckplate_dialogue.aspx.>

For more news from Naval Safety Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsc/.

This article was sponsored by Military Books.

SUBASE New London Receives $3.2 Million for Infrastructure Improvements

By Seaman Michael Henderson, Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment, joined Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell during a ceremony held Dec. 23 at the Historic Ship Nautilus and Submarine Force Library and Museum aboard Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London, Conn.

Jackalyne Pfannenstiel is a Connecticut native and attended the ceremony to accept the state's second investment in infrastructure improvements aboard the base.

Rell presented the Navy with a state-sponsored gift of $3.22 million for SUBASE projects which will fund the development of a Virginia class Submarine "training galley", and an expansion of a current Naval Submarine School building that will house a new submarine bridge trainer.

"These projects mean this base will remain the undisputed home for training our nation's submarine crews," said Rell.

In acknowledging the state's gift, Pfannenstiel noted Connecticut's long affinity for the base.

"I grew up a few miles from here," Pfannenstiel said. "I realize how important this SUBASE is to the economy of southeastern Connecticut. And clearly governor Rell realizes it also. We're using this money to modernize the base's infrastructure and maintain cutting-edge technologies. We're giving our people the best training possible, so they have the skills they need to successfully complete their missions."

The training galley will replicate the same conditions and working space that culinary specialists are required to make use of while deploying aboard a Virginia class submarine.

"[It's] a perfect platform for junior culinary specialists in transition to the fleet," said Chief Culinary Specialist Michael Wanca, SUBASE New London Cross Hall Galley leading chief petty officer. "This replica will provide all the characteristics of a full sea going operation, minus the angles and dangles."

According to Wanca, the training galley will allow culinary specialists to be proficient in food preparation, presentation, and sanitation.

"The program will offer not only OJT (on the job training), but also have a classroom setting for professional knowledge and further career development," said Wanca.

Naval Submarine School's Nimitz Hall will be expanded to accommodate the Submarine Bridge Trainer, where submariners will learn navigation and other critical skills.

"They'll operate in a 360-degree virtual environment - so real, that they'll sense the vessel's motion," said Pfannenstiel.

Recognizing the governor's last official visit to the base, and her service and support of the base's fleet, fighters, and families, the Navy New London team presented Rell with a few mementos. The Governor received a National Ensign flown that was flown aboard the base and Connecticut's state ship, Nautilus, as well as the title of honorary submariner, complete with a set of miniature gold "dolphins."

Capt. Marc W. Denno, SUBASE New London commanding officer, highlighted the long-time support of the base by the Connecticut community.

Since the service first received the initial land for the installation through a "Deed of Gift" from the state in 1868, one thing has remained constant, said Denno, "the support our Navy has received from our friends and neighbors in the community."

Three years ago, in a unique initiative, the State of Connecticut, through a Connecticut General Statute, had authorized proceeds from a $50 million bond sale to enhance SUBASE New London's infrastructure.

In 2009, Connecticut became the first state to fully fund a construction project on a base when Rell presented Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus $7.65 million to improve the base.

Last year's funding allowed the construction of a new Diver Support Facility aboard the base and the modernization of a boiler at the base's power plant.

"The base has been transformed from one that was slated for closure a few short years ago…to the winner of "Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic's Award for Installation Excellence," said Rell, "I am very proud of the role the state has played in those changes."

SUBASE New London is home to 15 fast-attack submarines and more than 70 tenant commands and activities.

For more news from Naval Submarine Base New London, visit www.navy.mil/local/subasenlon/.