U.S., Japan Agree on Okinawa Troop Relocation

By Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – U.S. and Japanese officials announced yesterday the two nations have agreed on a plan to relocate U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam.

The joint statement of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee spells out unit moves, land and facilities on Okinawa the United States will return to the Japanese government, and the costs each government will pay for the relocation.

The joint statement is the latest result of negotiations between the two countries dating to the 2006 Realignment Roadmap and the 2009 Guam International Agreement. The two nations issued a joint defense posture statement in February that “delinked” the two agreements so parts of the relocation plan could move forward more quickly.

“I am very pleased that, after many years, we have reached this important agreement and plan of action,” Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said in a statement yesterday. He praised Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka for “spearheading discussions” leading to the joint statement.

“We will work closely with our partners in the Japanese Self Defense Force to implement these decisions and to further improve this vital alliance of ours,” the secretary added.

Panetta said he looks forward to strengthening the two nations’ partnership “as, together, we address security challenges in the region.”

During a Pentagon background briefing to reporters yesterday, senior State and Defense Department officials outlined the agreement.

About 9,000 Marines will relocate from Okinawa, with about 5,000 moving to Guam and the rest transferring to other locations in the Pacific such as Hawaii and Australia, the defense official said.

The Marines will be organized in air-ground task forces, which combine command, ground, air and logistics elements that can deploy and operate as a unit.

“This new posture that we've created results in a more operationally effective presence across the region,” the defense official said.

“In the end, we are sustaining the same presence in the Western Pacific that we've intended for some time,” the official added.

About 10,000 Marines will remain on Okinawa when the relocation is complete, the official said.

The agreement also sets Japan’s funding for the move to Guam at $3.1 billion of the overall $8.6 billion estimated cost, the defense official added.

“We're particularly appreciative of this commitment in the context of Japan's fiscal challenges, which we fully recognize,” the official added.

One element of the agreement involves possible development of joint training ranges in Guam and the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as shared-use facilities for U.S. and Japanese forces, the official said.

The State Department official said the plan will result in a stronger, more sustainable and more flexible alliance.

“This is really a key component of our strategic rebalancing toward the Asia-Pacific region,” the official said. “As you know, one of the key aspects of that is strengthening partnerships with regional allies, and of course Japan is a very important alliance partner.”

The official said the agreement reaffirms both nations’ commitment to relocate Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, now in the center of Okinawa’s Ginowan City, to a more remote area of the island. Until the Futenma relocation happens, both governments will share the cost of maintaining the existing facility, the official added.

The Japanese government will determine the timeline for the Futenma move, the State Department official said, noting the U.S. focus for Okinawa is sustaining an operationally effective Marine Corps presence there.

The defense official said U.S. representatives are “delighted” at the agreement.

“We think it's a significant achievement that demonstrates that the U.S.-Japan alliance is still capable of big things,” the official said.

Kids Rule NSF Arlington During 'Bring Your Child to Work Day'

By Ensign Amber Lynn Daniel, Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Naval Support Facility Arlington opened its doors to more than 25 four- to 12-year olds April 26 during the nationwide "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" event.

The Chief of Naval Personnel staff has hosted their annual "Bring Your Child to Work Day" for three consecutive years.

The staff joined organizations and workplaces across the nation in educating and transforming the lives of millions of young girls and boys through interactive tours and face-to-face engagement.

"The 'Bring Your Child to Work Day' program provides a unique opportunity to create an enriching educational experience for our nation's youth," stated Chief Operations Specialist Jessica Myers, one of the lead coordinators of the event. "The program is designed to be more than just another career day. Children do not simply 'shadow' an adult in the workplace; instead we expose children to the important work their parent or mentor in their life does during the work day and put it in a context they can understand."

Each year, the Chief of Naval Personnel staff creates a new, interactive environment to help young girls and boys envision the future they dream of while learning the basics of what their parents and mentors do behind the fence of Naval Support Facility Arlington.

"As children toured the facility, each representative discussed the purpose of their particular office space to the Navy and provided a brief description of the staff's job duties and educational backgrounds," said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer (SW/AW) Yulonda James.

This year's program included a tour through the uniform matters office where children were shown uniforms currently being assessed for future Navy use. They also toured the language regional expertise and culture office where they received a printed sheet with their name written in other languages. They were also treated to special handouts, coloring books, and treats during their tour around Naval Support Facility Arlington.

Many of Naval Support Facility Arlington's most senior officers were on hand to share their advice and experiences as well.

"I liked the uniforms and when Admiral Herb talked to us and told us about how they take care of Sailors in Afghanistan," said Maize Booker, age nine, son of Lt. Cmdr. DeWuan Booker. Maize's brother, Malachi, enjoyed an extra special opportunity at the end of the days' events - cupcakes in honor of his sixth birthday.

The Chief of Naval Personnel "Bring Your Child to Work" program continues to be a popular event with parents serving at Naval Support Facility Arlington, giving them the added bonus of showing their children the value of an education and career in the Navy. Each tour representative was also asked to emphasize how the role of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is used in their office space. The tour allowed students the unique opportunity to interact with Navy service members and gain insight into how education will play a significant part in their future.

"The children were laughing and were very engaged, being very inquisitive. They seemed to really enjoy the day's activities and getting to know more about what it is that their parents do for the Navy," said James.

April is the Month of the Military Child. It was established in 1986 by Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger as a way to honor military kids for their sacrifices and courage. Since its establishment, military installations, organizations and communities have created special events to pay tribute to these little military heroes. The coordinators of the Naval Support Facility Arlington made a special effort to center the day's themes on the "military child," highlighting how they each play a special role in contributing to the Navy's mission with the direct support they provide to their service member on the homefront.

"By bringing girls and boys together, we continue to create a more equitable world-at home, at school, in the workplace, and in the community," said Myers. "It is events like these that show both the kids and the Sailors the importance of the next generation and how important they are to our success."

For more information about Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day, visit http://www.daughtersandsonstowork.org/wmspage.cfmparm1=936.

Fleet Week Sailors Get Fired Up at DC Olympics

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew M. Rivard, USS Wasp Public Affairs

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), USS Dewert (FFG 45), USS Dallas (SSN 700), and the USCGC Bernard C. Webber (WPC 1101) participated in a Damage Control Olympics April 26.

The event was hosted by the Resolve Maritime Academy while Wasp is in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as part of Fleet Week Port Everglades whic this year commemorates the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Approximately 40 damage control personnel from the Navy and the Coast Guard spent eight hours conducting various events, such as pipe-patching and P-100 firefighting, to determine which of the six Fleet Week ships was best at fighting ship-board fires.

"All in all, I'd say this event was a huge success", said Cmdr. Richard Sessoms, Wasp's damage control assistant. "Being able to get all the DC teams out to have some fun while getting training on different shipboard firefighting perspectives is a chance we just can't pass up."

While the Sailors participated in their events, a number of organizations came out to help show their support for the U.S. Armed Forces. Breakfast and lunch, energy drinks, smoothies, and live entertainment were provided for all military members in attendance.

"We've been doing this for the past 12 years and it just keeps getting better," said Cliff Charlock, manager of the Resolve Maritime Academy. "Our DC Olympics is a lot of fun and it helps to build camaraderie throughout the Navy."

Over the course of the entire event Sailors from every ship joined together to not only have fun but to also learn new things and take away fond memories from this experience.

"I love damage control so this event turned out to be a blast", said Hull Technician Fireman Eric Greenwald. "Each ship got to show their potential, and I will remember this time for the rest of my career."

Following the event, all of the workers at the Resolve Maritime Academy came out to present plaques to not only the top three ships, but also to give out honorable

mention plaques to the ships that did not place in the event.

The top three ships were:

1st Place - USS San Jacinto

2nd Place - USS DeWert

3rd Place - USS Gettysburg

"Though we could have done better during this event," said Sessoms, "I believe everyone not only had fun, but also took away a great deal of knowledge, and that's all that really matters."

The Sailors will be in Fort Lauderdale from April 25-29 celebrating Fleet Week and during that time will participate in a wide range of events including a variety of receptions, community relations projects and inter-ship competitions.

Panetta Reaffirms Partnership, Friendship With Chile

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

SANTIAGO, Chile  – In talks here today with his Chilean counterpart and the nation’s head of government, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta discussed ongoing and emerging issues, from drug trafficking to cyber security, that the countries plan to address as partners.

During this first visit to the country as defense secretary, Panetta met with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and Defense Minister Andres Allamand at the Ministry of Defense in Chile’s capital and largest city, Santiago.

“The United States and Chile are neighbors, we are friends, and we have built a longstanding defense relationship founded on mutual respect, shared values and the goal of advancing peace and stability in this hemisphere and beyond,” Panetta said during a joint press conference this afternoon with Allamand.

“This shared goal has been the focus of my meetings throughout Latin America,” the secretary added, “and it was the focus of my meetings today with President Pinera and Minister Allamand.”

Chile is the third South American country Panetta has visited this week, after successful meetings with counterparts and officials in Colombia and Brazil.

In today’s meeting, Panetta said, he and Allamand continued a discussion that began last month in Washington, in which they considered how to enhance collaboration in areas of key interest to both nations.

The areas include enhancing the security capacity of nations in the hemisphere, countering illicit drug trafficking, meeting humanitarian needs, working together on issues like cyber security, confronting those who would undermine the stability of the nations, and examining defense institutional reform.

An example of the U.S.-Chile common effort to confront narcotics trafficking is called Operation Martillo, a multinational and interagency drug-interdiction effort to shut down illicit trafficking routes on both coasts of the Central American isthmus.

“Chile is making an important contribution to this effort,” Panetta said, “and earlier today the United States announced that, as part of Operation Martillo, our forces conducted a major drug bust off the coast of Panama, seizing $362 million worth of cocaine.”

The secretary commended the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service who were in the lead in that effort, with the support of the U.S. Southern Command.

“These are the kinds of results that strong partnerships can deliver,” he added.

“Today’s operation shows how important it is for countries in the region to cooperate and work together to confront these kinds of threats,” Panetta said, “and build even stronger mechanisms of regional security cooperation.”

Another example is the ongoing effort to strengthen regional security cooperation, the secretary said, “particularly as we look ahead to this year’s [October] Conference of the Defense Ministers of the Americas in Uruguay, which both the minister and I will be attending.”

Panetta and Allamand also discussed cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster response coordination.

“This initiative I believe will improve our ability to respond to natural disasters by creating a framework to share information, share expertise and deliver the capabilities that we absolutely need to help save lives for our people more quickly and more effectively,” Panetta said.

Chilean officials clearly understand what it means to respond to natural disasters, he added, and Chile’s critical lessons learned must be shared with the rest of the hemisphere.

“I commend Chile’s leadership in helping advance this proposal,” the secretary said, “and I look forward to working with them to try to make this a reality.

Panetta noted Chile’s success in helping those who suffered in Haiti’s 2010 earthquake and tsunami, and in December 2011 the hundreds evacuated from a massive forest fire that raged through Torres del Paine Park in Patagonia, one of the country's most popular national parks, destroying more than 21,000 acres.

“I commend the Chilean government and the Chilean people,” Panetta said, “because they are an inspiration to the United States and the world in overcoming adversity and emerging even stronger.”

Chile and the United States share more than a hemisphere, he said.

“We also share the Pacific Ocean, and we are both Pacific nations,” he said, adding that the security and prosperity of both nations depends on the Asia Pacific region.

“That’s where many of the key challenges and opportunities in the 21st century lie,” the secretary said.

Panetta detailed the Defense Department’s new defense strategy for 2020 and Chile’s important role.

Allamand said Chile was the first country in South America to sign a free-trade agreement with the United States, and that his nation is in the final stages of drafting its first national defense and security strategy.

Between Chile and the U.S., the defense minister said, “we share a lot of principles, in terms of what is the needed [for] a safer world.”

“ … We share concerns about the risks of what are called the new threats to security such as drug trafficking, organized crime, civil attacks, terrorism and arms proliferation,” he said.

“We agree on the importance of the Pacific and the need to safeguard the value of peace on regional and global levels,” Allamand added. “And we agree that in the future the global security of the world demands cooperation and innovative alliances among all countries.”

Panetta said the U.S.-Chile defense relationship in many ways is a fulfillment of the Defense Department’s new strategy.

“It is exactly the kind of partnership we need under the strategy to help advance global peace and global security,” the secretary said.

“So I’m very grateful to the minister and to the president and to the Chilean people for their friendship, for their shared commitment to building a safer world for the future,” he added.

“We are one family in this hemisphere, una famiglia, as we say in Italian,” Panetta said. “And like any family, we must work together to give our children a better life, a more secure life, and protect our people.”