Panetta Commends Jacoby for Northcom Fire Assistance

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – In an afternoon call to the commander of U.S. Northern Command, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta commended Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. for leading the Defense Department’s effort to support the fight against Colorado’s raging wildfires.

The secretary also commended National Guard and Northcom support to the National Interagency Fire Center based in Boise, Idaho, which coordinates firefighting efforts.

Jacoby updated Panetta on the effort to quell wildfires affecting Colorado Springs and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the secretary instructed the Northcom commander to provide assets to the extent they are needed by federal or state authorities.

The Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs has burned more than 18,500 acres of land, forcing the evacuation of at least 32,000 people and threatening more than 20,000 structures in the area, including many homes of military families.

Four C-130 aircraft equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems have so far flown 47 sorties dropping more than 100,000 gallons of fire retardant.

Acting under immediate response authorities, the Army has provided bulldozers, other heavy equipment and hundreds of soldiers to cut fire breaks. Twenty two fire trucks from five military bases, including the academy, have joined the effort. Military personnel are providing housing, meals and medical care at temporary shelters on Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Carson.

Panetta praised the Colorado Springs community for its resilience during the crisis, and Jacoby noted that the academy remained open to in-process the class of 2016.

The secretary concluded the call by asking Jacoby to keep him informed as firefighting efforts continue.

World War II African-American Marines Receive Congressional Gold Medal

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 – A group of African-American Marines who broke the Marine Corps’ color barrier during World War II received the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol yesterday.

The medal is the nation’s highest civilian award given by Congress. The “Montford Point Marines” received the award for serving with valor during the war, even as they were subjected to discrimination.

In 1942, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt allowed African-Americans to join the Marine Corps, they were not sent to the traditional boot camps. Instead, this group of Marines was segregated and completed basic training at Montford Point on Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“African-Americans were not allowed to serve in any wars until World War II in 1942,” said William McDowell, a former Montford Point Marine who accepted the medal on behalf of his fellow Marines and family members in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol. “Unfortunately it took a world war to make it happen, but it happened. I don’t think any of us ever imagined that something like this would ever happen in our lifetime.”

McDowell said it was a “privilege and an honor to stand before [the audience] and receive the Congressional Gold Medal for [them] and 18,700 other brothers who served this nation and the corps, with courage and commitment. This award belongs to them because collectively, [we] did what we thought was impossible … [and] made history.”

Several congressional leaders also addressed the audience. California Rep. Nancy Pelosi, House minority leader, spoke of the Montford Point Marines’ toughness and determination.

“In the time of these Marines – in an age of inequality – breaking the color barrier in the Marine Corps took nothing less than perseverance, patriotism and courage of extraordinary proportions,” she said.

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, Senate minority leader, noted that many of the Montfort Marines seized the opportunity to defend their country in combat.

“Restricted to training for support roles, African-American Marines had to wait for their chance to prove themselves on the battlefield. But the chance finally came in the Pacific Theater, where many saw combat in some of the bloodiest battles of World War II, including Iwo Jima, Saipan and Okinawa, and carried out their duties with great courage and heroism,” he said.

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, Senate majority leader, told the audience that while the African-American Marines fought for the rights of others overseas, the injustice of discrimination still prevailed on their home fronts.

“They were trained to fight injustice overseas; meanwhile, they suffered discrimination every day,” he said. “They were trained to fight tyranny abroad, while their friends and family suffered oppression here at home … Although they were assigned support roles in the Pacific Theater, many had the chance to prove themselves in battle as well … Some cleaned up the ash after the bomb was dropped over Nagasaki.”

House Speaker Rep. John Boehner of Ohio said African-Americans gained respect as full-fledged Marines.

“Letting [African-Americans] serve in the Marine Corps was called an experiment … which didn’t last very long,” Boehner said. “Toward the end of the war, the Marine Corps commandant said the experiment was over, [and] that the men who trained at Montford Point were ‘Marines, period.’”

Comedian Bo Irvine talks to Sailors about Risk Management

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Howard,

Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Comedian Bo Irvine spoke with Sailors at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples about risk management and personal safety, June 26.

During his two-day visit to NSA Naples, Irvine conducted four safety briefs on risk management and occupational health as the community prepared for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

"Every job in the military is risky, so the military recruits people willing to take that risk," said Irvine. "That's why there will always be safety briefs to remind members about weighing the risks involved on the job and off."

Irvine used his renowned comedic humor to add a new spin to routine safety briefs.

"I enjoyed the presentation," said Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Jessica Angelo, a Sailor assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa. "More people would pay attention during safety briefs if they were presented like this more often."

Sailors in attendance learned about being responsible in everyday situations including vehicle safety, situational awareness and watching out for your fellow shipmates.

"Life is risk, and how we judge the levels of risk day to day is risk management," said Irvine. "It bothers me so much to see young people die because someone got behind the wheel while intoxicated. Telling a shipmate who is about to make a mistake that they are doing something stupid isn't stupid. It's actually pretty smart."

Irvine travels all over the world spreading the message about risk management and safety.

"I learned a lot from Irvine," said Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Eileen Sempa, also assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa. "I think if the Navy wanted more Sailors to pay attention during safety briefs, they should get rid of the Powerpoints and bring in the comedians."

Army Reserve Vets Make House Calls in Guatemala

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

CHICOJL, Guatemala, June 28, 2012 – Army Reserve Capt. (Dr.) Daniel Skirvin’s civilian career may have gone to the dogs, but at least during his mission here in support of Beyond the Horizon 2012, his military career has taken more of a turn toward bulls, pigs and chickens.

Skirvin, a veterinarian who typically treats pets in his civilian life, is part of a three-soldier team from the 1019th Medical Detachment in Garden Grove, Calif., immunizing and treating farm animals for disease.

It’s a mission that takes him, Army Staff Sgt. Jorge Gomez-Rangel and Army Spc. Christopher Bryan to some of the most remote areas of Central Guatemala. They travel up mountainsides, through cornfields and sometimes as far as an hour’s walk from the nearest road to as many as 60 homes and farmyards every day. Skirvin estimates that by the end of their two-week deployment here next week, they will have made as many as 600 house calls.

“What we’re doing is really important, because for these people, these animals are what they have, financially,” he said. “If we can make these animals a little more healthy, that will give them a little more protein in their diets and also a little more that they can sell. And that is a big deal in terms of making their lives a little better.”

Providing that service – particularly when the patients are less-than-willing – requires a special touch. Skirvin’s team works hand in hand with Guatemalan veterinary technicians to steady the animals, tie bulls to trees when possible, and steer clear of angry kicks. “Sometimes, especially when there are no trees, it can be a little like a rodeo,” Skirvin said.

The team also depends on local officials to translate for them as they give farmers supplies of powdered vitamins and medications.

Bryan, a military food inspector, said he enjoys the experience he’s gaining during his first veterinary medical readiness training exercise here. “We’re helping the people keep their animals healthy so they have a better food supply, and they’re really grateful,” he said.

Gomez-Wrangle, with 27 years of military service under his belt, said he can’t imagine a more gratifying mission. “I see the results,” he said. “It helps, and I like helping people.”

Providing that outreach is a major objective of the Beyond the Horizon mission, one of U.S. Southern Command’s largest annual humanitarian and civic assistance efforts.

One Soldier Killed, Two Wounded in Fort Bragg Shooting

Fort Bragg Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C., June 28, 2012 – A soldier is dead and two others are wounded following a shooting incident here today.

During a 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade unit safety briefing, a soldier shot another member of the unit and then turned the weapon on himself. The shooter was injured and is in custody. A third soldier who was in the area was also slightly wounded in the shooting.

"This is a tragedy for our community. We don't yet know the reasons for the shooting, but are working with the unit and the affected Families to help them through this difficult period," said Col. Kevin Arata, 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg Public Affairs Officer.

"Our prayers are with those who have been affected by this terrible incident," Arata said.

Fort Bragg law enforcement and emergency responders secured the scene within minutes. Special agents from the Army Criminal Investigation Command are conducting an investigation.

Notification of the next of kin is underway.