Citadel Pacific 2014 Enhances Security, Readiness on Guam Installations

By JoAnna Delfin, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

ASAN, Guam (NNS) -- Navy and Air Force service members and personnel throughout the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility including Guam tested their anti-terrorism plans and response during Exercise Citadel Pacific 2014 (CP 14) from Aug. 25-29.

Joint Region Marianas (JRM), U.S. Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam and USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) participated in the annual exercise to enhance the training and readiness of security forces to respond to threats to the installation and units.

"It's to prepare us for real-world type events and these scenarios here were based on incidents that have happened in the past," said JRM Security Officer Gregory Jacobs. "The focus will be to train our personnel to ensure that they can respond accordingly and they can take appropriate actions."

During the exercise, a simulated active-shooter event was held at the JRM headquarters where three individuals were pronounced dead at the scene and seven others severely wounded and transported to USNH Guam. Hospital Commanding Officer Capt. Jeannie Comlish said the mass casualty drill held in response to the simulated active-shooter incident was an excellent opportunity for her staff to test their readiness and response in the new facility.

"This is our first opportunity to really test the building and test how our staff work within in the building to flow patients to the places they need to go," she said. "We are clinically ready. We have an excellent staff and our clinical skills are outstanding, and we're here to take care of patients and provide that exceptional care."

Comlish added the exercise not only assessed the response of everyone involved but the partnership between different commands and agencies.

"I think that practicing and drilling and working together at times when it's not a reality... helps all of us for a time when disasters catch us off guard," she said. "They identify what we're doing really well and how we can communicate as partnership in a community."

Rodney M. Davis Promotes Pacific Partnership at Sail Raja Ampat 2014

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Derek A. Harkins, USS Rodney M. Davis Public Affairs

RAJA AMPAT, Indonesia (NNS) -- The crew of Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) sailed alongside other navies during Sail Raja Ampat Aug. 22-23.

Sail Raja Ampat is part of a series of international maritime events hosted by the government of Indonesia in West Papua, Indonesia.

Crew members welcomed Indonesian navy Ensign Michael Kasake, a liaison officer, on board to help coordinate the ship's participation in Sail Raja Ampat.

"I'm proud to be involved in something that lets us and our allies work together like a family and showcase our partnerships and this island to the world," said Kasake.

Rodney M. Davis Sailors manned the rails as the ship joined a formation of more than 50 ships from Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia. The ships sailed past a crowd ashore at Torang Cinta Beach, Waisei on the island of Waigeo and rendered honors to distinguished visitors , which included the President of Indonesia, Susilo Yudhoyono, and U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Deputy Commander, Rear Adm. Robert Girrier.

The overcast skies and falling rain did not dampen the spirits of the participants.

"A little rain isn't going to stop a Rodney M. Davis Sailor," said Electronics Technician 1st Class Christifer Dearing, from Redmond, Oregon.

Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Robertus Sulistiono, from Los Angeles, serves in deck department's 1st division on board Rodney M. Davis. Sulistiono, who was born in Indonesia and lived there for more than 20 years, acted as an interpreter during the event.

"I'm proud that I could help out," said Sulistiono. "I'm happy to do whatever I can for the ship."

Participation in events like Sail Raja help advance regional partnerships and alliances with navies throughout the region.

"Sail Raja Ampat was another great chance for us to work with our Pacific allies" said Cmdr. Todd Whalen, Rodney M. Davis's commanding officer. "We also sailed with ships from Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia during Rim of the Pacific 2014 last month, so our participation in Sail Raja helps sustain those relationships."

Rodney M. Davis, based out of Everett, Washington, is on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Hands-on day at African Partnership Flight Mauritania

by Master Sgt. Brian M. Boisvert
AFAFRICOM APF Mauritania

9/1/2014 - ATAR, Mauritania -- The second day of African Partnership Flight Mauritania began Sept. 1, 2014, with the arrival and close-up viewing of a Cessna-208 Grand Caravan from the Mauritania Air Force.

Its arrival gave students an opportunity to experience the Mauritanian aircraft and learn about all the features it has to offer the Mauritanian military.

Mauritanian Air Force Capt. Eyoub Teyss, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations officer, led the tour of the aircraft for more than 50 students from six African partner nations and 17 U.S. Air Force Airmen.

During the tour, students learned about the surveillance capabilities and the cargo carrying versatility that the Cessna has to offer in support of Mauritanian military operations.

"This is a very important aircraft to our military," said Mauritanian Air Force Master Sgt. Ahmed Beheitt, Cessna crew chief. "I am very proud to have this plane in my military, and I am honored to supply the maintenance that keeps this important plane flying."

This aircraft is a newly added airframe that enables the Mauritanian Air Force to see into the dark night landscape and keep the area safe.

After learning about the aircraft, students continued their learning with additional lessons on ISR, ground and safety, and air command post operations.

"I am happy to see the training event is going so well," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Hartmut Casson, APF Mauritania mission commander. "This is a very strong group of students and they are learning so much that will help them complete their military missions and build even stronger multi-national partnerships for years to come."

Suicide Prevention Takes Courage, Communication, Official Says

By Amaani Lyle

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2014 – The Veterans Affairs Department has named September National Suicide Prevention Month, but the Defense Department continues its year-round, comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to address the issue of suicide in the military, a Pentagon official said Aug. 21.

Army Lt. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, military deputy to the Undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, said DoD will broaden suicide prevention programs and resources to increase awareness, prevention and understanding across the force.

Leadership focus

“Suicide prevention is about taking care of each other and that’s a responsibility leaders have to focus on year-round, daily, weekly, monthly … not just in the month of September,” Linnington said.

According to the Department of Defense Suicide Event Report, the 2012 suicide rate [expressed as a number per 100,000 service members] for the active component was 22.7 and for the reserve components was 24.2. Across the services in 2012, 155 soldiers committed suicide, as did a total of 57 airmen, 59 sailors and 47 Marines.

DoD will focus on total force fitness programs to build mental, physical and spiritual resilience in service members and their families with a focus on training and education for leaders and teams across the military to proactively recognize suicide signs and encourage communication.

Access to medical care

Additionally, DoD will continue to direct efforts to enhance medical care, the general said. The department, he said, “has spent a tremendous amount of leader attention and resources on improving access to care, the quality of care and the ability of service members to seek care in an anonymous nature if that’s what they choose to do.”

Linnington stressed the importance of leaders understanding the array of medical and resilience resources and their entry points.

Help for service members

Military Crisis Line and Military OneSource, he noted, are among the many resources that demonstrate the partnership between DoD and the VA, and give service members an anonymous ability to call-in or engage in online chats to access immediate help.

Newer peer-to-peer networks such as Vets4Warriors have also emerged as valuable resources, he said.

In many instances, however, the first people service members can go to for help can be members of the military family, the general said.

“Having walked in our shoes … I think it’s clear that service members are comfortable around those that serve with them and have shared experiences,” he said.

No stigma

There should be no stigma attached to seeking help, Linnington said.

“Getting help when you need it is not only a sign of strength, but it works,” he said. “Having the confidence to seek help when you need it is important.”

Linnington also championed positive, energetic, command climates at all levels.

Leadership support

“If leaders support the rehabilitation and resilience of their service members, then … that opens the door for service members to go out and seek help,” he said.

The general debunked the notion that seeking help could negatively impact a military career.

“One suicide is one too many and leaders throughout the military will do whatever it takes to prevent suicide,” he said.