MARINES SENT TO LIBYA

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Pentagon Deploys Security Team to Libya
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has authorized deployment of a Marine Corps fleet anti-terrorism security team to Libya to protect U.S. citizens there and to secure the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

During a Pentagon news conference, Little said Panetta strongly condemns the recent attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities in the Middle East.

"The secretary extends his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire State Department family," Little said. "The department has been working with the White House and State Department to provide resources to support the security of U.S. personnel and facilities in Libya."

Little said the Defense Department supported the evacuation of American personnel and casualties out of Libya and is supporting the repatriation of the remains of the four State Department personnel, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, who were killed in the attack late Tuesday on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.

Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey also have worked over the past 48 hours with combatant commanders throughout the region to conduct reviews of their force postures, he said. They also are working "to ensure that we have the flexibility to respond to requests for assistance or orders as directed by the president of the United States," he added.

Little said the focus of the Defense Department is now on supporting whole-of-government efforts to provide security to American personnel in Libya and elsewhere, working closely with the State Department, "and then supporting any efforts that we may be called upon to assist in the effort to, as the president said, 'deliver justice.'"

"The FBI and Department of Justice have opened an investigation into this tragic event," Little said. "Obviously, we will cooperate fully if called upon to support their investigation.

"Rest assured that this department is going to work very closely with our interagency partners to help investigate [and], if we're called upon, to assist," he continued. "And we will play our part in getting to the root of what happened."

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF OSAMA BIN LADEN'S DEMISE

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

White House Photo

Obama Notes bin Laden Mission as Anniversary Nears

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2012 - President Barack Obama today praised the U.S. military and intelligence communities as he reflected on the approaching one-year anniversary of the mission that killed al-Qaida leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Speaking during a news conference alongside Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, the president praised the intelligence effort of tracking bin Laden down and the May 2, 2011, military mission that killed him.

"It's a mark of the excellence of our intelligence teams and our military teams -- a political process that worked," the president said. "And I think for us to use that time for some reflection, to give thanks to those who participated, is entirely appropriate, and that's what's been taking place."

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, commenting April 27 on a return trip from South America, noted "America has become a safer place" since a team of Navy SEALs killed bin Laden in his Abbottabad, Pakistan, compound. Panetta was director of the CIA at the time of the raid.

"I don't think there's any question that America is safer as a result of the bin Laden operation," Panetta told reporters traveling with him. But al-Qaida remains a threat, he added.

U.S. AND DEFENSE LEADERS MET TO FURTHER CEMENT MILITARY PARTNERSHIP

FROM:  U.S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta holds a joint press conference with Brazilian Minister of Defense Celso Amorim in Brasilia, Brazil, April 24, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
U.S., Brazil Launch New Defense Cooperative Dialogue
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

BRASILIA, Brazil, April 24, 2012 - Here in the capital of the largest country in South America, U.S. and Brazilian defense leaders met for the first time under a new cooperative agreement that will expand an already close military partnership.
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim today conducted the first U.S.-Brazil Defense Cooperation Dialogue, an initiative established April 9 in Washington by U.S. President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

"Brazil is a global power. Brazil is a positive force for stability, not only in the Americas but across the world," said Panetta, here during a weeklong visit to South America, his first as defense secretary.

"For that reason," he added, "it is a privilege for me to come here to Brasilia to conduct the first Defense Cooperation Dialogue with Minister Amorim, a dialogue that both our presidents signed and supported."

"We need to be ready for a broader type of defense," Amorim said of his nation and its 360,000-member armed forces, "and the United States is certainly a very important partner in this process."

Amorim accepted Panetta's invitation to visit Washington, adding that a convenient date must be found to continue his and the secretary's "extremely productive and open" discussion.

After a press briefing with Amorim, Panetta met with retired Gen. Jose Elito Carvalho Sigueira, minister of institutional security and responsible among other duties for Brazil's cyber security.

In April 2010, the two nations signed the U.S.-Brazil Defense Cooperation Agreement, the provisions of which framed the discussion today.

During their meeting, Panetta and Amorim said they intend that defense cooperation between the nations will focus on priority categories of activity during 2012.
These include cyber security; science, innovation and technology transfer; logistics; communications; humanitarian assistance and disaster response; and cooperation in support of Africa nations.

Panetta said exchanging more information on cyber security will be beneficial in "a whole new arena. I think both of our nations are concerned about ... how we can effectively defend against those potential attacks."

About humanitarian assistance and disaster response, the secretary said Brazil has performed an outstanding role in Haiti since that island nation experienced a devastating and deadly earthquake and tsunami in January 2010.

"I commend them on the work they've done there," Panetta added. "They have learned a lot of lessons with regard to humanitarian aid and we look forward to being able to share those lessons and to build even greater cooperation in this area in the future."
Panetta and Amorim also discussed a shared desire to expand the nations' already significant two-way trade in advanced defense technology," he said.
"We think Brazil is a very important partner in that area," the secretary added, "and we continue to look for ways to improve the technology we share with Brazil so hopefully Brazil can provide jobs and opportunities for its people as we provide jobs and opportunities for ours."

The best such example is the United States' entry into the Brazilian Air Force's F-X2 fighter competition, in which it will compete with two other contenders.
"We've made a strong offer to provide the Super Hornet" Panetta said, a marine strike attack aircraft manufactured by an American company.

"It's an advanced aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force, and we think it can help provide Brazil with the kind of fighter technology that it needs for the future," the secretary said.
A key element in the recently unveiled new U.S. defense strategy "is to strengthen our global security partnerships in very innovative ways," he said.

"That's why this Defense Cooperation Dialogue is very important for us," the secretary added, "because it provides a vehicle for Brazil and the United States to build an innovative defense partnership for the 21st Century."

There was a time in the past when the United States discouraged countries in Latin America and Central America from developing military capabilities, Panetta said.
"The fact is, today we think the development of those kinds of capabilities is important," he said, "and that if we can use those capabilities to develop the kind of innovative partnerships that I'm talking about, that will ... advance the security of this region and the security of the countries involved."

The secretary added, "We think this is a real opportunity. The United States, just like other countries, is facing budget constrictions with regard to the future. And what we believe is that the best way to approach the future is to develop partnerships, alliances [and] relationships with other countries, [to] share information, share assistance, share capabilities."

In that way, Panetta said, "we can provide greater security for the future. That's our goal, and I think that's the goal of Brazil as well."

"WE'RE AT A PIVOTAL POINT" SAID U.S. SEC. OF DEFENSE PANETTA

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE 

Panetta: NATO at 'Pivotal Point' in Afghan Mission

By Karen Parrish

BRUSSELS, April 17, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today ahead of this week's NATO "jumbo" ministerial conference, where the alliance's defense and foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss Afghanistan security transition and alliance capabilities.

Panetta said during a Pentagon news conference yesterday that the gathering will take place against a backdrop of change within the 63-year-old alliance.

"We're at a pivotal point for the alliance as we build on the gains that have been made in Afghanistan and try to chart the course for the future in that area," he said.

George Little, acting assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, today told reporters traveling with the secretary that Panetta views NATO as a strong alliance. International Security Assistance Force contributing nations remain committed to the strategy, agreed upon at the alliance's 2010 summit, of a gradual handover of security responsibility to Afghan forces by the end of 2014, Little said.

Panetta judged those forces performed capably and decisively in quelling a series of coordinated attacks attributed to the Haqqani network in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on April 15, Little noted. The secretary expects Afghan forces will sustain that level of performance, and he believes "the overall [Afghanistan] narrative is a very positive one," he added.

A senior defense official accompanying Panetta said the secretary will attend a meeting of defense ministers tomorrow. Participants will discuss ongoing alliance defense needs and the "smart defense" approach of combined investment in NATO military equipment, the official said.

Many NATO member nations face budget challenges, while operations in Afghanistan and Libya have exposed some shortfalls in the alliance's overall defense capabilities, the official noted.

Later, along with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Panetta will attend the larger session involving defense and foreign ministers, which the official said will focus on Afghanistan and funding for Afghan security forces. Foreign minister meetings will continue into April 19, but the defense segment of the week's NATO gathering will conclude tomorrow, the official added.

The official called the "jumbo" ministerial conference "a rare bit of geometry." While the two groups of ministers normally hold separate meetings, this last gathering before the alliance's Chicago summit in May will allow senior officials to "move issues along" so heads of state won't need to argue over policy questions next month, the official said.

"We don't want our bosses to have to deal with things that we can't resolve on our own," the official added.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON PANETTA MEETS WITH AFGHAN OFFICIALS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right, escorts Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, center, and Afghan Interior Minister Gen. Bismullah Muhammadi Khan to a meeting at the Pentagon, April 10, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo  


Panetta Meets Afghan Defense, Interior Ministers at Pentagon
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2012 - The goal of a sovereign, secure Afghanistan is in sight, Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said here today at the beginning of the Afghanistan Security Consultation Forum.


Wardak and Afghan Interior Minister Bishmullah Muhammadi Khan held a two-hour meeting in Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta's Pentagon office. They discussed the status of Afghan forces, plans for training those forces and issues that will be discussed at the NATO summit in Chicago next month.


Panetta congratulated both Afghan leaders for the progress the military and police are making. "I have often stated that I believe 2011 was a turning point, that we suddenly were able to see that the Afghan army and police developed the capabilities to provide security and have developed capabilities to implement the kind of operations that are necessary to providing security," he said.


Strong Afghan military and police forces are needed to make the transition to local security lead, he said.


The secretary also spoke about the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Afghanistan on special operations signed April 8. "The fact that we were able to achieve an agreement, I think, was a very important step forward to ensure that we will make the transition to Afghan operations, but we will do it in a responsible and effective way," Panetta said. "I thank both of you for the leadership that you've provided in being able to achieve those very important agreements."


The forum looked at the future of the Afghan national security forces, the levels that they will surge to and the levels the nation will need for the long run, Panetta said.
"I look forward to discussing our strategic partnership and our ability to arrive at a strategic partnership agreement, which will again be another important step forward in our relationship, and also the regional security challenges that we will have to continue to confront in order to ultimately have a sovereign Afghanistan that can in fact be secure and govern itself," he said.


Wardak thanked the United States for its "sterling contribution" to Afghanistan. "And we are not an ungrateful nation," he said. "We fully recognize your generosity. We acknowledge and honor your sacrifices. We pay tribute to all those brave souls that have paid the ultimate price for the mission in Afghanistan, and we pray for the families of the fallen and wounded."


Afghanistan is at a critical juncture, Wardak said. "But after the years of struggle, tomorrow's goal is in sight," he said. "The costs have been high and the stakes even higher, but the good news is that the hope has been replaced by the real progress, though it has been dearly bought."


Continued U.S. support and cooperation will remain vital for the Afghan forces to transition to the security lead in the years ahead, he said.


"No one should have any doubt on our firm determination to succeed," the defense minister said. "It's a question of our national survival. And we do not wish to be a burden on the U.S. or the rest of the international community more than it is required."
"We assure you that we will spare no effort and sacrifices to ensure the inevitability of our victory in this joint endeavor," Wardak said.


The interior minister also expressed his gratitude for "all of the sacrifices, lost lives and treasures of this country that have been sacrificed for our mutual goals for the survival of our nation in Afghanistan."


In the past decade, coalition and Afghan forces have had many successes and many accomplishments, Muhammadi said through a translator. "We have seen many victories in southern Afghanistan, in eastern Afghanistan, in all of Afghanistan," he said, adding that the visit comes during "a time of destiny" as Afghanistan goes through a transitional process.


By this time next year, the transition process shifting responsibility from the coalition to Afghan security forces will be well under way, Muhammadi said. "I am certain that these face-to-face meetings that we have in this framework of the security consultation forum will pave the way for a successful conference in Chicago," he said.

DEFENSE SECRETARY PANETTA SPEAKS OF EISENHOWER'S LEGACY

American Forces Press Service

Panetta Outlines Eisenhower's Legacy of Leadership

By Karen Parrish

WASHINGTON, March 30, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta offered his perspective at a gathering here yesterday evening on what he termed the "strategic turning point" facing the nation.

Accepting the 2012 Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, presented by members of the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress during a dinner in his honor hosted by the group, Panetta said Eisenhower's legacy of "compromise, patience, [and] conviction ... remains valuable and instructive to all of us today."

Eisenhower's life of service, he added, offers lessons on the importance of statesmanship, of long-term strategic planning and of leadership in war and politics.

The secretary reminded the audience of the challenges America faces: the wear that follows 10 years of war; a diminished but determined terrorist threat; an uncertain global geopolitical situation; and a range of weapons that includes a growing nuclear menace and an elusive but pervasive cyber threat.

"At the same time we face this myriad of threat, we also face another national security threat: the long-term debt and the record deficits," Panetta said.

To meet that threat, Panetta noted, he and "the entire leadership" of the Defense Department did the painful but necessary work of crafting "a new defense strategy for the long haul," to shape a defense capability that will sustain the nation's global leadership in a constrained spending environment.

The department must do its part "to help America put its fiscal house in order," the secretary said.

"That's because I agree with what President Eisenhower said in his first state of the union speech," Panetta continued. "'To amass military power without regard to economic capacity would be to defend ourselves against one kind of disaster by inviting another.'"

The new defense strategy will produce a force that is small, agile, technologically advanced and able to confront aggression at any time or place, he said.

The process of developing that strategy and shaping defense spending plans to support it required the department, he said, to "make tradeoffs and that we put our long-term interest ahead of short-term political pressures."

"But that's the nature of governing," the secretary continued. Over his career in public service, Panetta added, he has learned "that governing requires people coming together to get things done, not to pound their fists on the table, not to stand in the way."

One of his greatest concerns as secretary, Panetta said, "is the dysfunction that we see in Washington.

"It threatens our security and it raises questions about the capacity of our democracy to respond to crisis," he added. "But dysfunction is a political crutch, It's a political excuse. It is not a part of the American spirit."

Panetta said he hopes Congress will work with the department to implement the strategy and the budget, and "ensure that we have the strong military the country needs for the future."

Another important lesson Eisenhower's legacy provides, the secretary said, is the service and sacrifice of a single generation can leave all of us a better life."

The Americans who have volunteered to be sent to faraway battlefields over the last 10 years are such a generation, Panetta said.

During his recent trip to Afghanistan, Panetta said he was "struck by how even in a tough situation, these dedicated young men and women remain intently focused on the long-term mission."

The strategy International Security Assistance Force commander Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen and his forces have in place in Afghanistan is effective, Panetta said. Violence is down, the secretary noted, the Taliban are weakened, and Afghan forces are fighting alongside their U.S. and ISAF counterparts.

"We cannot allow the outrages of war to undermine" that strategy, he said.

Panetta acknowledged that the American and Afghan people are tired of war. That is understandable, he said, "but we must summon the will to see this strategy through to success."

The secretary offered another quote from Eisenhower: "Without American leadership in the search, the pursuit of a just and enduring peace is hopeless. Nowhere in the world -- outside this land -- is there the richness of resources, and stamina, and will needed to lead what at times must be a costly and exhausting effort."

Americans and their leaders, Panetta said, must summon the will to "fight for that American dream for a better life, but most of all, fight for a government of, by and for all people."
 

DEFENSE SECRETARY PANETTA BLAMES CONGRESS FOR FORCED CUTS IN MILITARY BUDGET

American Forces Press Service
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta answers a sailor's question on board the USS Peleliu in the Pacific Ocean, March 30, 2012. DOD photo by Erin Kirk-Cuomo

Panetta Blasts Congress for Failure to Avert Sequestration
By Donna Miles
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta blasted Congress yesterday for threatening the Defense Department with sequestration he said would be devastating to the force.

"Congress did a stupid thing," he told crewmembers of USS Peleliu during a shipboard visit off the Southern California coast. "What they essentially did was to put a gun to their heads and to the head of the country and basically say that if they did not come up with a plan to reduce the deficit, that this so-called sequester process would go into effect."
That process, the secretary explained, would cut $1.2 trillion in federal spending across the board -- almost $500 billion to come from the defense budget.

The cuts would be implemented across the board, he said, guaranteeing that the force would be hollowed out in the process. "It would guarantee that every area would be cut," Panetta said. "It would guarantee that it would weaken our defense system for the future."
Panetta expressed disappointment that a specially appointed congressional deficit-reduction committee hasn't been able to come up with solutions that will prevent sequestration from triggering in January 2013.

"I'm doing everything possible to tell Congress that it would be irresponsible to let that happen," he told the crew. "But my biggest concern is that Congress has got to find the strength, the courage and the will to get this done."

Panetta said he's pointed to the example of the U.S. military to encourage Congress to do the right thing.

"I told the members of Congress, 'Look, I've got men and women that put their heads, their lives on the line every day to protect this country. I'm just asking you to assume just a little bit of risk here to do what's right for this country and to solve the problems that we face,'" he told the group.

"'If my men in women can do this, then you can do it as well,'" Panetta said he told Congress. "So I'm hoping that ultimately they'll do what's right and that [sequestration] won't happen."