FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Missile Defenders Trained, Ready for Deployment, General Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2013 - Missile defenders preparing for the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System to Guam are ready for the mission, the Army general at their home station reported, noting his full confidence in the ability of U.S. air defense systems to protect against North Korean missiles.
"We don't know the duration of the deployment, but what we do know is that they are ready," Army Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, commander of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, Texas, said today during a news conference at the fort.
"They are trained, they are ready, and they will do the mission," Pittard said.
The Defense Department announced earlier this week its plans to deploy a THAAD system to Guam as a precautionary move to strengthen the regional defense posture against the North Korean regional ballistic missile threat.
All three of the Army's THAAD batteries, part of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, are based at Fort Bliss. The THAAD system is a land-based missile defense system that includes a truck-mounted launcher, a complement of interceptor missiles, an AN/TPY-2 tracking radar and an integrated fire control system.
Once deployed, the THAAD system will work in tandem with other missile defense systems in the region to provide multi-tiered protection, Pittard explained. Aegis cruisers and other air defense systems will provide lower-level coverage. Patriot missiles and other systems will provide defenses at slightly higher altitudes.
The THADD system operates at the next level, capable of shooting down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. The THADD interceptors use a "hit-to-kill approach," relying on the kinetic energy of the impact to destroy the incoming missile.
These layered air defenses could take out a missile launched by North Korea "fairly quickly," Pittard said.
"We are very confident of that," he added.
The THAAD deployment will strengthen defense capabilities for American citizens in the U.S. territory of Guam and U.S. forces stationed there, the Defense Department said in an April 3 news release announcing the deployment that's expected in the coming weeks.
"The United States continues to urge the North Korean leadership to cease provocative threats and choose the path of peace by complying with its international obligations. The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations, and stands ready to defend U.S. territory, allies and national interests," the release said.
Pittard responded to questions about the THAAD deployment during a news conference announcing the largest renewable energy project in U.S. military history. Earlier this week, the Army Corps of Engineers authorized El Paso Electric to start work on a 20-megawatt solar farm on the post, which will power a large percentage of its activities.
Showing posts with label GUAM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GUAM. Show all posts
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
U.S., JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA GETTING READY FOR COPE NORTH 2013 EXERCISE
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
U.S., Australia, Japan militaries prepare for exercise Cope North 2013
1/7/2013 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force are preparing to conduct exercise Cope North 2013 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, scheduled for Feb. 4 through 15.
The exercise is the latest in a long standing, multilateral exercise designed to enhance each countries' air operations. Additionally, the exercise includes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training objectives for the USAF, JASDF and RAAF.
The U.S. will have approximately 1,000 participants, the JASDF will have approximately 450 participants, and the RAAF will have approximately 300 participants.
The first week will consist of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training, along with air combat training and air-to-ground weapons training. During the second part of the exercise, the focus will shift to dissimilar air combat tactics, strike mission training, and large force employment training. Also, JASDF squadrons will conduct surface attack training on the Farallon de Medinilla Range.
Since the first Cope North exercise in 1978 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, thousands of American and Japanese airmen have honed skills that are vital to maintaining a high level of readiness.
The RAAF will be attending CN13 for the second time, and their participation will further strengthen regional partner interoperability.
Additionally, the Republic of Korea Air Force will send representatives for the first time to observe the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief portion of the training.
This is the 84th Cope North. Exercise Cope North was held as often as four times a year, but is now held annually.
U.S., Australia, Japan militaries prepare for exercise Cope North 2013
1/7/2013 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force are preparing to conduct exercise Cope North 2013 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, scheduled for Feb. 4 through 15.
The exercise is the latest in a long standing, multilateral exercise designed to enhance each countries' air operations. Additionally, the exercise includes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training objectives for the USAF, JASDF and RAAF.
The U.S. will have approximately 1,000 participants, the JASDF will have approximately 450 participants, and the RAAF will have approximately 300 participants.
The first week will consist of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training, along with air combat training and air-to-ground weapons training. During the second part of the exercise, the focus will shift to dissimilar air combat tactics, strike mission training, and large force employment training. Also, JASDF squadrons will conduct surface attack training on the Farallon de Medinilla Range.
Since the first Cope North exercise in 1978 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, thousands of American and Japanese airmen have honed skills that are vital to maintaining a high level of readiness.
The RAAF will be attending CN13 for the second time, and their participation will further strengthen regional partner interoperability.
Additionally, the Republic of Korea Air Force will send representatives for the first time to observe the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief portion of the training.
This is the 84th Cope North. Exercise Cope North was held as often as four times a year, but is now held annually.
Monday, April 30, 2012
U.S. AND JAPAN AGREE ON TROOP RELOCATION TO GUAM
Photos: U.S. Navy
FROM: AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
U.S., Japan Agree on Okinawa Troop Relocation
By Karen Parrish
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2012 - 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.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
U.S. NAVY AND COAST GUARD RESCUE TAIWANESE FISHERMEN
FROM: U.S. NAVYPACIFIC OCEAN (April 21, 2012) A fire burns aboard the Taiwanese fishing vessel Shin Maan Chun in the Pacific Ocean. The fire forced the crew of nine to abandon ship and through a coordinated effort between the U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam, all of the fishermen were safely rescued and brought aboard the Marshallese-flagged bulk carrier Semirio. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
VP-1 Assists in Taiwanese Fishing Vessel Rescue
From Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs
USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (NNS) -- A P-3 Orion from Patrol Squadron (VP) 1, in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard's District 14, assisted in the rescue of 10 Taiwanese fishermen April 21, 700 miles off the west coast of Guam.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., local time, Coast Guard Sector Guam received an initial alert from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon from the Hsin Man Chun, the 70-foot Taiwanese fishing vessel. After a request for assistance from the Coast Guard, VP-1's P-3 located 10 crew members from the fishing vessel that was reported to be on fire.
VP-1 spotted eight crew members in a life raft with two crew members still on the burning vessel's bridge. The P-3 deployed two life rafts to assist crew members in distress.
At the time of the request for assistance, the Semirio was only 40 miles away from the distressed vessel. Once on scene, the 980-foot bulk carrier launched a small boat and successfully rescued all 10 crew members.
The Semirio is one of many foreign flagged vessels operating in the Pacific that voluntarily participate in the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER).
AMVER, sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)