RECENT DOD PHOTOS: DROP ZONE PORDENONE

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. paratroopers descend onto Juliet drop zone in Pordenone, Italy, Jan. 13, 2015. The paratroopers are assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade. The aircraft crew is assigned to U.S. Air Force 86th Air Wing. U.S. Army photo by Paolo Bovo.

U.S. paratroopers come in for a landing on Juliet drop zone in Pordenone, Italy, Jan. 13, 2015. U.S. Army photo by Paolo Bovo. 

GEN. DEMPSEY MEETS WITH ITALIAN OFFICIALS OVER SECURITY

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
Dempsey, Italian Officials to Discuss Security Concerns
By Lisa Ferdinando
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

ROME, Jan. 18, 2015 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is in Italy to discuss threats to Italy's southern flank and get the Italian perspective on the country's security issues, ahead of a two-day NATO meeting in Brussels.
The Italians are great military partners who have "stepped up in any number of missions," Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said in an interview here today.
Dempsey, who arrived in Rome earlier in the day, is to meet Monday with his Italian counterpart, Chief of Defense Adm. Luigi Binelli Mantelli, as well as Minister of Defense Roberta Pinotti.

The talks with this "key ally" come at an important time, Dempsey said.
"There have been approximately 160,000 immigrants from North Africa into Italy, (that) puts a huge burden on them, so they have some real concerns about their southern flank," he said.

Dempsey and European defense officials have expressed concern about the possible flow of foreign fighters, via the southern flank.

Dempsey lauded the Italians for their contributions to global military efforts, including in the United Nations mission in Lebanon, and against terrorists with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.

Italy's leadership in NATO is critical to global security, particularly in the Mediterranean, according to the chairman, who also underscored the U.S. commitment to strong relations with Italy.

Italy and the U.S. are the top two contributors of on-the-ground trainers and advisors who are enabling the Kurds and Iraqis in the fight against extremists, defense officials noted.

There are more than 4,000 Italian service members serving overseas in Kosovo, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa on a number of missions, including peacekeeping, training, and counter-piracy missions, they said.
Allies gather in Brussels Wednesday, Thursday "In my three and a half years (as chairman) this is probably going to be the most important meeting of NATO's military leaders during that period," Dempsey said.

It is of such high importance, he said, because the representatives are "going to talk about the hard work that's been done at the staff level to meet those commitments" that were made in September at the Wales summit.

The NATO Military Committee conference in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday is expected to include discussion on NATO's southern flank, Afghanistan, and efforts against ISIL.

Dempsey said he is looking forward to also hearing from the Italians about Italy's view on Eastern Europe and "aggressiveness" from Russia.

"The way they see it will determine how they balance their priorities and their resources," he said.

"Our relationship vis-a-vis Russia has changed. I don't think it's irreversibly changed," he said. "I think that in the next year, you'll find NATO in particular working toward determining how to react to that changed relationship."
Dempsey highlighted the importance of U.S.-NATO collaboration and maintaining strong ties with European allies.

"It's all about building relationships so that when things don't turn out the way you hope they will, you have a foundation to build on," he said.

READOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CALL WITH ITALY'S PRIME MINISTER RENZI

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

June 25, 2014

Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Renzi of Italy

The President spoke today with Prime Minister Renzi of Italy about the latest developments in Ukraine.  They agreed on the importance of the Government of Ukraine and the separatists continuing discussions to implement the peace plan put forward by President Poroshenko.  They also stressed the need for Russia to use its influence over separatist groups to persuade them to abide by the cease-fire and for Russia to take immediate concrete steps to stop the flow of weapons and militants across the border.  The leaders agreed we will continue to coordinate measures to impose additional costs on Russia if it fails to take rapid action to deescalate the situation in eastern Ukraine.

LAGOON OF VENICE AS SEEN FROM SPACE

Image Credit: NASA.

FROM:  NASA 

A narrow barrier island protects the Lagoon of Venice from storm waves in the northern Adriatic Sea, and breakwaters protect inlets to the lagoon. Red tiles on the roofs of Venice contrast with the grays of the sister city of Mestre, and the cities are joined by a prominent causeway. What appears to be another causeway joining the island to the airport (top right) is actually the combined wakes of many boats and water taxis shuttling between them. Small, bright agricultural fields on well-drained soils (top left) contrast with the darker vegetation of back-bay swamps, where fishing is a popular pastime.

The water is turbid in the northern half of the lagoon, the result of heavy use by watercraft and of dense urban populations on the shores. This turbidity and other issues of environmental concern led to the creation in 2002 of the Atlas of the Lagoon (Atlante della laguna), which was set up to document environmental conditions and to track changes. Today, the Atlante della laguna is available online (in Italian) and provides a comprehensive collection of interpretive maps and imagery—including astronaut photographs from the International Space Station. A detailed view of Venice in 2007 can be viewed here. A more detailed article on the use of astronaut photography to monitor environmental change in the Lagoon of Venice is available here.

This astronaut photograph (ISS039-E-19482) was acquired on May 9, 2014, with a Nikon D3S digital camera using a 400 millimeter lens, and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by the Expedition 39 crew. It has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed.  Caption: M. Justin Wilkinson, Jacobs at NASA-JSC.

SECRETARY KERRY'S REMARKS AT 2015 MILAN EXPO

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

Remarks at the 2015 Milan Expo Event

Remarks

John Kerry
Secretary of State

Deputy Chief of Mission Residence

Rome, Italy

March 27, 2014

---

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, Kathleen. Thank you very much and good evening. Buona sera. I’m happy to be here with everybody in this rather modest public housing that our -- (laughter) – I keep going around with the President, we keep going to Villa Taverna, Villa Pinciana, da-da-da-da, and I find – where’s my home like this? (Laughter.) I don’t know what the deal is. But actually, I’m not allowed to say that. That’s okay, I got a good home.
It is really a pleasure to be here with all of you. Thank you very much, Kathleen. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce, which I know has worked to help bring everybody together, and Giuseppe Sala, thank you for your leadership now for a number of years to help pull this together. And a group of you, who – I guess the International Culinary Center and the James Beard Foundation, as well as 3M, McKinsey, Illy, and who’d I leave out? I left somebody out. DuPont. There we go. How could I dare do that? Are you with DuPont?

PARTICIPANT: No, I’m International Culinary.

SECRETARY KERRY: All right. So I took care of you. (Laughter.) You’re all right. All right.
So it’s a great, great pleasure for me to be here in the presence of my new regular companion on a business basis every day. Federica has distinguished herself by beginning immediately in her first week welcoming over 40 ministers here. And I was one of them, privileged to be a guest and now to be back, excuse me, in Rome – obviously, one of the greatest cities in the world. And it’s such a pleasure to be able to be here.

I had the privilege of representing in Massachusetts for almost 30 years in the Senate, the United States Senate, one of America’s largest, most ferocious, Italian-American communities. And I’m very proud, and my brother-in-law, David Thorne, was your most recent ambassador here for a period of time. He and I created great mischief here in Rome years ago when we were in college. And he fell in love with it, and he decided he wanted to come back and be an ambassador, and I think he did a great job.

We’re happy that Kathleen and John Phillips are now doing an extraordinary job of carrying on, particularly on something that is of enormous importance to President Obama and to me and to the Obama Administration. And that is the recognition that in today’s world, business is different, and foreign policy is different. People used to always draw a line. If you were an economic officer, you came into an embassy and you got shunted off and you weren’t necessarily in the mainstream of “foreign policy.” Well, that is so far from the reality today. Economic policy is foreign policy.

And when I came in as Secretary, I made it very, very clear this was going to be one of the highest priorities of the State Department and of the Obama Administration’s second term. And the President is deeply committed to helping businesses to locate, to expand, to be able to marry with other businesses in other parts of the world in order to create jobs and strengthen other countries at the same time – not all as fortunate as Italy to have the extraordinary innovation and technology and remarkable design and creative talent that you have in Italy. But other countries that are having great difficulties today with young populations desperate for opportunity, where you really need, if you’re going to provide stability and a future, you’ve got to provide jobs.

Believe it or not, Milan Expo 2015, in our judgment, fits into that strategy, and that’s why I’m very proud to say that today Ambassador Phillips has signed the contract, and we have signed on officially for the United States to partner with the Friends of the Pavilion Milan Expo 2015. We’re going to be there to help support this effort to showcase sustainability and food security. And you do not have to be a rocket scientist or an anthropologist or a genius or a professor to understand as you look at what’s happening in the world today, with about 6-plus billion or whatever it is today heading to 9 billion over the course of the next 35 years, there is going to be unbelievable demand on resources when you couple that with climate change and the already real impacts on farming and fishing and all the other things that are part of sustaining life on this planet, we have a challenge.

That’s what makes Milan Expo 2015 particularly timely, and we are therefore excited about it. Also, we have developed a new program called SelectUSA where we’re working to interest other companies to actually come and invest in the United States too. It works in both directions. But our purpose in taking part in this expo, ironic as it may seem for the United States to talk about bringing food to Italy of all places – I know that’s a little bit of a coal to Newcastle situation. This really can be fun and it can be interesting, and it is a great opportunity for businesses to trade ideas, to showcase to the world.

In Shanghai, the last expo, I believe had something like 70 million people came through. The expectations for Milan are something like 30-35 million people. That is enormous traffic. And when you think about it, this is not just Italy’s fair, world’s fair to so speak; it’s going to be Europe’s, and it’s going to have an enormous ability to be able to attract attention, excitement, generate business, as well as good for the economy for all of those visitors who are coming through, et cetera.

So we’re excited about it. I’m honored to be here tonight. I have one message to all of you: Those of you representing Italian companies who do business with American companies, we want you to get them excited about this. We’re going to help market it. We will help engage. But tell your peers they’ve got to be involved in this. This is going to be 100 percent supported by the private sector, and therefore we need to go to work to make sure that the pavilion is at the level that we want it to be, that it showcases the creativity and technology and capacities that we have with respect to both sustainability and long-term stability and growth and food security for a growing population on this planet.

Obviously, there’s an enormous amount of money to be made when you consider the marketplace we’re looking at. The market that provided the great wealth growth of the 1990s was a $1 trillion market for 1 billion users. We’re talking about 9 billion users growing in these next years, with multiples of trillions of dollars of commerce and trade. So I think we have opportunity staring us in the face. We are proud to join with this. I am very happy to be here tonight with my counterpart Federica and grateful that we’re able to take part in Milan 2015. Thank you. (Applause.)

U.S. & ALLIES WILL NOT ATTEND G-8 SUMMIT IN SOCHI, RUSSIA

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

The Hague Declaration

1. We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission met in The Hague to reaffirm our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

2. International law prohibits the acquisition of part or all of another state’s territory through coercion or force.  To do so violates the principles upon which the international system is built.  We condemn the illegal referendum held in Crimea in violation of Ukraine’s constitution.  We also strongly condemn Russia’s illegal attempt to annex Crimea in contravention of international law and specific international obligations.  We do not recognize either. 

3. Today, we reaffirm that Russia’s actions will have significant consequences.  This clear violation of international law is a serious challenge to the rule of law around the world and should be a concern for all nations.  In response to Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to demonstrate our determination to respond to these illegal actions, individually and collectively we have imposed a variety of sanctions against Russia and those individuals and entities responsible.  We remain ready to intensify actions including coordinated sectoral sanctions that will have an increasingly significant impact on the Russian economy, if Russia continues to escalate this situation. 

4. We remind Russia of its international obligations, and its responsibilities including those for the world economy.  Russia has a clear choice to make.  Diplomatic avenues to de-escalate the situation remain open, and we encourage the Russian Government to take them.  Russia must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, begin discussions with the Government of Ukraine, and avail itself of offers of international mediation and monitoring to address any legitimate concerns.

5.  The Russian Federation’s support for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine is a step in the right direction.  We look forward to the mission’s early deployment, in order to facilitate the dialogue on the ground, reduce tensions and promote normalization of the situation, and we call on all parties to ensure that Special Monitoring Mission members have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine to fulfill their mandate.

6.  This Group came together because of shared beliefs and shared responsibilities.  Russia’s actions in recent weeks are not consistent with them.  Under these circumstances, we will not participate in the planned Sochi Summit.  We will suspend our participation in the G-8 until Russia changes course and the environment comes back to where the G-8 is able to have a meaningful discussion and will meet again in G-7 format at the same time as planned, in June 2014, in Brussels, to discuss the broad agenda we have together.  We have also advised our Foreign Ministers not to attend the April meeting in Moscow.  In addition, we have decided that G-7 Energy Ministers will meet to discuss ways to strengthen our collective energy security.

7.  At the same time, we stand firm in our support for the people of Ukraine who seek to restore unity, democracy, political stability, and economic prosperity to their country.   We commend the Ukrainian government’s ambitious reform agenda and will support its implementation as Ukraine seeks to start a new chapter in its history, grounded on a broad-based constitutional reform, free and fair presidential elections in May, promotion of human rights and respect of national minorities.

8. The International Monetary Fund has a central role leading the international effort to support Ukrainian reform, lessening Ukraine's economic vulnerabilities, and better integrating the country as a market economy in the multilateral system.  We strongly support the IMF's work with the Ukrainian authorities and urge them to reach a rapid conclusion.  IMF support will be critical in unlocking additional assistance from the World Bank, other international financial institutions, the EU, and bilateral sources.  We remain united in our commitment to provide strong financial backing to Ukraine, to co-ordinate our technical assistance, and to provide assistance in other areas, including measures to enhance trade and strengthen energy security.

U.S. MOVES A DOZEN F-16s TO POLAND "IN LIGHT OF SITUATION IN UKRAINE"

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
Spokesman: F-16 Augmentation Continues U.S.-Poland Partnership
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2014 – A dozen more F-16s and 300 personnel based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, will augment the U.S. aviation detachment at Lask Air Base, Poland, a Pentagon spokesman announced today.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced last week that the United States would augment the aviation detachment in light of the situation in Ukraine, and Army Col. Steven Warren provided details today in a meeting with reporters.

Warren said 12 F-16 Fighting Falcons and associated personnel from the 555th Fighter Squadron at Aviano are expected to arrive in Poland by the end of the week. “This enhancement marks another milestone in the rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft that we began in late 2012,” he added.

Hagel met with Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak on March 9 to consider options for locations, with U.S. European Command deciding on the number of aircraft, Warren told reporters earlier this week. Previously planned rotations will continue, he said today, with this augmentation serving as an addition to those already scheduled.

“It’s consistent with the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Poland,” Warren said. “Augmenting this aviation detachment was a deliberate choice to demonstrate to our allies that U.S. commitments to our collective defense responsibilities are credible and remain in force. The work we’re doing with Poland does just that.”

DEFENSE SECRETARY HAGEL, ITALY'S DEFENSE MINSTER DISCUSS ISSUES

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel escorts Italian Defense Minister Mario Mauro through an honor cordon at the Pentagon, Jan. 13, 2014. Hagel and Mauro met to discuss global security and cooperative efforts such as the joint strike fighter program. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo 

FROM:  DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
Hagel Discusses Variety of Issues With Italy’s Defense Minister
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2014 – Afghanistan, Syria, Mediterranean security and cooperative efforts such as the joint strike fighter program highlighted a meeting at the Pentagon yesterday between Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Italian Defense Minister of Defense Mario Mauro, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.
n a statement summarizing the meeting, Kirby noted that Italy is a key NATO ally and an important leader in addressing global challenges in Afghanistan, Lebanon, the Balkans and North Africa.
"Secretary Hagel praised Italy's contributions to capacity building in emerging democracies in the Middle East and North Africa,” the admiral said. Italy recently began providing security training to Libyan general purpose forces, and will help to stabilize Afghanistan as a framework nation in Afghanistan's western region after the current NATO mission concludes at the end of the year, he added.
Hagel also lauded Italy's role in the international community's mission to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons stockpile, Kirby said. Italy has offered to provide a port to transfer the materials from Danish and Norwegian vessels to the Cape Ray, a U.S. ship that has been specially configured to neutralize the chemical weapons materials at sea.
"Secretary Hagel is thankful for the hospitality Italy provides to the approximately 33,000 U.S. service members, civilians and families who live and work there,” the press secretary said, and looks forward to seeing Mauro in September at NATO’s summit in Wales.

SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY CONGRATULATES ENRICO LETTA ON BECOMING PRIME MINISTER OF ITALY

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMEN
Statement on Enrico Letta Becoming Prime Minister of Italy
April 28, 2013
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
　

I congratulate Enrico Letta on being sworn in as Prime Minister of Italy. Prime Minister Letta is a good and trusted friend of the United States who has demonstrated a firm commitment to our trans-Atlantic partnership throughout his career. We wish him the best as he promotes reform at home and ensures continued Italian leadership abroad, and we look forward to continuing our close cooperation with Italy on many pressing issues all over the world. I also note our appreciation of the role President Napolitano has played in helping to guide the political process towards a stable Italian government – an important goal not only for Italy but for all of us who are friends of the Italian people.

ANTARTIC SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION UNDERWAY

Photograph by: Spencer Klein, NSF

FROM: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

NSF Cooperating with Italy, New Zealand in Search for Downed Plane in Antarctica

January 23, 2013
Officials with the U.S. Antarctic Program are cooperating with their Italian and New Zealand counterparts, as well as the Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington, NZ, in a search-and-rescue effort to locate a propeller-driven aircraft that is believed to have crashed in a remote and mountainous part of Antarctica.

A three-person crew is believed to have been aboard the de Havilland Twin Otter when contact was lost with the plane in the early morning hours of Jan. 23, Eastern Standard Time (U.S. stations in Antarctica keep New Zealand time). The nationalities of the crew are unconfirmed at this point.

The missing plane was flying in support of the Italian Antarctic Program under the logistical responsibility of the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), and was en route from NSF's Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to the Italian research station at Terra Nova Bay when contact was lost with the aircraft in a remote region of the Transantarctic Mountains.

The aircraft is owned and operated by Kenn Borek Air Ltd., a Canadian firm headquartered in Calgary that charters aircraft to the U.S. program.

Communications between U.S. officials at McMurdo Station in Antarctica and the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre confirmed that an emergency locator beacon had been activated.

Officials are monitoring conditions at the site, where the weather is currently very poor, to decide when to launch a search of the area and what kind of aircraft to use.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) manages the U.S. Antarctic Program through which it coordinates all U.S. scientific research on the southernmost continent and in the surrounding Southern Ocean as well as providing the necessary logistical support for the science.

SECRETARY OF STATE PANETTA VISITS 'MOST CAPABLE PARTNERS'

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta briefs the press on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, Jan. 14, 2013. Panetta is on a six-day trip to Europe to visit with defense counterparts and troops. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Panetta Begins Trip to Visit 'Most Capable Partners'
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Jan. 14, 2013 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta boarded this Air Force jet at Joint Base Andrews, Md., today, bound for Portugal, Spain, Italy and Great Britain on what he termed "likely my last international trip as secretary of defense."

Panetta told reporters traveling with him that as "a son of Europe" –- he often speaks of his parents, who immigrated to the United States from Italy -- it is appropriate that his final international trip, the 18th he has made as secretary, will include visits to some of America's "most capable and closest military partners."

"I have visited more than 30 countries, including ... [traveling to] the war zone a number of times," he said. "But I've made it a priority, as part of our defense strategy, ... to emphasize the importance of strengthening our alliances and partnerships throughout the world."

The goal for his final trip is in line with that strategy, the secretary said, as he will:

-- Emphasize the importance of NATO and bilateral alliances;

-- Reflect on the accomplishments Portugal, Spain, Italy and Great Britain have helped to achieve as members of NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; and

-- Lay the groundwork for the future as nations around the world face both national security and budget challenges.

Panetta noted the countries he will visit have all maintained a strong commitment to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. "Because of that commitment, we've been able to make significant progress in the effort to ... build an Afghanistan that can secure and govern itself," he added.

As President Barack Obama announced last week, the secretary said, Afghan forces will assume the lead for security responsibility across their country this spring, with ISAF forces moving into a supporting role.

"That's a significant milestone that is the result of the efforts by the United States, by ISAF and by the Afghans themselves," he said. The secretary added that U.S. leaders had "a successful series of consultations" with Afghan President Hamid Karzai about the future U.S. commitment to Afghanistan's security during that leader's visit to Washington last week. Panetta said he looks forward to updating counterparts on those discussions.

The secretary said he also will discuss with allies innovative approaches to common budget challenges, and that he'll speak with counterparts about key bilateral security issues.

"As always, I will also use this opportunity to visit the troops, and have a chance to thank U.S. men and women in uniform for the sacrifices they're making," he said.

The secretary said that after more than 10 years of war and with the budget constraints the United States and its allies and partner nations face, the United States nevertheless continues to complete its mission in the war in Afghanistan and continues to confront the terrorism threat.

Terrorist activity -- particularly from al-Qaida factions -- in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen and Mali is a threat common to all the nations he will visit, Panetta noted. North Korea and Iran, turmoil in the Middle East and the cyber threat also are issues of common interest, he added.

No one nation can confront these threats alone, the secretary said.

"The only way we're going to be able to do it is by strengthening and reaffirming and building new partnerships and new alliances in the world," he said. "The model for that is NATO, ... really the oldest alliance we have." That alliance's responses to Afghanistan and Libya, he added, demonstrate its continued importance to global stability.

The 74-year-old secretary said he also hopes to communicate some of his feelings about the alliance to the younger citizens of the countries he will visit this week.

"NATO goes back to 1949," he said. "I think the reality is ... that there are generations that have been born since the fall of the Berlin Wall that may not fully appreciate how important NATO is as an alliance [for] the future."

Panetta said he will focus in his discussions, and in a speech he will deliver in London later this week, in part on "how important it is to be able to pass the baton to [younger generations] when it comes to the strength of these transatlantic alliances and partnerships that we have."

He added, "The purpose of my trip is to make clear that we are going to need this alliance -- today, tomorrow, and in the 21st century."

FINAL FOREIGN PORT VISIT FOR USS ENTERPRISE

121015-N-AP176-041 STRAIT OF MESSINA (Oct. 15, 2012) The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) transits the Strait of Messina. Enterprise is deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeff Atherton/Released)

FROM: U.S. NAVY
Enterprise Arrives in Naples, Italy for Final Foreign Port Visit

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Smith,
Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) anchored off the coast of Naples, Italy, for its final port visit following seven months at sea, Oct. 16.

The visit serves to demonstrate the Navy's commitment to regional stability and maritime security in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility and to help strengthen the already positive relationship between the U.S. and Italy.

While in Italy, the Sailors and Marines of Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, the "Big E's" embarked air wing, will experience the rich history and culture of the historic city of Naples and take advantage of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)-sponsored tours to Rome, Pisa and Florence.

Crew members are also scheduled to participate in community outreach programs with a local church and orphanage.

Enterprise departed her homeport of Norfolk, Va., March 11 for a regular deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Enterprise is scheduled to inactivate in a ceremony on Dec. 1, 2012, following the completion of the ship's current deployment, bringing to an end 51 years of distinguished service.

ITALY BY NIGHT

FROM:  NASA
The country of Italy is visible running diagonally southward from the horizon across the center of the frame, with the night lights of Rome and Naples being visible on the coast near the center. Sardinia and Corsica are just above left center of the photo, and Sicily is at lower left. The Adriatic Sea is on the other side of Italy, and beyond it to the east and north can be seen parts of several other European nations.

Image Credit: NASA

TEST AIRCRAFT DROPS A BOMB

FROM: U.S. NAVY
120808-O-GR159-001 NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXTENT RIVER, Md. (Aug. 8, 2012) F-35B test aircraft BF-3, flown by Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan Levin, completed the first aerial weapons release for any variant of the aircraft. BF-3 dropped an inert 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition over an Atlantic Ocean test range from an internal weapons bay. The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter designed for use by U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., before delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy Lockheed Martin/Andy Wolfe/Released)
　
F-35 Completes First Airborne Weapons Separation
By Victor Chen, F-35 Integrated Test Force Public Affairs
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- The F-35 Lightning II accomplished a significant test milestone Aug. 8 when the aircraft successfully released a weapon in flight.

BF-3, a short take-off and vertical landing F-35 variant, executed an inert 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) separation weapon over water in an Atlantic test range while traveling at 400 knots at an altitude of 4,200 feet.

"While this weapons separation test is just one event in a series of hundreds of flights and thousands of test points that we are executing this year, it does represent a significant entry into a new phase of testing for the F-35 program," said Navy Capt. Erik Etz, director of test for F-35 naval variants. "Today's release of a JDAM was the result of extraordinary effort by our team of maintainers, engineers, pilots and others who consistently work long hours to deliver F-35 warfighting capability to the U.S. services and our international partners."

The release was the first time for any version of the F-35 to conduct an airborne weapon separation, as well as the first from an internal weapons bay for a fighter aircraft designated for the U.S. Marine Corps, the United Kingdom and Italy.


The milestone marks the start of validating the F-35's capability to employ precision weapons and allow pilots to engage the enemy on the ground and in the air.


"[Using an internal weapons bay] speaks to how much capability the JSF is going to bring to the troops," said Dan Levin, Lockheed Martin test pilot for the mission. "Stealth, fifth-generation avionics and precision weapons ... coupled with the flexible mission capability of the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B is going to be huge for our warfighters."

An aerial weapons separation test checks for proper release of the weapon from its carriage system and trajectory away from the aircraft. It is the culmination of a significant number of prerequisite tests, including ground fit checks, ground pit drops and aerial captive carriage and environment flights to ensure the system is working properly before expanding the test envelope in the air.
Aircraft and land-based test monitoring systems collected data from the successful separation, which is in review at the F-35 integrated test force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter designed for use by U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., prior to delivery to the fleet.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON SENDS BEST WISHES ON ITALY'S NATIONAL DAY

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

On the Occasion of Italy's National Day

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 1, 2012

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Italy as you celebrate your national day this June 2. I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives in Tuesday’s earthquake. The United States stands by the Italian people as you rebuild and recover.

As we look forward to 2013 as the Year of Italian Culture in the United States, we reflect on the history and shared values that have bound our nations and peoples over the centuries. Americans have long been drawn to Italy to marvel at the art, admire the antiquities, and rediscover their heritage. For years, Italian-Americans have enriched and enlivened American culture in ways large and small.

Our two countries are working together for the future peace and prosperity of our world. As you celebrate this special day with the warmth of good food, family, and friends, know that the United States stands with you.