AL-QAIDA IN MALI





 

Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Countering al-Qaida in Mali Requires Regional Cooperation

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2012 - Al-Qaida is establishing a presence in Mali, and the United States is working with regional and international partners to deal with the terrorist organization, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today.

"I've made clear ... we have to ensure that al-Qaida has no place to hide and that we have to continue to go after them ... wherever they try to develop a command-and-control capability from which they could conduct attacks, either on Europe or on this country," the secretary said during a news conference with South Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin.



Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook

Al-Qaida is trying to establish a safe area in northern Mali. The United States will continue to work with the nations of the region to put pressure on the terror group, just as America has done in other areas. "We're doing it in Yemen. We're doing it in Somalia. We're obviously continuing to do it in the [Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan]," Panetta said. "And I believe the effort now ought to be to work with nations in that region to ensure that al-Qaida does not develop that kind of base in Mali."

But this cannot be something imposed by nations outside the area, the secretary said. "It ought to be an effort that is developed in conjunction with other countries in the region that share the same concern," he said.

Discussions about an international response to issues facing Mali continue. For the United States, the State Department is the lead agency. This week, the French Ministry of Defense hosted an international discussion in Paris to evaluate proposals and options for intervention in Mali and the Sahel, DOD officials said.

Mali faces four overlapping problems. First there are questions of the legitimacy of the government following a coup in March. Since the coup, there has been an increase in criminal traffickers or people drugs and contraband. The Tuareg -- a nomadic people of the desert -- and al-Qaida in the Mahgreb are rising against the government, and there is a Sahel-wide humanitarian crisis stretching from Sudan almost to the Atlantic coast.

The United Nations Security Council is considering a resolution to address Mali's problems. One part of the resolution would create a western-backed, African-led international force to meet security threats in Mali.

The Economic Community of West African States -- which Mali is a member -- said it would lead this force.

"I think what we're prepared to do is to discuss with our regional partners a plan that ... would deal with that threat and how to respond to it," Panetta said.

SECRETARY PANETTA'S REMARKS ABOARD THE USS JOHN C. STENNIS

Photo:  USS John C. Stennis.  Credit:  U.S. Navy
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

August 22, 2012
STAFF: Afternoon, sir. How are you?

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON E. PANETTA: Thank you very much. Good to be here. Spent some time at Fort Lewis a long time ago when I was in ROTC at Santa Clara. So ever since then I've spent a lot of time up here in Seattle.
　

From a defense point of view this is really a -- a community that is one of the -- one of the -- the very best in terms of supporting the military mission. There are a lot of different missions that are supported here, and I have tremendous thanks and respect for the people of Washington and the way they support our military mission.

　
So I'm glad to be here and happy to answer your questions.
　

Q: (Inaudible) -- shifted Navy or other assets to the Mediterranean or Syria region at this time?

　
SEC. PANETTA: Not at this time. We've -- we have deployed a force to the Middle East, and obviously the Stennis will -- will join that force. And the focus of that is to be prepared to deal with any contingency that develops in the Middle East.
　

Q: How much of this has to do with the conflict between Israel and Iran? Is this a positioning effort?
　

SEC. PANETTA: It deals with a lot of threats in the Middle East right now. Obviously Iran is one of those threats that we have to -- we have to be able to focus on and make sure that we're prepared to deal with any threats that could emerge out of Iran.
　

Secondly, it is the turmoil in Syria, and we're obviously following that closely as well.

　
There also are tanker threats that come from Iran that threaten some of the tanker -- the oil traffic that goes through the straits, and that's another concern.

　
So there are a number of issues in that region. It is -- you know, we're gone through the Arab spring there. The results of that present both challenges and opportunities. And all of that is the reason we maintain the force that we have in the Middle East.
　

Q: (inaudible) -- two-carrier requirement that was going to end in September and now is definite or is there a new end date?
　

SEC. PANETTA: You know, we're looking at what we need in order to deal with the potential challenges that we face in the Middle East. I can't give you a time frame as to how long we'll have to maintain that -- that presence. But clearly maintaining two carriers in that region was important to us in order to have the ability to confront any contingency.

　
Q: Do you have any more details about the kind of assistance the military can provide to Jordan or Turkey in the case of Syrian refugees?

　
SEC. PANETTA: You know, dealing with Syria, obviously we've tried to focus on three areas of importance. One is to do what we can to assist on the humanitarian effort, and I think the president pointed out we've done about $81 million, $82 million. But we're also working with Jordan and with Turkey to try to deal with the refugee flows and try to help them as best we can.
　

Secondly is the -- the whole threat of chemical and biological weapons. There are sites in Syria. We're concerned about the security of those sites. So we're continuing to monitor those sites and work with both Turkey, as well as Jordan and Israel to ensure that -- that none of those weapons fall into the wrong hands.

　
STAFF: Couple more here, guys.

　
SEC. PANETTA: And let me just mention, the third one is the -- is obviously working with the opposition to try to give them what assistance we can. Basically we're providing nonlethal assistance at this time, but we're working with other countries to try to give them what support they can get in order to try to confront the Syrian army.
　

Q: Is there any possibility for a no-fly zone in the region at this point?

　
SEC. PANETTA: Well, you know, we've developed contingency plans for all kinds of possibilities there. But as I -- as I said, that's not on the front burner right now.

　
Q: Sir, is the U.S. any closer to declaring whether or not the Haqqani Network is a terrorist organization?
　

SEC. PANETTA: That's -- that's a decision that the State Department has to make with regards to making a recommendation on that. And I think it's probably best one that is addressed to them.
　

Q: Mr. Secretary, you testified that you're having -- you've called for investigations into the system-wide review of PTSD diagnoses. Is that close to being completed, or when might we see results from that?

　
SEC. PANETTA: Well, obviously, it -- you know, the concern sprang out of a situation here at McChord that told us that there was some misdiagnoses that had taken place.
　

Actually as a result of that I've asked all of the services to review all of their diagnosis to see just exactly whether the same thing has occurred elsewhere, and that's -- that's ongoing right now.
　

Also, there is an ongoing investigation here as to what took place at McChord, making sure that -- that we do everything possible to find out what happened and try to make sure we're taking steps to avoid that happening in the future.
　

I sent, obviously, high level individuals from the Pentagon who have visited here to try to look at the situation. We've made some changes. I'm awaiting further recommendations as to what we can do to do everything possible to make sure that that kind of misdiagnosis doesn't take place.

　
STAFF: Last one. Anyone?

　
Q: (Inaudible) -- for this region. (Inaudible) -- Pacific Rim.

　
SEC. PANETTA: I would assume that Bremerton's going to stay busy for a long time to come as a result of having to focus and project our force into the Pacific. That's -- that's going to -- we're going to need the kind of shipyards and maintenance and backup that Bremerton provides.

　
STAFF: Thank you all very much.

　
SEC. PANETTA: Okay.

SEC. OF DEFENSE SPEAKS BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MEETING NEEDS OF VETERANS

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Spoken Statement on DOD-VA Collaboration before the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees
As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Washington D.C., Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thank you very much.
Chairman McKeon, Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Smith and Ranking Member Filner, dear former colleagues of mine, I appreciate the opportunity to be here. And I also want to pay my respects to the members of both committees. This is a unique event. It's an important event.

And first and foremost, I want to thank all of the members of both the Armed Services Committee and Veterans Committee for the support that you provide the Department of Defense, our men and women in uniform, and our veterans. We could simply not do the work that needs to be done in protecting this country and in serving those who are our warriors and their families – we just could not do it without the partnership that we have with all of you. And for that reason, let me just express my personal appreciation to all of you for your dedication and for your commitment to those areas.

I also want to thank you for the opportunity to appear this morning alongside Secretary Shinseki. He is a great public servant, a great military leader and a great friend to me and to our nation's veterans, and I appreciate the opportunity to appear alongside of him.

I'm pleased to have this chance to discuss the ways that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs are working together to try to meet the needs of our service members, our veterans and their families. This hearing comes at a very important time for our nation and for collaboration between our two Departments.

DoD and VA are in the process of building an integrated military and veteran support system. It's something that should have been done a long time ago, but we are in the process of trying to make that happen and develop a support system that's fundamentally different and a lot more robust than it's been in the past.

Today, after a decade of war, a new generation of service members, of veterans, are coming home. Our nation has made a lifetime commitment to them for their service and for their sacrifice, for their willingness to put their lives on the line for this country. These men and women have shouldered a very heavy burden. They've been deployed, as you know, time and time and time again.

They've fought battles in Iraq. They've fought battles in Afghanistan. They've been targeted by terrorists and by IEDs. They've been deployed from Kuwait to South Korea, from the Pacific to the Middle East. Many are dealing with serious wounds, as well as with complex and difficult problems, both seen and unseen. They fought, and many have died, to protect this country, and we need to fight to protect them.

We owe it to those returning service members and to the veterans to provide them with a seamless support system so that they can put their lives back together, so that they can pursue their goals, so that they can not only go back to their communities but be able to give back to their communities and to help strengthen our nation in many ways.

None of this is easy. It takes tremendous commitment on the part of all Americans – those in government, those in the military. It takes tremendous commitment on the part of those in the private sector, our business leaders and frankly all citizens across our country.

There is no doubt that DoD and VA are working more closely together than we have before. But frankly, we have much more to do to try to reach a level of cooperation to better meet the needs of those who have served our nation in uniform, especially our wounded warriors.

Since I became Secretary a little over a year ago, Secretary Shinseki and I have met on a regular basis in order to personally guide efforts to share resources and expand cooperation between our departments. The partnership between our departments extends to all levels, led by a joint committee co-chaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Senior military leaders have been deeply committed to this effort. This is about the care of their troops, but it's also about recruiting and retaining the very best military force in the world. When it comes down to it, caring for those who have served and their families is not only a moral imperative, it is a national security imperative as well.

For those who have fought for their nation, we need to protect their care and their benefits, but we also need to protect their integrity and their honor. It's for that reason that before I discuss the specifics about DoD and VA collaboration, I want to announce an important step that my Department is taking in order to help maintain the integrity of the awards and honors that are earned by our service members and their veterans.

You're all aware of the Supreme Court decision that determined that free speech allows someone to lie about military awards and honors. Free speech is one thing, but dishonoring those who have been honored on the battlefield is something else.

For that reason, today we are posting a new page on the Defense Department's website that will list those service members and veterans who have earned our nation's highest military awards for valor. Initially the website will list the names of those who have earned the Medal of Honor since 9/11, but in the near term, it will include the recipients of the Services Crosses and the Silver Star since 9/11. We'll look at expanding that information available on the website over time.

This effort will help raise public awareness about our nation's heroes and help deter those who might falsely claim military honors, which I know has been a source of great concern for many veterans and members of these committees and members of the Congress. I want to thank you for your concerns and for your leadership on this issue. And our hope is that this will help protect the honor of those who serve the United States in battle.

Now let me discuss the five priority areas that DoD and VA are trying to work on to enhance collaboration.

The first is this transition program, the Transition GPS program. At the Department of Defense, our goal is to provide a comprehensive transition assistance program that prepares those who are leaving the service for the next step – whether that is pursuing additional education, whether it's trying to find a job in the public sector or the private sector, or whether it's starting their own business.

On Monday, the President announced the new "Transition GPS program" that will extend transition preparation through the entire span of each service member's military career. The program will ensure that every service member develops their own individual transition plan, meets new career readiness standards and is prepared to apply their valuable military experience however and wherever they choose.

The second area that we focused on is trying to integrate the Disability Evaluation System. We've overhauled the legacy disability evaluation system in trying to make improvements with regards to developing a new system. In the past, as you know, service members with medical conditions preventing them from doing their military jobs had to navigate separate disability evaluation systems at both DoD and VA. We've replaced that legacy system with a single integrated Disability Evaluation System that enables our departments to work in tandem. Under the new system currently in use, service members and veterans have to deal with fewer layers of bureaucracy, and they are able to receive VA disability compensation sooner after separating from the military.

But let's understand as we try to do this, this is a tough challenge to try to make this work in a way that can respond to our veterans effectively. After all, veterans have rights. They have the right to ensure that their claims are carefully adjudicated. But at the same time, we need to expedite the process, and to ensure that as we do that we protect their benefits. And that's what we're trying to do with this system.

The third area is to try to integrate – as was pointed out – a new Electronic Health Record system. We're working on a major initiative to try to do that. For too long, efforts to achieve a real seamless transition between our health care systems have been hamstrung by separate legacy health record systems. In response to the challenge that was issued by the President – and frankly, presidents in the past who have tried to address this issue – DoD and VA is finally working steadily to build an integrated Electronic Health Record system. When operational, that system will be the single source for service members and veterans to access their medical history and for clinicians to use that history at any DoD and VA medical facility.

Again, this is not easy, and so the way we're approaching it is to try to see if we can complete this process at two places – San Antonio and Hampton Roads – and then try to expand it to every other hospital. It's tough, but if we can achieve this, it would be a very significant achievement that I think could be a model not only for the hospitals that we run but for hospitals in the private sector as well.

Fourthly, we need greater collaboration on mental and behavioral health. Beyond these specific initiatives that I mentioned, we are trying to focus on enhancing collaboration in areas that involve some of the toughest challenges we face now, related to mental and behavioral health. Post-traumatic stress has emerged as a signature unseen wound of this last decade of war. Its impact will be felt for decades to come, and both the DoD and VA must therefore improve our ability to identify and treat this condition, as well as all mental and behavioral health conditions, and to better equip our system to deal with the unique challenges these conditions can present.

For example, I've been very concerned about reports of problems with modifying diagnoses for post-traumatic stress in the military disability evaluation system. Many of these issues were brought to my attention by members of Congress – and I appreciate their doing that – particularly the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Patty Murray, who addressed this issue because it happened in her own state in a particular way.

To address these concerns, I've directed a review across all of the uniformed services. This review, led by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Erin Conaton, will help ensure that we are delivering on our commitment to care for our service members. The review will be analytically sound, it will be action-oriented and it will provide hopefully the least disruptive impact to behavioral health services for service members. The effort here is to determine where those diagnoses take place, why they were downgraded downward, what took place, so that we know exactly what has happened. I hope that the entire review will be completed within approximately 18 months.

The last area is an area that has really concerned me, which is the area of trying to prevent military suicides. We've strongly focused on doing what we can to try to deal with this issue, which I've said is one of the most frustrating problems I have come across as Secretary of Defense. Despite increased efforts and attention by both DoD and VA, the suicide trends among service members and veterans continues to move in a very troubling and tragic direction. In part, it is reflective of the larger society. The fact is, numbers are increasing now within the military.

In close cooperation with the VA, DoD is taking aggressive steps to try to address this issue, including promoting a culture to try to get people to seek the kind of help that they need, to improve access to mental and behavioral health care, to emphasize mental fitness and to work to better understand the issue of suicide with the help of other agencies, including the VA.

One of the things that I'm trying to stress is that we have got to improve the ability of leadership within the military to see these issues, to see them coming and to do something to try to prevent it from happening. Our efforts to deliver the best possible services depend on the dedication of our DoD and VA professionals who work extremely hard every day on behalf of those who have served in uniform, and I extend my thanks to all who help support our men and women in uniform today, to our veterans and to our families.

Let me just say, we are one family. We have to be one family at the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, a family that supports one another and all those who have answered the call to defend our country. Together, we will do everything possible to ensure that the bond between our two Departments and between our country and those who have defended it only grows stronger in the future.

Let me also say this. As a former Congressman – now as Secretary of Defense – and someone who's spent over 40 years involved in government in some capacity or another, I am well aware that too often the very best intentions for caring for our veterans can get trapped in bureaucratic infighting. It gets trapped by conflicting rules and regulations. It gets trapped by frustrating levels of responsibility.

This cannot be an excuse for not dealing with these issues. It should be a challenge for both the VA and DoD, for the Congress and for the Administration to try to meet that challenge together.

Our warriors are trained not to fail on the battlefield. We must be committed not to fail them on the homefront. I realize that there have been a lot of good words and a lot of good will and a lot of good intentions. But I can assure you that my interest is in results, not words. I'm grateful for the support of the Congress and particularly these two committees. And I thank you and look forward to your questions.

U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON PANETTA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Panetta Offers Gratitude in Independence Day Message

WASHINGTON, July 4, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta offered his gratitude and best wishes to the Defense Department's service members, civilian employees and their families in his Independence Day message, noting that the blessings of the freedom the nation celebrates today come from a legacy of sacrifice, courage and leadership.

Here is the secretary's message:

On this Independence Day, I would like to extend my gratitude and best wishes to our entire military family: our men and women in uniform who serve around the world, and their families, and our Department of Defense civilians who support them, and their families. On this day, we honor all of you for your service and the many sacrifices you make to defend our freedom.

While many Americans will spend this holiday with family and friends enjoying summer weather, fireworks, and outdoor barbeques, others will be on the front lines defending our country. Today, in particular, the American people pay tribute to those of you deployed overseas for your strength, your courage, and your willingness to put your lives on the line to protect this country.

It was 236 years ago that our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Since then, succeeding generations of Americans have stepped forward to safeguard the liberties that our founders fought to give us. That was true 200 years ago during the War of 1812, when we first defended our young nation from attack, and has remained true whenever freedom has been threatened in the generations since.

Today, our brave men and women in uniform continue to protect our freedoms that were first outlined in that Declaration. They serve our nation proudly and they are willing to put their lives on the line so that our children can have a better future.

As we celebrate the birth of our nation, it is a time for our leaders and every American to recognize that the blessings of freedom we enjoy are not free - they come from a legacy of sacrifice, courage, and leadership. That legacy is now our responsibility to fulfill - so that our children can enjoy a better life.

May God bless you, may God bless our military, and may God bless this great nation.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE PANETTA WELCOMES OPENING OF SUPPLY LINES BY PAKISTAN

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

By Cheryl Pellerin
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today welcomed Pakistan's decision to open ground lines of communication on the border with Afghanistan that have been closed since November.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the decision after a telephone call this morning with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.


"As I have made clear," Panetta said, "we remain committed to improving our partnership with Pakistan and to working closely together as our two nations confront common security challenges in the region."


On the call with Khar, Clinton said, "I once again reiterated our deepest regrets for the tragic incident in Salala last November. I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives."


Clinton and Khar acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives, she added.


"We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military," she added. "We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again."


In reopening the ground lines of communication, Pakistan will not charge transit fees in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region, Clinton said.


"This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan's support for a secure, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region," she said, adding that the move will help the United States and the International Security Assistance Force conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost.
"This is critically important to the men and women who are fighting terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan," Clinton said.


Khar said no lethal equipment will transit Pakistan into Afghanistan unless it is meant to equip the Afghan national security force.


During the call, Khar and Clinton discussed the importance of taking coordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States and the region, she said.


Clinton said she and Khar also discussed supporting Afghanistan's security, stability and efforts towards reconciliation, and continuing to work together to advance the two nations' many other shared interests, from increasing trade and investment to strengthening our people-to-people ties.


"Our countries should have a relationship that is enduring, strategic and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region," the secretary said.


U.S. and Pakistani troops are in a fight against a common enemy, she said, and have enhanced counterterrorism cooperation against terrorists that threaten both countries, with the goal of defeating al-Qaida in the region.


As the call ended, Clinton said, "I reiterated our deep appreciation to the government and the people of Pakistan for their many sacrifices and their critical contribution to the ongoing fight against terrorism and extremism."

DEFENSE BRIEFING ON THE MIDDLE EAST

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Defense Leaders Provide Middle East Update

By Cheryl Pellerin

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2012 - Steady progress is being made in dealing with challenges in the Middle East, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Pentagon reporters in a briefing here today.

Topics included the situation between U.S. ally Turkey and the internally embattled Syria, a rescheduled U.S.-Israeli military exercise, an upcoming DOD visit to Iraq, and continuing discussions with military leaders in Pakistan.

"We continue to be concerned about developments in Syria," Panetta said, referring to ongoing violence between the brutal authoritarian regime of Bashar Assad and determined opposition groups, and the movement of Turkish military assets to the Syrian border after the June 22 shootdown by Syrian forces of a Turkish Phantom F-4 fighter and its two-member aircrew.

The secretary said Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is engaged in discussions with U.S. allies in the region, including Turkey.

"Turkey is one of our allies in that region," Panetta said. "We continue to be in close discussions with them with regard to how we best approach the situation in Syria."

Dempsey said he had a recent conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Chief of the General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel, adding, "He's taking a very measured approach to the incident. ... He and I are staying in contact."

Also in the region, the chairman said the United States and Israel have rescheduled a joint military exercise called Austere Challenge.

Dempsey said a final decision on the exercise date will be determined during a current visit to Israel by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy James N. Miller.

In Iraq, where the level of violence increased this month, Panetta said discussions continue with the Iraqis on the threat from al-Qaida terrorists.

"We've seen increased violence [and] ... we share the concern of the Iraqis with regard to that increased violence," the secretary said, adding, "We're going to continue to work with them to ... improve their ability to be able to deal with those kinds of threats."

Before leaving Iraq, he added, U.S. forces worked in great cooperation on this problem.

"We've continued to work with their security forces but we think it's really important now that we try to bring that cooperation even closer together to make sure that these kinds of threats are dealt with directly," Panetta said.

Dempsey said Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, had high-level consultative talks with the Iraqis earlier this year and Panetta hosted a May 23 meeting at the Pentagon with Iraqi Acting Minister of Defense Saadoun al-Dulaymi.

"What we're doing is charting a way ahead, actually, on the potential for exercises, the things we talked about at the closing ceremony" in December 2011, the chairman said, adding that he plans a visit to Iraq later this year.

Discussions also continue between American and Pakistani officials over the reopening of Pakistan supply routes -- called ground lines of communication, or GLOCs -- into Afghanistan, and the breakup of Pakistan safe havens for militant groups like the Haqqani network, Panetta said.

"We continue to have a line of communication with the Pakistanis to try to see if we can take steps to reopen the GLOCs," Panetta said, adding, "The good news is that there continue to be those discussions."

Tough issues still need to be settled, the secretary said.

"I think the important thing right now is that both sides, in good faith, keep working to see if we can resolve this," he said.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, met recently with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the secretary said.

"I think [Allen] made clear that both the United States and Pakistan have to work together to deal with the threat from the Haqqanis," Panetta said, adding that Kayani seemed receptive to U.S. concerns.

"After all," the secretary said, "they, too, have been victims of terrorism. They lost 17 Pakistanis on a patrol to the [Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan] ... so we have a common enemy. It would make sense if we could work together to confront that common enemy."

COLORADO GOVERNOR HICKENLOOPER SELECTS COMMANDER TO OVERSEE WILDFIRE RESPONSE

Photo:  C130 Fighting Wildfire.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force.
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Commander to Oversee Colorado Wildfire Response
By Jim Greenhill
National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Va., June 29, 2012 - A National Guard dual-status commander has been recently appointed to support wildfire response and relief efforts in Colorado, according to Defense Department and National Guard officials.

Air Force Col. Peter J. Byrne -- director of the joint staff, Joint Force Headquarters-Colorado -- was selected by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper in agreement with Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, the Colorado National Guard reported.
"The dual-status commander will coordinate military firefighting efforts in the state," Hickenlooper said. "This commander operates as the liaison to make sure that we can take federal assets and airmen, soldiers, bulldozers, helicopters, Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems aircraft and get whatever tool we need."

Byrne, who is a Colorado resident, will work with fire incident commanders.
When agreed upon by the secretary of defense and the governor of an affected state, dual-status commanders can direct both federal active duty forces and state National Guard forces in response to domestic incidents, Defense Department officials said.
The unity of effort is intended to foster greater cooperation among federal and state military assets during a disaster.

The dual-status commander concept was most recently used in support of the NATO Summit in Chicago in May.

Byrne is a command pilot with more than 2,500 military flying hours and more than 145 combat hours, officials said. He was commissioned in 1984 and joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 1991.

"Working hand in hand with active duty forces is something the National Guard has performed seamlessly for more than 10 years in overseas missions," Byrne said. "Though the circumstances are tragic, bringing this experience of partnership to help friends, family and neighbors is a rewarding and natural extension of this valuable relationship."
According to Defense Department officials:

The nation's governors led the creation of this new opportunity for collaboration. Dual-status commanders ensure that state and federal military forces work together effectively together when states request federal forces. Through this improved partnership, military forces responding to the wildfires will be better able to avoid duplication of effort and support the needs of the incident and the American people.

The dual-status commander concept was codified in 2011, with 10 USC - 12304 as the usual and customary command and control arrangement for missions involving the simultaneous deployment of active duty, Reserve and National Guard forces in support of civilian authorities during major disasters and other emergencies.

PANETTA, DEMPSEY WARN OF SEQUESTRATION THREAT

Photo:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.  Credit:  U.S. Navy.
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
DOD Leaders: Sequestration Threatens Military's Successes
By Karen Parrish
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2012 - The nation's military has logged historic achievements in the past 12 months, but faces a future clouded by financial threat, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today.

The secretary and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both spoke about the topic of sequestration during a briefing with Pentagon reporters.

Panetta summed up the department's main activities since he became Defense Secretary last summer, noting that the Iraq War has ended, a "responsible drawdown" of U.S. forces in Afghanistan has begun, and the NATO mission in Libya concluded alongside the fall of Moammar Gadhafi.

The department has also "maintained a relentless focus on al-Qaida," and put in place a new defense strategy and a budget request focused on the future force and rebalancing toward the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East, the secretary said.
DOD has also maintained faith with troops by protecting pay and benefits, and has increased employment opportunities for veterans and spouses, he noted.
"We implemented the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" Panetta said. "We've also opened up 14,000 military positions to women, and we've put in place enhanced measures to prevent sexual assault."

The biggest threat to all of those accomplishments and initiatives is sequestration, he said.
Sequestration is a mechanism built into the Budget Control Act that will trigger an additional half-trillion-dollar cut to defense spending over the next 10 years if Congress doesn't otherwise identify spending reductions the act requires.

Panetta said the uniformed men and women he's met in war zones, and the wounded warriors he's visited in military hospitals and rehabilitation centers, "deserve better than the threat of sequestration."

"Too often today, the nation's problems are held hostage to the unwillingness to find consensus and compromise," the secretary said.

Next week on the Fourth of July Americans will celebrate their nation's birth, he noted.
"It is a time for our leaders and for every American to recognize that the blessings of freedom are not free," Panetta said. "They come from a legacy of sacrifice, of courage and of leadership. That legacy is now our responsibility to fulfill, so that hopefully our children can enjoy a better life in the future."

Panetta said the defense industry leaders he has consulted with also face an uncertain future which could include widespread layoffs and lasting damage to the nation's military modernization programs.

"We are very much a team," he said. " ... [Defense] companies, as well as the Defense Department, are making very clear to Capitol Hill that this is a matter that ought not to be postponed."

The department and the nation's defense industries seek assurance from Congress that sequestration won't happen and that "we can proceed with the budget as we've outlined [it], as opposed to facing ... the possibility of another drastic defense cut," the secretary said.

Dempsey said his travels in recent weeks, as well as over the past year, have brought him into contact with a wide range of service members.
"At every stop ... I was struck by their tremendous sense of pride and commitment," the chairman said. He praised service members' courage, selflessness, intelligence, and dedication to the mission.

"They'll do anything to take care of this country," he said.
Dempsey said he was also struck by troops' concern over the budget.
"I find it encouraging, on the one hand, that our military family is informed and interested," he said. "But it's unfortunate that it weighs so heavily on their minds. Frankly, they have enough to worry about."

The chairman noted, "We have to remember, too, that the force of the future -- that is, America's sons and daughters who may be out there contemplating a military career -- are also watching."

Dempsey said as Panetta has made clear, "We simply have to come together to prevent this across-the-board, unbalanced cut that could jeopardize our ability to deal with the very real and serious threats that we face."

The chairman said he and the service chiefs have no issue with military budgets facing scrutiny in the current challenging budget climate, or with the need to make tough program decisions.

"That's why our strategy and the budget that supports it constitute a carefully balanced set of choices," Dempsey said. "These choices make sure we have the right talent and the right tools to keep our country immune from coercion."

Dempsey said he, the secretary and the joint chiefs seek a balanced approach.
"A sensible way forward is what we expect," the chairman said. "That's the only way we can honor our commitment to our military family and to the American people."

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA'S REMARKS ON PARTNERSHIPS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta delivers remarks as part of the Acheson lecture series at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., June 28, 2012. DOD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley  

Panetta: Partnerships Bolster National Security
By Amaani Lyle
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2012 - Collaboration, as much as military might, should play a key role in national security, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here last night.
In remarks as part of the United States Institute of Peace's Acheson lecture series, Panetta outlined a blueprint for building 21st-century partnerships and improving security cooperation across several areas.

"We must be bold enough to adopt a more collaborative approach to security, both within the United States government and among allies, partners, and multilateral organizations," he said, adding that the United States must place even greater strategic emphasis on building the security capabilities of others.

Panetta underscored the need to maintain comprehensive and integrated capabilities in key regions to confront critical security challenges.

"Unlike past defense drawdowns when the threats the country was facing appeared to diminish, we still confront many challenges," the secretary said.

Destabilizing behavior of nations such as Iran and North Korea, the rise of new powers across Asia and the ongoing need to deter aggression in the Middle East and North Africa, Panetta said, have made partnership a critical component of peaceful and cooperative international order.

"Our new strategy prioritizes the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East – the areas with the most significant security challenges," he said. "We will retain ... our military presence, ... but we are also going to help more nations share the responsibilities and costs of providing security by investing in alliances and partnerships."

These partnerships will include engagement in exercises, training and innovative rotational deployments, the secretary added.

Panetta acknowledged that the United States must face these challenges while grappling with a deficit and debt problem that has led Congress to seek early half a trillion dollars in defense savings over the next decade. This, he added, requires reshaped priorities that will include a leaner, agile and quickly deployable force on the cutting edge of technology while continuing to develop key capabilities.

"We will ... continue to invest in the capabilities of the future such as cyber, unmanned systems, space, special operations forces, and the ability to quickly mobilize and maintain our industrial base," he said.

Panetta said his strategies built on many enduring philosophies put forth by Dean Acheson, for whom the lecture series is named. As secretary of state from 1949 to 1953, Acheson was a leading proponent for bolstering America's military might and was a principal architect of America's foreign policy.

"Acheson strongly believed that America should not seek to shoulder the burden and costs for global security alone," the secretary said. "Instead, he understood that a key part of a strong defense was to build the security capacity of allies and partners."

Panetta praised Acheson's forward-thinking in policy from Western Europe and NATO to South Korea, from the Truman Doctrine to the Nixon Doctrine, and the statesman's involvement with key allies and regional partners to build a sound U.S. national security strategy after World War II.

SEC. OF DEFENSE PANETTA ANNOUNCES $60 MILLION IN GRANTS TO MILITARY SCHOOLS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Panetta Announces $60M in Grants to Military Schools
By Lisa Daniel
GRAPEVINE, Texas, June 27, 2012 - The Defense Department recently awarded $60 million to three public schools on two military installations, the latest example of its efforts to invest in the education of military children, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said at an education seminar here today.

The grants, to schools serving children at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., are the first -- with more to come this summer – of a $500 million congressional appropriation for the department to improve facilities at 161 public schools on military installations, Panetta announced at the Military Child Education Coalition's 14th national seminar.

DOD also has awarded an additional $180 million in grants to more than 900 public schools that support 80 percent of the 1.5 million school-age military children, the secretary said. It has done that while also strengthening and modernizing the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, which serve 86,000 military children, he added.
"Educating military children is not only important to their future – and it is important their future – but it's critically important to the future of our military and our nation," Panetta told seminar participants. The coalition works to improve the education of all school-age military children, whether they are in DOD, public or private schools.

To underscore his point, Panetta noted that he is joined at the two-day seminar in this Dallas suburb by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and the vice commandant of the Marine Corps.

"That tells you a lot," he told the hundreds of participants. "What you do relates to our ability to carry out the mission of defending the country. We are all here to say 'thank you.'
"In a democracy, we are dependent on good education," he added. "Education is the key to self-governance, the key to opportunity, the key to equality; and education is the key to freedom. It is the key to a better life."

Panetta told of his own parents' immigration thousands of miles from their home in Italy to the United States, where his father's occupation was marked as "peasant" at Ellis Island, N.Y., all so their children could have a better life.

"That's the American dream," he said. "That's what all of us want for our children, and hopefully what they want for their children."

Helping to give future generations a better quality of life goes to the very heart of the military and what everyone at the seminar is doing, Panetta said, and a quality education is essential to a better life.

"I've long believed this country has an obligation to make education a top national priority," the secretary told the audience, adding that he has tried to do that in his four decades in government.

"I would not be here as secretary of defense were it not for the opportunities given to me by education," he said. "Now, as secretary of defense, I'm determined to do everything possible to give our military children the tools they need to succeed in the future."
About 44 percent of service members are parents, and they consistently rate the availability of quality education for their children as a high priority in their career decisions, Panetta said. "The quality of education available to our military children affects our overall readiness, our retention, and it affects the very morale of our force," he added.
"In equipping our military children with the best education, the best knowledge, the best skills they need for the future, the department is investing in its own future," he said. "Many of these young men and women will follow in the tracks of their parents and join the military themselves."

Education also is a national security priority, Panetta said, causing the department to support efforts such as those by the National Math and Science Initiative to build technical proficiency and to emphasize the need for foreign language skills.

"Our military is better able to defend our country when we address the long-term education needs of those who serve and their children," the secretary said.
Military children have many challenges, Panetta noted. More than a million have had a parent deploy to combat since 2001, and many are forever changed by war, he said. Most will move six to nine times before they graduate from high school, and 195,000 of them have special needs, he said.

The department can't meet the education needs of military children without the "active support and cooperation of all the stakeholders" – teachers, parents, community leaders, and state and local governments, the secretary said. Through such partnerships, the department has prompted 43 state governments to pass laws easing the transfer of school credits for military children as they move from state to state and from outside the country, he added.

"I want you to know that the Department of Defense has listened," he said. "It's not always easy to get that big bureaucracy to listen, but we have listened -- to school districts to organizations, to parents -- and we've listened to you. We will continue to fight to give our military children the best in educational opportunities."

SEC. PANETTA'S COMMENTS AT U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE WARRIOR PRECOGNITION CEREMONY

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta June 25, 2012
Remarks by Defense Secretary Panetta at the Defense Department and U.S. Olympic Committee Warrior Recognition Ceremony
            SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON E. PANETTA: Thanks very much.  (Applause.)
            Thanks very much, Charlie. And thanks for your leadership and thanks for your guidance and thanks for your dedication.

            It's -- this is a remarkable program, and it obviously reflects your commitment to everything that is good about America.

            Ray Odierno, Mike Donley, General Schwartz, all of the guests that are here, ladies and gentlemen, it is for me a real pleasure to have the opportunity to be with you today, and especially to be with our warrior athletes and with their families.
            It's an honor for me to be able to celebrate the remarkable achievements that all of you have done -- and also to celebrate your resilience.

            I can't tell you -- I cannot tell you how much you inspire us with your courage, with your determination, with your athletic prowess, with your physical strength, it's an incredible inspiration.

            These men and women who overcome immense odds to suddenly come out and compete in these games represents I believe the strength, the integrity, the character of many American service members who have persevered -- persevered in the face of huge challenges, challenges that they've had to recover from the wounds of war. Their stories represent the fighting spirit of the brave men and women who serve on the front lines around the world.

            Take for example, Navy Lieutenant Brad Snyder who's with us here today. While serving as a bomb disposal technician in Afghanistan last year, he was blinded by an IED explosion. But Brad was determined to not let the loss of his sight stop him.
            Last month, he competed in the Warrior Games winning a total of seven gold medals. Including three in track -- (Applause.)

            Seven gold medals, three in track, four in swimming. And at last week's U.S. Paralympic swimming trials, Brad won all five events he competed in and set a new world best time for vision impaired athletes in both the 100 meter and the 400 meter freestyle.  (Applause.)

            When Brad steps up to the blocks in London on September 7th to compete in the Paralympic games, it will be one year to the day since his injury.

            Brad, we're all in awe of your determination and your personal spirit, and all of us are going to be cheering your success in London. God bless you.  (Applause.)

            His story -- his story is an example of what I see when I visit our wounded warriors at medical centers around the world. And I'll be visiting Brooke Hospital in Texas this week, on Wednesday. Many of these brave men and women have incurred horrible wounds, faced lengthy recoveries, but I never fail -- never fail to come away from all of those visits inspired and motivated by their grit and by their spirit. Nothing -- absolutely nothing will stop them.

            I often meet these extraordinary young men and women just days after they've been wounded in battle. In that acute phase of recovery, I know that it's hard for some to imagine ever competing for an athletic event. And yet the will -- the sheer guts to overcome the wounds, to overcome the obstacles that face these warrior athletes, their determination to return to a new normal is not just inspiring. It is nothing short of a miracle -- a miracle of emotional and physical and mental strength.

            We owe it to you to never forget your service and your sacrifice. For all of the members of this next generation who return home with the wounds of war, the department is fully committed to helping them return to service or to transition to civilian life.

            The American people and communities throughout our nation must be partners in this effort, and they are. I'd like to take just a moment to thank some of those who make these Warrior Games possible, particularly the United States Olympic committee that puts on these games. I'd also like to thank the United Services Organization, the Fisher House Foundation, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, the Semper Fi Fund, and the team Semper Fi Army Homefront Fund for their efforts on behalf of our warriors here today and their families.

            In the past decade of war, we've learned a lot about treating our wounded warriors -- including the value of sports, or competition, of recreation, in strengthening minds and in strengthening bodies.

            And I'm glad that with the support of these organizations and those here today, we're able to provide access to world class coaches, mentors, facilities, and a growing network of adaptive sports experts.

            We owe these brave young people no less than the very best. As a nation -- as a nation we are truly blessed by the men and women in uniform who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect this country.

            We have sent a very clear message to our enemies that no one -- no one -- attacks the United States of America and gets away with it -- no one. And you, our wounded warriors, have sent an equally tough message to our enemies: You can wound me, and you can hurt me, but you can never take my life, my spirit or my hope away.

            What all of you are doing together is a powerful miracle that shows us the triumph of the great American spirit that makes our country and makes our military the strongest on Earth.

PANETTA RECOGNIZE PARALYMPIC WARRIORS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta congratulates Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ronald Sullivan at the 2012 Warrior Games recognition ceremony held in the Pentagon courtyard, June 25, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley  

Panetta, Army Chief Recognize Paralympic Warriors' Achievements
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today led a Pentagon celebration for wounded warriors who competed in Paralympic sports during the upcoming 2012 Warrior Games.
"It is, for me, a real pleasure to have
 the opportunity to be with you today, and to especially be with our warrior athletes and their families," Panetta said. "It's an honor for me to be able to celebrate the remarkable achievements that all of you have done, [and] your resilience.

"I cannot tell you how much you inspire us with your courage, with your determination, with athletic prowess, [and] with your physical strength," he added. "It's an incredible inspiration."

Panetta was joined by Gen. Ray Odierno, Army chief of staff, and Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics for the U.S. Olympic Committee.

"It's an important day for all of us," Odierno said. "We recognize incredibly inspirational and motivated young men and women."

The Army chief noted that 50 world-class athletes representing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as U.S. Special Operations Command and the Coast Guard, were on hand for the ceremony to represent the 220 total participants in the Warrior Games, held in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 30 to May 5. The Marines, Odierno said, won the coveted Chairman's Cup with a total of 89 medals.

"Athletics has always been key to our military culture," Odierno said. "In 1928, Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur was given a leave of absence authorized by the 12th Army chief of staff, Gen. Charles Summerall, to serve as the president of the American Olympic Committee – predecessor of the U.S. Olympic Committee."

MacArthur went on to lead the U.S. Olympic team to winning the most medals at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, Odierno said. Women were allowed to compete officially for the first time in those games, he noted.

Panetta praised the perseverance of all the wounded warriors for their ability to overcome immense odds.

"I believe the strength, the integrity, the character of many American service members who have persevered in the face of huge challenges," he said. "Their stories represent the fighting spirit of the brave men and women who serve on the front lines around the world."

Panetta referred to Navy Lt. Brad Snyder, who was present at the celebration, as an example. Snyder was blinded while serving as an explosive ordnance disposal technician, the secretary said, but he refused to give up hope.

"He was determined not to let the loss of his sight stop him," Panetta said, noting that Snyder has competed at a high level in track and swimming, earning three gold medals in track and four in swimming during the games. Additionally, the secretary said, Snyder won all five of his swimming events during the U.S. Paralympic swimming trials and set a world-best time for vision-impaired athletes in the 100- and 200-meter freestyle events.

"When Brad steps up to the blocks in London on Sept. 7 to compete in the Paralympic games, it will be one year to the day since his injury," Panetta said. "Brad, we're all in awe of your determination and personal spirit, and all of us are going to be cheering your success in London."

The secretary noted that he often meets hospitalized warriors just days after they've been wounded in battle. "In that acute phase of recovery," he said, "I know that it's hard for some to imagine ever competing for an athletic event."

Panetta lauded the "sheer guts" these warrior athletes displayed in overcoming their mental and physical obstacles and called it "a miracle of emotional, physical and mental strength."

The defense secretary said the nation owes it to all of its wounded warriors to never forget their service and sacrifice, and that the Defense Department is committed to helping them to return to service or transition to civilian life.

"The American people and communities throughout our nation must be partners in this effort, and they are," Panetta said. "In the past decade of war, we've learned a lot about treating our wounded warriors, including the value of sports, competition, of recreation and strengthening minds and strengthening bodies. We owe these brave young people no less than the very best. As a nation, we are truly blessed by the men and women in uniform who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect this country."

TURKISH FIGHTER SHOOT-DOWN BY IRAN CONCERNS U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS 

SERVICE

Turkish Fighter Shootdown Concerns Panetta, Press Secretary Says

By Cheryl Pellerin

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta shares the State Department's deep concern over the June 22 shootdown by Syrian forces of a Turkish F-4 fighter and two Turkish pilots, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

After speaking with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on June 24, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemned what she called a "brazen and unacceptable act."

"It is yet another reflection of the Syrian authorities' callous disregard for international norms, human life, and peace and security," Clinton said.

"The [Syrian] action speaks for itself," Little told reporters, "and we believe that it was, to use Secretary Clinton's words, a 'brazen act' ... and the Syrian regime needs to answer for it."

Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said the Defense Department has seen nothing to indicate the shootdown wasn't deliberate.

After the shootdown, Little said, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke by phone with his Turkish counterpart, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozelto, to express concern over the loss of the Turkish pilots.

Navy Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, also spoke with one of his Turkish counterparts, Little said, adding that Greenert traveled to Turkey June 19-22 to foster the relationship between U.S. and Turkish naval forces.

Turkey has called for a consultation of the North Atlantic Council under Article 4 of the NATO treaty. The meeting will take place tomorrow in Brussels. Under Article 4, any ally can request consultations whenever they believe their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

The council includes ambassadors of all 28 NATO allies, and Little said the discussion will be led by the State Department, represented by Ambassador Ivo Daalder.

"We will be present at the discussions in Brussels with our NATO allies," the press secretary added, "and beyond that, it's really for our counterparts to discuss what may or may not happen."

The Defense Department maintains a very strong military relationship with its Turkish allies, Little said, and department officials will "continue to have discussions with them about the equipment they need to defend themselves."

The press secretary said Defense Department officials stand ready to assist the Turkish government in the rescue and recovery effort for the missing pilots "if they request such help."

U.S. SEC. OF DEFENSE PANETTA COMMENDS EGYPTIAN MILITARY

Photo Credit:  Wikimedia.
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Panetta Commends Egyptian Military for Supporting Elections

By Cheryl Pellerin

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta commends Egyptian Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, the country's top military officer, and his staff for supporting a secure, free and fair election in Egypt, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

Egypt's election commission announced June 24 that Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi won the presidential runoff over Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister under deposed leader Hosni Mubarak.

Little said the secretary placed two phone calls to Tantawi, head of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, late last week to express his desire for the Egyptian military to support a free and fair election, "and that's precisely what occurred."

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke this morning with his Egyptian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Sami Hafez Enan, Little added.

"The tenor of all these discussions has been to express a desire to encourage the Egyptian military to support the democratic process," the press secretary said, "and we've seen what's occurred in Egypt."

Egypt has an enduring role as a security partner and leader in promoting regional stability, "and we look forward to working with the new government on a host of issues," Little told reporters last week.

SEC. OF DEFENSE PANETTA WELCOMES NEW UNDERSECRETARIES

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta welcomes three new undersecretaries of defense recently confirmed by the Senate in a ceremony at the Pentagon, June 22, 2012. They are: Frank Kendall, far left, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics; James N. Miller, second from left, undersecretary of defense for policy; and Erin C. Conaton, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo  



Panetta Welcomes Senate-confirmed Leaders to Pentagon
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2012 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today formally welcomed three recently Senate-confirmed leaders to the Defense Department as undersecretaries of defense during a Pentagon ceremony.

Panetta introduced Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, who was confirmed May 24; James N. Miller, undersecretary of defense for policy, confirmed May 25; and Erin C. Conaton, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, confirmed June 8.

“It’s a little odd, frankly, to have a ceremony welcoming these people into the Pentagon family,” Panetta said. “It’s a little bit like ‘Uncle’ Frank, ‘Uncle’ Jim [and] ‘Aunt’ Erin -- welcoming them to a family that they’re already part of. And they very much are a part of this family.”

Panetta noted all three undersecretaries had gone through the “gauntlet” of Senate confirmation and were rewarded with “some of the hardest, most challenging and most demanding jobs in government.”

“All three of these individuals that we’re honoring today have actually been working very hard, and for some time, in this department shaping our most important policies,” he said.
“From our new defense strategy to reforming the way we buy new equipment to managing all aspects of our Air Force, they are very much a part of the core team that I engage with every day,” the secretary said.

Panetta described the trio of defense leaders as people who help “talk through all the issues and challenges that we have to confront … to help run one of the largest bureaucracies in the world.”

“Very frankly, there is no way I could do this job without the team of people that work with me every day to help take on the challenges that we face,” the secretary said. “Every one of these individuals, and everyone who is part of my team, is very much a profile of service to the country.”

Panetta spoke of each undersecretary, beginning with Kendall. Panetta said Kendall has a “very important position in the Department of Defense.”

Kendall’s position, Panetta said, has the challenge of dealing with DOD regulations, different weapons systems, the requirements and rules imposed by Congress and elsewhere, negotiations with contractors across the country and other challenges relating to cost controls and cost management.

“Frank manages a $400 billion-a-year acquisition system that ensures that our troops have the best, most-advanced weapons, most-advanced technology in the world,” Panetta said.

“Jim Miller … is our new undersecretary for policy,” the secretary said. The position, he added, is a “very unique job, in part [because] you have to have big brain.”

Panetta said Miller’s job requires the skill sets of an academic, a negotiator, a politician, statesman and psychologist, among other traits.

“Jim brings to this position really a remarkable strategic insight into the challenges that we face,” he added.

Panetta described Conaton’s job as a “battlefield” position compared to the jobs of the previous two undersecretaries of defense he introduced.

“You are on the frontlines in the job of undersecretary for personnel and readiness,” Panetta said to Conaton. “You’re dealing with issues that confront people in this department from birth, through their career, to their death. It’s all dealt with in this shop.”

“It really does relate to the quality of life that our people have -- men and women in uniform -- and our civilian workforce,” Panetta added. “I know that in this position Erin will be an outstanding advocate for all of our volunteer force, our department civilians and their families.”

Panetta also praised Conaton’s tenacity, noting she’s a native of New Jersey. “When you come from New Jersey, you have a certain sense of fight that you have to have,” he said. “And she has that. She’s a proven leader and she’s a proven fighter.”

In addition to welcoming the three undersecretaries, Panetta expressed his personal gratitude to their families for their support. He also thanked Jo Ann Rooney, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, who held Conaton’s position on an interim basis while she underwent the confirmation process.
The defense secretary acknowledged there has been “an awful lot of movement” in the department’s leadership in recent months.

“But we now have a full team in place,” Panetta said. “A team that I’m very confident will help us meet our responsibility to the men and women in uniform, and the men and women who are part of our civilian workforce.”

“This department is stronger, and I believe our country is safer, because of your talent, your dedication and your teamwork,” he said.

SEC. OF DEFENSE PANETTA URGES POLITICAL TRANSITION IN EGYPT

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Panetta Urges Egypt's Military Chief to Continue Political Transition
By Nick Simeone
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta called the leader of Egypt's ruling military council today and encouraged him to move forward with a political transition in that country, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

In a written statement issued today, Little said Panetta called Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to discuss current events in Egypt "including the recent Supreme Constitutional Court ruling on the Egyptian parliament." Little said Panetta "highlighted the need to move forward expeditiously with Egypt's political transition, including conducting new legislative elections as soon as possible."

Yesterday, Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court ordered the elected parliament dissolved, two days before a presidential run-off election was set to be held, and more than a year after a popular uprising forced longtime President Hosni Mubarak from power.
During today's call, Little said Field Marshal Tantawi reiterated the Egyptian military's commitment to hold free and fair presidential elections as scheduled, and to transfer power to a democratically elected government by July 1.

Little said Panetta "underscored ... the need to ensure a full and peaceful transition to democracy" in Egypt, and he looks forward to working with Egypt's new government on issues of mutual interest.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA SAYS A SENSE OF URGENCY IS NEEDED REGARDING CYBER ATTACKS

Photo Credit:   Los Alamos National Laboratory.

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Panetta: Sense of Urgency Needed to Defend Against Cyber Attacks

By Jim Garamone

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2012 - The increasing threat of cyber attacks against the nation's computer networks requires a commensurate growth in resources dedicated to protecting them, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told Congress today.

"I think there has to be a greater sense of urgency with regards to the cyber potential, not only now but in the future," Panetta told the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense. "Obviously it's a rapidly developing area."

Enemies launch hundreds of thousands of attacks every day on U.S. computer networks, government and non-government alike. "I'm very concerned at the potential in cyber to be able to cripple our power grid, to be able to cripple our government systems, to be able to cripple our financial systems," Panetta said. "It would virtually paralyze this country. And as far as I'm concerned, that represents the potential for another Pearl Harbor ... using cyber."

Testifying alongside Panetta, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the nature of cyber attacks has changed quickly. A few years ago, he said, hackers launched denial of service attacks on computer systems. Today, sophisticated users, criminal groups and even nations participate in intellectual property and technology theft and have progressed to destructive cyber attacks. "I can't overstate my personal sense of urgency about that," he said.

Panetta feels "very good" about DOD's ability to defend its computer systems, but he is concerned about the security of non-governmental systems. "I think that's the area where we have to deal with the additional authorities," he said.

Dempsey stressed that he, too, supports legislation that encourages information sharing with civilian systems.

The chairman said the department has the authority it needs in the cyber world, but must develop rules of engagement that work at network speed.

"This is not something where we can afford to ... convene a study after someone has knocked out the East Coast power grid," he said.