U.S. PRESIDENT OBAMA, SEC. OF DEFENSE PANETTA LAUD MAN KILLED IN RESCUE MISSION

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Obama, Panetta Laud Special Operator Killed in Rescue Mission
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2012 – President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today paid tribute to the special operations service member killed in the rescue of an American in eastern Afghanistan yesterday.

The Taliban abducted the man Dec. 5 near the Sarobi district of Afghanistan’s Kabul province. His name is being withheld.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, the NATO and U.S. commander in Afghanistan, ordered the rescue when intelligence indicated the man was in imminent danger of injury or death. ISAF officials said it was a joint U.S.-Afghan rescue.

An American special operator was killed during the rescue mission.

Obama said the rescue was characteristic of the extraordinary courage, skill and patriotism that U.S. troops show every day. "Tragically, we lost one of our special operators in this effort," the president said in a written statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, just as we must always honor our troops and military families. He gave his life for his fellow Americans, and he and his teammates remind us once more of the selfless service that allows our nation to stay strong, safe and free."

Panetta also issued a statement commending the U.S special operations team for the rescue and extending his condolences to the family, teammates and friends of the fallen warrior.

"The special operators who conducted this raid knew they were putting their lives on the line to free a fellow American from the enemy’s grip," Panetta said. "They put the safety of another American ahead of their own, as so many of our brave warriors do every day and every night.

"In this fallen hero, and all of our special operators," he continued, "Americans see the highest ideals of citizenship, sacrifice and service upheld. The torch of freedom burns brighter because of them."

ARMY GEN. DEMPSEY'S ETHICS RECOMMENDATIONS PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

Army General Martin E. Dempsey

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Panetta Briefs President on Dempsey Ethics Findings
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has briefed President Barack Obama on Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey's recommendations about general/flag officer ethics, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff presented two initial findings that Panetta took to the White House earlier this week.

Dempsey sent the secretary some initial findings "informed as a result of his year-long effort to renew the U.S. military's commitment to the profession of arms," Little told reporters.

The findings are part of the review of general and flag officer ethics training. As part of this effort, Panetta asked Dempsey to work with the Joint Chiefs to determine how to better foster a culture of stewardship among senior U.S. military leaders.

The first finding is that while there is appropriate ethics training in place for senior leaders, "we need to start earlier and reinforce that training more frequently in an officer's career," Little said. Ethics training is a part of each service's professional military education from initial entry training to general/flag officer education.

"Second, General Dempsey believes we must look at the level and type of support senior leaders receive in the execution of their duties to ensure it is necessary, and to ensure we are being consistent, sensible and efficient," Little said.

The chairman's intent is to direct consistency of support across the general officer/flag officer cadre and to determine whether it is appropriate, the press secretary said.

"What we're talking about here is the personnel infrastructure surrounding general and flag officers," Little said. There are different types of support that general and flag officers receive. For example, generals in command have an aide-de-camp, which is one level of support. They often have additional staff to help with more routine activities.

Little said the findings are an initial set of recommendations, and part of a long-term effort by the chairman.

"The secretary fully supports what Chairman Dempsey has done over the last year with respect to the profession of arms and this is going to be an on-going dialogue inside the Joint Chiefs and services," Little said. "We will see an evolution of discussion and potential actions depending on what General Dempsey, the chiefs and the secretary decide going forward."

Little said Dempsey has not reached conclusions on ethics training or support to senior military officers.

"The secretary is committed to giving the chairman and the chiefs the space they need to come forward with recommendations and to take actions on their own that may be appropriate for ethics for general and flag officers," the press secretary said.

Panetta strongly believes the vast majority of general and flag officers behave in a manner consistent with the highest standards of conduct, Little said.

IRON DOME DEFENSE SYSTEM HELPED TO DEFEND ISRAEL FROM HUNDREDS OF ROCKETS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Panetta, Barak Discuss Iron Dome Success, Israeli Defenses

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised the performance of the Iron Dome air defense system during a press conference here today.

Panetta said the Iron Dome system, which was developed by the Israelis and funded in large part by the United States, prevented war following hundreds of recent Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip. The two men spoke to reporters after meeting at the Pentagon.

"I'm very proud that our two countries cooperated so closely to field the Iron Dome anti-rocket system," Panetta said, noting the system performed remarkably well during the rocket onslaught. "It intercepted more than 400 rockets bound for Israeli population centers, for a roughly 85 percent success rate overall," he said.

"Its success is a testament to the ingenuity of the Israeli people and to the commitment of the United States to Israel's security," he said. "Today, I assured the minister that our strong commitment to Iron Dome will continue into the future."

The U.S. provided $70 million in fiscal year 2012 funds for the system, on top of the $205 million previously allocated, Panetta said, noting DOD will continue to support the system in the future.

"We will obviously continue to work together to seek additional funding to enable Israel to boost Iron Dome's capacity further and to help prevent the kind of escalation and violence that we've seen," Panetta said.

Iron Dome prevents wars, Panetta said, but Israeli and Palestinian leaders must sit down and resolve their differences for real peace in the region.

Barak thanked the United States for the funding to deploy the Iron Dome batteries.

"We highly appreciate your plans to help us in the future on the same issue, because the needs are much larger than what we have right now, and we are determined to complete the system, besides the operational offensive capacities of the Israeli armed forces," Barak said.

Panetta and Barak also spoke about relations between the two nations, and touted the strength of the U.S.-Israeli partnership. Panetta said it is the strongest he has ever seen, describing it as based on shared values and also "on the iron-clad commitment of the United States to Israel's security."

Panetta said the United States strongly supports Israel's right to defend itself and strongly condemned the rocket attacks launched by Hamas against Israel.

"We are encouraged that the cease-fire agreement has held," he said.

The secretary stressed that the United States will continue to work with Israel and Egypt to end the smuggling of arms into Gaza. "No nation should have to live in fear of these kinds of attacks," he said.

Panetta and Barak also spoke about the Iranian nuclear danger. Both nations have continuing concerns over Iran's destabilizing activities and its nuclear program. Panetta reiterated that the United States will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"Iran is facing unprecedented pressure from the ... crippling sanctions that have been imposed by the international community," he said. "And I continue to believe that there is time and space for an effort to try to achieve a diplomatic solution, which remains, I believe, the preferred outcome for both the United States and for Israel."

Barak said the United States and Israel share the same beliefs in freedom, liberty, democracy and human dignity. The United States, he said, is a "moral beacon" to the people of the turbulent region. "We are highly appreciative of this role," he said. "We always keep the right to defend ourselves by ourselves on time where it's needed, but I think that the role of the United States is invaluable in our region."

Before leaving Israel, Barak announced he will retire from political life. Panetta paid tribute to his Israeli counterpart, praising "his brilliant strategic mind," which "stems from his warrior heart and his warrior experience."

The secretary pinned the DOD Medal for Distinguished Public Service on Barak.

U.S. SECRETARY PANETTA'S REMARKS ON U.S. TROOPS IN POST-2014 AFGHANISTAN

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak speak to reporters at the Pentagon, Nov. 29, 2012.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Panetta Outlines Objectives For Troops in Post-2014 Afghanistan

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today laid out three missions for the post-2014 troop presence in Afghanistan, and made it clear the U.S. is not arming rebels fighting to topple the Assad regime in Syria.

During a joint press conference here with visiting Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Panetta was asked what the focus in Afghanistan should be following the transition to Afghan-led security.

"The fundamental mission in Afghanistan is to establish [a nation] that can secure and govern itself and ensure that al-Qaida, never again, finds a safe haven within Afghanistan from which to conduct attacks on the United States or any other country," he said.

The goal for remaining troops, Panetta said, is an enduring presence that will direct itself towards three important missions.

"One is obviously [counterterrorism] to ensure that we continue to go after whatever al-Qaida targets remain in Afghanistan," he said.

"Although we clearly have had an impact on their presence in Afghanistan, the fact is that they continue to show up, and intelligence continues to indicate that they are looking for some kind of capability to be able to go into Afghanistan as well," Panetta said. He noted that forces have to be continually vigilant to protect against the terrorist group's resurgence.

"So that's going to be the fundamental thrust of the CT effort in the enduring presence," Panetta said. "We also are going to continue to have a train-and-assist mission to help develop the capability of the Afghan Army."

"The third mission will be to continue to provide some enabling capability so that we can provide the support needed for our forces as well," he said.

Panetta noted the necessary troop levels to accomplish these missions is "exactly what's being discussed" now.

In addition to discussing Afghanistan, the defense secretary also re-emphasized that the United States has had no involvement in equipping rebel forces in Syria with weapons or surface-to-air missiles.

"With regards to Syria, let me say, unequivocally, that we have not provided any of those kinds of missiles to the opposition forces located in Syria," Panetta said. "We do provide ... non-lethal assistance to the opposition."

"We obviously are continuing to work on humanitarian relief to the refugees that have been impacted," he added.

Panetta noted the U.S., with assistance from Israel and other countries in the region, also continues to monitor fighting in areas with chemical or biological weapons sites.

Our main focus right now, he said, has been working with other countries to try to provide whatever assistance we can to the opposition so it can ultimately become not only an effective force, but one that will be "needed once Assad comes down."

U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY PANETTA ADRESSES STEPS TO END THE AL-QAEDA THREAT

Photo Credit:  U.S. Department Of Defense.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Panetta Details Steps Needed to End Al-Qaeda Threat
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2012 - For the United States and its allies, ending the al-Qaida threat calls for a modified military footprint, close work with partners, and continued U.S. involvement in regions of the world where violent extremism has flourished, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said tonight.

Addressing a large audience here at the Center for a New American Security, the secretary discussed significant national security challenges and opportunities ahead.

He also outlined priorities that characterize the approaching end of the longest period of sustained armed conflict in the nation's history.

The priorities, Panetta said, are fighting the war against al-Qaida and its affiliates, ending the war in Afghanistan, implementing the new defense strategy, meeting fiscal responsibilities, countering nuclear proliferation, improving cybersecurity, achieving greater energy security, implementing the Asia-Pacific rebalance, and taking care of service members, veterans and military families.

"But tonight I wanted to focus on the goal that still remains at the top of the priority list, as it must. That goal that the president made very clear -- that we have a responsibility to disrupt, degrade, dismantle and ultimately defeat those who attacked America on 9/11 -- al-Qaida," the secretary said.

" ... To protect Americans at home and overseas," he added, "we need to continue to pursue al-Qaida wherever they go, whatever form they take, wherever they seek to hide. We must be constantly vigilant, we must be constantly determined to pursue this enemy."

What will it take, he asked, to achieve the end of al-Qaida?

The essential first step is to finish the job that the United States and its coalition partners began in Afghanistan, he said, "and we are on track to do that."

As the United States and its NATO partners agreed at the 2010 summit in Lisbon, Panetta said, Afghans must be responsible for their own security by the end of 2014.

This transition will require continued commitment by the international community and the United States to help Afghan forces achieve this goal, he added.

"We have come too far. We have invested too much blood and treasure not to finish the job," the secretary said. "There are no shortcuts, nor can we afford to turn away from this effort when we are so close to achieving success and preventing al-Qaida from ever returning to this historic epicenter for violent extremism."

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, prolonged military and intelligence operations have significantly weakened al-Qaida, Panetta said.

The terrorist group's most effective leaders are gone, its command and control has been degraded and its safe haven is shrinking, he added, but al-Qaida remains.

"We have slowed the primary cancer but we know that the cancer has also metastasized to other parts of the global body," the secretary said. Two examples of that spreading al-Qaida presence are Yemen and Somalia.

In Yemen, for example, the capabilities of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, are growing. This group has targeted the United States for attack and sowed violence and chaos in Yemen itself, Panetta said.

"We have struck back in an effort to disrupt and dismantle this group through a very close partnership with the government of Yemen ... and the Yemenese themselves," he added.

In Somalia, against the militant group al-Shaabab, progress also has been made, the secretary said, "in large part because of an effective partnership between the United States and the African Union Mission in Somalia."

But the challenge is far from over, Panetta said.

"President [Barack] Obama has made clear, we will fight not just through military means but by harnessing every element of American power -- military, intelligence, diplomatic, law enforcement, financial, economic and above all the power of our values as Americans," the secretary said.

The second step in achieving the end of al-Qaida, Panetta said, involves maintaining pressure on al-Qaida in Pakistan, on AQAP in Yemen, and on al-Qaida-associated forces in Somalia.

That means degrading the terrorists' senior leadership, dismantling their organizational capabilities, remaining vigilant to ensure the threat does not reconstitute, and working to build the capacity of U.S. partners, including Pakistan, to confront these shared threats, he added.

"Despite challenges in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Pakistan," the secretary said, "one area in which our national interests continue to align is defeating the terrorists on Pakistan soil that threaten both of us. We remain committed to pursuing defense cooperation based on these shared interests."

A third step is to prevent the emergence of new safe havens for al-Qaida elsewhere in the world that the group could use to attack the United States or its interests, he said.

"The last decade of war has shown that coordinated efforts to share intelligence, to conduct operations with partners, are critical to making sure that al-Qaida has no place to hide," Panetta told the audience.

"We will expand these efforts, including through support and partnership with governments in transition in the Middle East and North Africa," he added.

"This campaign against al-Qaida will largely take place outside declared combat zones, using a small-footprint approach that includes precision operations, partnered activities with foreign special operations forces, and capacity building so that partner countries can be more effective in combating terrorism on their own," the secretary said.

DOD will work whenever possible with local partners, he added, supporting them with intelligence and resources they need to deter common threats.

In Mali for example, Panetta said, "we are working with our partners in Western Africa who are committed to countering the emerging threat to regional stability posed by AQIM."

A fourth step needed to bring an end to al-Qaida involves investing in the future, he added, in new military and intelligence capabilities and security partnerships.

"Our new defense strategy makes clear -- the military must retain and even build new counterterrorism capabilities for the future," Panetta said.

As the size of the military shrinks, for example, special operations will continue to ramp up, growing from 37,000 members on 9/11 to 64,000 today and 72,000 by 2017, the secretary noted.

"We are expanding our fleet of Predator and Reaper [unmanned aerial vehicles] over what we have today. These enhanced capabilities will enable us to be more flexible and agile against a threat that has grown more diffuse," Panetta said.

"We are also continuing to invest in building partner capacity, including through Section 1206 authority to train and equip foreign military forces. Our new Global Security Contingency Fund has been very helpful in placing new emphasis on cultivating regional expertise in the ranks," the secretary added.

A final point that too often takes a backseat to operations against al-Qaida, Panetta said, is how to prevent extremist ideologies from attracting new recruits.

"Over the past decade we have successfully directed our military and intelligence capabilities at fighting terrorism," he added. "And yet we are still struggling to develop an effective approach to address the factors that attract young men and women to extreme ideologies, and to ensure that governments and societies have the capacity and the will to counter and reject violent extremism."

To truly end the threat from al-Qaida, the secretary said, "military force aimed at killing our enemy alone will never be enough. The United States must stay involved and invested through diplomacy, through development, through education, through trade in those regions of the world where violent extremism has flourished."

This means continued engagement in Pakistan, he added, and following through on U.S. commitments to Afghanistan's long-term stability.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has outlined a comprehensive strategy for North and West Africa that combines security assistance and economic development, strengthens democratic institutions and advances political reforms, Panetta said.

" ... We will be vigilant and we will posture our military and intelligence forces to prevent and if necessary respond to threats of violence against our interests throughout the Middle East and North Africa, including threats against our embassies and consulates, and our diplomats themselves," the secretary said.

"But to truly protect America, we must sustain and in some areas deepen our engagement in the world –- our military, intelligence, diplomatic and development efforts are key to doing that," he added.

Pursuing an isolationist path, the secretary said, "would make all of us less safe in the long-term."

"This is not a time for retrenchment. This is not a time for isolation. It is a time for renewed engagement and partnership in the world," Panetta said.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA'S REMARKS AT THE ASEAN MEETING

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, center, tours Angkor Wat with U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William E. Todd, right, and David L. Carden, left, U.S. Ambassador to the U.S. Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Nov. 16, 2012. Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu temple complex in the world. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT

Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta November 16, 2012
Remarks by Secretary Panetta at ASEAN Meeting, Siem Reap, Cambodia


SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON E. PANETTA: Well, good afternoon to everyone.

It has been a real pleasure for me to have the opportunity to be here in Cambodia for my first visit as secretary of defense.

I want to thank the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN. We had the opportunity to sit down together at lunch, and then in a more formal session, to exchange our views.

And I want to express in particular my thanks to Cambodia's minister of national defense, who has been such a gracious host.

This is my final stop on my trip to Southeast Asia. This trip has taken me to Australia, and then to Thailand, and now to Cambodia. And the message that I have conveyed on this visit, and my other visits, is that the United States's rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region is real, it is sustainable, and it will be ongoing for a long period of time into the future.

The United States military has been working with friends and partners and allies in the Asia-Pacific region for over 70 years. Americans have fought and died in this region, and our goal has always been to try to promote peace and prosperity throughout this region. And we have tried to foster conditions that would lead to economic growth, more effective governance, and an effort to help lift millions from property and create a better future for generations to come.

And we are deepening our military engagement with our allies and partners in this region, in order to ensure that we are able to promote security and prosperity for many years to come.

But our increased military engagement in the region is but one part of the effort by the United States to rebalance. This effort includes not just military, but diplomatic, economic and cultural engagement across the region. And I know that President Obama looks forward to discussing each of these elements of our rebalance when he arrives here for the East Asia Summit later this week.

Today, we reaffirm the importance of ASEAN unity for building regional stability, and also the United States's support for ASEAN-led defense cooperation in a number of critical areas to the region, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security, nonproliferation and counterterrorism.

I also want to underscore, and I stressed this in meetings that I participated in, the support of the United States for the protection of human rights, of civilian oversight of the military, of respect for the rule of law, and for the right of full and fair participation in the political process here in Cambodia and throughout Southeast Asia.

And as I said last year in Indonesia, and I stress again, we are committed to further strengthening the U.S.-ASEAN relationship. And as a reflection of that commitment, the United States will increase the size and number of exercises that we participate in in the Pacific with our Southeast Asia partners. And we are devoting new funding to this goal.

In addition, we're pleased to see progress toward action-oriented cooperation in the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus. And the United States looks forward to participating in three ADMM-Plus exercises in 2013, including a humanitarian and disaster relief exercise that will be hosted by Brunei, a counterterrorism exercise that we are cosponsoring with Indonesia, and a maritime security exercise co-chaired by Malaysia and Australia.

I expressed to my counterparts that I am impressed by the continuing development of ASEAN-led efforts to enhance security. As I stated at the last meeting, we in the Pacific are part of one family of nations, and we may not agree on all issues, but we are committed to work together to ensure the security of that family.

Let me conclude by saying that this is in many ways a new era in the U.S. relationship in this region. It is based on the principles of the rule of law. It is based on our presence to try to help develop the capabilities of nations. It is based on partnership. And it is based on the common goal of advancing peace and prosperity and opportunity for all people in all nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Thank you.

PANETTA PLACES MILITARY LEADERSHIP CULTURE ON REVIEW

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Panetta Directs Review of Officers' Culture of Stewardship
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

BANGKOK, Nov. 15, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has ordered a review to determine how the armed forces can better foster a culture of stewardship among senior military officers, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

Panetta directed Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to work with other members of the Joint Chiefs on the review, Little said, adding that initial findings are due to the secretary within the next few weeks.

Little said this is an ongoing process, the timing of which -- amid recent reports and investigations of potentially improper behavior by several general officers -- is coincidental. The review, he said, "was going to happen anyway." Input to the secretary will form the basis of a report to President Barack Obama on the department's progress in this area by Dec. 1.

The process, Little noted, is intended to reinforce and strengthen the standards that keep the military well led and disciplined.

"The secretary believes that the vast majority of our senior military officers exemplify the strength of character and the highest ethical standards the American people expect of those whose job it is to provide for the security of our nation," Little said.

"They represent not only the best of the American military but the American people," he added. "The majority of these officers lead by example, which is one of the reasons the United States military stands without peer."

Over the past several months, the press secretary said, Panetta has spoken with the service secretaries, service chiefs and combatant commanders about instances when senior officers have not lived up to the standards expected of them.

"This has been an ongoing discussion," Little said, "reflecting shared concerns."

The secretary is traveling this week in the Asia-Pacific region, visiting defense officials in Australia, Thailand and Cambodia.

　

U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE'S TRIP TO ASIA-PACIFIC

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Panetta's Asia-Pacific Trip Seeks to Broaden Rebalance
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
HONOLULU, Nov. 12, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has begun a weeklong visit to three nations in the Asia-Pacific region, his fourth official trip to area that is the focus of a rebalance of time, attention and resources for the Defense Department.

The trip includes visits to Australia, Thailand and Cambodia, but for the secretary it began here yesterday on Veterans Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also called the Punchbowl.

The cemetery rises above Honolulu on land that 75,000 years ago was a crater formed when hot lava gushed through cracks in ancient coral reefs.

Today it is the final resting place of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from the Boxer Rebellion, the Korean War, World War II and Vietnam, as well as two astronauts and World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle, a Navy Reserve seaman third class killed by a Japanese sniper near Okinawa in 1945.

At the cemetery, veterans and their families formed a long line, waiting to shake hands and chat with the secretary of defense. Panetta laid a wreath at a monument, and then greeted the veterans and members of the color guard one by one and took a photograph with the crew of cemetery caretakers, all of them veterans.

When Panetta leaves Honolulu today, he will head to Perth, Australia, to attend the annual bilateral consultations between Australia and the United States.

There, he will join with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, in meetings with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and sessions of the conference.

Panetta also will meet with Defense Minister Stephen Smith and Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett.

During this first official trip to Australia, Panetta will express to the Australians his gratitude for their contribution to U.S. and coalition efforts in Afghanistan, officials said.

Earlier yesterday, aboard a military aircraft en route to Hawaii, a senior defense official told reporters traveling with the secretary that the United States "very much appreciates the Australians' commitment to Afghanistan, ... and we look forward to bringing that spirit of cooperation and interoperability to the Pacific as well in a greater capacity."

A key accomplishment this year for the U.S.-Australia partnership has been the start of Marine Corps and Air Force rotational deployments to northern Australia, the official said.

At the ministerial consultations, he said, "I think our primary objective is to make more progress on the Marine Corps and Air Force [deployments]."

Senior-level meetings will help to "move the ball forward and deepen the implementation," he added, "so we're going to try to keep this on track, as well as broaden our cooperation with the Australians."

Later this week in Bangkok, Panetta will meet with his Thai counterpart, Defense Minister Sukampol Suwannathat, and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

This is the first visit of a secretary of defense to Thailand since 2008, the senior defense official said. "We enjoy great operational cooperation and access with the Thais, [and] we're trying to do is bring back this important strategic piece of the defense relationship," the official added. "That's our primary objective in Thailand."

After his meetings in Thailand, the secretary will travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where he will meet with Cambodian Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh and with defense ministers from member countries of ASEAN, the Association for Southeast Asian Defense.

"It's a change to talk about how we would like to work with these countries on key nontraditional security threats, such as humanitarian assistance, disaster response, nonproliferation, counterpiracy and others, ... and how we can cooperatively tackle some of these transnational threats," the defense official said.

Panetta also could discuss regional cooperation, ASEAN unity, his recent trips to China and India, and U.S. fiscal pressures on the Defense Department, the official added.

The U.S. rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region is building on relationships that have been going on for decades, the official said. "We've been in the Asia-Pacific for 60 or 70 years, and we have worked with friends, partners and allies to promote and maintain a system that has brought economic prosperity, security and in parts democracy to this region," he added.

The United States is inextricably tied to the region, he said, "and the whole point of the rebalance is to keep doing what we have been doing."

The rebalance is part of a process, the official noted. "We are playing the long game here," he said. "This is something that's going to take years to do, but it doesn't take away from the fact that ... we're off to a fast start.

"The resources are moving," he added, "the engagement of senior-level officials is there, and the bureaucratic weight and the time, attention and resources of the United States government are moving toward the Pacific theater."

PENTAGON SAYS U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE'S TRIP IS TO STRENGTHEN THE ASIA-PACIFIC ALLIANCE



U.S. Secretary Of Defense Leon Panetta

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Panetta Aims to Fortify Alliances on Asia-Pacific Tour
By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2012 - To strengthen alliances with partners in the Asia-Pacific region, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will prepare for a three-country trip across two continents, Press Secretary George Little said in a briefing today.

"We look forward to this opportunity to further advance our long-term strategy of rebalancing with the Asia-Pacific [region]," Little said.

The first stop on the trip, he said, will be Perth, Australia.

There, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III will join Panetta for the annual U.S.-Australian Ministerial.

Panetta's first trip to Australia as Defense Secretary will enable him to thank Australia for their contribution to efforts in Afghanistan, Little noted.

"This year's Australia Ministerial will also provide an opportunity to review the alliance's progress on the successful Marine Corps and Air Force deployments to Northern Australia and to discuss the next steps in this important cooperation," he said.

From Australia, the secretary will travel to Thailand.

"The important U.S.-Thailand alliance has served both our countries well for nearly 60 years and our two governments are eager to establish a forward-looking strategic vision ... that builds on our already close cooperation," Little said.

The final stop, he said, will be Cambodia, where the secretary will join 10 other defense chiefs from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at their annual retreat in Siem-Reap.

"Secretary Panetta will emphasize the importance of ASEAN unity for regional stability and will communicate U.S. support for ASEAN-led defense cooperation," Little said.

The secretary's visit to the region, along with that of Secretary Clinton, reflects the commitment of the U.S. to the rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific, Little noted.

"Secretary Panetta has made this one of his highest priorities because he believes that it is the right strategy for the future, security and prosperity of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA ON MILITARY'S COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY



U.S. Secretary Of Defense Leon E. Panetta

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE,

Message on the 2012 Election
As Written by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, The Pentagon, Wednesday, November 07, 2012
This week, millions of Americans exercised their most important responsibility as citizens and participated in the electoral process.

Throughout the campaign season, we at the Department of Defense have been squarely focused on our mission of defending the nation. Now that the campaign is over, we will stay just as focused on that critical mission.

America's elected leaders, in turn, now have the responsibility to do everything possible to ensure that we succeed in our mission.

As the country moves beyond the 2012 election, DoD personnel should take heart in one thing that will always unite the American people, and that is their strong support for the millions of men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to defend to keep our country safe.

Let us renew our pledge as a Department to keep fighting for a safer and stronger future for the United States, and to ensure this always remains a government of, by, and for all people.

U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY PANETTA APPOINTS COMMANDERS IN PREPARATION OF HURRICANE SANDY

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Panetta Appoints 'Dual' Commanders for Hurricane Relief

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has appointed "dual status" commanders – those authorized to command both federal and state National Guard forces – in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.

As federal and state officials prepare for Sandy to make landfall between the Delaware and New York coasts tomorrow, Panetta agreed with the governors of several northeast coastal states to appoint the commanders "with the goal of helping to save lives and property during the storm," a Pentagon spokesman said in a press release issued yesterday.

"This special authority enables [the commanders] to effectively integrate the defense support operations and capabilities that governors request," the official said. Panetta made the appointments at the request of the governors of Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, he said.

"The secretary is prepared to quickly agree to similar requests from other states," he said.

The dual-status commander concept was created in 2009 and the first commander designees were appointed in August 2011 to prepare for Hurricane Irene, according to a Pentagon press release then.

DOD also is supporting Hurricane Sandy preparedness with its U.S. Northern Command, which has put aviation assets such as light- and medium-lift helicopters and rescue teams on 24-hour status to prepare to deploy in response to the storm, the release says. Northcom also is providing military installations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use in its response operations, it says.

The National Guard Bureau is coordinating with the adjutants general and their disaster response teams in every East Coast state, the release says.

U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA SPEAKS ABOUT CONGRESS AND SEQUESTRATION

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Panetta: Congress 'On The Clock' to Avert Sequestration

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2012 - Congress "is on the clock" and has critical work to accomplish when the House and Senate come back into session after the Nov. 6 election, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today.

During a Pentagon news conference today, Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed the need for lawmakers to act.

First on the list is averting sequestration before it takes effect Jan. 2, Panetta said. Unless Congress decides on an alternative by that date, a sequestration provision in budget law requires an additional $500 billion in defense spending cuts over the next decade, on top of a $487 billion spending reduction already in effect for that period.

"There are only 70 days until that happens, and Congress is certainly on the clock when it comes to that potential sequestration occurring," the secretary said.

The secretary said he also wants Congress to pass the fiscal 2013 defense authorization bill. "I'd like them to pass a ... defense appropriations bill, too, but in the very least, we really do need a defense authorization bill so that we can continue to implement our new defense strategy," he said.

The secretary also stressed the need for Congress to act on a cybersecurity bill. "We really do need strong cybersecurity legislation to ensure that we can help defend the nation against a cyberattack," he said. This was the second time in two weeks that Panetta has stressed the need for this legislation, again warning of the growing threat of a cyberattack on the nation's infastructure.

Finally, Panetta called on the Senate to act quickly on the nominations of Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen to be the next commander of U.S. European Command and to become NATO's Supreme Allied Commander for Europe and for Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. to replace Allen as commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

"This is a full agenda," the secretary said. "It's one that requires Democrats and Republicans to work together. And after a tough national election, the American people, I think, will expect both parties to roll up their sleeves, work together to solve the problems facing the nation, and to protect our national security."

Congress's failure to approve a fiscal 2013 budget is causing problems way down the line for the Defense Department, Panetta said. "We're developing a [fiscal] 2014 budget that to some extent ... is not based on what Congress has done, because they haven't done it," the secretary said. "We don't know what the 2013 budget is going to be." The department is operating on a continuing resolution through March 2013 in lieu of a budget for the whole fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.

Panetta said Pentagon officials don't know what they can spend for fiscal 2013, let alone fiscal 2014. "This is a strategic issue: it's 'What kind of stability am I going to have in terms of defense spending for the future?'" he said.

Noting that the department still is cutting almost $500 billion from the defense budget over the next decade, Panetta said that to do so smartly requires some certainty.

"For us to be able to make the kind of strategic choices we need to make, I have to have some stability with regards to where are we going from here," he said. "And I don't have that right now, and frankly, that's a major concern."

PANETTA REFLECTS ON TRAVELS TO THE ASIA-PACIFIC SIDE OF THE WORLD

P

Photo:  Leon Panetta In New Zealand.  Credit:  U.S. DOD.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Panetta Shares Perspectives From Latest Trip
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2012 - In a message to the men and women of the Defense Department, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta shared his perspectives from his recent trip to the Asia-Pacific region.

Here is the secretary's message:

This week I returned from a week-long trip to Japan, China, and New Zealand, my third trip to the Asia-Pacific region as Secretary of Defense.

The underlying purpose of the trip was to support our new defense strategy, which calls for the Department of Defense to increase our focus on the Asia-Pacific region. This strategy is part of a government-wide effort that includes increased economic, diplomatic, development, and security efforts – all in order to renew and revitalize America's role in a region that is becoming more critical to our future security and prosperity.

My first stop was Tokyo, a city that I have visited a number of times in previous capacities, and on my first trip to Asia as Secretary of Defense last year. I am always appreciative of the warm hospitality and genuine friendship that the people of Japan extend to me and all their American visitors. It reflects the fact that Japan is a very close ally in the region, and that our Alliance has served as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific for more than 50 years.

This trip took place during a time of increased tensions between China and Japan over competing claims to the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea – an episode that serves as a reminder of the important role the United States military continues to play in ensuring peace and security in the region. My message to the Government of Japan, which I would later repeat in China, was simple: the United States doesn't take a position on competing sovereignty claims but we urge both sides to exercise calm and restraint, and we have an interest in seeing this dispute resolved peacefully and through diplomatic means.

While in Japan, I had very productive meetings with Foreign Minister Gemba and Defense Minister Morimoto that allowed us to make progress on two key issues for our Alliance. First, we agreed to pursue an additional ballistic missile defense radar, directed at protecting the people of Japan, U.S. forward-deployed forces, and the U.S. homeland, from the North Korean missile threat. Second, we set the stage for an agreement, announced later in the week that reconfirmed the safety of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft, enabled the commencement of flight operations, and paved the way for the deployment of the aircraft to in Okinawa. The Osprey is an important new capability that will greatly enhance our ability to defend Japan and respond to crises in the region – with twice the speed, three times the payload, and four times the range of the platform it replaces.

Before departing Tokyo, I had the opportunity to visit with several hundred American service members stationed at Yokota Air Base – a critical hub for our activities in the region. I had the chance to describe our new defense strategy and point out that the key to our strength rests with them – the men and women in uniform serving our Nation. It's always a highlight for me to have the opportunity to interact with service members wherever I travel in the world.

My next stop was Beijing, a visit that marked my first trip to China as Secretary of Defense. The goal of this visit was to build on the progress we have made toward establishing a military-to-military relationship with China that is healthy, stable, reliable, and continuous. Our two nations have had a series of high-level interactions this year – from the visit of Vice President Xi to the Pentagon earlier in the year to General Liang's visit in May – that have helped to build sustained and substantive interactions between our leaders. My visit continued this trend. One of the highlights was an elaborate welcome banquet General Liang hosted in my honor at the State Guest House in Beijing, which even included a magic show and a few hundred toasts that we all survived.

In my discussions with key military and civilian leaders, the thing that most impressed me is that we are building the kind of relationship where we can talk openly and candidly about our disagreements. At the same time, we are increasingly able to identify areas where our militaries can cooperate more – such as counterpiracy and maritime security, humanitarian relief and disaster assistance, and peacekeeping operations. In that spirit, I invited China to send a ship to RIMPAC 2014 – the world's largest multilateral Naval exercise.

I was also encouraged by my interactions with young officers and cadets at the Engineering Academy of PLA Armored Forces, where I gave a speech focusing on the United States rebalance to Asia-Pacific region and had the opportunity to join students for lunch in the cafeteria. The questions that I got from the young cadets were candid and thoughtful, and it was clear that they appreciated my message that a stronger defense relationship between the U.S. and China is critically important to security and prosperity in the 21st century.

On my third and final day in China, I was able to fly to the coastal city of Qingdao and visit the headquarters of the North Sea fleet. There, I toured a PLA frigate and a diesel powered submarine. I was impressed with the professionalism and discipline of the PLA sailors, and it is clear that they are working to modernize their military. Throughout my visit, I stressed the importance of increasing their transparency as they undergo this modernization, so it was a positive step for me to be given a tour of these ships.

From Qingdao, we boarded our plane for the final time in China and took an overnight flight down to Auckland, New Zealand, the final stop on this trip.

It was the first visit I've ever made to New Zealand, and I was struck by the similarities in landscape between Auckland and my native Northern California. It was a special honor to be in Auckland because I was the first United States Secretary of Defense to visit New Zealand in 30 years.

Soon after I arrived, New Zealand's Defence Forces hosted a welcome ceremony for me that befitted the historic nature of this visit. During the ceremony, a group of Maori tribesman approached me with a ceremonial challenge. My job was to pick up a dagger while not smiling and maintaining eye contact in order to signal that I came in peace. Luckily, I passed the test.

My broader purpose in traveling to New Zealand was first and foremost to recognize that New Zealand has been a stalwart friend over the past decade of war. In Afghanistan, New Zealand has made a variety of contributions to the war effort and continues to lead the Bamiyan provincial reconstruction team. During my visit, I paid tribute to New Zealand's war heroes at their National War Memorial Museum, and I had the opportunity to recognize five individual soldiers from the New Zealand Defence Forces with Army Commendation Medals.

New Zealand also plays an important role as a provider of security in the South Pacific, and as the United States rebalances to the Asia-Pacific region we are looking for new ways to partner together to enhance regional security. To that end, I was pleased to be able to announce while in New Zealand that the U.S. government is changing some policies that govern interactions with New Zealand's military, which were put into effect after New Zealand passed nuclear-free legislation in the mid-1980s. Specifically, we have eliminated restrictions on discussions and exercises between our two militaries, and we have established a mechanism to authorize individual visits by ships of New Zealand's Royal Navy to U.S. military and coast guard facilities, both in the United States and around the world.

These changes sent a strong signal that we are entering into a new era of defense cooperation with New Zealand. More broadly, my entire week-long trip sent the message that the United States is following through with our strategy to rebalance towards the Asia-Pacific region. Throughout the week, it was heartening to hear Allies, friends and partners in the region welcome the Department's renewed focus on Asia-Pacific. The high regard they have for the U.S. military is a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of all our men and women in uniform, and the civilians who support them. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for your continued service to a strong and secure America.

AFGHANISTAN SURGE DRAWDOWN IS OVER

View of the shell of the "Large Buddha" and surrounding caves in Bamyan. The Buddha statue in this cave as well as in another - both dating to the sixth century A.D. - were frequently visited and described over the centuries by travelers on the Silk Road. Both statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. From: CIA World Factbook.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Panetta Announces Completion of Afghanistan Surge Drawdown
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012 - The drawdown of U.S. surge forces in Afghanistan is complete as scheduled, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced here today during a news conference with New Zealand Defense Minister Dr. Jonathan Coleman.

Panetta said the return of 33,000 troops President Barack Obama committed to the war in Afghanistan in 2009 is "an important milestone."

"As we reflect on this moment, it is an opportunity to recognize that the surge accomplished its objectives of reversing Taliban momentum on the battlefield and dramatically increased the size and capability of the Afghan national security forces," he said.

The surge of forces allowed the United States and its coalition partners in NATO's International Security Assistance Force to begin transitioning to Afghan security lead, he said, noting that Afghan forces soon will be responsible for leading their country's defense in areas of every province, and for more than 75 percent of the Afghan population.

"At the same time, we have struck enormous blows against al-Qaida's leadership, consistent with our core goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating al-Qaida and denying it a safe haven," the secretary said.

The 68,000 U.S. service members who remain in Afghanistan combine with other nation's forces to make ISAF around 100,000 troops strong, Panetta said. Those forces will keep working to reduce the level of violence in Afghanistan, ensure the Taliban do not regain any of their previously held areas, and strengthen the Afghan army, he added.

Panetta said Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. and ISAF forces in Afghanistan, is confident he can accomplish his campaign with the current force level.

"I have always had tremendous confidence in General Allen's ability to say to me, 'This is what I need in order to accomplish the mission,'" the secretary said. "Right now, he is saying the force he has in place is sufficient to accomplish that mission."

Panetta is in New Zealand for the final stop on his third Asian tour, which also included visits to Japan and China.

CHINA INVITED TO "RIM OF THE PACIFIC" NAVAL EXERCISE

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks with Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force Gen. Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff, in Beijing, Sept. 17, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
Panetta: Navy Will Invite China to Pacific Rim Exercise
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

BEIJING, Sept. 18, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and his Chinese counterpart, Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie, told reporters here today they see progress and room for growth in the two nations' military relationship.

During a news conference following small- and large-group meetings the two attended this morning, Panetta said he informed the general today that "the United States Navy will invite China to send a ship to participate in the RIMPAC [Rim of the Pacific] 2014 exercise."

The biannual exercise, hosted by the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, is the world's largest maritime exercise. It involved 22 nations' navies this year.

The secretary said he hopes China's participation in RIMPAC 2014 will build on the positive momentum generated by a counterpiracy exercise the two nations took part in last week in the Gulf of Aden.

"These exercises enhance the ability of our navies to work together to confront the common threat of piracy," Panetta said.

The secretary said he and Liang also discussed establishing peacekeeping exchanges between the two militaries, which "would enhance our capabilities in this critical area."

The United States hopes in particular, he added, that through such exchanges "we can learn from China's experience leading [United Nations] peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and in the Western Sahara"

As the two nations increase cooperation, the secretary said, it's important for both sides to recognize they won't always agree.

"The United States continues to be concerned about challenges to maritime security in East Asia," Panetta said, referring to recent clashes between China and Japan over the Senkaku Islands, known in China as the Diaoyu Islands. In that and other territorial disputes in the Asia-Pacific region, Panetta said, he urges calm and hopes to see the nations involved keep communication channels open so they can resolve their claims peacefully, though diplomacy.

"It's in no country's interest for this situation to escalate into conflict that would undermine peace and stability in this very important region," he added. "This has been my consistent message throughout the week."

Map Credit:  U.S. Department Of Defense.

The secretary is midway through an Asia trip that began in Japan and will end later this week with a stop in New Zealand.

Panetta said in discussion with Liang, he also repeated the U.S. desire to have a military-to-military dialogue with China on conduct in cyberspace, which the secretary called a growing economic and security threat.

Finally, Panetta said, he focused during today's discussions on the U.S. strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region. The United States intends its strategy to add impetus to economic, diplomatic and security interests in the region, which is vital to world trade, the secretary added.

"As I pointed out, a key to that rebalancing is having a constructive relationship with China," he said.

Liang told reporters during the conference the Chinese government has placed "great value" on Panetta's visit.

The general confirmed the events on the secretary's schedule through today: meetings here with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, who serves in a position roughly equivalent to the U.S. national security advisor; and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xu Caihou.

Liang also confirmed Panetta's schedule includes visits to the People's Liberation Army armored engineering college, where the secretary will deliver a speech, and a visit to the eastern port city of Qingdao, where he will meet with the commander of China's North Sea Fleet.

The general said that in today's meetings, "we have exchanged ideas and opinions on bilateral and military-to-military relations between our two nations, on international and regional situations, and ... other issues of common interest. We have reached some consensus."

Liang said both sides agreed "solid and steady development of China-U.S. relations is significant to the two countries, the two peoples, and to the entire world."

Liang said he and Panetta agreed that within the larger picture of relations between the two countries, they must develop a new military-to-military relationship "based on equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation."

He noted there are issues -- including U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, the U.S. rebalancing strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, territorial disputes in the South and East China Sea, cybersecurity and outer space – on which better communication could "reduce suspicions and build trust."

The general added that discussions with Panetta have been conducted in a "candid, practical and constructive atmosphere."

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA ATTENDS FISHER HOUSE FUNDING EVENT

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta August 19, 2012
　

Remarks by Secretary Panetta at Gooding Car Auction, Monterey, Calif.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON E. PANETTA: Thank you, David. I appreciate your generosity in hosting this and Jay, thank you for your generosity in providing the -- the little Italian car that will be sold here.
　
This is -- it's a great honor for me to have this opportunity and I -- I appreciate that fact that it's taking place here in my hometown of Monterey, gives me chance to get the hell out of Washington and be able to come home. (Applause.)
　
I -- I am very proud as -- as Secretary of Defense to represent probably the most powerful military force in the world. And we have, as many of you know, we have great -- great weapons, great fighters, great carriers, great technology -- cutting edge technology and so much, and yet the most important thing we have, none of that is worth much, most important thing we have are men and women in uniform who are willing to serve this country and put their lives on the line. (Applause.)
　
I -- I can't -- I can't tell you how -- how important it is in our country that there are those that are willing to -- to be in the battle.
　
As we speak, there are those in Afghanistan who are fighting, and yes, some are dying in order to protect this country.
　
And so, it is -- it is truly an honor to be able to be at an event that is going to help fund the Fisher House.
　
We've had a lot of seriously wounded individuals. And I was at Bethesda yesterday, and these kids are stepping on IEDs, on mines and getting the most serious injuries you can image. But because of the Fisher House Foundation, they are able to provide the kind of rehabilitation and help that gives all of these kids a chance to be able to continue their lives, to go back to the communities and really be able to become good, solid Americans by virtue of the generosity of the Fisher House and all it does.
　
So I am really thankful to Jay for -- for his willingness to -- to put this little Italian car up for sale. As Ray said, it's Odierno, it's Panetta, it's Leno, you better damn well bid on this Italian car and make it a good bid.
　
Thank you. (Applause.)

U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA SAYS TO REMEMBER SACRIFICES IN AFGHANISTAN

Photo Credit:  U.S. Marines

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Remember Progress, Sacrifices in Afghanistan, Panetta Says

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2012 - Amid a news-filled summer here at home and the nation's attention focused on the just-concluded Olympics, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today urged Americans to remember a war is still going on in Afghanistan, and called on them to honor the sacrifices service members are making there.


Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed Afghanistan during a Pentagon news briefing. The two conferred earlier in the day with Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Kabul.


"I just want the American people to take the time and reflect on these sacrifices," Panetta said. "It's because of those sacrifices that I think we're moving in the right direction to achieve our goal in Afghanistan.


"That's a tribute to General Allen's leadership and to the countless sacrifices of thousands of Americans and international and Afghan forces who have stepped forward to make us safer," he added.


The leaders spoke of the campaign and Panetta summarized the progress measured against four goals: to build the capabilities of Afghan forces, to pressure the insurgency, to transition to an Afghan security lead, and to maintain the international coalition's unity of effort.


It is a tough fight in Afghanistan, especially at the height of the summer fighting season, the secretary said, but added that progress can be measured. Afghan security forces continue to grow in size and capabilities, he said. There are roughly 350,000 Afghan soldiers and police today and the country will reach its goal of 352,000 in the next few months, he said.


Afghan forces' capabilities are also growing, Panetta said. "The growth of Afghan special operations and having that capability has allowed Afghans to plan, conduct and lead special operations missions every day and every night," he said.


Afghan forces recently activated a special operations forces command with 10,000 soldiers, and in one recent 24-hour period in one regional command, 27 of 35 SOF operations were Afghan-led.
Capable Afghan security forces will cripple the insurgency, Panetta said. The Taliban and other groups recognize this and are attacking to undermine the trust between the coalition and Afghan forces, he said. The Taliban has taken credit for a number of "green-on-blue" attacks to sow distrust.


"Make no mistake about it, I've been very concerned about these incidents ... because of the lives lost and because of the potential damage to our partnership efforts," Panetta said.


Another reason for the uptick in insurgent attacks is because Afghan and coalition forces are taking the fight to the enemy, the secretary said.


"When you're aggressive and when you're conducting operations against them, obviously the number of casualties are going to increase," he said.


The fighting is away from cities and villages and the goal of protecting the population is being realized, Panetta said, allowing ISAF to continue with the transition to Afghan lead. "The transition has been and remains ... very much a successful operation," he said.


Afghan soldiers and police protect more than half of the population today and that percentage will rise to 75 percent in the coming months, Panetta said.


"Security gains made in these areas have been sustained," he said. "Indeed, in the first six months of this year insurgent attacks were down about 15 percent in areas that are undergoing transition compared to 2011."


Encouraging unity of effort is the final goal and ensuring the strong support of the Afghan people and the international community is paramount, the secretary said.


"In my discussions with General Allen and with my foreign counterparts ... I've been struck by the shared determination of the international community and coalition to overcome the challenges and stay committed to the effort," he said.


DOD leaders are encouraged that Pakistan recently has taken a more positive, visible step to advance the shared objective of a secure and peaceful Afghanistan, Panetta said.


"Their decision to open up the NATO supply lines means a great deal to us in terms of our ability to transit containers and materiel that are now moving across the border into Afghanistan," he said. "Similarly, cross-border cooperation with Pakistan is increasing."


American forces are drawing down in Afghanistan. But even with the drawdown – set to be complete next month – there will still be 68,000 U.S. service members in the country.


"As secretary of defense ... one of my toughest jobs is to write condolence letters to the families of our fallen heroes," Panetta said. "And frankly, I seem to be writing more lately."


More than 1,950 Americans in uniform have died in Afghanistan, and thousands more have been injured. "The pain and the heartbreak of this war weigh heavily on me," he said. "And yet when I talk to the families of the fallen, when you meet with them and when you meet with our wounded troops at Bethesda, I am struck by their commitment to seeing this mission through and to ensuring that these sacrifices are not in vain.


"At a time when I am sure that there's an awful lot to be mad about, there's a lot to be proud of when it comes to our men and women in uniform," he said. "And we shouldn't forget that."

JOINT U.S.-ISRAEL PRESS CONFERENCE

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right center, meets with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, left center, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 1, 2012. Panetta is on a five-day trip to the region to meet with leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
　

Joint Press Conference with Secretary Panetta and Minister Barak in Israel

STAFF: Ladies and gentlemen, hi. And the Minister of Defense will start with a short statement.

ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER EHUD BARAK: Defense Secretary Panetta, welcome to Iron Dome Ashkelon.

I would like to thank the United States administration for its generous assistance, and in particular its latest investment in Iron Dome project.

The relationship between our defense establishments is extraordinary. Much of the credit for this genuinely special relationship must be given to my friend and counterpart, Secretary Leon Panetta, and of course to President Obama.

Our ties with the United States have extended in a range of areas, including intelligence, high-tech, and securing the qualitative military edge of Israel. The defense relationship underpins greater and wider cooperation between the two countries. It also highlights the undeniable mutual commitment that exists between Israel and America.

The American administration recently allocated additional $70 million to equip Israel with more of Iron Dome. During the recent (inaudible) the Iron Dome system has been proven to be an extremely successful technological and operational project, extremely effective intercepting more than 80 percent of incoming missiles, neglecting those who are not going to hit real targets, and already intercepted more than 100 real missiles and rockets from the Gaza Strip.

We want to thank the administration for these funds that have already been transferred to Israel defense establishment. The region, our region, the Middle East is subject to dynamic changes (inaudible). Israel and America are vigilantly monitoring all of the regional developments.

Like any relationship, from time to time there are disagreements and differences of opinion. However, with true friendship these disagreements can never alter the fundamental depth and special nature of the United States-Israel relationship. We are determined to keep it this way.

Thank you very much, Secretary Panetta, and have a successful visit here. Thank you.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON E. PANETTA: Thank you very much, Minister Barak, my good friend Ehud, and good morning everyone. It's a real pleasure to be here on my second visit to Israel as Secretary of Defense. This is about my fifth visit to the country since joining the Obama administration in 2009.

It's also a great honor to be standing here alongside my friend Ehud, who I deeply respect as a leader, as a statesman and as a warrior.

The first call I received from a foreign counterpart after I was sworn in as Secretary of Defense was from Ehud, and I have met with him more than any other Minister of Defense.

I agree with what he has said. The U.S.-Israel defense relationship is stronger than it has ever been before. And I share his commitment to strengthening that relationship even further.

Let me begin by publicly expressing my condolences to the people of Israel for the five Israeli citizens who were murdered this month while vacationing in Bulgaria, and the many others who were injured in that attack.

The attack is a reminder that both the United States and Israel continue to be threatened by violent extremism simply because of the values that we share.

The Israeli people should know that the United States stands with them in this fight and in the fight to ensure peace in this region, and that we have a rock-solid commitment to Israel's security and the security of its citizens.

This commitment, this partnership is more important than ever because of the real security challenges that we see emanating from this region, which are a focus of my discussions with Israeli leaders during this visit and a focus of this trip to the region.

On Israel's northern shore, its northern border, the Assad regime is engaged in brutal violence against its citizens, which is both an affront to our values and a threat to regional stability.

At the same time, Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities and its destabilizing activities, including its support for Assad, for Hezbollah and for international terrorism, poses a threat not only to Israel, but to the entire region.

The United States is also a focus of that threat as indeed the rest of the world.

On Syria, we firmly believe that a political transition is the best way forward, and we are urgently working with like-minded nations to pressure Assad and find a political solution in order to bring the violence, terrible violence, as well as the regime to an end.

On Iran, the United States and Israel share the same goal: preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. The most effective way to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is for the international community to be united, proving to Iran that it will only make itself less secure if it continues to try to pursue a nuclear weapon.

We have been steadily applying more and more pressure against Tehran, focusing on diplomatic and economic sanctions, and I believe these steps are having an effect. But it is clear that we need to continue to apply maximum pressure. And make no mistake, we will.

Just yesterday, President Obama announced additional sanctions to further penalize and isolate Iran, building on the toughest sanctions that Iran has ever faced.

It's my responsibility as Secretary of Defense to provide the president with a full range of options, including military options, should diplomacy fail. President Obama has made clear that preventing a nuclear-armed Iran is a top national security priority by the United States and that all options -- all options -- are on the table.

The United States has made an enduring commitment to Israel's security, backed not only by our words, but by our deeds. The Iron Dome facility that you see behind me is one example of that commitment. Since Iron Dome has been deployed, it has been a game-changer for Israel's security. It has saved Israeli lives and it has achieved a better than 80 percent success rate against rockets fired on Israeli population centers.

Last March, there were 12 rocket attacks in this area -- 12 -- and this battery successfully intercepted every one of them, saving lives and preventing further escalation of conflict.

When I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington last March, he told me something that I think makes the point: These missile shields do not start wars, they prevent wars. I strongly agree with the prime minister, and for that reason I'm proud of the Obama administration's strong record of support for Iron Dome and other rocket and missile defense systems.

We've already provided more than $200 million for Israel to acquire additional batteries. And last week the president announced an additional $70 million is being transferred to Israel for the current fiscal year.

We will seek additional funding in the years ahead, based on an annual assessment that we will make together of Israel's security requirements against this threat. My goal is to ensure -- to ensure that Israel has the funding it needs each year in order to produce these batteries that protect its citizens.

This cooperation on Iron Dome is only one part of our commitment to preserving and enhancing Israel's qualitative military edge, the bedrock principle guiding our defense relationship.

One other very important way that we are -- that we are involved with is through Israel's participation in the Joint Strike Fighter program. Israel is the only country, the only country in the Middle East participating in this program. And DoD's Joint Strike Fighter programs is working closely with Israel and Lockheed Martin on a package of enhancements to their Joint Strike Fighter. This will ensure Israel's unquestioned air superiority for years to come.

Let me close by noting that I am coming to the end of a trip that has also taken me to Tunisia and Egypt. This is clearly a time of dramatic change and upheaval in the Middle East and in Africa.

This time of change is also a time of opportunity -- opportunity for Israel to benefit from the development of other democracies in the region. The challenge for the United States is to try to help the people of this region achieve their goal of greater freedom and greater prosperity and to ensure the security of Israel and the region.

One important way to do that is to work towards a sustainable, comprehensive Middle East peace with a two-state solution.

Each time I visit Israel, I come away inspired by the extraordinary challenges the Jewish people have overcome in establishing this state and sustaining it in the face of war and in the face of other threats. There should be no doubt about the commitment of the United States to Israel's future security and to our deepening defense partnership.

Thank you once again, Ehud, for your partnership and for your friendship.

MIN. BARAK: Thank you. I will give you words in Hebrew with your permission.

(SPEAKING IN HEBREW)

Q: -- (inaudible) -- from Israeli Channel 10.

Mr. Secretary, you've made it clear time and again that you see no U.S. interest in Israel launching a military strike on Iran this year. Still, the Israel leadership is counting on U.S. support, diplomatic and military, should it decide to launch a strike in the coming weeks.

Can they count on it? Would the U.S. provide Israel with the required military and diplomatic umbrella if it launches a strike on Iran?

SEC. PANETTA: Look, I think we've said very clearly that we respect Israel's sovereignty and their independence, and the, you know, the -- their -- their effort to decide what is in their national security interest is something that must be left up to the Israelis.

As to future contingencies and future hypotheticals, I -- I don't -- I just don't want to engage in speculating what we will or won't do. I guess my hope is that, working together, since we have a common cause here, we are both interested in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and we have been working together and we will continue, hopefully, to work together to ensure that that never happens.

Q: Hello. Kevin Baron from Foreign Policy magazine.

Both of you today have expressed the closeness of the military relationship, and, Mr. Secretary, you said there should be no doubt about the U.S. commitment to Israel's security.

But there are doubts. And Governor Romney, representing large parts of the U.S. electorate, was just here saying that the U.S. should be doing more to protect Israel and more with its military to put pressure on Iran.

So for Mr. Barak, do you agree with those characterizations? Is the U.S. doing enough in your eyes or would you like to see more?

And since I'm pretty sure I know the answer from Mr. Panetta, why is the military not doing more? What are the reasons in your mind for -- for holding the line like you have?

MIN. BARAK: I noticed, I believe that you mentioned the candidate for presidency as well as the administration. And following the American code, I would not recommend on the different positions of competitors running -- people for -- for election in America.

I think that we have a long tradition of friendship with America running many administrations. I can count probably eight of them since Carter where I've been exposed to it personally and have seen it going deeper and deeper along the year, no matter which part of the -- which side of the political aisle in America was in power.

But (inaudible) that the relationship now with regard to our security is extremely deep and strong. Of course we expect it to be continued by the next administration upon the American election results. And we -- we strongly believe that it stems out of a deep background of shared values by our peoples and stems out from the very feeling of the American people. And I can witness here or bring my witness that it's the same on this side of the Atlantic. We also feel the same.

And I think that we are extremely thankful to the administration and to Secretary Panetta for what they are doing now. And we keep looking and watching developments all around the area, and as the Secretary said, Israel is always seeing the very crucial issues of its security and future as something that ultimately the Israeli government and only the Israeli government has to make decisions upon.

But we are not blind. We -- we are looking around. We watch all developments and try to predict most of the consequences. And of course taking into account the -- the American views, the -- the European views and the views of our neighborhood. But always (inaudible) to keep on and making sure that Iran will not turn nuclear. And when we say all the options are on the table, when the American's say all the options are on the table, we mean it and I believe that Americans means -- means it as well.

SEC. PANETTA: I think -- I think Minister Barak has said it. The United States and Israel have the strongest relationship when it comes to the military area that we have ever had. And that's true in a number of areas. We -- we continue to have very strong communications between the Defense Minister and I on almost every issue that is confronting this region, and beyond that, that is confronting the world. And we continue to have discussions not only with us, but between our military and the Israeli military.

We continue to have assistance, military aid that continues to be -- and financing that has -- that continues to be provided to the Israelis. We continue to strengthen their quality area in terms of their equipment to ensure that they always have a qualitative edge, and that -- that is made clear by the fact that they're purchasing the Joint Strike Fighter and the only country to be doing that in this region.

In addition to that, we've provided additional funding on Iron Dome and we will continue to provide funding for that so that Israel can develop its missile defenses. And in addition to that, we continue to have joint exercises between our militaries that -- that strengthen both sides.

So this is -- this is the strongest alliance that we have. They are -- they are a friend. We are Israel's friend. And we will continue to strengthen the military relationship, particularly at a time when we face so many threats abroad.

Q: Hello. (Inaudible) from the (inaudible) Daily, Israel. I would like to ask Secretary Panetta about Pollard. After 27 years in jail, Israeli spy Pollard (inaudible) U.S. security, if he will be released?

And I would like to ask both of you about talks with Iran. Isn't it time to declare that the talks of the P-5-plus-1 with Iran has failed?

Thank you.

SEC. PANETTA: With regards to the first issue, obviously that -- that rests with the -- with the administration to make a judgment as to what will or will not happen with regards to that individual. There's been a great deal of opposition about him being released because of what he did. But again that -- that decision rests with the -- with the White House as to what will or will not happen.

With regards to the issue of -- of -- of the effort to bring pressure on Iran and to try to draw them to the -- the table in order to negotiate a resolution, I think -- I think we have to exhaust -- and the prime minister has made this point -- we have to exhaust every -- every option, every effort, you know, before we resort to military action. I think that's important.

And to do that, you know, we have -- we have applied, the international community has applied very strong sanctions against them. We are ratcheting up those sanctions, as -- as made clear by the president's executive order and made clear by the European countries and others that are applying additional sanctions on Iran.

It's biting. It's having an impact there. And the result is that we did initiate the P-5-plus-1 negotiations. We have not, obviously, been able to reach any kind of agreement. But the key here is to keep putting the pressure on them to negotiate.

They have a choice. They have a choice to make. They can either negotiate in a way that tries to resolve these issues and has them abiding by international rules and requirements and -- and giving up on their effort to develop their -- their nuclear capability. That -- that's an effort we would be interested in working with them to try to negotiate.

But if they don't, and if they continue, and if they make the decision to proceed with a nuclear weapon, as the minister has pointed out, we have options that we are prepared to implement to ensure that that does not happen.

MIN. BARAK: We see both the sanctions and diplomacy going further than in the past and they have clearly certain impacts.

But to tell you the truth, we in Israel see the probability that it will lead the ayatollahs to gather around the table, look at each other eyes and tell each other that -- that the game is over, we have to give up our nuclear military program, the probability of this happening is very, extremely low.

And it's important to -- to notice that while sanctions are taking place and diplomacy takes -- takes place, it takes time, and in the meantime the Iranians are keeping enriching daily uranium, not just to -- to enlarge the -- the amount of (inaudible) enriched uranium they have, they are coming very close to having uranium enriched to 20 percent in an amount that comes closer to -- to the amount needed for a weapon. And they're continuing every day.

So it's not just a -- a -- a kind of passive symmetry. We are trying. We have nothing to lose. We have clearly something to lose by this stretched time upon which sanctions and diplomacy takes place because the Iranians are moving forward not -- not just in enrichment.

Thank you.

Q: Hello, (inaudible) with BBC News.

Secretary Panetta, is there an obligation, an understood obligation on the part of the U.S., if Israel were attacked by Iran?

And Minister Barak, Naftali Bennett has said to the BBC this morning that it seems like the Obama administration is more concerned with stopping Israel than stopping an Iranian bomb and only a credible U.S. threat would prevent an attack and Israel hasn't seen that yet. Can you respond?

SEC. PANETTA: Let me make clear that -- that we're committed to -- to the defense of Israel and to their security. And beyond that, I'm not going to discuss what contingencies we would or would not engage in were that to happen.

MIN. BARAK: I made it clear that the government of Israel and only the government of Israel will make the decisions about any issue that -- that touches the very core of our security interests and our future. I think that that's the way it should be run and that's the way we are going to run it. And beyond, -- (inaudible) Naftali Bennett?

That's it. Before we are delayed late.