FEMA TIMELINE OF SUMMER STORM 2012 MID-AMERICA

FROM:  FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
FEMA, Federal Partners Continue to Support State and Local Response in Midwest and Mid-Atlantic Region

WASHINGTON - The Administration, through FEMA, is committed to providing support to Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states affected by the storms. FEMA, through our National Response Coordination Center and Regional offices in Chicago, Ill. and Philadelphia, Pa., has been in constant coordination with our federal partners as well as impacted states since the storms first struck on Friday, to make sure there are no unmet needs.
The following timeline provides an overview of federal activities, to date, in support of the impacted states, families and communities.

Thursday, July 5
 At the request of the State of New Jersey, FEMA personnel are on the ground working with federal, state and local officials to conduct preliminary damage assessments in New Jersey as a result of the storms.  These assessments are an important step in identifying the damages, helping the governor determine whether the event is beyond state and local capabilities, and if federal support might be needed.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the lead agency for Emergency Support Function 12 – Energy, issues a DOE situation report.

Wednesday, July 4
FEMA continues to stage and transfer supplies such as food, water, kits for infants and toddlers, and durable medical equipment to the states as needed, and requested.
Twenty-nine FEMA community relations staff work with the West Virginia National Guard Bureau, visiting residents door-to-door to help spread the word about cooling stations, to assess needs and provide situational awareness to the state. In Ohio, Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Moore, highlights the importance of neighbors helping neighbors.
DOE issues a situation report.

Tuesday, July 3
DOE issues a situation report.
At the request of the State of Maryland, FEMA deploys two Region Liaison Officers to the state Emergency Operation Center to coordinate potential federal resources requirements.
 FEMA deploys community relations teams to West Virginia to support state and local efforts to check on residents without power, provide informational resources, and provide situational awareness about conditions in impacted communities.

Monday, July 2
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services deployed representatives to the West Virginia State EOC to assess medical needs and requirements for access and functional needs support.
FEMA continues to distribute water and generators to various staging areas in Ohio and West Virginia, to support state and local response efforts.
FEMA's Regional Disability Integration Specialists in Philadelphia, Pa. and Chicago, Ill. send out information on Cooling Stations to the disability community, including through the National Federation for the Blind and Deaf advocacy groups, and reached out to these groups to determine needs of affected persons with disabilities.

Sunday, July 1
FEMA stages water and generators in West Virginia as well as Columbus, Ohio to transfer to the State to support affected communities.
One Mobile Communications Office Vehicle (MCOV) onsite in Morgantown, W.Va.; 2 MCOVs en route to Charleston, W.Va.
In coordination with FEMA, the U.S. Department of Energy deploys experts to West Virginia and FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C., and is supporting FEMA's regional offices in Chicago, Ill. and Philadelphia, Pa.
USACE deploys personnel to Ohio to support assessments and generator installations for emergency power.
A FEMA Disability Integration Specialist participates in a coordination call with West Virginia Emergency Management to support identifying the needs of affected populations with access and functional needs.

Saturday, June 30
President Obama issues emergency disaster declarations for the State of Ohio for all 88 counties in the state, and the State of West Virginia for all 55 counties in the state.  The declaration authorizes FEMA and its federal partners to provide direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance to protect lives and property.
President Obama speaks with Ohio Governor John Kasich, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, and West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to receive an update on the severe storms, and to express his condolences for the loss of life and his concern for individuals and first responders still confronting the destruction and loss of power that is impacting communities as a result.  The President tells the Governors that he has directed FEMA to ensure they continue to provide necessary support to state and local officials in impacted areas as they respond to these events.
The President receives an update from FEMA Administrator Fugate on impacts and response activities in states, including parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, as well as the District of Columbia. The President asks Administrator Fugate to stay in close contact with our partners on the ground to make sure FEMA and federal partners are providing all available support, and to keep him updated as the response and recovery continues.
DHS Secretary Napolitano speaks with the Governors of the affected states to express condolences for the loss of life and to ensure that federal support is provided to the states as needed.
FEMA Administrator Fugate contacts District of Columbia Deputy Mayor for Public Safety to provide support as needed.
A Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) team deploys to West Virginia to provide secure and non-secure voice, video, and information services, operations, and logistics support to state response operations, if needed.
FEMA activates the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC), a multi-agency center based at FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The NRCC provides overall coordination of the federal response by bringing together federal departments and agencies to assist in the preparations for and response to disasters.  Select emergency support functions are activated to support state operations.
FEMA activates its Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCCs) in Chicago, Ill. and Philadelphia, Pa. to support state requests for assistance.
FEMA deploys Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) and liaison officers to West Virginia and Ohio State Emergency Operations Centers to coordinate with state and local officials to identify needs and shortfalls impacting disaster response.
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate holds a video teleconference call to discuss the latest developments with the National Weather Service, partner agencies and regional representatives and to assess their needs or shortfalls.

Friday, June 29
A line of severe thunderstorms moved across parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia causing widespread wind damage and there have been reports of significant power outages and debris.
 FEMA through its regional offices in Chicago, Ill. and Philadelphia, Pa., begins constant contact with affected states' emergency management officials.  FEMA Region III Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney and Region V Regional Administrator Andrew Valasquez III make direct contact with the Emergency Management Directors of the affected states.

NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION RESTORES OVER $27 MILLION TO BENEFIT PLANS

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association agrees to restore $27.3 million to benefit plans, settling US Labor Department claims
Association allegedly received excessive compensation in violation of federal law.

ARLINGTON, Va. ? The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has agreed to restore $27,272,727 to three association-sponsored employee benefit plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. This agreement follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration that found the association selected itself as a service provider to the plans, determined its own compensation and made payments to itself that exceeded NRECA’s direct expenses in providing services to the plans, in violation of ERISA.

“Workers should be able to have confidence that their hard-earned retirement savings are being properly managed,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “This settlement benefits tens of thousands of NRECA plan participants by reducing their plan administration costs.”

Under the terms of the agreement, NRECA will not provide administrative services to the NRECA Retirement Security Plan, the NRECA 401(k) Plan and the NRECA Group Benefits Plan without entering into a written contract or agreement with the plans that must be approved by an independent fiduciary. The independent fiduciary must determine whether the use of NRECA to provide administrative services to the plans is prudent and reasonable, determine the categories of direct expenses that NRECA may charge to the plans and the methods of calculating those expenses, and monitor NRECA’s compliance with certain terms of the agreement. The agreement also provides that during a 60-month period following the implementation date, NRECA shall discount the amount of permissible direct expenses for which it seeks reimbursement from all three plans in the amount of $22,727,272. The balance of the settlement payment, $4,545,455, already has been paid directly to the NRECA 401(k) Plan.

“This settlement sends a clear message to plan fiduciaries that they cannot profit from selecting themselves to provide services to plans,” said Phyllis Borzi, assistant secretary of labor for employee benefits security.
In addition to the amounts returned to the plans, NRECA will pay $2,727,276 in civil penalties.

Headquartered in Arlington, NRECA is a nonprofit trade association for electric power cooperatives. The sponsored plans are open to members of the trade association as well as the association’s employees. As of 2010, the latest information available, the NRECA 401(k) Plan had 68,970 participants, the NRECA Retirement Security Plan had 64,286 participants and the NRECA Group Benefits Plan had 73,644 participants.

The settlement follows an investigation by EBSA’s Washington District Office. Employers and workers can contact that office at 202-693-8700 or toll-free at 866-444-3272 for help with problems relating to private sector pension and health plans. Additional information can be found at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa.

LABOR SECRETARY REMARKS ON JUNE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on June employment numbers
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the June 2012 Employment Situation report released today:
“Our nation’s labor market added 80,000 jobs in the month of June, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.2 percent.

“We have seen 28 straight months of private sector job growth, during which time our economy has added back close to 4.4 million private sector jobs, with nearly one million jobs added this year. We have added an average of 150,000 private sector jobs per month in 2012, continuing at the same steady pace as last year and with jobs being created across all sectors and regions of the country. Gross domestic product growth has now been positive for 11 consecutive quarters. We remain on a path toward stable and durable growth.

“We continue to face headwinds from the threat of recession in Europe, our largest trading partner. Though less demand from across the ocean could present challenges for our exporters as they work to create jobs here at home, U.S. exports to the European Union in the first quarter of the year were at the highest level since 1997. Also, fortunately, there are signs that European leaders are moving away from an austerity approach and toward stabilization and growth strategies that will have a positive impact on our own recovery and ease concerns at home.

“I’m encouraged by several developments here at home that will reduce uncertainty and help put more Americans back to work. Passage of a bipartisan highway bill shows Congress can work together to boost hiring in the construction sector. Approval of student loan relief will help more people finish their education and get the skills to make them employable in today’s competitive labor market. And the Supreme Court’s health care ruling will allow businesses to plan long-term strategies that will lead to more healthy workers who are critical to a healthy economy.

“This administration continues to work to promote the return of good jobs back to American communities. As wages spike in countries like China, more companies are discovering a cost advantage of bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States. That’s why it’s so important for Congress to encourage this in-sourcing trend and pass legislation to provide incentives for companies to bring jobs home and embrace the ‘Made in the USA’ label.

“While the private sector is creating jobs and corporate profits have never been higher, a big drag on our economy is the continued layoffs of teachers, firefighters and police officers. We should embrace the president’s proposal to put these Americans back to work, while giving additional tax cuts to small businesses that are key contributors to job creation.”

RECENT U.S NAVY PHOTOS

 FROM:  U.S. NAVY
A Sailor watches an MV-22B Osprey assigned to the Raging Bulls of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 lifts off from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tim D. Godbee120705-N-SK590-200

FROM:  U.S. NAVY
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations while F/A-18s from its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, fly in formation over. George Washington and CVW 5 are underway on routine training in the western Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Declan Barnes (Released) 120704-N-TG831-275 UUU

FROM:  U.S. NAVY
Navy Diver 2nd Class Christopher Vanriper, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 5, Platoon 503, repels from an HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 14, onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while participating in a fast rope and repelling exercise. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that will protect and defend the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jennifer A. Villalovos (Released) 120705-N-WW409

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING JUNE 30, 2012

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA
In the week ending June 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 374,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 388,000. The 4-week moving average was 385,750, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 387,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending June 23, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending June 23 was 3,306,000, an increase of 4,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 3,302,000. The 4-week moving average was 3,304,250, a decrease of 3,000 from the preceding week's revised average of 3,307,250.

UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 367,331 in the week ending June 30, a decrease of 3,129 from the previous week. There were 425,640 initial claims in the comparable week in 2011.

The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.5 percent during the week ending June 23, unchanged from the prior week's revised rate. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 3,134,347, an increase of 20,443 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.8 percent and the volume was 3,555,831.

The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending June 16 was 5,869,607, a decrease of 20,439 from the previous week.

Extended benefits were available in the Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, during the week ending June 16.

Initial claims for UI benefits by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,410 in the week ending June 23, an increase of 56 from the prior week. There were 2,686 initial claims by newly discharged veterans, an increase of 222 from the preceding week.
There were 16,463 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending June 16, an increase of 368 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 38,587, an increase of 321 from the prior week.

States reported 2,628,712 persons claiming EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits for the week ending June 16, a decrease of 16,805 from the prior week. There were 3,256,523 claimants in the comparable week in 2011. EUC weekly claims include first, second, third, and fourth tier activity.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending June 16 were in Virgin Islands (4.3), Alaska (4.1), Puerto Rico (4.0), Pennsylvania (3.7), California (3.3), New Jersey (3.3), Connecticut (3.2), Illinois (3.1), Oregon (3.1), Nevada (2.9), Rhode Island (2.9), and Wisconsin (2.9).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending June 23 were in California (+8,239), New Jersey (+4,894), Massachusetts (+3,873), Michigan (+3,692), and Connecticut (+2,598), while the largest decreases were in Pennsylvania (-7,865), Maryland (-2,265), Ohio (-1,588), Wisconsin (-1,544), and Georgia (-1,398).

FLORIDA TROPICAL STORM DEBBY 2012 DISASTER RELIEF

FROM:  FEMA
Live Oak, Fla., July 4, 2012 -- Some Suwannee County roads are flooded and impassable following the heavy rains of Tropical Storm Debby. FEMA is responding to severe flood damage and destruction across Florida caused by Tropical Storm Debby. FEMA/David Fine 
Tropical Storm Debby. FEMA/David Fine
President Declares Major Disaster for Florida

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Florida and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Tropical Storm Debby beginning on June 23, 2012, and continuing.
The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Pasco, and Wakulla Counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.    
 
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Gracia B. Szczech has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Szczech said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for assistance starting tomorrow by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

A-10 FIRST PLANE THAT FLIES USING ALCOHOL BASED FUEL

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE
An A-10C Thunderbolt II takes off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 28, 2012, marking the first flight of an aircraft powered solely by a alcohol-derived jet fuel blend. ATJ, or Alcohol to Jet, is a cellulousic-based fuel. It can be derived using wood, paper, grass, anything that is a cell-based material. The sugars extracted from these materials are fermented into alcohols, which are then hydro-processed into the aviation-grade kerosenes used for aviation fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) 

A-10 first aircraft to use alcohol-based fuel 
by Minty Knighton
Eglin Air Force Base Public Affairs
7/2/2012 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- On June 28, the 40th Flight Test Squadron made history here flying the first aircraft to use a new fuel blend derived from alcohol.

"The A-10 is the first aircraft ever to fly on this fuel," said Jeff Braun, Chief for the Air Force Alternative Fuel Certification Division, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

"It flew like a usual A-10 would without any issues," said Maj. Olivia Elliott, an A-10 pilot and an evaluator for the mission.

The fuel, known as ATJ (Alcohol-to-Jet) is the third alternative fuel to be evaluated by the Air Force for fleet-wide use as a replacement for standard petroleum-derived JP-8 aviation fuel.
Before ATJ, other alternative fuels included a synthetic paraffinic kerosene derived from coal and natural gas and a bio-mass fuel derived from plant-oils and animal fats known as Hydroprocessed Renewable Jet.

ATJ is a cellulousic-based fuel. It can be derived using wood, paper, grass, anything that is a cell-based material. The sugars extracted from these materials are fermented into alcohols, which are then hydro-processed into the aviation-grade kerosenes used for aviation fuel.

The Fischer-Tropsch SPK blend has been fully certified by the Air Force for operational use throughout the Air Force. All testing of the bio-mass HRJ has been completed and formal coordination is underway to certify it as an approved fuel agent.

Like ATJ, the bio-mass fuel was first tested by 40th FLTS in 2010, using the same A-10 test platform.

"The A-10 is an excellent platform for testing the new fuel due in part to its segregated fuel system," said Capt. Joseph Rojas, A-10 test engineer. "The system allows one engine to run off a fuel supply that is completely segregated from the other engine. This allows us to fly with one engine on the new fuel and the other on traditional fuel. If engine operation is normal, as with the ATJ blend, then we progress to flying with both engines on the new fuel."

The A-10 ATJ fuel test went through similar ground and flight tests, using a mixture of the alternative fuel and the standard Air Force JP-8 .

Ground-based testing included monitoring engine performance and ensuring all data correlated favorably to both the technical requirements and JP-8 fuel specification. Flight tests included analyzing aircraft performance during controlled accelerations and climbs and operational maneuvering.

The Air Force has recently approved fleet-wide certification efforts of the ATJ fuel blend. Once the AFCD completes all air and ground testing, the ATJ will be approved as an official alternative fuel source for Air Force use.

"Eventually, it is possible that aircraft will see JP-8 consisting of all these alternatives," said Braun. "You won't be able to determine the difference and you won't care, because all perform as JP-8."

WHITE HOUSE ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SUPREME COURT RULING

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 
The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act ensures hard-working, middle class families will get the security they deserve and protects every American from the worst insurance company abuses. The Court has issued a clear and final ruling on this law.
For a comprehensive overview of the Affordable Care Act, visitWhiteHouse.gov/HealthReform and HealthCare.gov.

Let’s take a look at what today’s ruling means for the middle class:
Insurance companies no longer have unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny you coverage, or charge women more than men.

Soon, no American will ever again be denied care or charged more due to a pre-existing condition, like cancer or even asthma.

Preventive care will still be covered free of charge by insurance companies--including mammograms for women and wellness visits for seniors.

By August, millions of Americans will receive a rebate because their insurance company spent too much of their premium on administrative costs or CEO bonuses.

5.3 million seniors will continue to save $600 a year on their prescription drugs.

Efforts to strengthen and protect Medicare by cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse will remain in place.

6.6 million young adults will still be able to stay on their family's plan until they're 26.
A major impact of the Court's decision is the 129 million people with pre-existing conditions and millions of middle class families who will have the security of affordable health coverage.

We should also remember that under today’s ruling, having health insurance is and will continue to be a choice. If you can’t afford insurance or you’re a small business that wants to provide affordable insurance to your employees, you’ll get tax credits that make coverage affordable. But if you can afford insurance and you choose not to purchase it, the taxpayers will no longer subsidize your care for free.

Given today’s ruling, it’s now time to focus on implementing this law in a smart and non-bureaucratic way that works for the middle class.

As we’ve said, the Court has issued a clear and final ruling on this law. The last thing Congress should do is refight old political battles and start over on health care by repealing basic protections that provide security for the middle class. The President refuses to go back to the way things were.

Right now, Congress needs to work together to focus on the economy and creating jobs. Right now in congress, what’s at stake is how--at this make or break moment for the middle class--we break through Washington gridlock to move our country forward. Right now in Congress, what’s at stake is our chance to seize this moment to build an economy not from the top-down, but one based on a strong and secure middle class.  We need to create secure middle class jobs and an economy built to last where hard work and responsibility are rewarded, everybody gets a fair shot, pays their fair share, and plays by the same set of rules.

Right now, Congress should act on the President’s concrete plans to create an economy built to last by reducing the deficit in a balanced way and investing in education, clean energy, innovation, and infrastructure. It’s time for folks in Washington to work together on behalf of the American people.

MINOTAUR I ROCKET REMOVES TACSAT3 FROM EARTH

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE
Minotaur I Rocket - TACSAT3
This Air Force Minotaur I rocket launched the Air Force Research Laboratory’s TacSat-3 satellite, NASA’s PharmaSat microsatellite and NASA’s CubeSat Technology Demonstration into a low earth orbit May 19.

Tactical Satellite-3
Integration of the modular bus components on Tactical Satellite-3 is photographed at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate, located at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. (Air Force photo)
TAC3 SATELLITE

X-37B ORBITAL TEST VEHICLE

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
The Air Force's unmanned, reusable space plane landed in the early morning of June 16 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., a successful conclusion to a record-setting test-flight mission that began March 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (U.S. Air Force file photo) 

Written on JULY 4, 2012 AT 7:17 AM by JTOZER 
Coming In For A  Landing
The Air Force‘s unmanned, reusable space plane landed in the early morning of June 16 atVandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., a successful conclusion to a record-setting test-flight mission that began March 5, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, one of two such vehicles, spent 469 days in orbit to conduct on-orbit experiments, primarily checkout of the vehicle itself.

“The vehicle was designed for a mission duration of about 270 days,” said Lt. Col. Tom McIntyre, the X-37B program manager. “We knew from post-flight assessments from the first mission that OTV-1 could have stayed in orbit longer. So one of the goals of this mission was to see how much farther we could push the on-orbit duration.”

Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program performs risk reduction, experimentation, and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies. The X-37B mission is the longest space mission only after the NASA Discovery shuttle program.

The 11,000-pound state-of-the-art vehicle, which is about a fourth the size of the shuttle, allows space technology experts to continue sending up experiments, with results returning safely to Earth for study.

“With the retirement of the space shuttle fleet, the X-37B OTV program brings a singular capability to space technology development,” McIntyre said. “The return capability allows the Air Force to test new technologies without the same risk commitment faced by other programs.”

U.S.-HAITI RELATIONS

Map Credit:  U.S. State Department
FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
U.S. Relations With Haiti
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
Fact Sheet
June 7, 2012
U.S. policy toward Haiti is designed to foster economic growth, enhance government capacity, and strengthen democracy; help alleviate poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition; promote respect for human rights; counter illegal migration and drug trafficking; and assist in the reconstruction of the country after the January 2010 earthquake. The U.S. also supports and facilitates bilateral trade and investment along with legal migration and travel. U.S. policy goals are met through direct bilateral action and by working with the international community. The Haitian diaspora is a potentially powerful ally in the effort to strengthen U.S. policy initiatives in Haiti.

Maintaining good relations with and fostering democracy in Haiti are important for many reasons, not least of which is the country's geographical proximity to the continental United States. In addition to the many Haitians who receive visas to immigrate into the U.S. (averaging over 15,000 annually in FY 2007-2011), there is a flow of illegal migrants. Over 100,000 undocumented Haitian migrants were intercepted at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard in the past two decades, particularly during the 1991-94 period of illegal military rule when more than 67,000 migrants were interdicted. Since the return of the legitimate government in 1994, the interdiction of illegal migrants by U.S. Coast Guard vessels has decreased dramatically, averaging fewer than 1,500 annually. The prospect remains, however, for the renewal of higher flows of illegal migrants, particularly under conditions of political unrest or further economic downturn.

In January 2010, the U.S. granted temporary protected status (TPS) for 18 months to Haitians living illegally in the U.S. During that period, they were allowed to live and work in the U.S. upon submission and approval of a TPS application. On May 17, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension and re-designation of TPS for Haiti. The extension will allow Haitians who have already been granted TPS following the earthquake to re-register and remain in the United States through January 22, 2013. In addition, DHS re-designated Haiti for TPS--meaning that Haitian nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since January 12, 2011, may now also be eligible to apply for TPS and will be allowed to stay in the United States through January 22, 2013. The extension and re-designation of TPS became effective July 23, 2011.

U.S. Assistance to Haiti
Political insecurity, embargo and debt policies, and the failure of Haiti's government to invest in developing the country's natural and human resources have contributed significantly to the country's current state of underdevelopment. U.S. efforts to strengthen democracy and help build the foundation for economic growth aim to rectify this condition. The U.S. has been Haiti's largest donor since 1973. Following the January 2010 earthquake, the U.S. Government, working with the Government of Haiti and the United Nations system, executed what became the largest international humanitarian response to a natural disaster in U.S. history.

Haiti’s recovery is a strategic imperative for the United States. The U.S. Government’s development strategy focuses on stimulating economic activity and enhancing the delivery of basic services in designated development corridors, or areas of the country, while engaging the private sector in the reconstruction process. Consistent with the Haitian Government's action plan, the U.S. Government’s reconstruction and long-term development plan seeks to support new and diverse economic opportunities outside of Port-au-Prince using focused and catalytic investments in housing, energy, agriculture, health, security, and national and local governance. The U.S. Government strategy consists of investments in four focus areas or "pillars" critical to achieving economic growth and stability: infrastructure and energy; food and economic security; health and other basic services; and governance and rule of law. For more information on the strategy, seehttp://www.state.gov/s/hsc/rpt/index.htm.

Bilateral Economic Relations
The U.S. remains Haiti's largest trading partner. Many Haitian entrepreneurs conduct business in English, and U.S. currency circulates freely in Haiti. A number of U.S. firms, including commercial banks, telecommunications, airlines, oil and agribusiness companies, and U.S.-owned assembly plants are present in Haiti.

Opportunities for U.S. businesses include the development and trade of raw and processed agricultural products; medical supplies and equipment; rebuilding and modernizing Haiti's infrastructure (particularly relevant in the wake of the January 2010 earthquake); developing tourism and allied sectors--including arts and crafts; and improving capacity in waste disposal, transportation, energy, telecommunications, and export assembly operations.

Benefits for both Haitian and American importers and exporters are available under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act--which provides for duty-free export of many Haitian products assembled from U.S. components or materials--the successor program to the Caribbean Basin Initiative. The Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act provides additional duty-free preferences for qualifying apparel/textiles products and automotive wire harnesses.

The U.S. and Haiti have a bilateral agreement on investment guarantees that permits the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation to offer programs in Haiti. The Haitian Government encourages the inflow of new capital and technological innovations and has made a commitment to improving the business environment and attracting foreign investors. Its Center of Investment Facilitation (CFI) aims to facilitate and promote local investment by reducing administrative delays, streamlining the creation of enterprises, and facilitating the provision of inducements. For more information on the CFI, see http://www.cfihaiti.net/j10/index.php/en/.
Additional information on business opportunities in Haiti can be found at www.export.gov under opportunities, market research, Country Commercial Guides.

Haiti's Membership in International Organizations
Haiti and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States (OAS), International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. The United States has taken a leading role in organizing international involvement with Haiti. The United States works closely with the OAS, particularly through the Secretary General's "Friends of Haiti" group, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and individual countries to achieve policy goals.

U.S. AFRICA COMMANDER UNDERSTANDS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

Photo:  Gen. Carter F. Ham.  Credit:  U.S. DOD. 
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Africom Promotes Humanitarian Response Readiness in Africa
By Donna Miles
STUTTGART, Germany, July 5, 2012 - As the worst drought in six decades grips the Horn of Africa, displacing millions of people and creating a severe humanitarian crisis, the United States has stepped up its emergency assistance.

An additional $120 million in emergency aid announced in April brings to $1.1 billion the U.S. contribution in drought and famine relief since the crisis began last year, White House officials said, with funding provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department.

Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command, understands all too well the security implications of a fragile humanitarian situation that has left millions of people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya in need of urgent assistance.

"The linkage between security and humanitarian efforts in Africa is very clear to me," he told the House Armed Services Committee in February.

Ham expressed concern that looming budget cuts, particularly at the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development, could affect the United States' ability to assist during this and other humanitarian crises on the continent.

"I do worry overall that if there is a significant decline in the State Department's security assistance or in USAID's ability to provide developmental or humanitarian assistance, those will have security consequences," he said.

Since its inception five years ago, Africom has stood ready to support U.S. government humanitarian and disaster relief operations, said Michael Casciaro, the command's division chief for security cooperation programs.

"The military brings unique capabilities that are used for humanitarian assistance," he said. "And that ranges from developing long-range projects like ... building clinics and schools and providing furniture and equipment for them."

It also includes helping African partners to build capability -- from training them how to conduct humanitarian response operations, to helping them promote HIV/AIDS prevention programs -- so they can conduct these missions themselves.
Africom also works with partner nations to help them develop national humanitarian response plans that include their militaries, Casciaro said. "We then focus on those tasks that were assigned to the military, and help them understand what capabilities are required to be able to do that, and how they need to train to do that," he said.

In support of this effort, Africom is emphasizing disaster response as well as traditional military skills through its robust exercise program on the continent. This year alone, the command and its service components are conducting 16 exercises involving about 30 African nations, all to include a component related to environmental disaster, Ham told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March. The scenarios will run the gamut, he said, but most will involve floods or drought.

These exercises help partner nations formulate and practice plans for responding to natural as well as manmade disasters within their borders, explained Marine Corps Lt. Col. Sam Cook, Africom's joint combined exercise branch chief. "It increases their ability and capability and capacity to conduct these operations themselves," he said.
Ham said African nations are "very accepting" of this training, and understand the security effects of humanitarian assistance and disaster response preparedness. He expressed concern, however, that Africom is finding "less traction on the preventive steps than we are on responses."

The general credited the interagency makeup of Africom, which includes about 30 representatives from more than a dozen U.S. agencies and departments, which he said gives it the capabilities needed to help address challenges requiring "nothing short of a whole-of-government approach."

"No one element of the government has all the resources, authorities or capabilities to address the impacts on security of environmental change," Ham said.
That, he said, demands that Africom work closely with chiefs of mission in Africa who have the responsibility to pull together that whole-of-government approach, as well as with various bureaus in the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to coordinate and synchronize efforts.

That, Ham said, will help achieve the desired end state: "assisting the African countries deal with an increasingly serious security matter that ultimately contributes to our security by them being more secure."

NEWS FROM ISAF IN AFGHANISTAN JULY 5, 2012

Photo:  Afghanistan.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force.
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Combined Force Detains Taliban Weapons Supplier
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, July 5, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban weapons supplier in the Chimtal district of Afghanistan's Balkh province today, military officials reported.

The weapons supplier provided firearms, explosives and improvised explosive devices to Taliban insurgents throughout the region, officials said. At the time of his arrest, he was in the process of acquiring IEDs for upcoming attacks.

The security force also detained another suspected insurgent during the operation, officials said.

Also today, officials confirmed that Taliban leader Nek Mohammad was killed July 1 in the Sar-e Pul district of Sar-e Pul province. Mohammad had served as a senior Taliban leader in the region and directed attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Officials also confirmed today that a Taliban leader known as Hamza was killed July 2 in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province. Hamza had managed several Taliban insurgents and coordinated attacks with other Taliban leaders throughout the region.
In operations around Afghanistan today:

-- A combined force in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province apprehended a Taliban leader and detained two other insurgents. The detained Taliban leader led an attack cell and coordinated high-profile attacks. At the time of his arrest, he was attempting to acquire suicide vests and more than 110 pounds of explosives.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader and several other suspects in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. The apprehended Taliban leader was responsible for attacks against coalition security patrols throughout the region and the killing of multiple Afghan soldiers in May.

In operations yesterday:
-- A combined force seized more than 40 pounds of opium during a search for a Taliban leader in Kandahar's Panjwai district.

-- A combined force discovered and cleared two IEDs, one in Ghazni province's Ab Band District and another in the province's Qarah Bagh district.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents and detained three others in Ghazni province's Dehyak district.

-- A combined force killed an insurgent in Khost province's Qalandar district, and another combined force found and cleared an IED in the province's Khost district.

-- Combined forces found and cleared two IEDs in Paktika province's Sar Rowzah district and another in the province's Wazah Kwah district.

-- A combined force killed five insurgents and detained a suspect in Paktia province's Lajah Ahmadkhel district.

U.S. DOD SAYS REOPENED SUPPLY LINE INTO AFGHANISTAN WILL SAVE MILLIONS

Map Credit:  U.S. Department Of State
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCE PRESS SERVICE
Reopened Supply Routes Mean Cost Savings, Spokesman Says
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
WASHINGTON, July 5, 2012 - Pakistan's decision to reopen ground supply routes on its border with Afghanistan will allow the Defense Department to save tens of millions of dollars transporting material in and out of Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon spokesman said here today.

Navy Capt. John Kirby said officials estimate that use of the reopened routes will save $70 million to $100 million per month.

Kirby noted that Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta had told Congress that since Pakistan had closed the routes in November, resupplying forces in Afghanistan had been costing the United States about $100 million more per month than before the closure.
"Secretary Panetta fully supports the approach that was taken, and the discussions that were had," Kirby said. "He welcomes the decision by Pakistan to open the gates."
Pakistan closed the supply routes after a Nov. 26, 2011, incident in which American troops came under fire from Pakistan. U.S. forces returned fire and killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan responded by closing the main overland supply routes for U.S. and NATO forces into Afghanistan.

U.S. logistics specialists quickly shifted to other means, such as the Northern Distribution Network, to supply the forces. However, DOD officials have noted the routes through Pakistan are considered the most direct and most cost-effective.

"The Defense Department, immediately after the incident in November, expressed our regrets and condolences over it [and] acknowledged the mistakes we've made, and we're sorry for those mistakes," Kirby told reporters today.

He added that although the Pakistani ground supply routes are cheaper, coalition forces will continue to use the Northern Distribution Network as well.

"The Northern Distribution Network is still a viable, vital method through which logistics flow in and out of Afghanistan," Kirby said. "One of the things that we're looking at, more [now] than we were in November when the [Pakistani ground supply routes] closed, was retrograde -- the need to get material out of Afghanistan. So the Northern Distribution Network will still remain vital as we move forward."

Kirby said traffic has started to flow through the Pakistan ground gates, and that the same agreement in place before the closure still applies.

"The same arrangement we had using the ground gates before they closed are in existence now," he said. "There's been no change to those agreements." No lethal material is permitted to flow through the ground lines of communication, he added, unless it is designed and designated solely for the Afghan national security forces.

Kirby said the United States and Pakistan continue to work to "get this relationship on better footing."

"My sense is this was just a series of a lot of discussions and negotiations, and [a] concerted effort by both sides to move past this and to get the relationship into a better place [as we] start to look at the common challenges in the region," he said.
Kirby re-emphasized the practical benefits and cost-effectiveness of moving logistics through Pakistan's ground supply routes.

"We've always said moving things through the ground gates is cheaper and more expedient," he said. "Because we have that open to us now, it will save money."

SELLING SYSTEMS TO TRADE IN FUTURES ENDS IN DEFAULT JUDGEMENT AGAINST COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUAL

FROM:  COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
CFTC Obtains Default Judgment against The Trade Tech Institute, Inc., Technology Trading International, Inc., and Robert Sorchini for Fraudulent Solicitation of Managed Commodity Trading Accounts and Obtains Consent Judgment against Richard Carter as Controlling Person of Both Companies

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced that the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California entered an order of default judgment and permanent injunction against The Trade Tech Institute, Inc. (Trade Tech), Technology Trading International, Inc. (Tech Trading), and Robert Sorchini (Sorchini), all of Los Angeles, Calif. The same Court previously entered a consent order of permanent injunction against Richard Carter (Carter), also of Los Angeles, Calif.

The default order, entered on June 19, 2012, and the consent order, entered on February 29, 2012, both stem from a CFTC enforcement action filed jointly with the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of California on March 15, 2011, that charged defendants with fraudulently promoting and selling to the public several commodity trading systems pursuant to which customer managed accounts were traded (see CFTC News Release 6005-11, March 21, 2011).

The orders find that from at least 2007 until the CFTC complaint was filed in March 2011, Trade Tech, by and through Sorchini, Carter and other employees, fraudulently promoted and marketed a variety of systems to the public to be used for trading futures contracts and options on futures contracts in managed accounts. Trade Tech’s systems included Trade Tech Analytics, Paradigm, Optimum, Expeditor, MAC, Hybrid, Daytona and Pioneer. The orders also find that beginning in April 2010, Sorchini, Carter and others formed Tech Trading to continue their fraudulent promotion and selling of systems. The orders find that Carter and Sorchini were controlling persons of Trade Tech and Tech Trading.

The default order also finds that while selling these systems, Trade Tech, Tech Trading and Sorchini made fraudulent representations to prospective and existing clients about the systems’ purported past and potential future profitability and track records, failed to adequately warn clients of the risks inherent in trading futures and options, failed to disclose to clients the systems’ losing performance records in client managed accounts and made fraudulent performance-based guarantees. In addition, the default order and consent order find that Trade Tech published a misleading testimonial on its website and failed to inform clients or obtain clients’ consent when switching clients’ managed accounts between systems.

The court’s default order requires Trade Tech and Tech Trading to disgorge $2,910,245.10 and $423,140, respectively, of ill-gotten gains the companies received. The order imposes restitution on Trade Tech and Tech Trading of $2,386,970.38 and $38,847.99, respectively, and civil monetary penalties of $8,730,735.30 and $1,269,420, respectively. Additionally, the order requires Sorchini to disgorge $764,250.97 of ill-gotten gains he received from his fraudulent conduct, imposes joint and several liability on Sorchini for $2,251,766.50 of Trade Tech’s and Tech Trading’s restitution obligations, and a civil monetary penalty of $2,292,752.91.

The court’s consent order requires Carter to disgorge $992,352.93 of ill-gotten gains and imposes a civil monetary penalty of $496,176.46.

The orders permanently bar Trade Tech, Tech Trading, Sorchini and Carter from engaging in any commodity-related activity, including trading and registering or seeking exemption from CFTC registration, and from violating the anti-fraud provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act.

EPA FOCUSES ON LARGEST EMITTERS OF GREEN HOUSE GAS

Photo Credit:  Wikimedia.
FROM:  U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA Greenhouse Gas Permitting Requirements Maintain Focus on Largest Emitters 

Steps to streamline process will ease burden on state and local permitting authorities
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that it will not revise greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting thresholds under the Clean Air Act. Today’s final rule is part of EPA’s common-sense, phased-in approach to GHG permitting under the Clean Air Act, announced in 2010 and recently upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The final rule maintains a focus on the nation’s largest emitters that account for nearly 70 percent of the total GHG pollution from stationary sources, while shielding smaller emitters from permitting requirements. EPA is also finalizing a provision that allows companies to set plant-wide emissions limits for GHGs, streamlining the permitting process, increasing flexibilities and reducing permitting burdens on state and local authorities and large industrial emitters.

After consulting with the states and evaluating the phase-in process, EPA believes that current conditions do not suggest that EPA should lower the permitting thresholds. Therefore, EPA will not include additional, smaller sources in the permitting program at this time.

Today’s final rule affirms that new facilities with GHG emissions of at least 100,000 tons per year (tpy) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) will continue to be required to obtain Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits. Existing facilities that emit 100,000 tpy of CO2e and make changes increasing the GHG emissions by at least 75,000 tpy of CO2e, must also obtain PSD permits. Facilities that must obtain a PSD permit, to include other regulated pollutants, must also address GHG emission increases of 75,000 tpy or more of CO2e. New and existing sources with GHG emissions above 100,000 tpy CO2e must also obtain operating permits.

EPA’s GHG permitting program follows the same Clean Air Act process that states and industry have followed for decades to help ensure that new or modified facilities are meeting requirements to protect air quality and public health from harmful pollutants. As of May 21, 2012, EPA and state permitting authorities have issued 44 PSD permits addressing GHG emissions. These permits have required new facilities, and existing facilities that make major modifications, to implement energy efficiency measures to reduce their GHG emissions.

The GHG Tailoring Rule will continue to address a group of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). The PSD permitting program protects air quality and allows economic growth by requiring facilities that trigger PSD to limit GHG emissions in a cost effective way. An operating permit lists all of a facility’s Clean Air Act emissions control requirements and ensures adequate monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting. The operating permit program allows an opportunity for public involvement and to improve compliance.

TRIBUTE TO ASTRONAUT ALAN POINDEXTER

FROM:  NASA
STS-122 Heads to the Pad: A Tribute to Alan Poindexter
In this image from December 2008, the STS-122 mission crew members stride out of the Operations and Checkout Building, eager to ride to the launch pad and take their seats in space shuttle Atlantis. On the left, front to back, are Alan Poindexter, followed by Leland Melvin, Stanley Love and Leopold Eyharts. On the right, front to back, are Commander Steve Frick, followed by Rex Walheim and Hans Schlegel. Schlegel and Eyharts represent the European Space Agency.

Poindexter died on Sunday, July 1, 2012, while vacationing with his family.

A Navy Captain, he was accepted to the Astronaut Corps in 1998. During his career with NASA, Poindexter commanded the STS-131 space shuttle Discovery mission to the International Space Station in 2010, delivering more than 13,000 pounds of hardware and equipment. He also served as the pilot of the STS-122 mission, which delivered and installed the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory on the station in 2008. He also served as a spacecraft communicator, or CAPCOM, for multiple missions.

Poindexter retired from NASA in 2010 and returned to serve in the United States Navy as Dean of Students at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Image Credit: NASAKim Shiflet

BLUE ANGELS FLY OVER BOSTON HARBOR JULY 4, 2012

FROM:  U.S. NAVY
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, flies over USS Constitution during the ship's annual turn-around cruise on July 4th as part of the Boston Navy Week 2012. This celebration is one of 15 signature events planned across America in 2012. The eight-day long event commemorates the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, hosting service members from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and coalition ships from around the world. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho (Released) 120704-N-QL471-193

C-130 AIRCRAFT CREWS CONTINUE FIGHTING FIRES

Photo:  Colorado Wildfire.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force.

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Military C-130 Crews Continue Firefighting Efforts

Compiled from U.S. Northern Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2012 - In 123 airdrop missions since they were called into action to battle fires in the Rocky Mountain region and other western locales, Defense Department C-130s equipped with the U.S. Forest Service's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System had discharged more than 320,000 gallons of retardant as of early today, U.S. Northern Command officials reported.

The aircraft are under Northcom's command and control and are participating in the firefighting effort at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

C-130 efforts yesterday centered on the Squirrel Creek Fire, three miles west of Woods Landing, Wyo., officials said, discharging about 50,600 gallons of retardant during 18 missions flown in a 15-hour span.

On July 3, crews flew 16 airdrop missions over 22 hours, discharging about 41,250 gallons of retardant.

U.S.-SINGAPORE RELATIONS FACT SHEET

Map Credit:  U.S. Department Of State.
FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
U.S. Relations With Singapore
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Fact Sheet
July 3, 2012
The United States recognized Singapore's independence from Malaysia in 1965 and has had formal diplomatic relations with Singapore since 1966. Singapore's efforts to maintain economic growth and political stability and its support for regional cooperation harmonize with U.S. policy in the region and form a solid basis for amicable relations between the two countries. In early 2012, the United States and Singapore held the first meeting of their Strategic Partnership Dialogue, followed by a ministerial meeting that introduced new mechanisms to further strengthen partnership and cooperation for the benefit of the Asia-Pacific region, including the Third Country Training Program (TCTP), a joint technical assistance program for developing countries. The first TCTP projects will focus on training officials in the sub-Mekong region in the areas of environment, health, urban planning, and disaster management.

There are a large number of Americans living in Singapore, and many Singaporeans visit and study in the United States. The U.S. Government sponsors visitors from Singapore each year under the International Visitor Program; provides Fulbright awards to enable selected American professors to teach or conduct research at the National University of Singapore and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies; awards scholarships to outstanding Singaporean students for graduate studies at American universities and to American students to study in Singapore; and sponsors occasional cultural presentations in Singapore. The East-West Center and private American organizations, such as the Asia and Ford Foundations, also sponsor exchanges involving Singaporeans.

U.S. Assistance to Singapore
The EXBS program has been active in Singapore since 2003 and has provided over $2 million in technical exchanges and assistance. EXBS’ goals in Singapore are to encourage active targeting and enforcement of export controls, full compliance with the four multilateral export control regimes, cooperation on counter-proliferation prosecution and investigation matters. EXBS assistance for Singapore in 2012 totaled $250,000. Singapore is expected to graduate from the EXBS program in 2015.

Bilateral Economic Relations
The United States has a bilateral free trade agreement with Singapore. The two countries participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations that seek to develop a regional trade agreement. The United States is one of Singapore's largest foreign investors, with over 1,500 U.S. firms in operation. Singapore is a visa waiver program country, which allows its nationals to travel to the United States for certain business or tourism purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Singapore's Membership in International Organizations
Singapore and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, ASEAN Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

PROTECTING THE TROOPS ON THE HOME FRONT

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Officials Outline Progress in Protecting Troops Financially

By Karen Parrish

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2012 - Defense Department leaders recognize that service members burdened with financial problems can't reach full mission effectiveness, and they've made strides to help, a senior Pentagon official told a Senate committee yesterday.

Army Col. Paul Kantwill, director of the department's personnel and readiness legal policy office, spoke before the Senate's Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committee. Kantwill was part of a panel of witnesses that also included Holly Petraeus, assistant director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III, Delaware's attorney general.

Kantwill, who worked for 22-plus years as an Army judge advocate, told senators that while congressional action has curbed troops' exposure to predatory lending practices, military financial counselors and legal assistance offices still occasionally see clients who have fallen victim to them.

Congress passed the Military Lending Act in 2006, authorizing DOD to regulate service members' use of certain "credit" offers that were actually high-interest loans. The department then restricted payday loans, vehicle title loans and tax-refund anticipation loans, Kantwill noted in his preparedremarks.

During his live testimony, Kantwill noted the department received a report in May from the Consumer Federation of America.

"The report concludes that the Military Lending Act has had the desired effect of curtailing the use of payday, vehicle title and refund anticipation loans by service members and their families," he said. "The overriding theme of the report, however, is that we have achieved much but we have much work to do."

The report and assessments from the field both indicate that lenders still target the military population with payday loans and auto title loans charging excessive interest, Kantwill said. There is also more online lending, often from "offshore" creditors not subject to the act, he noted.

"Yet another concern in the field is that automobile dealers, especially used car dealers and 'buy here, pay here' establishments, are using unusually high-interest loans," he added.

Mortgage foreclosures also remain a concern for service members and families, he said.

To help troops avoid or escape such financial hazards, the department has implemented an aggressive financial education program, and is committed to providing first-class legal assistance and working with other agencies and the financial industry," Kantwill said.

DOD's financial readiness campaign uses education, resources, programs, and protections designed to "alleviate financial stressors on the military to enhance family, financial and overall mission readiness," he said.

The primary financial readiness effort for legal assistance programs takes place where it's needed most, he said: to individual clients at the installation level.

"These include tip-of-the-spear services in all consumer law areas, to include [Servicemembers Civil Relief Act] issues, suspect lending and aggressive debt practices," Kantwill said.

The department and the military services are working with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and its Office of Servicemember Affairs, as well as with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, to ensure service members' needs are met, he added.

DOD also stays engaged with the financial industry, and is designing a survey to gather current financial information from communities where service members are assigned, Kantwill said.

"The department is committed to our service members and our families, and we remain steadfast in supporting them in every way, especially as it concerns their financial futures," he said.

Petraeus noted during her testimony that service members who receive permanent change of station orders and must sell their homes now qualify by law for some "short-sale" opportunities, which can forgive mortgage amounts that exceed the sale price in markets where property values have fallen.

A recent settlement between the federal government, 49 states and the five largest mortgage servicers provides some short-sale opportunities for service members with orders to move, she noted.

"And last week, the Federal Housing Finance Authority ... announced that PCS orders are a qualifying hardship for a short sale," Petraeus added.

That means a service member on PCS orders, with a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan for a property purchased on or before June 30, 2012, "will not be asked to make a financial contribution to receive the short sale or be liable for the difference between the short sale amount and the original mortgage amount," she said.

Petraeus added that her office also is working to help educate military members on student loan options, and is preparing a financial-training module that entering service members can access by smartphone or computer before they begin military training.

"A recruit in [the delayed-entry program] has more time and less stress than in basic training, and we think we'll better retain some 'just-enough and just-in-time' financial lessons," Petraeus noted.

VIETNAM WAR POW RESCUE AIRCRAFT TALON I RETIRES

FROM:  AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
An MC-130E Combat Talon I taxies onto the flightline during an aircraft retirement ceremony at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 22, 2012. This particular Talon I was the lead aircraft that performed a Prisoner of War extraction in North Vietnam called the Son Tay Raid in 1970. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal)  

Talon makes final flight to Cannon
by Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

6/25/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.  -- The 27th Special Operations Wing held a special aircraft retirement ceremony on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 22.

Col. Buck Elton, 27 SOW commander, was on board the MC-130E Combat Talon I, tail number 64-0523, as it made its final flight into Cannon from Duke Field, Fla.

This particular Talon has historical significance to Air Force Special Operation Command's lineage.

"This Talon I was part of the 7th Special Operations Squadron and first flew in 1966," said Richard Shea, 27 SOW base historian. "This tail number was the lead aircraft that performed a Prisoner of War extraction in North Vietnam called the Son Tay Raid in 1970."

During the raid, the original call sign for the Talon was Cherry 1. In an effort to truly commemorate today's flight, the Talon once again flew under the call sign Cherry 1 for its final mission.
Retired Lt. Col. Irl "Leon" Franklin, who piloted this exact craft during the raid more than 40 years ago, was invited to be present on the aircraft during the final engine shutdown.

"I was the aircraft commander of crew SG06, the group was the original Combat Unit," said Franklin. "This aircraft was one of the first four aircraft to be modified for the Combat Talon mission."

During the nation's conflict with Vietnam in the 1970s, the U.S. received intelligence that suggested North Vietnam had dozens of POWs detained in a prison camp just west of Hanoi. The U.S. Air Force and Army put together a Special Forces team in an effort to recover the Americans being held within the camp.

Planning and training for the operation took place at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., while additional intelligence was gathered. When the U.S. infiltrated the prison camp, they discovered the prisoners had already been moved to another camp.

"It's an honor to have been invited to this ceremony and given the opportunity to participate in the aircraft shutdown," said Franklin. "I spent 23 years of my life on active duty and I take pride in actively engaging myself in military functions."

The aircraft will now undergo several months of demilitarization and will be put on permanent display at the airpark on base.

"We are extremely proud of our Special Operations Forces heritage and what this aircraft means to AFSOC," said Elton. "Having this aircraft here at our air park will remind us of our lineage beginning with Son Tay and moving forward."

CDC SAYS 30% PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLER DEATHS INVOLVE METHADONE

FROM:  U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
Prescription Painkiller Overdoses
Use and Abuse of Methadone as a Painkiller
Prescription painkiller overdoses* were responsible for more than 15,500 deaths in 2009. While all prescription painkillers have contributed to an increase in overdose deaths over the last decade, methadone has played a central role in the epidemic. More than 30% of prescription painkiller deaths involve methadone, even though only 2% of painkiller prescriptions are for this drug. Six times as many people died of methadone overdoses in 2009 than a decade before.

Methadone has been used safely and effectively to treat drug addiction for decades. It has been prescribed increasingly as a painkiller because it is a generic drug that can provide long-lasting pain relief. But as methadone’s use for pain has increased, so has nonmedical use of the drug and the number of overdoses.

* "Prescription painkiller overdoses" refers to deaths from using harmful amounts of opioid or narcotic pain relievers, including drugs such as Vicodin (hydrocodone), OxyContin (oxycodone), Opana (oxymorphone), and methadone.


Problem
Methadone use poses risks
Methadone is frequently prescribed for pain.
Methadone, like other painkillers, is commonly prescribed for chronic problems like back pain even though it might not help these problems in the long run.
More than 4 million methadone prescriptions were written for pain in 2009, despite US Food and Drug Administration warnings about the risks associated with methadone.
Methadone is available as a low-cost generic drug. It is often listed as a preferred drug by insurance companies.

Methadone's risks include:
The difference between appropriate prescribed doses and dangerous doses of methadone is small.
Methadone has special risks as a painkiller. For example, taking it more than 3 times a day can cause the drug to build up in a person’s body, leading to dangerously slowed breathing.
Methadone can seriously disrupt the heart’s rhythm.
Methadone can be particularly risky when used with tranquilizers or other prescription painkillers.
In one study, four in ten overdose deaths involving single prescription painkillers involved methadone, twice as many as any other prescription painkiller.


What Can Be Done

The US government is:
Enforcing federal laws to prevent nonmedical use of methadone.
Educating health care providers and consumers about the correct use of methadone.
Tracking prescription drug overdose trends and the impact of efforts to stop overdoses.

States can:
Develop and promote the use of safe prescribing guidelines for methadone.
Support the use of methadone as a treatment for opioid dependence in opioid treatment programs.
Use prescription drug monitoring programs to identify patients who are using methadone or other prescription painkillers for nonmedical purposes.

Health care providers can:
Follow guidelines for prescribing methadone and other prescription painkillers correctly, including
Screening and monitoring for substance abuse and mental health problems.
Prescribing only the quantity needed based on the expected length of pain.
Using prescription drug monitoring programs to identify patients who are misusing or abusing methadone or other prescription painkillers.
Monitor patients on high doses for heart rhythm problems.
Educating patients on how to safely use, store, and dispose of methadone and how to prevent and recognize overdoses.

Health insurers can:
Evaluate methadone’s place on preferred drug lists.
Consider strategies to ensure that pain treatment with any dose higher than 30 mg of methadone a day (the recommended maximum daily starting dose) is appropriate.

Individuals can:
Use methadone only as directed by a health care provider.
Make sure they are the only ones to use their methadone and never sell or share it with others.
Store methadone in a secure place and dispose of it properly. Seewww.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Poisoning/preventiontips.htm for correct storage and disposal of medications.
Get help for substance abuse problems (1-800-662-HELP ).

U.S.-CHILE RELATIONS

Map Credit:  U.S. State Department
FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
U.S. Relations With Chile
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
Fact Sheet
June 29, 2012
From 1973 to 1990, Chile was ruled by a military government that came to power in a coup. The U.S. Government applauded the rebirth of democratic practices in Chile in the late 1980s and early 1990s and sees the maintenance of a vibrant democracy and a healthy and sustainable economy as among the most important U.S. interests in Chile. The two countries consult frequently on issues of mutual concern, including in the areas of trade, multilateral diplomacy, security, culture, and science. The U.S. Government and the Government of Chile have frequent high-level interaction.

U.S.-Chile collaboration on the environment includes sustainable development, climate change, energy efficiency, conservation and wildlife management, marine protected areas, environmental law enforcement, glacier monitoring, and agricultural best practices. Many U.S. technical agencies are actively engaged in Chile, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Interior, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The two countries have three sister park agreements.

The U.S.-Chile Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program was established to sponsor English and academic studies for Chilean PhD students who come from disadvantaged and rural areas that have not traditionally had access to English language schools or study abroad opportunities. The program has become a model for other international scholarships programs with Chile.

Under the U.S.-Chile Trilateral Development Cooperation initiative, the two countries have worked together on development projects in several countries. These projects have focused on issues such as citizen security, social inclusion, improving agricultural standards, and export promotion.

At the U.S. state level, the Chile-California Partnership for the 21st Century fosters collaboration between individuals, government, and the private sector in areas such as agriculture, energy efficiency, environmental resource management, and education. Chile and Massachusetts have entered into a similar agreement.

U.S. Assistance to Chile
The United States provides no foreign development assistance to Chile.

Bilateral Economic Relations
The United States has a bilateral free trade agreement with Chile. The agreement eliminates tariffs and opens markets, reduces barriers for trade in services, provides protection for intellectual property, ensures regulatory transparency, guarantees nondiscrimination in the trade of digital products, commits the parties to maintain competition laws that prohibit anticompetitive business conduct, and requires effective labor and environmental enforcement. The United States and Chile participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations that seek to develop a regional trade agreement.

Chile's Membership in International Organizations
Since its return to democracy in 1990, Chile has been an active participant in the international arena. Chile and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, Community of Democracies, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Chile is also a member of the Pacific Alliance, Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

DOJ FILES SEX DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST A TEXAS POLICE DEPARTMENT

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Corpus Christi, Texas, Police Department for Sex Discrimination

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, alleging that the city’s police department engaged in a pattern or practice of employment discrimination against women in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The lawsuit challenges the police department’s use of a physical ability test for the hiring of entry-level police officers.  According to the complaint, the physical test used by the city between 2005 and 2011 had the effect of excluding qualified women from consideration for hire as entry-level police officers and did not screen candidates for job-related skills.

Title VII prohibits employment practices that result in a disparate impact on various bases, including sex, unless the employer can prove that such practices really test for what the job requires.  The complaint alleges that the challenged physical ability test does not meet this standard and, thus, qualified women have been unnecessarily kept out of entry-level police officer jobs.

 “This complaint demonstrates that employment practices that unnecessarily exclude qualified candidates on account of sex are unacceptable,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.  “The Justice Department is looking forward to working with the city to resolve this matter in a way that eliminates the use of the unlawful physical ability test and gives women who were screened out of the process an opportunity to become Corpus Christi police officers.”

In the lawsuit, the Justice Department seeks a court order that would require the city to stop using the challenged physical ability test, develop hiring procedures that comply with Title VII and provide relief that makes victims whole, including offers of hire, retroactive seniority and back pay to individual women who have been harmed as a result of the city’s use of the test

USS NIMITZ PASSES THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL IN PEARL HARBOR

US. NAVY
Sailors man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as it passes the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Nimitz is participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2012, the world's largest international maritime exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Keith W. DeVinney (Released) 120702-N-VD564-016

El corazón de una estrella recién nacida, visto en rayos X

El corazón de una estrella recién nacida, visto en rayos X