ONLY SIX STATES HAVE NOT REQUESTED A NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND WAIVER

Photo Credit:  U.S. Department Of Defense

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Obama Administration Approves Idaho’s Request for NCLB Flexibility

34 States and DC Now Approved For Waivers, with Several States Still Pending
The Obama Administration today approved Idaho’s request for flexibility from No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in exchange for state-developed plans to prepare all students for college and career, focus aid on the neediest students, and support effective teaching and leadership. With the addition of Idaho, 34 states and the District of Columbia have now joined in a nationwide, bipartisan movement toward next-generation education reforms that go far beyond No Child Left Behind’s rigid, top-down prescriptions.

"With the addition of Idaho, a growing number of states nationwide are receiving much-needed flexibility from No Child Left Behind," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "More than a million students are now captured by states’ new accountability systems, and we continue to see impressive reform plans from the local level will drive student achievement and ensure that all students are ready for college and their careers."

Federal education law has been due for congressional reauthorization since 2007. In the face of congressional inaction, President Obama announced in September of 2011 that the Obama Administration would grant waivers from NCLB to qualified states. The first requests for waivers were granted in February of 2012.

The 34 states (plus the District of Columbia) that have been approved for waivers from NCLB include: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The 10 states (plus the Bureau of Indian Education and Puerto Rico) with outstanding requests for waivers include Alabama, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, West Virginia.

The 6 states that have not yet requested a waiver include: Montana, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont (request withdrawn), and Wyoming.

MEDICAL HERO UP IN THE AIR

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE
Master Sgt. Shannon McBee saved a man's life while on a flight from Atlanta to San Antonio. McBee is a flight medic by trade who is now assigned to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Maxwell -Gunter Air Force Base, Ala. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Hero at 30,000 feet

by Airman 1st Class William Blankenship
Air University Public Affairs

10/16/2012 - MAXWELL-GUNTER AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) -- (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)

A sergeant here became an unlikely hero Sept. 9 during a flight from Atlanta to San Antonio.

Master Sgt. Shannon McBee, an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center aeromedical evacuation electronic health records project manager, boarded the flight to travel for a temporary duty assignment.

"We had just taken off and got to altitude when I heard a call over the intercom for anyone with medical experience," said McBee, a 12-year flight medic. "It didn't seem like anyone was running back there, so I got up to see if I could help."

When McBee reached the rear of the plane, he found attendants huddled around a man who had passed out on the floor. The flight crew explained that the passenger was getting sick and when he stood up to excuse himself, he became dizzy and fell. Although McBee now manages electronic health records and hasn't seen patients in more than six months, he began administering what turned out to a be life-saving medical exam.

"The man's blood pressure was frighteningly low," McBee said. "The scary part was we did not know why his blood pressure was dropping. My initial thought was that he had internal bleeding or something going on with his heart."

McBee grabbed an oxygen bottle from the airplane's first-aid kit and began administering it to the man. When able to speak, the patient explained how he had not felt well all morning and had several dizzy spells throughout the day.

McBee and the pilot discussed the man's situation, and the pilot decided to continue the flight as scheduled. McBee reassured the pilot he could stabilize the man safely until paramedics could take him after landing.

During the remainder of the flight, McBee, and a nurse who was also onboard, continued helping the man. He administered fluids through an IV, elevated his legs and monitored his vital signs.

"The man passed out and woke up multiple times," McBee said. "He was too weak to get up off of the floor, so we sat in the jump seat beside him during the landing."

After landing two hours later, McBee gave the responding paramedics a medical report on the patient, and they transported the man to a medical facility for further examination.

"I am proud of the way McBee immediately responded to the in-flight medical emergency," said Maj. Anthony Crane, the AFLCMC functional management medical systems chief. "His actions are commendable and exemplary. I'm sure the fellow passenger felt fortunate to have him on his flight."

Although McBee has not heard from the patient, he has been called a hero by his co-workers.

McBee's response to being considered a hero: "Pay attention to the training you are getting in the Air Force," he said. "One day it may save a life."

HOME HEALTH COMPANY OWNER GOES TO PRISON FOR ROLE IN $42 MILLION FRAUD



Photo: Federal Prison In Miami. Credit: U.S. Federal Bureau Of Prisons

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Monday, October 15, 2012

Owner of Miami Home Health Company Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for $42 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

WASHINGTON – The owner and operator of a Miami health care agency was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for his participation in a $42 million home health Medicare fraud scheme, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; and Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher B. Dennis of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami Office.

Eulises Escalona, 44, of Monroe County, Fla., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard in the Southern District of Florida. In addition to sentencing Escalona to prison, Judge Lenard ordered him to pay $26.5 million in restitution.

On Aug. 2, 2012, Escalona pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Florida to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to court documents, Escalona was the owner of Willsand Home Health Inc., a Florida home health agency that purported to provide home health care and physical therapy services to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Escalona pleaded guilty to conspiring with patient recruiters for the purpose of billing the Medicare program for unnecessary home health care and therapy services. Escalona and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters in return for patients, prescriptions, Plans of Care (POCs) and certifications for medically unnecessary therapy and home health services for Medicare beneficiaries. Escalona and co-conspirators also paid kickbacks and bribes directly to physicians, who provided home health and therapy prescriptions, POCs and medical certifications to Escalona and his co-conspirators. Escalona used these prescriptions, POCs and medical certifications to fraudulently bill the Medicare program for home health care services, which Escalona knew was in violation of federal criminal laws.

According to court documents, at Willsand Home Health, patient files for Medicare beneficiaries were falsified to make it appear that such beneficiaries qualified for home health care and therapy services when, in fact, many of the beneficiaries did not actually qualify for such services. Escalona knew that in many cases the patient files at Willsand Home Health were falsified.

From approximately January 2006 through November 2009, Escalona and his alleged co-conspirators submitted approximately $42 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, which paid approximately $27 million on those claims.

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Joseph S. Beemsterboer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND COMMEMORATES AIRMAN'S DEATH IN IRAQ

FROM: U.S AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND

Members of Peterson Air Force Base do "burpees" (an up-down exercise with a push-up) while participating in the Airman 1st Class LeeBernard E. Chavis memorial workout Oct. 16. The workout is an annual event continued by Chavis' friends world-wide to commemorate his death on Oct. 14, 2006, in the streets near Baghdad, Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Christopher Boitz

Pain felt around the world

by Capt. Tamara Fischer-Carter
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
10/17/2012 - PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- While many were hitting snooze for the second time, a driven few answered a calling from deep within.

Approximately 40 Air Force members gathered together outside the fitness center here Oct. 16 to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the death of Airman 1st Class LeeBernard E. Chavis in a unique way.

On Oct. 14, 2006, Chavis, a 21-year-old member of the 824th Security Forces Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., was killed by sniper fire while he tried to keep civilians away from a suspected bomb in the streets near Baghdad.

Chief Master Sgt. Jason France, former 820th Security Forces Group operations superintendent at Moody AFB, now at Hill AFB, Utah, designed the annual Chavis Workout, a CrossFit-style workout that the group did together in Chavis' memory. The Chavis Workout consists of 150 burpees (or an up-down with a push-up), a one mile run and 150 squat thrusts.

This year, former 824th Security Forces member at Moody AFB, Ga., Staff Sgt. Heather Ruhlman, now a 21st Space Wing paralegal, sent out an invite to the workout via Facebook. She was there in Baghdad when Chavis was killed.

"I never thought in 2008 when we first did this workout together that years later we would be doing it at our new homes spread across the world. There are members of the unit who are not even in the military anymore who go and do the workout," Ruhlman said. "It's nice to know so many still take the time out to remember our fallen Ghostwalker."

Ruhlman said that last year 400 people across the globe accepted the workout invitation she sent. This year appears to have garnered a similar response. Among the people attending the workout here were members of security forces, comptroller, judge advocate and public affairs units; and the nearby USAF Academy.

Staff Sgt. Danny Keurtz, 21st Security Forces member, is a regular at the gym and has been doing two-(or more)-a-days in preparation for the event.

"The turn out today was fantastic. Much more than I think anyone expected," said Kuertz. "With everyone there you could tell people were pushing as hard as they could. It was nice to see people pour so much sweat and camaraderie into remembering Airman 1st Class Chavis. I couldn't have been happier to share this experience with everyone there."

1st Lt. Connie Dillon, public affairs officer with Air Force Space Command, participated. "This event was seriously challenging and deep in meaning. It was something that kicked my butt and made me want to quit every second, but I keep going because of what it stands for," said Dillon.

As each person progressed through the workout, they tick-marked their count with chalk on the pavement. They pressed through the workout in mostly respectful silence, while others from around the world wrote "complete," with their location and a message of love to Chavis on a Facebook page created for the event.


"It warms my heart when I see this enormous outpouring of support for the workout," said Ruhlman. "I can't believe the workout has become what it is today. Six years later, it still hurts just like it did on 14 Oct. 2006, but what's uplifting is knowing Chavis is still remembered just as I always hoped and knew he would be."

At the end of the workout everyone understood what the Air Force family means by "proud heritage and legacy of valor." There was no team huddle or cheer, only the symbolic chalk outlines at each person's feet as they mustered what strength they had left to gather drink bottles and cold weather gear.

With solemn expressions like they had just visited Airman Chavis' grave in person, they turned away to carry on the Air Force mission.

NEW STEALTH FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE

An F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., flies over the Emerald Coast Sept. 19, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo-Master Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)

by Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Wetzel
Defense Media Activity

10/16/2012 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The engines roared overhead as an F-35A fell into formation. Although this is a basic maneuver for the test pilots, the possibilities for combat environments created by these elite aircraft working together are anything but mundane.

The F-35, which features three variants to be used by the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, is a single-seat aircraft capable of stealthy operations, equipped with an enhanced computer technology system. The Marine Corps B variant is also capable of performing short takeoffs and vertical-landings while maintaining the conventional operations of other airplanes.

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program started in 1997. The program includes plans to replace the Air Force's aging F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II, the Marine Corps' short takeoff, vertical landing AV-8B Harrier and dogfighting and air-to-ground attacking F/A-18 Hornet and the Navy's stock of legacy Hornets.

"The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter; but it's more than just a stealthy airplane," said Marine Corps Col. Art Tomassetti, a pilot who has been with the JSF program since 1998. "It goes beyond stealth and low observable capability. It brings together everything that today's computer and digital age can bring to how the airplane flies and how it's maintained."

The F-35 is an ideal combination of stealth, sensor fusion and a robust digital flight control system making it, not only easy for a pilot to fly, but easy to identify and engage targets in the battlespace. Along with ease of flight, the F-35 also allows pilots greater situational awareness.

"When you look at the F-35, you can't look at it as a single airplane against another single airplane," Tomassetti said. "You have to look at a group of F-35s working together, then you really get to take advantage of what the F-35 brings to the battle space. The ability of the airplanes to use a variety of sensors to gather information and share the information they gather between planes is truly incredible."

With the F-35, pilots can access information about possible targets and threats from supporting F-35 aircraft via data links, which allows them to see more and identify more of what is happening in the battle space, Tomassetti said.

Currently, the military is only training seasoned pilots on the new airplane at Eglin Air Force Base.

When new pilots are allowed into the program, they will find themselves in a unique training environment along with enlisted aircraft maintainers and mechanics from all three branches of service and also coalition partners from several foreign nations.

These service members will learn how to operate and maintain the F-35 through a digital training environment. This kinetic learning system allows the learning to occur through touching and doing, rather than seeing and hearing.

"The fact that we're starting with the same airframe, same formations, same weapons capabilities, I think that already puts us at a better starting point when we show up to a combat theater together," said Lt. Col. Lee Kloos, squadron commander for the 58th Fighter Squadron, of the integration of forces with the F-35.

Kloos, who has more 2,100 hours flying the F-16, said having the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy field the same airframe allows a common frame of reference for pilots regardless of service.

The aircraft is also a joy to fly, Kloos said. Despite the advanced technology and complexity of the aircraft, it's a very easy aircraft to fly, and basic pilot actions remain the same as in any fighter aircraft.

"Pull back on the stick and the trees get smaller, push forward and the trees get bigger," Kloos said. It is a stable and well-balanced plane designed for today's generation who grew up playing video games, he said.

Comparatively speaking, the F-35 has a clean cockpit. Instead of a multitude of switches inherent of many aircraft, the F-35 has two touch screens with interfaces similar to a tablet computer.

For the maintainers, things are a little tougher.

"I was working on the F-15 C and D models," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Reed, F-35 A maintainer. "The F-35 is a completely different aircraft. The technology is challenging at times."

Since the F-35 is still in operational testing, the maintainers and pilots work through all the bugs together. On a continuous basis, personnel are testing the aircraft in new maneuvers and capabilities. Once these are monitored and assessed, the pilots are cleared to perform them in their daily flight operations.

"Today our training consists of the basics of takeoff, landing, navigation and basic formation as we wait for the flight clearance to expand and allow us to train specific mission sets," Tomassetti said.

Air Force maintainers, the first service members to work on the F-35, use the maintenance side of the computer to do preventative diagnostics and pinpoint possible problems.

With the pilots and maintainers working together, the Air Force and Marine Corps have flown hundreds of training sorties since their first flight in 2011. They continue to fly daily to bring the F-35 A, the Air Force's conventional landing and take-off variant, F-35 B, the Marine Corps' STOVL variant, and F-35 C, the Navy's carrier-based variant, closer to combat operations.

USS JOHN C. STENNIS STRIKE GROUP TAKES PLACE IN U.S. 5TH FLEET

FROM: U.S. NAVYWarfighting: John C. Stennis Strike Group Enters US 5th Fleet

John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs

JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG), entered the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR), Oct. 17.

The JCSSG takes the place of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, which departed U.S. 5th Fleet AOR to return to the United States where flagship USS Enterprise (CVN 65) will be deactivated after more than 50 years of service.

"We're looking forward to working with our partner nations and ensuring the vital sea lanes of this region remain free for all maritime traffic," said Rear Adm. Chuck Gaouette, commander, JCSSG. "We have trained for a wide variety of contingencies, from supporting coalition ground troops in Afghanistan to conducting humanitarian assistance operations, and I'm confident this strike group will accomplish any mission that we are asked to execute."

JCSSG deployed four months ahead of schedule, to support combatant commander requirements for U.S. assets in the region.

While en route to 5th Fleet, the JCSSG conducted integrated training within the strike group, as well as combined operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet with the George Washington Carrier Strike Group. The JCSSG also had two port visits in 7th Fleet, Sepangar, Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand.

The JCSSG consists of the aircraft carrier USS John. C. Stennis (CVN 74), Carrier Air Wing 9, Destroyer Squadron 21 and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION NEWS FOR OCTOBER 18, 2012

FROM:  NASA

DOD News Briefing on Efforts to Enhance the Financial Health of the Force with Secretary Panetta, Assistant Director Petraeus, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Milam from the Pentagon

DOD News Briefing on Efforts to Enhance the Financial Health of the Force with Secretary Panetta, Assistant Director Petraeus, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Milam from the Pentagon

USS BAINBRIDGE CREW RECEIVE ARLEIGH BURKE FLEET AWARD

FROM: U.S. NAVY
Adm. Bill Gortney, left, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presents the Arleigh Burke Fleet Award to the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96). The award is given annually to the most improved battle-efficient ship or aircraft squadron from both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kayla Jo Finley (Released) 121016-N-YF783-004

ASHTON B. CARTER ON MIDDLE EAST







FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

U.S. Must Stay Committed to Middle East, Carter Says

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 18, 2012 - It is important for the U.S. to maintain its commitments to the Middle East, even as the nation's defense strategy starts to shift focus away from the region, the deputy defense secretary told troops on a military installation here today.

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter spoke to approximately 200 U.S. service members about the transition of the nation's defense strategy, but emphasized remaining engaged in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

"You, right here, right now, are at the fulcrum of so much of our national security thinking," he said. "We did put together a good defense strategy last year. We're going from the era of Iraq and Afghanistan where we all were totally riveted [daily] on supporting the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Carter noted that Afghanistan operations continue.

"We're still in there, and will be now for two [more] hard fighting seasons, and then an enduring presence there after," He said.

The secretary called the drawdown in Afghanistan "a realistic plan" requiring "us to keep going hard for another couple of years."

"You all are an important part of that effort. But, this is where the transition comes in. You can see the ending of that era. [The] first, post-9/11 era of focus on Iraq and Afghanistan. You can see that era coming to an end," Carter said.

"So all of us are picking our heads up out of that foxhole, and looking around, looking forward, looking ahead," he said. "[We're] asking ourselves what are the security challenges that are going to define our future?"

Carter said many people are familiar with the shift in focus toward the Asia-Pacific, but added "there's a second part of that."

"[It] is to retain our commitment to this CENTCOM [area of responsibility], and it's changing set of issues which are just as weighty as Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "They're just different."

Yes, we still have to continue to support Afghanistan, Carter said, because it's still happening. This means both sending stuff in there, and getting stuff out.

"But looking beyond that, what do we have?" Carter asked. "Iran – very serious. All of the problems that you see didn't begin with the Arab Spring. They are made visible by the Arab Spring. All the tension in this region."

The secretary talked about changes in the military's approach to dealing with conflict from the "old days" to now.

"In the old days, you could wind up real slowly before you delivered a punch," Carter said. "That was okay. For Desert Storm, we took months getting ready, bringing stuff in. All the while saying 'brother, in six months, you're going to be sorry you messed around with the United States.'"

"Now you have to be postured," he said, "where it's 'brother, you're going to be sorry in six hours that you messed with the United States.'"

Carter said the "velocity of conflict" has increased, but so has the opportunity to "snuff" that conflict out.

"[It's] got to happen very fast, and so the presence, what we have here daily, matters in a way, strategically, that it didn't matter 20 years ago," he said. "So, you all are in a critical place, at a time where when we're asking you to do an entirely new set of things."

"A hugely important set of things, Carter said. "And we're counting on you back in the [United] States. We'll come as soon as we can, but the reality is you're it."

The secretary said it's "trivial" to talk about jointness, but it is "truly impressive" to see such team effort.

"The fact that you're able to operate as a joint force is a huge advantage," Carter said. "It's something that is like anything else in life, particularly, military affairs."

"It doesn't come for free – it comes from working at relationships," he said. "Practicing, making the whole sum of the parts do that."

This, Carter said, is why the U.S. has the best military in the world.

"Thanks to you all for what you're doing here," he said. "It is much appreciated. And that's why ... Kuwait looks to us for security."

"We have an excellent relationship with the Kuwaitis, and I thank you all for what you do to keep that going," Carter said.

U.S.-RUSSIA BILATERAL ADOPTION AGREEMENT

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

United States - Russia Bilateral Adoption Agreement

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 18, 2012

The Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are pleased to announce that the Agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation in Adoption of Children will enter into force on November 1, 2012, following an exchange of diplomatic notes between the U.S. and Russian governments.

The Department of State and USCIS work to promote a safe, ethical, and transparent adoption process for prospective adoptive parents, birth families, and children involved in intercountry adoptions.

Each year, thousands of children find loving, nurturing homes through intercountry adoptions, and the lives of thousands of American families have been enriched by welcoming Russian orphans into their homes. In April 2010, the U.S. and Russian governments began negotiating the Agreement to strengthen procedural safeguards in the adoption process between the United States and Russia.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signed the Agreement on July 13, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The Russian Duma approved the Agreement on July 10, 2012 and the Russian Federation Council approved the Agreement on July 18, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the Agreement into law on July 28, 2012.

The full text of the Agreement, as well as a detailed FAQ can be found online at http://adoption.state.gov.

MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN PLOT TO ASSASSINATE SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.

FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Man Pleads Guilty in New York to Conspiring with Iranian Military Officials to Assassinate Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States

Manssor Arbabsiar, aka Mansour Arbabsiar, pleaded guilty today in federal court in the Southern District of New York to participating in a plot to murder the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States while the Ambassador was in the United States. Arbabsiar, a 58-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen holding both Iranian and U.S. passports, was arrested on Sept. 29, 2011, at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. He pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge John F. Keenan.

The guilty plea was announced by Attorney General Eric Holder; Michele M. Leonhart, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA); Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and Stephen L. Morris, FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge.

Arbabsiar pleaded guilty to a superseding information that charges him with three counts. Count one charges Arbabsiar with traveling in foreign commerce and using interstate and foreign commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. Count two charges him with conspiring to do so. Count three charges Arbabsiar with conspiring to commit an offense against the United States, namely, an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries. He faces a maximum potential sentence of 25 years in prison (10 years on counts one and two, and five years on count three). Arbabsiar is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Keenan on Jan. 23, 2013, at 11:30 a.m.

In connection with his guilty plea, Arbabsiar admitted that, from the spring of 2011 to the fall of 2011, he conspired with officials in the Iranian military who were based in Iran, to cause the assassination of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador while the Ambassador was in the United States. Arbabsiar acknowledged that at the direction of these co-conspirators, he traveled to Mexico on several occasions during 2011 in order to arrange the assassination of the Ambassador. Arbabsiar admitted that, with his co-conspirators’ approval, he had arranged to hire a DEA confidential source (CS-1), who claimed to be a representative of a drug cartel, and CS-1’s criminal associates, to murder the Ambassador. Arbabsiar further admitted that he agreed to pay $1.5 million to CS-1 and had discussed with CS-1 a plan to murder the Ambassador at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. -- a plan that was approved by Arbabsiar’s co-conspirators. Arbabsiar then arranged for a $100,000 down payment, in two installments, to be wired to CS-1.

As noted in the complaint and indictment previously filed in Manhattan federal court, t he Qods Force is a branch of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Qods Force conducts sensitive covert operations abroad, including terrorist attacks, assassinations and kidnappings, and is believed to have sponsored attacks against Coalition Forces in Iraq. In October 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department designated the Qods Force under Executive Order 13224 for providing material support to the Taliban and other terrorist organizations.

"A little more than a year after his arrest, Manssor Arbabsiar has admitted to his role in a deadly plot approved by members of the Iranian military to assassinate a sitting foreign Ambassador on U.S. soil," said Attorney General Holder. "Today’s plea and the disruption of this plot should serve as a reminder of the exceptional efforts of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies in protecting America against terrorist attacks and in holding accountable those who plan such actions."

"The dangerous connection between drug trafficking and terrorism cannot be overstated, and this case is yet another example of DEA’s unique role in identifying potentially deadly networks that wish to harm innocent Americans and our allies worldwide," said DEA Administrator Leonhart. "Using DEA’s elaborate and sophisticated investigative expertise to infiltrate violent drug and terror organizations globally, we successfully identified this threat and worked closely with the FBI to prevent a potentially deadly outcome." ‪

"Thanks to the collaborative efforts of many U.S. law enforcement and intelligence professionals, this international assassination plot hatched in Iran was thwarted before anyone was harmed and a key conspirator has pleaded guilty. This case underscores the evolving threat environment we face and the need for continued vigilance at home and abroad," said Assistant Attorney General Monaco.

U.S. Attorney Bharara stated: "As was originally charged, and as Arbabsiar has now admitted, he was the extended murderous hand of his co-conspirators, officials of the Iranian military based in Iran, who plotted to kill the Saudi Ambassador in the United States and were willing to kill as many bystanders as necessary to do so. Arbabsiar traveled to and from the United States, Mexico and Iran and was in telephone contact with his Iranian confederates while he brokered an audacious plot. The audacity of the plot should not cause doubt, but rather vigilance regarding others like Arbabsiar, who are enlisted as the violent emissaries of plotting foreign officials. This office will continue to pursue the co-conspirators in this plot and others in Iran or elsewhere who try to export murder. Thanks to the great work of the FBI, DEA and the prosecutors in this office, Mr. Arbabsiar must now answer for his conduct."

"Today’s guilty plea entered by Mr. Arababsiar is the culmination of exceptional intelligence and law enforcement efforts," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Morris. "I would like to thank the investigators, analysts and task force officers at the FBI and DEA in Houston, our Legal Attaché Office in Mexico City, and all partners in the Intelligence Community who worked tirelessly on this case. Of special note I’d like to recognize the exemplary leadership from Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York."

According to the complaint and indictment filed in Manhattan federal court, as well as the information to which Arbabsiar pleaded:

Arbabsiar met with CS-1 in Mexico on multiple occasions between May 2011 and July 2011. During the course of these meetings, Arbabsiar inquired as to CS-1’s knowledge with respect to explosives and explained that he was interested in, among other things, attacking an embassy of Saudi Arabia and the murder of the Saudi Ambassador to the United States. In a July 14, 2011, meeting in Mexico, CS-1 told Arbabsiar that he would need to use at least four men to carry out the Ambassador’s murder and that his price for carrying out the murder was $1.5 million. Arbabsiar agreed and stated that the murder of the Ambassador should be handled first, before the execution of other attacks that Arbabsiar had discussed with CS-1. Arbabsiar also indicated that he and his associates had $100,000 in Iran to pay CS-1 as a first payment toward the assassination.

During the same meeting, Arbabsiar also described to CS-1 his cousin in Iran, who he said had requested that Arbabsiar find someone to carry out the Ambassador’s assassination. Arbabsiar indicated that his cousin was a "big general" in the Iranian military; that he focuses on matters outside of Iran and that he had taken certain unspecified actions related to a bombing in Iraq.

In a July 17, 2011, meeting in Mexico, CS-1 noted to Arbabsiar that one of his workers had already traveled to Washington, D.C., to surveil the Ambassador. CS-1 also raised the possibility of innocent bystander casualties. Arbabsiar made it clear that the assassination needed to go forward, despite mass casualties, telling CS-1, "They want that guy [the Ambassador] done [killed], if the hundred go with him f**k ‘em." CS-1 and Arbabsiar discussed bombing a restaurant in the United States that the Ambassador frequented. When CS-1 noted that others could be killed in the attack, including U.S. senators who dine at the restaurant, Arbabsiar dismissed these concerns as "no big deal."

On Aug. 1 and Aug. 9, 2011, Arbabsiar caused two overseas wire transfers totaling approximately $100,000 to be sent to an FBI undercover account as a down payment for CS-1 to carry out the assassination. Later, Arbabsiar explained to CS-1 that he would provide the remainder of the $1.5 million after the assassination. On Sept. 20, 2011, CS-1 told Arbabsiar that the operation was ready and requested that Arbabsiar either pay one half the agreed upon price ($1.5 million) for the murder or that Arbabsiar personally travel to Mexico as collateral for the final payment of the fee. Arbabsiar agreed to travel to Mexico to guarantee final payment for the murder.

On Sept. 28, 2011, Arbabsiar flew to Mexico. Arbabsiar was refused entry into Mexico and was placed on a return flight destined for his last point of departure. On Sept. 29, 2011, Arbabsiar was arrested by federal agents during a flight layover at JFK International Airport in New York. Several hours after his arrest, Arbabsiar was advised of his Miranda rights and he agreed to waive those rights and speak with law enforcement agents. During a series of Mirandized interviews, Arbabsiar confessed to his participation in the murder plot.

Arbabsiar also admitted to agents that, in connection with this plot, he was recruited, funded, and directed by men he understood to be senior officials in Iran’s Qods Force. He said these Iranian officials were aware of and approved of the use of CS-1 in connection with the plot; as well as payments to CS-1; the means by which the Ambassador would be killed in the United States and the casualties that would likely result.

Arbabsiar also told agents that his cousin, who he had long understood to be a senior member of the Qods Force, had approached him in the early spring of 2011 about recruiting narco-traffickers to kidnap the Ambassador. Arbabsiar told agents that he then met with CS-1 in Mexico and discussed assassinating the Ambassador. Arbabsiar said that, afterwards, he met several times in Iran with Gholam Shakuri, aka "Ali Gholam Shakuri," a co-conspirator and Iran-based member of the Qods Force, and another senior Qods Force official, where Arbabsiar explained that the plan was to blow up a restaurant in the United States frequented by the Ambassador and that numerous bystanders would be killed. The plan was approved by these officials.

In October 2011, after his arrest, Arbabsiar made phone calls at the direction of law enforcement to Shakuri in Iran that were monitored. During these phone calls, Shakuri confirmed that Arbabsiar should move forward with the plot to murder the Ambassador and that he should accomplish the task as quickly as possible, stating on Oct. 5, 2011, "[j]ust do it quickly, it’s late…" Shakuri also told Arbabsiar that he would consult with his superiors about whether they would be willing to pay CS-1 additional money. Shakuri, who was also charged in the plot, remains at large. The charges against Shakuri are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT REP. DAVIES ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON NORTH KOREA

Map: North Korea. Credit: CIA World Factbook

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Remarks at Narita AirportRemarks

Glyn Davies
Special Representative for North Korea Policy
Tokyo, Japan
October 16, 2012

AMBASSADOR DAVIES: It's wonderful to be back in Tokyo. I'm here for meetings with Japanese counterparts and then also a trilateral meeting tomorrow morning with Korean counterparts and Japanese counterparts. My host for this visit is Director General Sugiyama, and I want to thank him very much in advance for his hospitality.

I look forward to having good conversations with Japanese Government officials, and this is the first stop on a week-long trip to North Asia. I go on from here to Korea and then from there to China, for talks with those governments. And with that, I'm happy to try to answer your questions.

QUESTION: What are your expectations for the trilateral talks tomorrow?

AMBASSADOR DAVIES: This trilateral meeting, this is not the first time we've done this. We do this every few months, this is very much a follow-up to the trilateral ministerial meeting that occurred in New York between the Foreign Ministers of Japan, Korea, and the United States just a few weeks ago at the United Nations General Assembly.

They discussed North Korea, among other issues, and we will follow up on those conversations. So the purpose of it is really to deepen our understanding of the issues, exchange views, and coordinate. This is particularly important given the fact that we are all coming up on political transitions, so we're very much looking forward to having these conversations.

QUESTION: I understand that you're not directly in charge of the territorial disputes, but with the current situation, do you have any concerns about the territorial disputes, that they might have a negative impact in terms of the unity of the trilateral meeting?

AMBASSADOR DAVIES: Well, I've found that on the North Korea issue, actually our coordination has been quite strong, and quite good, bilaterally obviously but then trilaterally with Korea as well. So I don't expect there to be any impact on our discussions. You know our basic position in the United States, which is that we hope very much and look to Japan, and China, and Korea to work these issues out between them. Thank you.

QUESTION: Just one more question. What is your current assessment of the North Korean situation in terms of nuclear development, missile development?

AMBASSADOR DAVIES: Well, we're in a somewhat troubling moment, because the North Koreans have been saying things that make it appear as if they are considering moving away from their long-standing obligation to denuclearize, which is spelled out best in the September 2005 Joint Statement.

This would be, we think, a big mistake for North Korea to make. Denuclearization is essential, from the standpoint of maintaining the Six Party Talks, it is the core reason why have Six Party Talks, is to work to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

And I think the other important thing is that North Korea will never have strong and full diplomatic, political, and economic relations with the outside world as long as it remains a nuclear outlaw. So it's very important that they take seriously their commitment to denuclearize and they follow up on it. That's one of the things we'll be talking about here today. Anyways, the flight was a little bit late, I've got to get to the hotel and then go to my meetings. So thank you very much.

THE INFUSION THERAPY SCHEME

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Clinic Owners Plead Guilty in Detroit-Area Infusion Therapy Scheme

WASHINGTON – Two owners and operators of clinics that claimed to specialize in treating HIV and other conditions pleaded guilty today for their roles in an infusion therapy scheme carried out at two Detroit-area clinics that submitted millions of dollars in fraudulent claims to Medicare.

The guilty pleas were announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan; Special Agent in Charge Robert Foley III of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the HHS Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office.

Raymond Arias, 40, and his wife, Emelitza Arias, 25, of Troy, Mich., each pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman of the Eastern District of Michigan, to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. At sentencing, the defendants each face a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is currently scheduled for Feb. 12, 2013.

According to plea documents, Raymond Arias conceived of and oversaw fraud schemes at two clinics for which he was a beneficial owner: Elite Wellness LLC, and Carefirst Occupational & Rehabilitation Center Inc. He admitted to paying physicians to refer Medicare beneficiaries to Elite Wellness, and to purchasing Medicare beneficiary identifications for the purpose of submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare for expensive infusion therapy services that were not rendered as claimed by Carefirst.

According to court documents, Raymond Arias attempted to hide the Elite Wellness scheme from law enforcement by directing a nominee owner to assume control of the claims submitted and the bank account into which Medicare payments were deposited. After the nominee owner became involved, Raymond Arias and his alleged co-conspirators submitted approximately $10 million in claims over a 3-month period beginning in August 2010.

According to court documents, Raymond Arias directed this nominee to transfer approximately $2.6 million in Medicare payments offshore to Panama and Mexico.

Between approximately October 2009 and October 2010, Raymond Arias admitted, he and his alleged co-conspirators at Elite Wellness submitted or caused to be submitted approximately $12.5 million in fraudulent claims to the Medicare program for infusion therapy services that were not rendered. Medicare paid approximately $5.4 million of those claims.

According to plea documents, Emelitza Arias participated with her husband in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting claims for expensive infusion therapy services that were not rendered by Carefirst, of which she was also an owner. In an attempt to create an appearance that Carefirst was a legitimate enterprise, Emelitza Arias injected Medicare beneficiaries with vitamins. Emelitza Arias also assumed responsibility for the claims submitted by Carefirst, and managed the bank account into which the fraud proceeds were deposited.

Between approximately July 2010 and June 2011, Raymond and Emelitza Arias and their alleged co-conspirators at Carefirst submitted or caused to be submitted more than $900,000 in fraudulent claims to the Medicare program for infusion therapy services that were not rendered. Medicare paid approximately $530,000 of those claims.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Ross of the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Catherine K. Dick of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,480 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $4.8 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

MENINGITIS AND SEPTIC ARTHRITIS

FROM: U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL,

Case Definitions for Meningitis and Septic Arthritis

Probable Case
A person who received a methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) injection, with MPA that was definitely or likely produced by the New England Compounding Center (NECC), and subsequently developed any of the following
<sup>Meningitis1 of unknown etiology following epidural or para-spinal injection 2 after May 21, 2012;
Posterior circulation stroke without a cardioembolic source and without documentation of a normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile, following epidural or para-spinal injection2 after May 21, 2012;3
Osteomyelitis or abscess of unknown etiology in the spinal or para-spinal structures at the site of injection following epidural or para-spinal injection2 after May 21, 2012; or
Osteomyelitis or worsening inflammatory arthritis of a peripheral joint (e.g., knee, shoulder, or ankle) of unknown etiology diagnosed following joint injection after May 21, 2012.
1 Clinically diagnosed meningitis with one or more of the following symptoms: headache, fever, stiff neck, or photophobia, in addition to a CSF profile showing pleocytosis (>5 white blood cells, adjusting for presence of red blood cells by subtracting 1 white blood cell for every 500 red blood cells present) regardless of glucose or protein levels.

2 Para-spinal injections include, but are not limited to, spinal facet joint injection, sacroiliac joint injection, spinal or para-spinal nerve root/ganglion block, or blood patch.

3 Patients in this category who do not have any documented CSF results should have a lumbar puncture performed if possible.

Confirmed Case
A probable case with evidence (by culture, histopathology, or molecular assay) of a fungal pathogen associated with the clinical syndrome.

Post-ProceduralIinfection in Patients Exposed to Non-MPA NECC Products
A patient who developed an infection in a normally sterile site4 following use of one or more products labeled as sterile and prepared by NECC, excluding MPA.

4 Normally sterile sites include blood, CSF, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, surgical aspirate, bone, joint fluid, or internal body site (e.g., lymph node or brain).


　


　

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NEW YORK AIR NATIONAL GUARD VISIT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE
New York Air National Guard supports Antarctic research
Master Sgt. Carmello Modesto loads equipment sleds destined for the U.S. Antarctic Program's South Pole research station into the back of an LC-130 Hercules at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Nov. 30, 2004. (U.S. Air Force photo/Benjamin Carr)

10/16/2012 - STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SCOTIA , N.Y. (AFNS) -- The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing kicks off its annual support for the National Science Foundation in Antarctica as ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules aircraft head for Antarctica on Oct. 16 and 17.

These aircraft will support the National Science Foundation's research in the Antarctic, running supplies and people to field camps across the continent and the South Pole station.

Two aircraft will depart on the five-day, 11,000-mile trip to Antarctica on each day. A total of six ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft will be on the ice from October to February. About 120 members of the New York Air National Guard will be deployed to Antarctica throughout the support season. The Airmen deploy for 30 to 60 days each, working two 12-hour shifts to cover 24-hour operations, six days each week. They work a half-day on Sunday.

The ski-equipped LC-130s operated by the 109th AW are the only aircraft in the U.S. military capable of landing on snow and ice, according to officials. This is the 24th year that the 109th will support operations in Antarctica.

Based at the United States Antarctic Program base at McMurdo Station, the 109th AW is slated fly more than 350 missions across the continent, with more than half of those moving passengers, cargo and fuel to the South Pole, officials said. The majority of supplies that reach the United States Amundsen-Scott Base at the South Pole are ferried there by the 109th AW.

Despite the cold, the maintenance crews normally attain a high reliability rate for each aircraft, allowing the flight crews to carry as much cargo as possible to remote Antarctic outposts. The wing accumulates roughly 3,000 hours of flying time in the 16-week season. This is almost as much as most Air National Guard C-130 units fly in a year, officials said.

All maintenance performed on the aircraft is done outside on the snow and ice without the use of hangars. This requires maintainers to undergo specialized training for both maintenance procedures and personal extreme weather survival training.

U.S. military support for Operation Deep Freeze is a Pacific Command responsibility organized as Joint Task Force -Support Forces Antarctica. The Joint Task Force includes cargo and fuel tanker ships provided by Military Sealift Command; active- duty and Reserve C-17 Globemaster III support from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; the ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules flown by the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard; and Coast Guard icebreakers and the Navy Cargo Handling Battalion One to provide critical port services at McMurdo Station.

The airlift part of Operation Deep Freeze operates from two primary locations, with C-17s situated at Christchurch, New Zealand, and LC-130 Hercules forward based at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, beginning in late October.


　

ALLEGED 9/11 MASTERMIND CONDEMNED THE MILITARY COMMISSION PROCESS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

9/11 Defendant Condemns Military Tribunal Process
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

FORT MEADE, Md., Oct. 17, 2012 - The self-described mastermind in the 9/11 terrorist attacks condemned the military commissions process for the second time since the pre-trial hearings for him and four other codefendants began this week.

Army Col. James Pohl, the judge overseeing the case of Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four others charged with planning and conducting the 9/11 attacks, gave Mohammed the
opportunity to address the court at Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The defendant, wearing a camouflage vest Pohl granted him permission to wear and arriving late for court today after initially electing to skip it, unexpectedly raised his hand during the afternoon session indicating that he wanted to speak.

Pohl called a recess so his defense team could ascertain their client's intention before giving Mohammed the floor.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mohammed accused the U.S. government of using national security concerns as a guise to circumvent a legitimate legal process. He said the prosecution is being subjective about what activities it conducts and information it protects in the interest of national security.

"The president can take someone and throw them in the sea in the name of national security," he said, a reference to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's burial at sea. Mohammed went on to charge that the U.S. government is so focused on the 3,000 people killed on 9/11 that it has justified killing "millions" in the name of national security.

"Your blood is not made out of gold and ours out of water," he charged.

Pohl, clearly not anticipating the tirade, made clear that it won't tolerate others. "This is a one-time occurrence," he told David Nevin, Mohammed's learned counsel, after Mohammed finished speaking.

Pohl emphasized that he would never allow the court proceedings to be disrupted again to allow any of the defendants to express their personal thoughts about how the proceedings are going.
He also underscored that his failure to interrupt Mohammed should not be construed as an endorsement of anything he said.

Mohammed's commentary was the second time this week that he condemned the military commission process. During the first day of pre-trial hearings, he told Pohl, "I don't think there's any justice in this court."

Mohammed's comments came at the end of a day in which only one of the five 9/11 defendants, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, initially elected to attend court. Mohammed skipped yesterday's session and initially opted do the same today. However, he informed the guards that he had changed his mind and appeared in court an hour-and-a-half into today's session.

Three other defendants, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak bin Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, waived their right to attend today's hearing.

All five of the defendants were captured in Pakistan between 2002 and 2003 and have been confined at Guantanamo Bay since 2006.

They were charged during their arraignment in May with terrorism, conspiracy, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, murder in violation of the law of war, destruction of property in violation of the law of war, hijacking or hazarding a vessel or aircraft.

The third day of their pretrial hearings continued to focus today on the balance between protecting classified information that, if made public, could jeopardize U.S. national security, and the constitutional mandate to make court proceedings public.

Hina Shamsi, representing the American Civil Liberties Union, argued this morning that the proceedings should be open, objecting to measures she called "categorical suppression of information that has largely been made public."

Shami called the closed sessions, and a 40-second delay in the audio feed, an attempt to censor the defendants' testimony about their torture and detention while in U.S. custody, particularly by the CIA.

Later in the day, the court security officer demonstrated how this works, cutting the microphone to Navy Lt. Cdr. Kevin Bogucki, Binalshibh's military counsel, when Bogucki referred to enhanced interrogation methods. As it became clear that Bogucki was speaking in hypothetical terms, the CSO restored the audio and Pohl asked Bogucki to repeat what he had said for the court record.

James Connell, Ali's learned counsel, told Pohl he believes the defense teams has the right and obligation to challenge the classification of information relevant to their cases. He said previous questions to the convening authority about why some information is classified have been met with "silence."

Department of Justice attorney Joanna Baltes argued that protective measures are required so the government can prosecute the case without disclosing classified information that threatens U.S. national security. She said these measures, including the audio delay and soundproof gallery for court observers, are the only reason the sessions can be as open as they are.

Baltes also defended a protective order the prosecution has requested to ensure that the U.S. government is able to prosecute the case without compromising national security interests.

Pohl is expected to rule on a protective order tomorrow.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR OCTOBER 18, 2012

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
  U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Benjamin Cool (left) ties a detonation cord as Lance Cpl. Josh Czerepka places several blocks of explosives into an insurgent firing position at a location in Afghanistan on March 5, 2012. Cool and Czerepka are combat engineers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. DoD photo by Sgt. James Mercure, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)


Afghan, Coalition Force Arrests Taliban Leader
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 18, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader today in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, military officials reported.

The arrested insurgent leader facilitated the use of homemade explosives and bomb-making materials across Afghan borders into Helmand province.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents and found explosive residue.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Taliban leader Faizani during a security operation in Helmand province, Sept. 28. Faizani, also known as Kirahmat or Abdul Wasay, coordinated the movement of Taliban fighters and weapons within northern Helmand province.

Also today, an Afghan and coalition force in Logar province detained several insurgents during a search for an improvised explosive device expert.

In other news from Afghanistan, more than 20 residents of a village in Kandahar province's Maruf district volunteered Oct. 16 to become members of the Afghan Local Police. The Mirokheyl village elders, the Maruf chief of police and the district governor vetted the candidates to help in mitigating insider threats and Taliban infiltration, officials said.

MARINES: AN ADMINISTRATOR'S PRESPECTIVE

Administration personnel chief Marine Sgt. Sean A. Walker serves the more than 40 Marines attached to the naval command. Photo by Marine Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Face of Defense: Admin Marine Knows Job's Impact on People
By Marine Corps Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2012 - The cornerstone of administration is behind a desk, making keystrokes and mouse clicks that affect Marines' pay, living arrangements and food -- in other words, their livelihood.

Marine Corps Sgt. Sean A. Walker, a native of Port Lavaca, Texas, an administration personnel chief at Fleet Readiness Center East here, serves the more than 40 Marines attached to the naval command. Because the center is a standalone unit, Walker said, he is required to have a much broader spectrum of knowledge of the administrative field than he'd normally need.

"It was challenging initially," he acknowledged. But by being the catch-all for Marines' administrative needs, he said, he is able to build much more of a one-on-one customer service relationship.

"I see most of these guys every day, they're not just a number," he said. "I'm able to tailor the support I need to provide for the individual."

Building those relationships with the Marines is what he enjoys the most about his job, Walker said, but the traveling opportunities aren't bad, either.

"We are literally worldwide assignable," he said. "I've been to Bangkok, Thailand, the Great Wall of China, Singapore and Germany."

But while he's here, Walker said, he will continue to make sure that pay, housing and food don't worry the Marines at Fleet Readiness Center East.

COOKING: THE NEEDS OF THE MANY

FROM: U.S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Latrice Walker chops vegetables in the ship's galley aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga, Sept. 16, 2012. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Karen Blankenship

Face of Defense: Las Vegas Native Cooks for Sailors, Marines

By Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Karen Blankenship
Amphibious Squadron 11

PHILIPPINE SEA, Oct. 15, 2012 - Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Latrice Walker, a Las Vegas native, is serving aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga while on deployment in the Western Pacific.

As a culinary specialist, Walker is responsible for providing the ship's crew and embarked Marines with three meals a day.

Walker said her rise through the ranks from seaman recruit to a third class petty officer has involved a lot of hard work.

"You have to do the grunt work," she said. "I've worked in the chief's mess and the wardroom. I've also worked as a damage control petty officer. I've pretty much done everything."

Walker said that the fact that she stays busy throughout the day is her favorite part of her job.

"We work throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner," she said. "You're never confused about what you're going to do. Your day is pretty much taken up until it's time for you to get off."

The 21-year-old sailor said she joined the Navy to take advantage of the educational benefits. She is attending Central Texas College and hopes to become an optometrist and open her own practice. Meanwhile, she's enjoying the travel that's part of Navy life.

"I like the fact that we visit all these countries," she said. "We go from Guam to Thailand. I've also been to Palau and Saipan. I like traveling, meeting new people, seeing new things and experiencing the different cultures."

Tortuga is part of the forward-deployed Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations