PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY LITTLE DESCRIBES BENGHAZI DECISION

Photo:  Libya.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Little Describes Pentagon's Benghazi Decision Process

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2012 - Two U.S. service members did participate with a CIA team in the mission to rescue Americans in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters today.

Little spoke of the events of that night during a press availability in his Pentagon office. Four Americans -- including the U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens -- were killed in a terror attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that night.

The two American service members were based in the Libyan capital of Tripoli and volunteered to join the team that traveled to Benghazi. Little could not say what position the service members held, but did say DOD is proud that they volunteered to perform the mission.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and U.S. Africa Command commander Army Gen. Carter F. Ham discussed the situation in Benghazi soon after they were notified of the assault.

"There were discussions here at the highest levels including the secretary as to what kind of response we might be able to provide," Little said.

"The secretary ordered appropriate forces to respond," he said. "Those forces included FAST (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team) platoons from Europe, a special operations unit in Central Europe, and another contingent of U.S. troops from the United States."

It takes time to notify troops, organize them and then transport them, Little said. It also takes time to develop an intelligence picture of what they might face on the ground.

"The fact of the matter is these forces were not in place until after the attacks were over," he said. "Let me be clear. This department took swift action. We did respond. The secretary ordered forces to move. They simply were not able to arrive in time."

DOD was preparing for a range of contingencies that day.

"We were readying for the need to augment security measures at our facilities in Libya, we were prepared for the possibility of a hostage situation as well," Little said. "These were all the things we were looking at in the midst of an event that we did not know was going to happen in Benghazi that night."

PANAMA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
 
Panama's Independence Day
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC


November 1, 2012

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Panama as you celebrate 109 years of independence this November 3.

From the islands of Bocas del Toro and ports of Colón to the jungles of the Darién and the Panama City skyline, Panama’s natural beauty and cultural diversity are just a couple of your country’s many treasures. Today, Panama is experiencing dynamic economic growth, which promises to unlock even greater opportunity and prosperity for the Panamanian people. We also celebrate the implementation of our historic Trade Promotion Agreement which will create jobs and expand opportunity for both of our people.

The United States stands with you as a partner and friend, and we look forward to building on our partnership in the years to come. "¡Felicitaciones!"
　


Locator Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan (estimated to cost $5.3 billion) to expand the Canal. The project, which began in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15.




Kuna Indians rowing past their villages in the San Blas Islands of northeastern Panama

 

THE LOADMASTER

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Marine Corps Cpl. Armando Muniz, a loadmaster with 4th Platoon, 2nd Combat Logistics Battalion, 15th Combat Logistics Regiment, secures chains to a supply container in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 24, 2012. As loadmaster, Muniz keeps track of the logistics needs of forward operating bases in the province. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
 
By Marine Corps Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
Regional Command Southwest

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, Nov. 1, 2012 - More than 20 vehicles of varying shapes and sizes kick up dust and sand as a combat logistics patrol drives through Afghanistan.

Marine Corps Cpl. Armando Muniz, a loadmaster with 4th Platoon, 2nd Combat Logistics Battalion, 15th Combat Logistics Regiment, keeps track of everything the patrol drops off and picks up and makes sure everything gets to where it needs to be.

Muniz's battalion supplies food, drinks, building materials and equipment to the Marines and other coalition forces throughout Helmand province.

"We take everything from point A to point B and sometimes even C," Muniz said.

A loadmaster's duties range from ensuring everything is loaded safely and securely to making sure gear is signed over to the proper person. Muniz said he also makes sure he knows what the Marines need for future deliveries.

"Sometimes Marines don't always get everything," he said. "I talk to the Marines. When I'm back, I make sure we load it on the next convoy. If there are other Marines going back to the base, I'll give it to them."

It is this kind of dedication that developed Muniz's reputation for being professional and helpful. If they need anything, Marines know to seek out Muniz when the logistics patrol arrives at their base.

"When people call our office looking for gear, they ask for Cpl. Muniz by name," said 1st Lt. Andrew Schlottmann, Muniz's platoon commander. "He's earned himself a reputation with the Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. They know when he shows up, he's there to work, and they take him very seriously."

When a patrol arrives at a forward operating base, there are a lot of moving parts. Each base receives specific items and quantities. In addition, Marines at each base might have something to return with the convoy. With more than 20 vehicles and 60 Marines and sailors moving around large boxes of cargo, the importance of a loadmaster quickly becomes clear.

"Corporal Muniz is always the first person on scene when we get to other FOBs," said Sgt. Bryan Hall, a security team leader with 4th Platoon. "He's always coordinating with the other units, and he makes the unloading and loading a lot easier."

Muniz is active when the logistics patrols arrive. He makes sure the correct personnel sign for items, checks unloaded gear and accounts for loaded gear.

"He's also on the trucks with the Marines undoing straps and unbinding chains," Hall said. "He doesn't just sit there and tell people what to do. He gets his hands dirty and works with the Marines."

For Muniz, who volunteered to become a loadmaster before deploying, the job is the next challenge he is trying to conquer. But, he said, he enjoys working under the stress and time sensitive conditions.

"After my first two deployments, I wanted to move up to a bigger challenge," he said. "When I'm loading, sometimes I feel like I'm playing Tetris. I'm trying to load as much as I can on one vehicle safely."

Muniz may compare his job to a game, but he takes his job seriously.

"I play a supportive role for the guys out there in the fight," Muniz said. "I want to make sure they have everything they need."

With winter fast approaching, Muniz's job as loadmaster will not slow down. He will continue to make sure Marines and coalition service members throughout Helmand province receive the necessary gear and supplies to continue operations.

U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR HILDA L. SOLIS COMMENTS ON OCTOBER 2012 JOBS NUMBERS

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Statement of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis on October employment numbers

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the October 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market added 171,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in October, while the unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 7.9 percent. Additionally, our economy added back more than 84,000 jobs in August and September than had been initially reported.

"October's report marks 32 straight months of private sector job growth totaling more than 5.4 million jobs. We've also seen 13 consecutive quarters of private gross domestic product growth. In other words, we've been consistently growing jobs and our economy for several years running.

"Our unemployment rate has dropped by more than two percentage points under President Obama. Unemployment Insurance claims are at a four-year low. Consumer sentiment is at a four-year high. We've added more than a half-million manufacturing jobs over the last 32 months. And we just posted the largest 12-month increase in housing permits since 1983.

"We've transformed a terrible crisis into a stable and durable recovery. To state otherwise is to wage war on the facts. We've erased all of the private sector job losses since the president took office and created an additional 1.2 million new jobs.

"We know what works, and the president has a plan to accelerate our progress by investing in education and job training, and by creating good-paying 21st century jobs in health care, energy, technology and manufacturing. Our recovery depends on building a strong and educated middle class that creates enough demand for the private sector to keep adding new jobs. These efforts are foundational to our success in a 21st century economy."

THE CEPHEUS GHOST

 

 

FROM: NASA

A Ghost in Cepheus
Described as a "dusty curtain" or "ghostly apparition," mysterious reflection nebula VdB 152 really is very faint. Far from your neighborhood on this Halloween Night, the cosmic phantom is nearly 1,400 light-years away. Also catalogued as Ced 201, it lies along the northern Milky Way in the royal constellation Cepheus. Near the edge of a large molecular cloud, pockets of interstellar dust in the region block light from background stars or scatter light from the embedded bright star giving parts of the nebula a characteristic blue color. Ultraviolet light from the star is also thought to cause a dim reddish luminescence in the nebular dust. Though stars do form in molecular clouds, this star seems to have only accidentally wandered into the area, as its measured velocity through space is very different from the cloud's velocity. This deep telescopic image of the region spans about 7 light-years.

Image Credit-NASA-Stephen Leshin

U.S. DEPATMENT OF JUSTICE WARNS OF DISASTER FRAUDSTERS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Thursday, November 1, 2012

Justice Department Officials Raise Awareness of Disaster Fraud Hotline
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice, the FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) remind the public there is a potential for disaster fraud in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with Hurricane Sandy should be reported to the toll-free NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721. The hotline is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the purpose of reporting suspected scams being perpetrated by criminals in the aftermath of disasters.

NCDF was originally established in 2005 by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute and deter fraud associated with federal disaster relief programs following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud related to any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies – including the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General and the FBI – participate in the NCDF, allowing the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.

In the wake of natural disasters, many individuals feel moved to contribute to victim assistance programs and organizations across the country. The Department of Justice and the FBI remind the public to apply a critical eye and do due diligence before giving to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of hurricane victims. Solicitations can originate as emails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings, telephone calls and similar methods.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including the following:
Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming emails, including by clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.
Be cautious of individuals representing themselves as victims or officials asking for donations via email or social networking sites.
Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.
Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the existence and legitimacy of non-profit organizations by using Internet-based resources.
Be cautious of emails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because those files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
To ensure that contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use coercive tactics.
Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by debit or credit card, or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.
Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services.
Most legitimate charities maintain websites ending in .org rather than .com.
In addition to raising public awareness, the NCDF is the intake center for all disaster relief fraud. Therefore, if you observe that someone has submitted a fraudulent claim for disaster relief, or observe any other suspected fraudulent activities pertaining to the receipt of government funds as part of disaster relief or clean up, please contact the NCDF.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud by a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of hurricane victims, or if you discover fraudulent disaster relief claims submitted by a person or organization, contact the NCDF by phone at (866) 720-5721, fax at (225) 334-4707 or email at disaster@leo.gov.

You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

U.S.-PANANMA TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT GOES INTO EFFECT

Photo:  Panama Canal.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) Enters Into Force

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
October 31, 2012

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY CLINTON

U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) Enters Into Force
Today, the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) enters into force, marking an historic milestone and bringing us closer to our goal of an unbroken network of free trade agreements in the Western Hemisphere. By eliminating tariffs and other barriers, the TPA will significantly liberalize trade in goods and services between our countries, enhancing competitiveness and supporting jobs. It’s an example of the Obama Administration’s commitment to economic statecraft and deepening our economic engagement throughout the world.

Almost all U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products to Panama will now be duty-free with remaining tariffs phased out over ten years. Nearly half of all current trade will receive immediate duty-free treatment with most of the remaining tariffs eliminated within 15 years. This agreement will also preserve duty-free access for Panamanian goods previously granted under trade preference programs and help strengthen the Panamanian economy.

Not only will this reinforce the ties between our economies and create jobs, it secures our strategic partnership with a key partner. I want to thank President Martinelli for his leadership on the entry into force of the TPA and look forward to both countries fully realizing the promise of this agreement.

U.S. Department of Defense Armed with Science Update: Remote Piloted Aircraft

U.S. Department of Defense Armed with Science Update

Health care law delivers higher payments to primary care physicians

Health care law delivers higher payments to primary care physicians

COAST GUARD RESPONDING TO HURRICANE SANDY

Coast Guard Vice Adm. Robert C. Parker, Atlantic Area commander, assesses the area along the New Jersey coastline on Oct. 31, 2012. Parker and Coast Guard Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich, director of Operational Logistics, conducted an aerial survey of the New Jersey coastline, New York Harbor and Long Island to assess the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jamie Frederick

 

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Coast Guard Responds to Superstorm Sandy Damage
From a Coast Guard Atlantic Area Public Affairs News Release
PORTSMOUTH, Va., Nov. 1, 2012 - Coast Guard leaders Vice Adm. Robert C. Parker, Atlantic Area commander, and Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich, director of Operational Logistics, conducted an aerial survey of the New Jersey coastline, New York Harbor and Long Island yesterday to assess the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.
Currently, the Coast Guard's top priority is to get the port of New York and New Jersey back to full operations. Their assessment included evaluating impacts to the maritime transportation system and Coast Guard facilities.

"The United States is a maritime nation and we rely heavily on the ports for commerce. Ninety-five percent of our goods come to us by way of [the] sea. Just about everything you purchase ... most likely came through a seaport somewhere at some time," Parker said.

"The port of New York and New Jersey is vital to our nation's economy and we are doing everything humanly possible to get the port back to full operations. This is an all-hands-on-deck evolution," he added.

The Coast Guard's priorities are safety of life, to restore the local maritime transportation system -- specifically in New York and New Jersey -- and to effect rapid reconstitution of operations in the affected areas. Coast Guard crews continue to conduct assessments to ensure ports are safe and ready for business.

Coast Guard operations continue despite some service shore infrastructures sustaining flood damage, limited communications capacity and power outages.

As the Coast Guard Atlantic Area Commander, Parker serves as the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions within a geographic region that ranges from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf and spans across five Coast Guard Districts and 40 states.

　

 

NASA VIDEO: THE HUNT FOR P.I.G.

The Hunt for P.I.G. in October


NASA's Operation IceBridge has launched its Antarctic 2012 campaign, flying high-priority missions measuring polar ice from a base of operations at the tip of Patagonia on the Strait of Magellan. They have even made a return visit to the Pine Island Glacier, the site of last year's discovery of a massive rift in the ice.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR NOVEMBER 1, 2012

 

Photo Credit:  U.S. Army.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 1, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The arrested Taliban insurgent is responsible for the Aug. 7 insider attack in Paktia province that killed one U.S. service member and wounded three, officials said.

During the operation, Afghan troops also seized what is believed to be the Taliban insurgent's Afghan army identification card. Another suspected insurgent was also arrested.

In other operations today:
-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani facilitator and detained a number of other suspects in Khost province. The arrested facilitator was directly tied to the June 20 suicide bomber attack on Afghan and coalition forces in the Khost district.

In Oct. 31 operations:
-- Afghan Provincial Response Company Ghazni, enabled by coalition forces, seized a large cache of explosive material in Ghazni province. Following the operation, Afghan and coalition forces recovered 3,750 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a known component in making explosives. All seized materials were destroyed at the location.

-- A combined force killed a Haqqani leader, Irfan, in Paktia province. Irfan, also known as Asayal and Hamza, was responsible for directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and coordinating the movement of weapons and bomb-making materials for the attacks.

In Oct. 30 operations:
  -- Afghan National Police Crisis Response Unit members, enabled by coalition forces, detained more than a dozen suspected insurgents and seized a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosive devices in Parwan province. The Afghan and coalition force also recovered more than a dozen AK-47 assault rifles and several 82 mm mortar rounds and hand grenades.

NEW JERSEY GUARDSMEN ASSIST RESIDENTS IN HOBOKEN AFTER SANDY DISASTER

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
New Jersey Guardsmen Assist Residents in Hoboken, N.J.
　
　

Streets filled with water in Hoboken, N.J., Oct. 31, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joseph Davis

　

Soldiers assist residents displaced by Hurricane Sandy in Hoboken, N.J., Oct. 31, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joseph Davis -

A soldier holds a child displaced by Hurricane Sandy in Hoboken, N.J., Oct. 31, 2012. The soldier is assigned to the New Jersey National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joseph Davis

　

National Native American Heritage Month

National Native American Heritage Month

U.S. WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 27, 2012

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: 

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA

In the week ending October 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 363,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 372,000. The 4-week moving average was 367,250, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 368,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.5 percent for the week ending October 20, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending October 20 was 3,263,000, an increase of 4,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 3,259,000. The 4-week moving average was 3,266,500, a decrease of 6,250 from the preceding week's revised average of 3,272,750.
UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 339,750 in the week ending October 27, a decrease of 5,476 from the previous week. There were 369,647 initial claims in the comparable week in 2011.

The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent during the week ending October 20, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 2,839,018, an increase of 23,295 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.5 percent and the volume was 3,199,527.

The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending October 13 was 5,035,367, an increase of 112,147 from the previous week. There were 6,783,614 persons claiming benefits in all programs in the comparable week in 2011.

Extended Benefits were only available in New York during the week ending October 13.

Initial claims for UI benefits filed by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,586 in the week ending October 20, a decrease of 405 from the prior week. There were 2,817 initial claims filed by newly discharged veterans, a decrease of 7 from the preceding week.

There were 18,144 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending October 13, an increase of 575 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 39,718, an increase of 1,603 from the prior week.

States reported 2,098,646 persons claiming EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits for the week ending October 13, an increase of 45,689 from the prior week. There were 2,945,642 persons claiming EUC 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 October 13 were in Alaska (4.0), Puerto Rico (3.7), Virgin Islands (3.4), New Jersey (3.2), California (3.1), Pennsylvania (3.1), Connecticut (3.0), Oregon (2.8), Nevada (2.7), Arkansas (2.6), Illinois (2.6), New York (2.6), and North Carolina (2.6).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending October 20 were in North Carolina (+2,400), Pennsylvania (+1,679), New Jersey (+1,575), Georgia (+1,477), and Tennessee (+888), while the largest decreases were in California (-16,586), Florida (-2,414), Texas (-1,572), Michigan (-1,308), and Ohio (-1,214).

USS ENTERPRISE COMES HOME AFTER FINAL DEPLOYMENT

FROM: U.S. NAVY
121031-N-BB308-111 MAYPORT, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2012) The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) approaches Naval Station Mayport. Enterprise is completing its final scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Parker/Released)

The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) arrives at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Enterprise is completing its final scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. America's Sailors are Warfighters, a fast and flexible force deployed worldwide. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Harry Andrew D. Gordon (Released) 121031-N-VH054-004

NASA VIDEO: LIFE AND DEATH OF HURRICANE SANDY

GOES-13 Sees Life and Death of Hurricane Sandy
This animation of satellite imagery shows the life of Hurricane Sandy from its development in the Caribbean Sea on Oct. 21, through its track up the U.S. East coast and landfall. The animation continues through Oct. 31 when Sandy had weakened to a remnant low pressure area. Credit: NASA GOES Project

USDA URGES FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO KEEP TRACK OF LOSSES FROM HURRICANE SANDY

Photo Credit:  USDA

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, USDA

Farmers and Ranchers Urged to Record Losses from Hurricane Sandy


WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2012--Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia today urged farmers and ranchers affected by Hurricane Sandy to keep thorough records of all losses, including livestock death losses, as well as expenses for such things as feed purchases and extraordinary costs because of lost supplies and or increased transportation costs.

Producers with damaged farmland should contact their local FSA office. The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) may be able to assist producer who need to repair farmland or remove debris due to Hurricane Sandy. FSA currently has $15.5 million available for producers in counties that received a Major Disaster declaration pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Producers located in counties that have not received a Major Disaster declaration should visit their local FSA office for information on ECP if funding becomes available in the future.


Producers with private forest land that was damaged should also visit their local FSA office for information on the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). EFRP provides assistance to landowners of private forest land to help carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster. Currently no funding is available, however, producers should visit their local FSA office for information if funding becomes available.


USDA's Risk Management Agency reminds producers faced with questions on prevented planting, replant, or crop losses to contact their crop insurance agent for more information. Producers who need emergency credit due may receive assistance through the Emergency Loan Program if they need assistance recovering from production and physical losses due to natural disasters. Producers are eligible for these loans as soon as their county is declared a Presidential or Secretarial disaster county.


Agriculture Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that the department's authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011. This includes SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.


To deliver assistance to those who need it most, Secretary Vilsack effectively reduced the interest rate for Emergency Loans in July 2012, while streamlining the Secretarial disaster designations process, resulting in a 40-percent reduction in processing time for most counties affected by disasters. Among other administrative actions, USDA has also worked with crop insurance companies to provide more flexibility to farmers.


USDA will continue working with state and local officials, as well as our federal partners, to make sure people have the necessary resources to recover from this challenge.


Crops insured by federal crop insurance or by the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) are covered when floodwaters have rendered them valueless. USDA encourages all farmers and ranchers to contact their crop insurance companies and local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Centers, as applicable, to report damages to crops or livestock loss. More information about federal crop insurance may be found at

Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses; Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts; Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures; Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed; Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records; Pictures of on-farm storage facilities that were destroyed by wind or flood waters; and Evidence of damaged farm land.
FSA recommends that owners and producers record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:www.rma.usda.gov. Additional resources to help farmers and ranchers deal with flooding and other damage may be found at www.usda.gov/disaster.


To find the USDA Service Center nearest you, please visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa.

ADM. WINNEFELD FOCUSED ON SUPPORT OF RETURNING VETERANS

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Winnefeld: Returning Veterans Need Nation's Support

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2012 - The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff praised caregivers and other people and organizations that support the nation's military veterans at an event here yesterday.

Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., who spoke at the Military Officers Association of America Community Heroes Award Dinner, also extended his thoughts and prayers to Hurricane Sandy victims, noting the Defense Department is teaming with other federal agency and state and local partners in response and recovery efforts.

"We in DOD are working very, very hard in support of our civilian partners [and] in support of the various states that have been impacted by this [storm]," Winnefeld said.

Turning to the association hosting the event, he noted that the nonprofit organization's legacy of support for the military can be traced to its 1920s roots in Southern California, with an enduring focus on advocacy for and assistance to fellow and former members of the military.

"We recognize the ongoing efforts of ... individuals, organizations and family members who comprise the sea of goodwill and have made such a tremendous difference," Winnefeld said.

He reminded attendees that "half a world away," the nation remains at war.

"We've already furled the battle flags from Iraq," Winnefeld said. "We need to make sure that our support for these men and women doesn't fade over time, long after the battle flags from Afghanistan are furled over the next couple of years."

Winnefeld listed several steps Americans should take to assist Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

"As our troops transition to civilian life, we have to continue to highlight that employing a veteran is not charity," Winnefeld said. "Who better to hire than someone with transportable skills, who has ingrained discipline and ... so clearly [demonstrates] the willingness to sacrifice for something bigger than themselves?"

With a 12 percent unemployment rate among post-9/11 veterans and a million more service members preparing to re-enter the workforce in coming years, Americans must do more to ensure veterans have a place to sleep at night, Winnefeld said.

"Tonight, one-third of the entire adult homeless population in our nation is veterans," Winnefeld said.

Despite charities in Washington and beyond aimed at reducing homelessness among the veteran population through housing, employment assistance and career counseling programs, he noted, more than 67,000 former troops sleep on the streets.

"There's more we can do to both prevent this from happening in the first place and ... get those who have fallen into homelessness back on their feet ... into the workplace and ... [into] a proper home," he said.

The admiral also noted caregivers' attention to wounded warriors and gave thanks for the technical advances over the last decade during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, including rapid movement from the battlefield and post-battlefield medical care.

"We're ... grateful for the immediate caregivers, the remarkable, dedicated medical professionals we have across the spectrum of care," Winnefeld said. "From battlefield corpsmen ... to those in ... facilities in Afghanistan ... [and at] Landstuhl, to the people who receive and transport ... wounded warriors, to [continental U.S.] medical facilities."

The admiral praised the professionals who saved many American warriors, noting more lives would have been lost in earlier wars.

"Thankfully, as these warriors return to a grateful nation, they will be with us for decades, but that means we need to make sure we take care of them and their unseen and seen wounds for decades," Winnefeld said.

Injured veterans require the support and attention of caregivers, communities and families, who all, in turn, need the nation's support, the admiral said.

"This is a family business we're in ... and the role ... these essential caregivers [fill] is indescribable in its importance and sacrifice," Winnefeld said. "These people literally drop everything for years at a time to care for our injured, giving up their careers and their lives ... they are patriots, and we must do all we can to provide them the direct and indirect support that they need and deserve."

Other caregivers, Winnefeld added, push the bounds of military medicine and therapy in areas such as prosthetics and physical rehabilitation, giving courage and hope to a new generation of wounded warriors.

"Thanks to all these caregivers, our wounded sailors, soldiers, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have a future that's brighter than ever before," Winnefeld said. "Yet even with [the] outstanding support of our caregivers, our collective work is not complete; there's more work to do."

The admiral encouraged the nation to renew its resolve to provide a continuum of care that reflects the same level of commitment veterans have shown their country on the battlefield.

"Together, we can continue to fulfill the commitment to those who have worn the cloth of our nation," Winnefeld said.

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