NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2012

 

U.S. Army Spc. Pete Sigala prepares to hook a sling-load of supplies to a civilian helicopter on Forward Operating Base Salerno in Afghanistan's Khowst province, Nov. 5, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Abram Pinnington

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
 
Combined Force Arrests Taliban FacilitatorFrom an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 7, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban attack facilitator during a security operation in Afghanistan's Logar province today, military officials reported.

The detained facilitator is linked to mortar, indirect-fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

The security force also detained six suspects and seized a rocket-propelled grenade and associated equipment, RPG munitions, numerous rockets, IED-making materials and an assault rifle.

In other Afghanistan operations today:
-- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader in Kandahar province. The detained insurgent leader is believed to have planned and executed ambush-style attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Helmand province, a combined force arrested a senior Taliban leader and seized multiple firearms. The detained insurgent leader is suspected of having served as the head of a Taliban direct-action cell and directing the movement of lethal aid to support the insurgency.

In operations yesterday:
-- A combined force killed three insurgents and seized 1,430 pounds of dry opium during an operation in Helmand province. The security force destroyed the insurgent vehicle and recovered a machine gun, ammunition and other military items.

-- In Helmand province, Afghan Provincial Response Company Uruzgan, enabled by coalition forces, detained one insurgent, killed about 12 fighters and seized some wet opium.

SUMMARY OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE PROCESS FOR SELECTING AN U.S. PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

Apoll 11 Launch.  Credit:  NASA

FROM: U.S. OFFICE OF THE REGISTER, NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

Summary of Key Dates for the 2012 Presidential Election
November 6, 2012—Election Day
Registered voters cast their votes for President and Vice President. By doing so, they also help choose the electors who will represent their state in the Electoral College.

Mid-November through December 17, 2012

After the presidential election, the governor of your state prepares seven Certificates of Ascertainment. "As soon as practicable," after the election results in your state are certified, the governor sends one of the Certificates of Ascertainment to the Archivist.

Certificates of Ascertainment should be sent to the Archivist no later than the meeting of the electors on December 17, 2012. However, federal law sets no penalty for missing the deadline.

The remaining six Certificates of Ascertainment are held for use at the meeting of the Electors on December 17, 2012.

December 11, 2012

States must make final decisions in any controversies over the appointment of their electors at least six days before the meeting of the Electors on December 17, 2012. This is so their electoral votes will be presumed valid when presented to Congress. The deadline for resolving any controversies is December 11, 2012.

Decisions by states’ courts are conclusive, if decided under laws enacted before Election Day, November 6, 2012.

December 17, 2012

The Electors meet in their state and vote for President and Vice President on separate ballots. The electors record their votes on six "Certificates of Vote," which are paired with the six remaining Certificates of Ascertainment.

The electors sign, seal, and certify six sets of electoral votes. A set of electoral votes consists of one Certificate of Ascertainment and one Certificate of Vote. These are distributed immediately as follows:
one set to the President of the Senate (the Vice President) for the official count of the electoral votes on January 6, 2013;
two packages to the Secretary of State in the state where the electors met—one is an archival set that becomes part of the public record of the Secretary of State’s office and the other is a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes;
two packages to the Archivist—one is an archival set that becomes part of the permanent collection at the National Archives and Records Administration and the other is a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes; and
one set to the presiding judge in the district where the Electors met—this is also a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes.
December 26, 2012

The deadline for receipt of the electoral votes by the President of the Senate and the Archivist is December 26, 2012. States face no legal penalty for failure to comply.

If votes are lost or delayed, the Archivist may take extraordinary measures to retrieve duplicate originals.

On or Before January 3, 2013

The Archivist and/or representatives from the Office of the Federal Register meet with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House in late December or early January. This is, in part, a ceremonial occasion. Informal meetings may take place earlier.

January 6, 2013

The Congress meets in joint session to count the electoral votes on January 6, 2013. Congress may pass a law to change this date.

The Vice President, as President of the Senate, presides over the count and announces the results of the Electoral College vote. The President of the Senate then declares which persons, if any, have been elected President and Vice President of the United States.

If a State submits conflicting sets of electoral votes to Congress, the two Houses acting concurrently may accept or reject the votes. If they do not concur, the votes of the electors certified by the Governor of the State on the Certificate of Ascertainment would be counted in Congress.

If no Presidential candidate wins 270 or more electoral votes, a majority, the 12th Amendment to the Constitution provides for the House of Representatives to decide the Presidential election. If necessary the House would elect the President by majority vote, choosing from the three candidates who received the greatest number of electoral votes. The vote would be taken by state, with each state having one vote.

If no Vice Presidential candidate wins 270 or more electoral votes, a majority, the 12th Amendment provides for the Senate to elect the Vice President. If necessary, the Senate would elect the Vice President by majority vote, choosing from the two candidates who received the greatest number of electoral votes. The vote would be taken by state, with each Senator having one vote.

If any objections to the Electoral College vote are made, they must be submitted in writing and be signed by at least one member of the House and one Senator. If objections are presented, the House and Senate withdraw to their respective chambers to consider their merits under procedures set out in federal law.

January 20, 2013 at Noon—Inauguration Day
The President-elect takes the Oath of Office and becomes the President of the United States.

General Authority
The Archivist of the United States, as the head of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), is responsible for carrying out ministerial duties on behalf of the States and the Congress under 3 U.S.C. sections 6, 11, 12, and 13.

NARA is primarily responsible for coordinating the various stages of the electoral process by helping the States prepare and submit certificates that establish the appointment of electors and validate the electoral votes of each State.

The Archivist delegates operational duties to the Director of the Federal Register. The Federal Register Legal Staff ensures that electoral documents are transmitted to Congress, made available to the public, and preserved as part of our nation’s history.

The Office of the Federal Register Legal Staff reviews the electoral certificates for the required signatures, seals and other matters of form, as specified in federal law.

Only the Congress and the courts have the authority to rule on substantive legal issues.

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



U.S. Secretary Of Defense Leon E. Panetta

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE,

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

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

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

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

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

FEMA APPROVES $156 MILLION FOR INDIVIDUAL STORM VICTIMS IN NEW YORK

In Maryland, Disaster Volunteers Board Buses For New York.  Credit:  FEMA

FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

FEMA Approves $156 Million in Individual Assistance for New York’s Sandy Survivors

Release date:
November 6, 2012
Release Number:

NEW YORK CITY — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York a week ago, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $156 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Nov. 6:
More than 123,000 New Yorkers have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance.
20 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) have been opened in the nine declared counties.
1,556 FEMA personnel deployed to New York in response to Hurricane Sandy.
More than 800 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout affected communities, going door to door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.
More than 1,000 inspectors in the field have completed more than 13,300 home inspections.
New York’s major disaster declaration was amended so that the nine declared counties are approved for all categories of Public Assistance, which includes reimbursement for eligible costs of emergency response services, debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure.
Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

President Obama Wins Reelection - Find Results by State

President Obama Wins Reelection - Find Results by State

Larger numbers of the very large

Larger numbers of the very large

TRANSCOM IN SYNC



Army Maj. Charles Ward, U.S. Northern Command joint military operations officer with U.S. Transportation Command, mans his station in the Transcom Fusion Center Nov. 2, 2012, as Air Force Lt. Col. Ron Shouse checks a map location. U.S. Transportation Command photo by Bob Fehringer

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
From Afghanistan to Sandy, Transcom Synchronizes Support

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Nov. 6, 2012 - As Hurricane Sandy hurtled menacingly toward the New Jersey shore last week, the staff in U.S. Transportation Command's sprawling fusion center weren't resting on their laurels waiting for a call for help.

The center serves as the central point for synchronizing, collaborating, monitoring and executing Transcom's global transportation and distribution network, explained Air Force Col. Rob Brisson, who oversees its day-to-day operations.

The staff – more than 300 representatives from throughout Transcom, all 10 divisions within its J3 operations directorate, every service component, every other combatant command and several Defense Department agencies -- ensures the smooth, timely and uninterrupted flow of troops, equipment and supplies around the world, Brisson said.

Meanwhile, they keep a close eye on what's happening around the world to anticipate and prepare for the next requirement, even before a combatant commander has issued it. That, Brisson said, ranges from the drawdown in Afghanistan, an effort already begun and expected to intensify leading up to December 2014, to less predictable events such as Superstorm Sandy.

A recent visit to the classified fusion center proved to be a relatively "quiet day," by Transcom standards, Brisson said. Members of one of the largest divisions, dubbed "J3 East," peered into computer screens or gathered in small groups to discuss Transcom's highest operational priority: supporting the mission in Afghanistan.

As Transcom's Sustainment Division focuses on keeping deployed forces throughout Southwest Asia -- and around the globe -- supplied with everything from food to ammunition, the J3 East team concentrates on deployments and the daunting task of redeploying troops and their equipment, Brisson explained.

The J3 East team also has responsibility for planning Transcom support U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.

Across the room, its sister division, "J3 West," is dedicated to planning transportation and logistics support to U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Strategic Command.

Several of the division staff had been participating via computer in Exercise Global Thunder 2012. The annual Stratcom exercise, with an emphasis on nuclear command and control, is designed to train forces to deter, and if necessary, defeat a military attack on the United States.

But as a different kind of adversary – the largest Atlantic hurricane on record – roared north on a trajectory targeting New Jersey, J3 West's Northcom branch quickly turned its attention there.

Anticipating a role if the states turned to the federal government for help, Transcom already had stood up a joint planning team to project what Northcom might request. Based on past disaster responses, the team knew Transcom could be called on to do anything from providing airlift support to delivering military forces, supplies or water, distillation or sanitation capabilities, Brisson said.

"This is not just us back there going, 'What if?'" he said. "It is a bunch of people sitting back there, looking at lessons learned from the myriad of other hurricane support efforts that we have done, and putting together a coherent initial plan to provide support."

The order ultimately came down when the affected states turned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which in turn approached Northcom for U.S. military support. Based on its planning, Transcom already was ready to move out when Northcom issued the requirements.

The Air Force's Air Mobility Command, Transcom's airlift component, was called on beginning Oct. 31 to fly sorties in support of relief efforts, delivering personnel and equipment as well as Department of Health and Human Services personnel, reported Army Maj. Charles Ward, the Northcom joint mobility operations officer at Transcom.

Transcom's Joint Enabling Capabilities Element also deployed its Joint Public Affairs Support Element and Joint Communications Support Element.

As of today, Transcom has conducted 78 air missions, delivering more than 630 personnel and 3,000 short-tons of vehicles, equipment and relief supplies in support of relief operations, command officials reported. Included in Transcom's deliveries to the stricken region were about 200 line, bucket, drill, digger, pickup and work trucks; pump equipment and generators; and more than 30,000 blankets.

In addition to HHS employees, Transcom transported search-and-rescue, public utilities, and dewatering experts, as well as engineers and veterinarians, officials said. In addition, Air Mobility Command has postured aeromedical evacuation support forces for rapid deployment, if required.

"The value Transcom brings is that we maximize the pace of the response to alleviate suffering and help those affected get back to a normal state of life as soon as possible," Ward said.

As the fusion center's J3 West division focused on support for Super Storm Sandy and J3 East, on Centcom's ongoing requirements, the rest of the staff went about its daily business overseeing the rest of the massive Transcom mission around the world.

During any given day, they oversee operations as Transcom's organic and commercial partners move 26 ships and load and unload another nine ships. They conduct 100 railcar shipments, 2,000 truck cargo shipments, 2,000 household goods movements, 900 airlift sorties, 97 operational air refueling sorties, seven air evacuation sorties and 30 courier deliveries.

To Brisson and his staff, it's all in a day's work. "We do a lot around here. But you can see the enthusiasm behind it, and the fact that we are all very proud of what we do," he said. "We are the peaceful professionals who sit back behind the supported commander and do what we need to do to effect a mission that needs to get done."

NASA GOES PENGUIN

FROM: NASA
Penguin Beach
Members of the IceBridge team visited a colony of Magellanic penguins near Punta Arenas on a no-flight day.

NASA's Operation IceBridge is an airborne science mission to study Earth's polar ice. For more information about IceBridge, visit:
www.nasa.gov/icebridge

Image Credit-NASA-Maria-Jose Vinas

U.S. OFFICIAL ADDRESSES INTERPOL ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Confronting Transnational Organized Crime and Human Trafficking in a Global Society

November 6th, 2012 Posted by Tracy Russo

On November 5th, Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole addressed the 81st INTERPOL Ministerial and General Assembly meeting in Rome, Italy. This gathering of INTERPOL member countries marked an important opportunity to recognize joint achievements, build relationships, discuss issues critical to our domestic and global security, and develop a path forward on international law enforcement.

Deputy Attorney General Cole noted the unprecedented level of cooperation between INTERPOL member countries which has led to the development of critical law enforcement tools of 24/7 communication, information sharing and coordinated responses. He also emphasized two important areas that would benefit greatly from INTERPOL’s continued leadership and support and member countries’ investment, vigilance and cooperation: Transnational Organized Crime and Human Trafficking.
"Transnational organized crime poses a significant and growing threat to the security of each of our nations (and citizens) and the international community as a whole. Not only are criminal networks expanding, but they are also diversifying their activities – with dire implications for public safety, public health, democratic institutions and, in this already tough economic climate, the financial stability of nations across the globe. The United Nations estimates that, in 2009, transnational organized criminal activities generated $870 billion in illegal proceeds – equivalent to almost 7 percent of world exports."
To respond to the threat of transnational organized crime, Deputy Attorney General Cole called for a "whole-of-government approach" focused on coordinating resources and expertise:
"We realized that law enforcement measures alone would not fully counter the threat of transnational organized crime. Included in this approach was: the work of our Department of the Treasury to impose financial sanctions on major transnational organized crime groups and individuals; and the work of our Department of State to deny entry to the United States to transnational criminal aliens and others who have been targeted for financial sanctions. As a direct result of these actions, five transnational organized crime groups that span the globe already have been subjected to these crippling financial sanctions."
Deputy Attorney General Cole also stressed the need for "enhanced global attention and a unified law enforcement response" to fight against human trafficking:
"One of the greatest horrors of this crime is that traffickers view their victims as nothing more than a commodity, something that can be bought and sold, or simply taken, and eventually discarded… This crime can take many forms. It is the young woman who moves to another country for the promise of a new life – but instead finds herself enslaved and repeatedly sold for sex. Or the child who ran away from home and finds herself in the same situation because, in desperate need, she accepted help from the wrong person."
Although the specific details may differ, these heinous crimes often have two common elements. First, human trafficking is hidden in plain sight – behind the veil of a prostitution offense, a domestic abuse incident, a physical or sexual assault, a labor dispute, or an immigration crime. Second, victims are often traumatized, and can be weary of – and reluctant to corporate with – law enforcement officials for fear of repercussions from their captors. This is why educating first responders about the factors that may indicate a potential human trafficking offense is a critical step in improving our ability to identify and help trafficking victims.

In front of an international audience, Deputy Attorney General Cole reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to preventing and fighting human trafficking in all of its forms. Last year, the department set a new record in the number of defendants charged in human trafficking cases. Additionally, over the last three years, there has been a 30 percent increase in the number of forced labor and human trafficking cases charged.

The United States has also partnered with law enforcement officials from Mexico and Ukraine, to Germany and Canada to dismantle sex traffic networks and successfully bring perpetrators behinds these crimes to justice. This work – which showcases the value of engaging in global partnerships to combat human trafficking –sends an unmistakable message: we will relentlessly pursue those who trade in the misery of other human beings and we will rescue their victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

However, these efforts are only the beginning. To successfully combat human trafficking, as Deputy Attorney General said, "prosecution alone is not the answer," which is why we are bringing a renewed focus to preventative measures like:
Prevention through prosecution of trafficking rings before they can ensnare other victims;
prevention through deterrence so that our prosecutions dissuade others who may consider engaging in this crime;
prevention through public awareness; and, lastly,
prevention through the education of potential victims who, driven by fear, poverty, or lack of education, often unwittingly place their lives in the hands of exploitative traffickers.
No single country or law enforcement agency has the power, or the means, to tackle the global criminal enterprises we face. Only by communicating effectively, sharing intelligence and combining resources – within our own governments and with our law enforcement partners around the globe – can we truly understand current and emerging trends and build effective strategies to anticipate, combat and put an end to these crimes.

　

HURRICANE SANDY-ONE WEEK LATER

Fairfield Beach, Conn., Nov. 5, 2012 -- Salt water entered the homes in this neighborhood destroying heating systems, furniture and appliances. FEMA will be assisting in the cleanup effort with Public Assistance funding. Photo by Marilee Caliendo-FEMA

FROM:  FEMA
More than $210 Million Approved in Individual Assistance

One week ago today, millions of Americans from North Carolina to Maine braced for Hurricane Sandy. For more than 12 hours, hurricane and tropical storm force winds, storm surge, and flooding impacted 12 states; and more than eight million people lost power. Transportation systems in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, DC came to a halt, and more than 12,000 commercial flights were grounded. And for the first time since 1888, the New York Stock Exchange was closed for two consecutive days because of a natural disaster. But we are a resilient nation:

As of 3 p.m. Monday, November 5, more than 234,000 individuals in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey have registered for assistance, and more than $210 million has been approved in FEMA Assistance. Individuals and businesses should visit www.disasterassistance.gov for more information on how to register with FEMA.
Disaster Recovery Centers continue to open in the hardest hit areas. Twelve Disaster Recovery Centers are open in New York, two in New Jersey and three in Connecticut and more continue to open.
To find a disaster recovery center location, check out the disaster recovery center locator at FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by mobile phone at m.fema.gov.
To search for emergency shelters operated by the American Red Cross, you can visit the Red Cross website.
In support of New York and New Jersey, FEMA has transferred resources such as food, water, and fuel to the states to distribute to individuals at Points of Distribution (POD) sites. These POD sites can be located by visiting: http://www.nyc.gov/html/index.html; www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/foodandwater.html; http://nj211.org/hurricane.cfm; http://statenislandusa.com/; http://www.governor.ct.gov and http://www.governor.wv.gov/Pages/StormUpdate.aspx.
Specialists from the state, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.
FEMA has activated, at the request of the states, its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program for New Jersey and New York. This program allows eligible survivors who cannot return to their homes due to damages caused by Hurricane Sandy to stay in participating hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations are available.
Looking ahead to the winter storm forecasted to hit the East Coast Wednesday evening, FEMA is urging residents to be safe as cold weather temperatures threaten areas impacted by the Hurricane Sandy. The risk of fires increases with the use of supplemental heating, such as space heaters and any fuel-burning appliances in the home, including furnaces and fireplaces, are a potential carbon monoxide source. Ensure both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working and if using a generator keep it as far away from your home as possible – away from doors, windows or vents that could allow deadly carbon monoxide into the home.

LABOR JUDGES LAY DOWN THE LAW

FROM: U.S. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD,

The National Labor Relations Board’s Division of Judges disposed of 645 cases in FY 2012, issuing 207 decisions and settling 438 cases. Half of the decisions issued within 82 days of the close of hearing and within 41 days of the receipt of briefs or submissions.

The high ratio of settlements to decisions reflects a continuing effort by the Division to encourage the resolution of cases by the parties themselves, through judges’ involvement in pre-trial conference calls and on-site meetings.

Total case intake increased slightly from the previous year, from 1,161 to 1,192. The total case intake includes all cases docketed with the Division by NLRB regional offices at the time a complaint is issued by the General Counsel. Many of the docketed cases are withdrawn or settled by the regional offices before the assignment or involvement of an NLRB judge. Absent settlement, judges conduct trials and issue initial decisions that may then be appealed to the 5-member Board.

The NLRB employed 37 Administrative Law Judges at the end of the fiscal year, compared to 40 at the end of FY 2011. All ALJ decisions are available through this page.

Click here for website version

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY
Aerogropher's Mate Airman William Surles, from Bunnlebel, N.C., uses a dew point calculator in the Meteorology and Oceanic Center (METOC) aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stephanie Smith (Released) 121105-N-MH885-027

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) participates in a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11). Green Bay is part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elizabeth Merriam (Released) 121031-N-BB534-570

DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARY SAYS LANGUAGE INMPORTANT TO NEW STRATEGY

Michael G. Vickers, center, undersecretary of defense for intelligence, observes students of an upper division Russian course designed to prepare students to work for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Intel Official Calls Language 'Central' to New Strategy

By Natela Cutter
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
MONTEREY, Calif., Nov. 6, 2012 - Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael G. Vickers was pleasantly surprised Nov. 3 when he encountered his former Spanish instructor at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center here while observing a Spanish language class.

"Although I was able to understand what was being discussed during the class, I was also a little bit worried, because I thought I was going to be re-tested in Spanish, which has atrophied somewhat," Vickers said with a chuckle.

"It was wonderful to see my old student. When I saw his face, it all came back to me," said Deanna Tovar, who had just begun her career as a Spanish instructor in the late 1970s when Vickers was her student and today is dean of the European and Latin American school.

"She was a great instructor, and I am not surprised to see her as the dean of the school and that she has done so well," Vickers said.

As a young Special Forces soldier and then as an officer, Vickers graduated from the DLIFLC Czech course in 1977 and from the Spanish course in 1979 with top scores.

His unique experience at the Institute has influenced him throughout his career. Vickers has been credited for contributing to the withdrawal of Russian troops from Afghanistan in the 1980s. More recently, he was recognized as a key leader in the process that led to planning, locating, and killing the world's most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden.

As a two-time DLIFLC graduate, Vickers was the featured speaker at the center's 71st anniversary ball, attended by Defense Language Institute faculty, staff and leadership.

"When I was here for Czech, my professor told us that language is the most intimate expression of a nation's culture," he said. "I know DLI really teaches culturally based language instruction, and I have certainly found that true when I have used languages operationally as a Special Forces officer and as a CIA officer."

As the Defense Department's principal staff member and advisor regarding intelligence, counterintelligence, security and other intelligence-related matters, Vickers has a far-reaching view of how important foreign language and culture are to the future of national security.

"As we come out of a decade of wars, the world is getting more complicated, and there is more volatility, for example, across the Middle East," he explained. "Having people with these [language] skills is tremendously valuable. If you are not going to have a lot there, you ought to have your best there.

"I think [language] is really central," he continued. "Our new defense strategy focuses on Asia, North Africa and the Middle East region, and these skills will be paramount to that strategy."

Though knowing some language goes a long way when conducting intelligence assignments or working in foreign countries in various capacities, Vickers said, high-level proficiency is vital for mission success. He used the Interagency Language Roundtable foreign language government scale to make his point.

"Higher-level skill is critical," he said. "I have seen a number of times over the course of my career where even 3 Level Russian didn't cut it on an important national security problem. You needed to be at the 4 Level to really exploit the intelligence that we need."

Vickers, accompanied by Tim Clayton, the Defense Intelligence Senior Language Authority, and Glenn Nordin, his foreign language and area advisor, also observed an upper division 47-week Russian course called the Russian Arms Control Speaking Proficiency Course. The course is designed to prepare students to work for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, DOD's official combat support agency for countering weapons of mass destruction.

Commenting on all the changes that have taken place at the Institute over the past three decades, Vickers said he was most impressed by DLIFLC's strategic outreach that takes place in 29 locations around the world and includes sustainment and pre-deployment training.

FIXED WING AFGHAN PILOTS GRADUATE FROM NEW SCHOOLHOUSE

Newly graduated Afghan Air Force pilots, 1st Lt.'s Walid Noori, Emal Azizi, and Khan Agha Ghaznavi, pose for a group photo after their ceremony Oct. 15, 2012 in the wing headquarters at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. The lieutenants became the first fixed-wing undergraduate pilot trainees to earn their wings in Afghanistan after more than 30 years, completing the entire fixed-wing program entirely in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Quinton Russ)
 

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE
by Nathan Simmons
Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

11/2/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- The new fixed-wing pilot schoolhouse in Afghanistan at Shindand Air Base, Herat Province, graduated its first three fixed-wing pilots this month, the first to be produced in Afghanistan in more than 30 years -- a major milestone for the U.S. and Afghan Air Forces.

Three Afghan air force first lieutenants became the first pilots to complete the entire fixed-wing program in country since the schoolhouse was established in December 2011. The pilots completed undergraduate pilot training in Cessna 182 and 208 aircraft, and upon completion of copilot initial qualification training, these new Afghan pilots will become operational C-208 copilots for the Afghan air force.

Traditionally, pilots of U.S. allies are trained stateside, but Afghan training program manager Albert Zuniga said pilot production in Afghanistan was important for rebuilding the fledgling Afghan air force. Training in Afghanistan also ensures the schooling is tailored for the aircraft and environment in which the new Afghan pilots will be operating.

"The Afghans were coming through the (stateside) pipeline here for some time, because indigenous capability did not exist," Zuniga said. "We're going to be able to produce many more Afghan pilots now that the Shindand schoolhouse is up and running."

While the pilot training program in the continental United States produced 21 Afghan pilots in the last three years, the school at Shindand Air Base is primed to produce 38 more fixed-wing pilots in the next 12 months.

"The success of the Shindand Air Wing flight training will ensure an enduring, capable, and professional Air Force that can contribute to Afghanistan's security well into the future," said Col. Thomas Schadegg, Deputy Director for Air Education and Training Command, International Education and Training.

AETC's Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron is the working arm of the command's international affairs directorate, and is the executive agent for all U.S. Air Force-sponsored international training. AFSAT is responsible for managing this pilot training program and supporting the air advisors working with the Afghan air force to accomplish their training mission.

Through language schools, various types of technical and flying training, and professional military education, AETC is training more than 6,500 students from approximately 150 countries annually in the U.S., with various U.S. Air Force teams in more than 40 countries abroad.

　

U.S. CONCERNED ABOUT EXPULSION OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER FROM SOUTH SUDAN

Sudan.  Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook. 

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Expulsion of U.N. Human Rights Investigator in South Sudan

Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Acting Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
November 6, 2012

We are deeply concerned about the Republic of South Sudan’s decision to order a Human Rights Officer working for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to depart the country within 48 hours.

The United States fully supports UNMISS and its efforts to strengthen government institutions, to provide humanitarian relief, and to monitor, mitigate, and prevent conflict throughout South Sudan. Human rights monitoring, investigation and reporting are core elements of the UNMISS mandate. It is important that the Mission’s Human Rights Officers be allowed to carry out this work without fear of reprisal or expulsion. Fostering deeper respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights will strengthen South Sudan’s democratic, civic, and national identity, and we encourage further progress in that regard.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

Egypt attempted to colonize the region of southern Sudan by establishing the province of Equatoria in the 1870s. Islamic Mahdist revolutionaries overran the region in 1885, but in 1898 a British force was able to overthrow the Mahdist regime. An Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was established the following year with Equatoria being the southernmost of its eight provinces. The isolated region was largely left to itself over the following decades, but Christian missionaries converted much of the population and facilitated the spread of English. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, it was with the understanding that the southerners would be able to participate fully in the political system. When the Arab Khartoum government reneged on its promises, a mutiny began that led to two prolonged periods of conflict (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) in which perhaps 2.5 million people died - mostly civilians - due to starvation and drought. Ongoing peace talks finally resulted in a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in January 2005. As part of this agreement the south was granted a six-year period of autonomy to be followed by a referendum on final status. The result of this referendum, held in January 2011, was a vote of 98% in favor of secession. Independence was attained on 9 July 2011.

U.S. Department of Defense Armed with Science Update: Hybrid Fuels

U.S. Department of Defense Armed with Science Update

THE STELLAR MOTION OF OMEGA CENTAURI

FROM: NASA
Zooming in on Omega Centauri Stellar Motion

This movie sequence begins with a ground-based image of the giant globular star cluster Omega Centauri and zooms very tightly in to a Hubble Space Telescope image of the central region of the cluster. In a simulation based on Hubble data, the stars appear to be moving in random directions, like a swarm of bees

A BRIEF HISTORY OF U.S. VOTING

Photo:  Voting In U.S. Election.  Credit:  White House.

FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE

Elections & Voting
One of the most important rights of American citizens is the franchise — the right to vote. Originally under the Constitution, only white male citizens over the age of 21 were eligible to vote. This shameful injustice has been corrected and voting rights have been extended several times over the course of our history. Today, citizens over the age of 18 cannot be denied the right to vote, regardless of race, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation. However, in every state except North Dakota, citizens must register to vote, and laws regarding the registration process vary by state.

The path to full voting rights for all American citizens was long and often challenging. The franchise was first extended to African Americans under the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution, passed during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. These guaranteed that all male citizens, regardless of their race, would receive equal treatment under the law and not be deprived of their rights without due process. The Fifteenth Amendment is specifically dedicated to protecting the right of all citizens to vote, regardless of their race.

For practical purposes, this was not the end of the voting rights struggle for African Americans. Because of widespread discrimination in some states, including the use of poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests, African Americans were not assured full voting rights until President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

Women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the Nineteenth Amendment was passed. Prior to that, women had only been able to vote in select states.

Federal elections occur every two years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Every member of the House of Representatives and about one-third of the Senate is up for reelection in any given election year. A presidential election is held every fourth year.

Federal elections are administered by state and local governments, although the specifics of how elections are conducted differ between the states. The Constitution and laws of the United States grant the states wide latitude in how they administer elections.

NEWS FROM AFGHAISTAN FOR NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Photo Credit:  U.S. Department of Defense

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Arrests Haqqani Network Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2012 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani network leader in Afghanistan's Logar province today, military officials reported.

The arrested leader is suspected of being directly involved in the final stages of planning a vehicle-bomb attack targeting Afghan and coalition forces

In other Afghanistan operations today:
-- A combined force detained two insurgents and seized bomb-making materials, a shotgun, ammunition and weapons gear during a search for a Haqqani network leader in Paktia province.

-- In Kunduz province, a combined force arrested a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator and weapons trafficker suspected of financing the acquisition of weapons and coordinating their transfer and delivery to insurgents. The security force also detained another suspect.

In operations yesterday:

-- Afghan and coalition security forces detained several insurgents, killed two enemy fighters and seized and destroyed 132 pounds of homemade explosives in Uruzgan province.

-- In Zabul province, the Afghan provincial response company, enabled by coalition forces, detained several insurgents and seized and destroyed 220 pounds of homemade explosives and a cache of weapons and ammunition.

U.S. NAVY HARD AT WORK AFTER HURRICANE SANDY

FROM: U.S. NAVY
U.S. Navy Seabees works to repair pier facilities in Hobobken, N.J. The U.S. Navy has positioned forces in the area to assist U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) in support of FEMA and local civil authorities following the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bryan Nygaard (Released) 121103-M-BS001-259

 

Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Micheal Binley from Scandinavia, Wis., assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), cuts through a damaged ferry slip brace using an oxyacetylene torch, at Hoboken Transit Terminal, N.J. Wasp, USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) are positioned in New York City harbor to provide relief support to areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Stenberg (Released) 121103-N-KA456-220