Thursday, December 6, 2012
F-35B BOMBS BIG TIME
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| 121203-O-GR159-002 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 3, 2012) F-35B test aircraft BF-3, flown by Lt. Cmdr. Michael Burks, completes the first aerial weapons release of an inert 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb by any variant of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. BF-3 dropped the GBU-12 over the Atlantic Test Ranges from an internal weapons bay. The F-35B is the variant of the Lightning II designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing flight test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., prior to delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Layne Laughter/Released) |
FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE
F-35B Completes Second Airborne Weapons Separation: Lightning II Executes First Drop of a 500-Pound GBU-12
12/5/2012
By Victor Chen, F-35 Integrated Test Force Public Affairs
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- The F-35 Integrated Test Force accomplished another significant test milestone Dec. 3 when an F-35B successfully released another weapon in flight.
BF-3, a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the F-35, released an inert 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II Laser Guided Bomb over water in the Atlantic Test Ranges while traveling at 0.8 Mach, or 485 nautical mph, at an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet.
"Completion of this weapons separation test is a testament to the flexibility of the ITF, where every day we are verifying different portions of the F-35 flight envelope or validating multiple planned capabilities" said Navy Capt. Erik Etz, director of test for F-35 naval variants. "Today's release of the GBU-12 builds on our team's first-ever drop earlier this summer and was the result of extraordinary effort by our team of maintainers, engineers, pilots and others who consistently work long hours to deliver F-35 warfighting capability to the U.S. services and our international partners."
The release was the second for the F-35B, and the fourth overall for the program. To date, F-35 variants have successfully released the 500-pound GBU-12, a 1,000-pound GBU-32, a 1-ton GBU-31 and an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile.
"We're expanding the envelope for the fleet," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Burks, test pilot for the mission. "The GBU-12 is a critical weapon in the F-35's arsenal and will be vital in our mission to support the troops on the ground."
An aerial weapons separation event tests the proper and safe release of the weapon from its carriage system and trajectory away from the aircraft. It is the culmination of a significant number of tests, including ground fit checks, ground pit drops, and aerial captive carriage and environment flights to ensure the system is working properly before expanding the test envelope in the air.
Aircraft and land-based test monitoring systems collected data from the successful separation, which is in review at the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
The F-35B is the variant of the Lightning II designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing flight test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., prior to delivery to the fleet.
CYBERMAN DISCUSSES DEFENSE DEPARTMENT'S MOBILE SECURITY
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| Photo: Cyberspace Security: Credit: U.S. Navy |
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Cyber Pro Discusses Mobile Network Security Challenges
By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2012 - With more than 680,000 mobile devices in use across the Defense Department, they are quickly emerging as a critical component of military communications -- bringing a plethora of new security risks, a defense official told attendees at the Defense Logistics 2012 conference yesterday.
Dr. Robert Young, cybersecurity director in the DOD office of the chief information officer, outlined some of the devices in use and the ongoing importance of vulnerability counter-measures such as back-ups, the cloud, authentication and secure applications.
"We need to be thinking about how we can we do mobile computing with security," Young said. "Your mobile device is going to replace your laptop [and contain] unclassified and classified information ... so we have to start thinking of the [operational security] piece of this."
According to Young, threats and challenges faced by mobile device users include loss of device, data recovery, collection over the air, vulnerability applications, malware and tracking.
Devices and platform variations also create unique challenges in building a secure, impenetrable network -- something that's especially daunting due to limited lead time in the production cycle, he said.
"Sixty days from now, the devices being made in Taiwan, China, Singapore, wherever, will not be supported anymore," Young said. "They'll be the next model and the next model ... so we need to stop looking at the device and ... start looking at the data."
Young also noted that BlackBerry, while effective for encryption, is, as of yet, the only platform used for secure communications, which in and of itself creates vulnerabilities.
"We don't want to have just one operating system," Young said. "And every device is different ... solutions, logistics and acquisitions are not one-size-fits-all."
The ubiquity and affordability of cell phones in the hands of hackers and adversaries creates a considerable threat, Young explained. He cited an example of villagers in Afghanistan who can ride into town, send their data, charge their phones then shut down and leave without a trace.
"There are 48 million people in the world who have mobile phones who don't have electricity at home," Young said. "How are you going to find this individual [or] find the footprint?"
Even iPhones for sale in Afghanistan can pose risks, Young said, adding that the devices could actually trigger an improvised explosive device.
"I could make a designer bomb if I know the [mobile equipment identity number] of your iPhone or iPad," Young said. "I just look for the signal that'll ping out."
Equally dire are the consequences of a compromised database such as mobile device electronic serial numbers, he added.
"Once it pinged and I saw [the MEID], I would know where your soldier, sailor or Marine is deployed," Young said.
As smart phones become even smarter, users will soon see mobile devices do much more than transfer data. Young described the use of iPhones in medical settings, where the devices can now enhance triage efficacy by checking vital signs including pulse and body temperature.
"That's smart use of [technology] -- knowing how not to waste resources and who I'm going to treat," Young said.
Still, the DOD must remain vigilant in mobile device management to buffer hackers that can range in age, location or intent, but are typically obsessive-compulsive about penetrating a system, Young said. He shared a recent experiment about his efforts to identify and understand such activity.
"My tasking was to find a 13-year-old kid and give him an iPhone, [with him] using on-the-web devices and on-the-web [applications] to hack and crack into our [system]," Young said. "He did it."
With "for official use only," secret and top secret platforms cohabitating on mobile devices with the appropriate encryptions, physical and virtual security must remain a priority, Young asserted.
Currently no personal or "BYOD" devices are approved for use with for official use only data, but major pilot programs using iOS, Android and BlackBerry are in the works, Young said.
PONZI SCHEME DEFENDANT ORDERED TO RETURN $20.6 MILLION TO VICTIMS
FROM: U.S. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
December 5, 2012
Federal Court in Idaho Orders CFTC Defendant Trigon Group, Inc. to Return More than $20.6 million of Ill-Gotten Gains to Victims of its Fraud
Washington, DC - The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced that Judge Edward J. Lodge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho entered a consent order of permanent injunction that requires defendant Trigon Group, Inc. (Trigon), an Idaho-based business, to disgorge more than $20.6 million of ill-gotten gains to the victims of its fraud. The consent order also imposes permanent trading and registration bans against Trigon and prohibits it from violating the anti-fraud provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act, as charged.
The consent order stems from a CFTC complaint filed on February 27, 2009, that charged the defendant Trigon as well as defendant Daren L. Palmer with solicitation fraud and misappropriation in operating a commodity pool Ponzi scheme (see CFTC Press Release 5623-09, February 27, 2009, under Related Links). Earlier, on October 4, 2010, Judge Lodge entered a summary judgment order requiring Palmer to disgorge more than $20.6 million and to pay a civil monetary penalty of more than $20.6 million. The order also permanently bars Palmer from engaging in any commodity-related activity, including trading, and from registering or seeking exemption from registration with the CFTC (see CFTC Press Release 5919-10, October 6, 2010, under Related Links).
The consent order finds that, from at least September 2000 to date of the complaint, defendants directly and indirectly solicited at least $40 million from at least 57 individuals or entities to invest in Trigon entities. Pool participants understood that their funds would be used for trading commodity futures on their behalf, among other things, S&P 500 index futures contracts. Defendants made repeated misrepresentations that the pool was profitable and growing. In fact, defendants misappropriated the vast majority of the funds invested by pool participants. The consent order also finds that the defendants violated registration requirements as charged.
The CFTC appreciates the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Idaho Department of Finance. The SEC filed a related action against Palmer and Trigon that also resulted in sanctions against them.
The CFTC Division of Enforcement staff members responsible for this case are Alison Wilson, John Dunfee, Mary Kaminski, A. Daniel Ullman, Paul G. Hayeck, and Joan Manley.
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK TAKES PART IN LOAN TO SUPPORT U.S. EXPORTS OF PETROCHEMICAL GOODS AND SERVICES TO INDIA
FROM: U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
Ex-Im Approves $2.1 Billion to Finance Export
of U.S. Petrochemical Goods and Services to India
Washington, D.C. – Continuing its efforts to support American jobs by boosting American exports, the board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has voted to extend a $1.06 billion direct loan and to guarantee a $1.06 billion JPMorgan Chase loan to Reliance Industries Ltd. (Reliance) of Mumbai, India, for the export of American goods and services destined for use in Reliance’s expansion projects at Jamnagar in the Indian state of Gujarat.
The transaction is the single largest Ex-Im Bank has ever authorized for Reliance, and it represents Reliance’s first attempt at funding through the capital markets with an Ex-Im Bank guaranteed bond issuance.
The credit will support approximately 12,300 U.S. jobs, according to bank estimates derived from Departments of Commerce and Labor data and methodology. Moreover, six percent of the financing is expected to support American small businesses.
"This transaction is a tremendous opportunity for U.S. exporters and U.S. jobs, as revealed by the impressive exporter and job counts," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. "Ex-Im Bank’s financing offsets foreign export-credit-agency competition and provides American exporters with a level playing field. The result is the continued success of American technology and expertise."
"We are very pleased to support Reliance in this important expansion project," added Lillian Labbat, managing director, J.P. Morgan. "The unique conversion options, utilizing bond and direct loan financing, demonstrate Ex-Im’s focus on delivering competitive solutions while fostering U.S. exports and job growth."
Among the more than 65 exporters and suppliers involved in the transaction are Fluor Corporation, Lummus Technology, Univation Technologies LLC, Bechtel, and ConocoPhillips.
Located on the Gulf of Kutch, the Jamnagar complex oversees the largest single-location refinery operation in the world. Reliance intends to increase the complex’s petrochemical output by constructing a petcoke gasification unit that will top the world’s rosters in size and significantly enhance the efficiency of the company’s refinery business. Reliance also plans to erect a refinery off- gas cracker with matching downstream units that will better integrate polymer and polyester production.
"We are once again partnering with major U.S. suppliers for cutting edge technology, critical project management services and equipment from a wide section of American exporters for rolling out our next phase of growth," said Alok Agarwal, Reliance’s chief financial officer. "We value our long standing relationship with Ex-Im Bank and this landmark transaction further strengthens the partnership. This landmark transaction reaffirms the catalyst role played by Ex-Im Bank in facilitating trade between U.S. and India. We also sincerely appreciate the role played by JPMorgan Chase in this important transaction for us."
Reliance is India’s largest private sector company, and its operations range from oil and gas exploration and production to refining and petrochemicals. The company ranked 99th in revenues and 130th in profits in 2012, according to Fortune’s Global 500 list of ‘World's Largest Corporations’ and ‘World’s Top 100 companies.’
Fluor Corporation, one of the U.S. exporters participating in the transaction, is a FORTUNE 500 company that delivers engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and project management services to governments and clients in diverse industries around the world. The company is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
"We believe this positive development for the Reliance Industries project in India will help expedite the procurement process, lay a solid foundation for a long term partnership with a very valuable partner in India, and will promote U.S. jobs," said Otto Kjos, senior vice president, Energy & Chemicals, Fluor.
As of the end of FY 2012, Ex-Im Bank credit exposure in India totaled $6.5 billion.
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| Photo: Varanasa On The West Bank Of The Ghanges. Credit: CIA World Factbook. |
Ex-Im Approves $2.1 Billion to Finance Export
of U.S. Petrochemical Goods and Services to India
Washington, D.C. – Continuing its efforts to support American jobs by boosting American exports, the board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has voted to extend a $1.06 billion direct loan and to guarantee a $1.06 billion JPMorgan Chase loan to Reliance Industries Ltd. (Reliance) of Mumbai, India, for the export of American goods and services destined for use in Reliance’s expansion projects at Jamnagar in the Indian state of Gujarat.
The transaction is the single largest Ex-Im Bank has ever authorized for Reliance, and it represents Reliance’s first attempt at funding through the capital markets with an Ex-Im Bank guaranteed bond issuance.
The credit will support approximately 12,300 U.S. jobs, according to bank estimates derived from Departments of Commerce and Labor data and methodology. Moreover, six percent of the financing is expected to support American small businesses.
"This transaction is a tremendous opportunity for U.S. exporters and U.S. jobs, as revealed by the impressive exporter and job counts," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. "Ex-Im Bank’s financing offsets foreign export-credit-agency competition and provides American exporters with a level playing field. The result is the continued success of American technology and expertise."
"We are very pleased to support Reliance in this important expansion project," added Lillian Labbat, managing director, J.P. Morgan. "The unique conversion options, utilizing bond and direct loan financing, demonstrate Ex-Im’s focus on delivering competitive solutions while fostering U.S. exports and job growth."
Among the more than 65 exporters and suppliers involved in the transaction are Fluor Corporation, Lummus Technology, Univation Technologies LLC, Bechtel, and ConocoPhillips.
Located on the Gulf of Kutch, the Jamnagar complex oversees the largest single-location refinery operation in the world. Reliance intends to increase the complex’s petrochemical output by constructing a petcoke gasification unit that will top the world’s rosters in size and significantly enhance the efficiency of the company’s refinery business. Reliance also plans to erect a refinery off- gas cracker with matching downstream units that will better integrate polymer and polyester production.
"We are once again partnering with major U.S. suppliers for cutting edge technology, critical project management services and equipment from a wide section of American exporters for rolling out our next phase of growth," said Alok Agarwal, Reliance’s chief financial officer. "We value our long standing relationship with Ex-Im Bank and this landmark transaction further strengthens the partnership. This landmark transaction reaffirms the catalyst role played by Ex-Im Bank in facilitating trade between U.S. and India. We also sincerely appreciate the role played by JPMorgan Chase in this important transaction for us."
Reliance is India’s largest private sector company, and its operations range from oil and gas exploration and production to refining and petrochemicals. The company ranked 99th in revenues and 130th in profits in 2012, according to Fortune’s Global 500 list of ‘World's Largest Corporations’ and ‘World’s Top 100 companies.’
Fluor Corporation, one of the U.S. exporters participating in the transaction, is a FORTUNE 500 company that delivers engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and project management services to governments and clients in diverse industries around the world. The company is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
"We believe this positive development for the Reliance Industries project in India will help expedite the procurement process, lay a solid foundation for a long term partnership with a very valuable partner in India, and will promote U.S. jobs," said Otto Kjos, senior vice president, Energy & Chemicals, Fluor.
As of the end of FY 2012, Ex-Im Bank credit exposure in India totaled $6.5 billion.
GUARDSMEN ON THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER
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| U.S.-MEXICO BORDER. CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA. |
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Guardsmen Continue U.S.-Mexico Border Security Duties
By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2012 - As many as 300 National Guardsmen will remain deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border for another year as part of a border security partnership between the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, according to a statement released by DHS today.
The deployment is part of a newly extended agreement to strengthen security and facilitate legitimate trade and travel, the statement said. National Guardsmen operate in support of some 18,500 U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents along the southwest border, enhancing surveillance through the use of air assets and state-of-the-art detection and monitoring capabilities including aerial observation, photo imagery and communications support.
In the statement, DHS credited DOD support for the arrest of nearly 20,000 illegal immigrants and the seizure of more than 100,000 pounds of marijuana since March.
A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said more than 330,000 illegal aliens have been apprehended along the U.S.-Mexico border during the first nine months of this year, and more than two million pounds of marijuana and 6,000 pounds of cocaine have been seized.
In 2010, President Barack Obama authorized the temporary deployment of the National Guard along the southwest border to assist law enforcement with the interdiction of illegal aliens, drugs, weapons and money coming from Mexico.
TYPHOON BOPHA ANIMATION FROM NASA
FROM: NASA
3-D Animation of Typhoon Bopha
This 3-D animation of NASA's TRMM satellite data showed Typhoon Bopha tracking over the Philippines on Dec. 3 and moving into the Sulu Sea on Dec. 4, 2012. TRMM saw heavy rain (red) was falling at a rate of over 85 mm (~3.5 inches) per hour near the center, and powerful storms near the center were reaching heights above 16 km (~9.9 miles). Credit-SSAI-NASA, Hal Pierce
3-D Animation of Typhoon Bopha
This 3-D animation of NASA's TRMM satellite data showed Typhoon Bopha tracking over the Philippines on Dec. 3 and moving into the Sulu Sea on Dec. 4, 2012. TRMM saw heavy rain (red) was falling at a rate of over 85 mm (~3.5 inches) per hour near the center, and powerful storms near the center were reaching heights above 16 km (~9.9 miles). Credit-SSAI-NASA, Hal Pierce
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
THE DEEP SPACE ATOMIC CLOCK
FROM: NASA
Deep Space Atomic Clock Ticks Toward Success
Dr. Todd Ely, principal investigator for NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., spotlights the paradigm-busting innovations now in development to revolutionize spaceflight navigation. The Deep Space Atomic Clock project is one of nine critical Technology Demonstration Missions now under way across the agency -- bridging the gap between laboratory development of valuable new technologies and full-scale testing in the space environment. (NASA/JPL)
Deep Space Atomic Clock Ticks Toward Success
Dr. Todd Ely, principal investigator for NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., spotlights the paradigm-busting innovations now in development to revolutionize spaceflight navigation. The Deep Space Atomic Clock project is one of nine critical Technology Demonstration Missions now under way across the agency -- bridging the gap between laboratory development of valuable new technologies and full-scale testing in the space environment. (NASA/JPL)
U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SENDS CONDOLENCES TO PHILIPPINES FOR DEVESTATION BY TYPHOON BOPHA
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| Map Credit: CIA World Factbook. |
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Typhoon Bopha
Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 5, 2012
The United States offers condolences for the destruction and loss of life in the southern Philippines and the widespread damage to populated areas in Palau caused by Typhoon Bopha. Our embassies in Manila and Koror have offered immediate disaster relief assistance, and we are working closely with authorities in both countries to offer additional assistance as needed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy.
NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR DECEMBER 5, 2012
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| Photo: On Patrol In Afghanistan. Credit: U.S. Navy. |
Combined Force Kills Insurgent Leader
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 5, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force killed insurgent leader Mohammed Yar Gul and two other insurgents during an operation in the Watahpur district of Afghanistan's Kunar province yesterday, military officials reported.
Mohammed Yar Gul coordinated the movement of insurgent fighters throughout Kunar province, officials said. He was directly involved in suicide attack operations in the region and planned and conducted improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Watahpur district.
In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:
-- A combined force killed Nasrullah, a district-level Taliban leader, during an operation in the Mazar-e-Sharif district of Balkh province. Nasrullah, also known as Hijran, had directed and coordinated insurgent attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Chahar Bolak district. The security force also killed one other insurgent and seized IED-making material.
-- A combined force detained an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province. The facilitator oversaw the transfer of IED-making material to insurgents and directed the emplacement of IEDs against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained one other suspect.
ALL FEDERAL BENEFIT PAYMENTS WILL BE DIRECTLY DEPOSITED STARTING MARCH 1, 2013
FROM: FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATIONGetting Ready to Go Direct Deposit for All Federal Benefit Payments
Beginning March 1, 2013, all federal benefits payments including Social Security income, will be made electronically. This move is expected to save taxpayers $1 billion over the next 10 years, while ensuring that all federal benefit recipients receive their money in the safest, most reliable way possible. Those who are currently receiving a paper check should arrange by March 1st to have their funds direct-deposited into an account of their choice. People who have not chosen an electronic payment option by that date will receive their money via the Direct Express card, a prepaid debit card that can be used to pay for purchases and access cash at ATMs. Financial educators can use Money Smart as a resource to help consumers select the best bank account for their needs, particularly for those who may choose to open a new account.
AFGHANISTAN: THE "RAPTOR"
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| Army Pfc. Brennon Van Luven, an infantryman with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), poses for a photo after a mission in the Sabari district in Afghanistan, Nov. 5, 2012. Van Luven and his platoon took fire from insurgents while they were talking with villagers and gathering biometric data. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Bonebrake |
Face of Defense: Afghanistan-deployed Soldier Drives On
By Army Sgt. Christopher Bonebrake
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Dec. 4, 2012 - Army Pfc. Brennon Van Luven had never had a bullet go over his head quite like this.
Soldiers with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), spent a morning gathering biometric data in the village of Dande Fariqan here and talking with the locals about insurgent activity in the area.
After moving across a road, the platoon came under fire from multiple weapons systems including a rocket-propelled grenade.
As bullets snapped overhead, Van Luven found cover and began to scan the village and tree lines for signs of the shooters.
Van Luven, a native of Erie, Pa., is no stranger to being in contact with the enemy. His mine resistant ambush protected vehicle hit an improvised explosive device a couple weeks ago, sending his platoon sergeant home with a shoulder injury.
An avid "Halo" player, he now knows what it is like to have real bullets shot directly at him, but this does not deter him from doing his job.
"I serve because I wanted the discipline that the Army provides," Van Luven said. "I wanted to make something of myself, have a steady job and be able to stand on my own two feet."
Besides discipline, the Army has provided Van Luven with another important opportunity: driving.
"Before going through the Joint Readiness Training Center when we deployed, I had never driven a vehicle before," Van Luven admitted. "The first truck I ever drove was an Army humvee."
He's had more time behind the wheel in Afghanistan than in the states and has driven every vehicle in the platoon's motor pool.
Van Luven enlisted out of high school. Growing up shooting guns and enjoying the outdoors, he figured joining the infantry would be a good idea.
"I enjoy what I do and I love being out here with my guys," Van Luven said. "We're all really close."
He said the hardest part of being in the infantry is pulling long shifts -- especially performing guard duty after coming back from a mission.
Van Luven is a man of few words, but he lets his actions speak for him.
"He's a really hard worker and never complains," said Army Sgt. Christopher Walker, Van Luven's squad leader. "He's very loyal to his squad and his platoon."
The 2nd Platoon gave Van Luven his two nicknames: "McLovin" and "Raptor." According to most, Van Luven resembles the character McLovin played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse in the comedy "Superbad." Raptor is in reference to the way he runs, closely resembling the dinosaur.
"He loves both his nicknames," Walker said. "He even tattooed 'raptor' on his arm. He's kind of like our squad mascot."
Van Luven doesn't plan on staying in the Army when he redeploys.
"I want to go back home and go to school with the goal of getting hired by the Pennsylvania State Police," he said. "My family is pretty close, so I want to work near home so I can be there for them if they need me."
Van Luven cites his fellow soldiers as his inspiration for continuing to serve his country.
"I love my country, but it sounds like such a cliché when I say it," he said. "I continue to serve because I want to make sure all my buddies make it home safely and I want to finish what I started here."
REMARKS AT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY RECEPTION
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| Photo Credit: U.S. Wildlife Fish And Game. |
Robert D. Hormats
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Beijing, China
December 4, 2012
Thank you, Ambassador Locke, for that kind introduction.
It’s a special pleasure to be in China for "Wildlife Conservation Day," and I want to thank all of you for your leadership in this critical area.
After all, your country is home to one of the most successful wildlife conservation efforts of recent times, having successfully increased the giant panda population from approximately 1000 in the 1970s to more than 1,600 by the 2004 census.
As you know, trafficking of wildlife also is a growing problem in Africa, and incidents of poaching in that part of the world are increasing at an alarming rate.
Rhino poaching, for example, has increased dramatically in South Africa over the last five years from only 13 rhinos poached in 2007 to 448 in 2011.
Killings of elephants for ivory unfortunately also are increasing. Earlier this year, for example, more than 300 elephants were slaughtered in Cameroon by heavily armed poachers.
Hong Kong authorities recently announced that they had confiscated $1.4 million worth of ivory that arrived smuggled in a shipping container from Tanzania, the second large seizure of tusks in a one-month span.
This issue has deep roots for me. During graduate school I spent a year in East Africa and worked as an assistant wildlife guide in some of East Africa’s national parks.
So, for me, poaching is a deeply personal outrage.
On November 8, Secretary Clinton hosted a high-level discussion at the State Department, issuing a call to action for all of us to work together to stem this growing crisis.
Our decision to organize this meeting came from our conviction that the nature of wildlife trafficking has changed.
We have always considered wildlife trafficking a critical conservation issue, and have been leaders in both global and national efforts to conserve wildlife.
However, the issue has now become an issue of national security, rule of law, health, and economic development.
Transnational criminal groups connected to terrorists, drug traffickers, and weapons traffickers, and well-armed poachers, are increasingly involved in the illicit trade.
Large-scale commercial wildlife trafficking now threatens security and stability in countries across Africa and parts of Asia.
I’ve heard of these concerns directly from African leaders. I travelled to Africa this summer, where I discussed this issue with leaders of Botswana and Namibia, and I joined Secretary Clinton in South Africa, where we heard about their challenges in protecting their national parks and the wildlife.
Many consumers do not understand that animals – and in some cases people who try to protect them – die in order to produce the turtle shell bracelet, the rhino horn powder, or the ivory carving.
To reduce demand, we need to educate people – make them aware that what they are buying is illegal, their actions support criminal networks, animals are being killed, and people are suffering as a direct result of that purchase.
We need to do a better job of understanding the entire supply chain – from poachers, to the transport sector, to sellers, and to buyers.
We also need to do a better job of tracking down the networks, of following the money flows, and of rooting out corrupt officials who help to move the illegal products all along the way.
To stem the latest trends in poaching, the Department of State has developed a four-pronged approach to:
(1) focus our diplomatic engagement – by working with you and other governments -to strengthen political will,
(2) raise public awareness, through events like the one here today,
(3) identify training needs, and
(4) to work cooperatively with NGO and private sector partners.
We have been working through our diplomatic channels to engage leaders on this issue – at APEC, with ASEAN leaders on the margins of the UN General Assembly, in Washington, and at the East Asia Summit – so that we can take steps cooperatively to address this problem.
We also are working closely with NGOs and the private sector to identify ways we can cooperate.
We collectively share a responsibility to be good stewards of our planet and support the development and security of countries suffering from wildlife trafficking.
That’s why combating wildlife trafficking has become a foreign policy priority for the Department of State. And we seek to cooperate closely with China in this endeavor.
Our two countries unfortunately find ourselves in the position of being destination countries for illegally trafficked wildlife parts.
We plan to take tough action. We urge China to do so, too, to put a halt to illegal wildlife imports.
In this context, therefore, I have met with Ambassador Zhang Yesui in Washington, I met earlier today with State Forestry Administration Vice Minister Zhang Jianrong, and prior to this event, I had the opportunity to discuss the issue with NGOs.
It is very important that the United States and China – our governments, our companies, our civil society, and our citizens – continue to collaborate on this important issue.
Thank you for being here, and I look forward to meeting many of you.
FORMER CEO OF OIL-AND-GAS COMPANY CHARGED BY SEC WITH PARTICIPATION IN AN INSIDER TRADING SCHEME
FROM: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONSEC Charges Oil Company CEO as Source in Insider Trading Case
In November 28, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against the former CEO of a Denver-based oil-and-gas company at the center of an insider trading scheme that the SEC began prosecuting last month.
According to the SEC’s complaint, the insider trading occurred in advance of Delta Petroleum Corporation’s public announcement that Beverly Hills-based private investment firm Tracinda had agreed to purchase a 35 percent stake in the company, which shot its stock value up by nearly 20 percent. The SEC initially charged insurance executive Michael Van Gilder for his illegal trading in the case, and is now additionally charging his source: Delta’s then-CEO Roger Parker.
The SEC’s amended complaint alleges that Parker, who lives in Englewood, Colo., illegally tipped his close friend Van Gilder and at least one other friend with confidential information about Tracinda’s impending investment. Despite his duty as CEO to protect nonpublic information, Parker repeatedly communicated with Van Gilder following meetings and other developments as the deal progressed. Parker also illegally tipped information about Delta’s quarterly earnings. The insider trading in this case generated more than $890,000 in illicit profits.
According to the SEC’s amended complaint filed in federal court in Denver, Parker tipped Van Gilder and another friend on several occasions in late November and December 2007 as the Tracinda investment was developing. Based on the inside information, Van Gilder and the other friend loaded up on Delta stock and highly speculative options contracts, and Van Gilder advised his relatives, his broker, and a co-worker to do the same.
The SEC alleges that the Tracinda announcement was not the only nonpublic information that Parker tipped to Van Gilder. In November 2007, Van Gilder received an e-mail from a mutual friend of Parker’s that included a news article expressing a negative view of Delta’s future prospects. After sending an e-mail to his broker indicating he might want to sell the Delta securities that he owned, Van Gilder called Parker three times that evening. Parker conveyed to Van Gilder confidential details about Delta’s third quarter 2007 earnings results that were to be announced later that week. Rather than sell his Delta stock, Van Gilder purchased an additional 1,250 shares and responded to the e-mail from the mutual friend by writing, "I had a dialogue with a friend, of whom you know. Do not sell this stock, rather buy more ... Delta will hit their numbers at this Thursday’s announcement." When Delta announced its earnings, it reported production and revenue numbers above the company’s previously stated guidance.
The SEC’s amended complaint charges Parker and Van Gilder with violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5. The amended complaint seeks a final judgment ordering them to disgorge their and their tippees’ ill-gotten gains plus prejudgment interest, ordering them to pay financial penalties, and permanently enjoining them from future violations of the above provisions of the federal securities laws. The SEC also seeks to prohibit Parker from acting as an officer or director of a public company.
2012 AND THE FUTURE OF FIRE
FROM: NASA
The U.S. fire season in 2012 was by some measures a record-breaking season. NASA scientist Doug Morton discusses the links between climate and wildfires and the likelihood of seeing more extreme fire events in the future.
The U.S. fire season in 2012 was by some measures a record-breaking season. NASA scientist Doug Morton discusses the links between climate and wildfires and the likelihood of seeing more extreme fire events in the future.
GLOBAL FORUM ON PHARMACEUTICAL ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND DIVERSION
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| Photo Credit: FDA. |
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks at the Global Forum on Pharmaceutical Anti-Counterfeiting and Diversion
Remarks
Robert D. Hormats
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC
November 29, 2012
Thank you Tom for the kind introduction. And, thank you to Reconnaissance International and the organizers of this Global Forum for the opportunity to come speak with you about counterfeit and substandard medicines.
Pharmaceutical safety is an issue of vital importance.
I’m pleased to see so many faces from so many different regions here today—it’s an indication of how seriously we as a global community regard this threat.
I won’t belabor the extent of the problem because I know others will cover the statistics in much greater detail.
The problem we face is not new. Until the early-20th century, medicines were neither safe nor effective. There’s a quote by a famous 19th century physician, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.—who was also Dean of Harvard Medical School—that highlights this point. Holmes commented that: "if all medicines in the world were thrown into the sea, it would be all the better for mankind and all the worse for the fishes."
Over a century later, we have the science, technology, and wherewithal to do better. The United States—and indeed, all of you—are doing better. But there are certain areas that require improvement—especially regarding counterfeit and substandard medicines.
I’ll focus my remarks on three themes related to this problem:
(1) why the United States and, specifically, the Department of State have taken an active role to stop the spread of counterfeit and substandard medicines;
(2) activities in which we are engaged to promote pharmaceutical safety; and
(3) areas where you—as drug manufactures, supply chain experts, health ministry officials, and medical regulators—can continue and reinforce your leadership.
Recognizing that governments have an important and inherent role to protect their citizens from harm, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938, which created the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA has done a tremendous job ensuring that the medicines we take are safe and efficacious. But, the world has changed since the agency was created. Today, approximately 80 percent of manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients used for medications marketed in the United States are located overseas. Because of this interconnectedness, unscrupulous or criminal manufactures in any country can threaten the well-being of Americans and, indeed, citizens of many other countries.
Governments must now look beyond their own borders to protect their citizens from harm. That’s why I meet regularly with my friend and colleague FDA Commissioner Peggy Hamburg to find ways for the FDA and State to work together to improve regulatory capacity abroad. Our goal is to improve the ability of foreign governments to regulate their pharmaceutical supply chains. This protects their citizens from harm. This also helps ensure that unsafe medicines do not enter the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain.
To improve pharmaceutical safety around the globe, the Department of State is working with, and fully supporting, the FDA. And, together, we’re engaging USAID, Homeland Security, Justice, Commerce, and other USG agencies. We do so because the problem is vast and multi-faceted.
The Department of State’s safe medicines strategy has three prongs.
Raising awareness is the first component of our approach. Broadcasting the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines and is critical to safeguarding pharmaceutical supply chains in the United States and in other pharmaceutical supplier and consumer countries.
Over the past two years, the State Department has funded 24 outreach efforts throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America. Projects include workshops, seminars, discussion groups, media campaigns, and publications. These public diplomacy projects rely on the involvement of health industry stakeholders, including educators, pharmacists, hospitals, industry associations and foreign government officials.
For example, we’re currently working with the Partnership for Safe Medicines and Project HOPE (based out of Virginia) on a pilot project in India. The goal is to identify all of the suppliers of medicines coming into two villages and to provide training for patients on how to distinguish between legitimate and counterfeit medicines.
Counterfeiters prey on the ignorance of the public. Our outreach projects bring together relevant stakeholders to make it harder for counterfeiters to sell their illicit wares.
The second pillar of our safe medicines strategy is focused on stopping counterfeiters themselves. These criminals sell their wares without regard for patients who may be harmed in the process.
We’ve funded a series of government-to-government training programs—in collaboration with other U.S. government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs. These programs help foreign law enforcement, customs, and judicial officials catch and prosecute traffickers of counterfeit medicines. Foreign law enforcement capacity-building is essential to stop increasingly sophisticated transnational organized crime groups. These criminals are increasingly incorporating counterfeit medications into their criminal activities.
While many of these programs are part of our intellectual property rights or IPR crime training and technical assistance package, counterfeit medicines are, first and foremost, a public health threat. The enforcement of IPR is one legal mechanism we use to catch these counterfeiters.
We need every tool available to confront increasingly sophisticated trans-national organized crime groups that have turned to counterfeit medicines as part of their criminal enterprise.
The third pillar of our safe medicines strategy is multilateral engagement. As I mentioned earlier, over 80 percent of the manufacturers of active ingredients for genuine drugs sold in the United States are located abroad.
A substandard batch in one country can adversely impact dozens of countries. And, in the case of counterfeits, criminals capitalize on legitimate trade to sneak fake medicines across international borders. Therefore, a global approach is necessary.
That’s why, as this year’s chair of the G8 summit, the United States successfully encouraged heads of state meeting at Camp David to acknowledge the threat of counterfeit medicines to public health and consumer safety.
Following-up on the Leaders’ Statement, we’ve requested G8 countries to produce a public report on efforts they’re taking to combat counterfeit medical products. We also asked G8 members to report on recent enforcement actions they’ve taken against producers and importers of bogus medical products. We will work with the United Kingdom—the 2013 G8 chair—to continue these efforts.
The State Department also pushed for cooperation against the spread of counterfeit and substandard medicines at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, Forum. Over the past two years, the United States has sponsored a number of programs for APEC economies, including a "Dialogue Combating Corruption and Illicit Threats" and a "Workshop on Drug Safety and Detection Technologies".
And, the United States is active in the World Health Organization on this matter. We participated in the WHO’s working group on substandard, spurious, falsely-labeled, falsified, or counterfeit medical products meeting last week in Argentina.
The U.S. government is using a number of different approaches. We’re increasing awareness, helping build enforcement and regulatory capacity, and working through international organizations to develop global solutions.
We’ve made significant progress over the past few years but there is much left to do, which is why we need your help. I’ll mention just a few areas where people in this room can help lead the way.
First, counterfeiters are criminal opportunists. They target markets in countries where the capacity to detect defective products and the penalty for engaging in counterfeiting are low. The relatively low sentences for those who traffic in counterfeit medications make counterfeiting an attractive alternative to trafficking in narcotics.
That’s why, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act—which President Obama signed into law in July—raised penalties for trafficking counterfeit drugs. The legislation also required a series of improvements to reinforce the pharmaceutical supply chain. It’s critical that other governments similarly strengthen and enforce their laws to deter counterfeiters.
Second, it’s critical that we share information with one another. The United States—in large part, through the tireless work of the FDA—takes great pride ensuring the safety and efficacy of our medicines. Yet we’re not immune to the threat of counterfeit and substandard drugs.
Everyone here is aware of the recent Avastin incident. Once detected, the FDA immediately issued a warning to healthcare professionals and patients about the counterfeit drug and began an investigation. They acted quickly to protect lives.
Last, we need creative solutions from the private sector. I’ll share one excellent example. Several prominent payment processors and Internet intermediaries recently launched a non-profit group called the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies. They combat illegal online pharmacies by de-registering Internet domain names, withdrawing payment services from fake pharmacies, and refusing to advertise fake pharmacies.
These companies banded together to protect the wellbeing of consumers and their respective brands. We need more companies to do the same.
I’ll close with one final point. Events like today’s Global Forum are an opportunity to make connections between different countries and companies. These connections are critical because no single nation or entity can stop the spread of unsafe medicines on its own.
So, I hope this Forum has provided all of you with new contacts and new ideas. Collaboration and collective action—on a global scale—is needed to protect our citizens from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines.
Thank you.
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