U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY AND SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTER MEET REGARDING NORTH KOREAN MILITARY THREAT

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, right, pose for an official photo at the Pentagon, Oct. 24, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Leaders: North Korea Remains Threat to Peace

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2012 - North Korea remains a threat to regional and global peace, U.S. and South Korean defense leaders said here today, adding that they still are unsure what North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong Un, will do.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and South Korean National Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin spoke to reporters following the 44th annual Security Consultative Meeting at the Pentagon today.

U.S. and South Korean defense leaders discussed the threat from North Korea and reaffirmed that both nations are concerned about North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities.

"Secretary Panetta and I reaffirmed our shared view that North Korea's asymmetric military capabilities, such as [its] nuclear weapons program and missiles, pose a serious threat not only to the security of the Korean peninsula, but also to that of Northeast Asia and the world as a whole," Kim said.

The United States and South Korea will continue to work together to deter North Korea, the defense leaders said. Specifically, they will continue to work on "the concepts and principles for a bilateral deterrence strategy of the North Korean nuclear and [weapons of mass destruction] threats," Kim said. The two countries will work together to develop a tailored deterrence strategy based on these concepts and principles.

Panetta and Kim also agreed on South Korean missile guidelines.

The defense leaders also addressed the planning that will lead to the transfer of wartime operational control for forces on the peninsula to South Korea. This milestone is set for December 2015. "In particular, the two countries agreed to jointly develop a future command structure that will ensure military efficiency after the transition of wartime operational control," Kim said.

Panetta said South Korea will continue to be an exporter of peace -- continuing to work with the international community in places such as Haiti, Afghanistan, the Gulf of Aden, Lebanon and South Sudan -- but that its focus at home must remain North Korea.

"With regards to any provocations from the North," he said, "I think it's very clear that South Korea and the United States have a strong cooperative relationship, and that when those provocations occur, that we will work together to determine ... [what] kind of response should be provided, if necessary."

Kim said that for now, Kim Jong Un's regime "seems to be quite stable." But he noted signs that the regime will conduct another nuclear test.

"In fact, North Korea has been preparing for this for quite a long time," he said. "And when the time comes for a political decision, it may in fact resort to this third nuclear test."

Since taking over, Kim Jong Un has been trying to introduce economic reform measures, the defense minister said. "He seems to be making attempts to bringing a better life to his people, but the likelihood of success is yet to be seen," he added.

Kim said the 29-year-old North Korean leader will continue hang on to the "military first" policy that has been the mainstay of North Korea since the end of World War II. "He may be a lot more aggressive compared to old people, because he's still young," the South Korean defense minister said.

Panetta agreed that much remains to be known about Kim Jung Un's regime. "We still don't know whether or not he will simply follow in the steps of his father or whether he represents a different kind of leadership for the future," he said.

The U.S. concern is that North Korea continues to prepare for missile and nuclear testing, the secretary said.

"They continue to engage in enrichment of uranium, against all international rules," he said. "They continue to behave in a provocative way that threatens the security of our country and, obviously, of South Korea and the region."

NATO FLAGSHIP ATTACKED BY PIRATES, PIRATE VESSEL DESTROYED

Map: Somalia. Credit: CIA World Factbook.

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Counterpiracy Flagship Comes Under Fire Off Somalia's Coast

From a Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe News Release

MONS, Belgium, Oct. 25, 2012 - The flagship for NATO's Ocean Shield counterpiracy mission came under sustained fire from suspected pirates off Somalia's coast yesterday, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe officials reported today.

The Dutch warship HNMLS Rotterdam was attacked while conducting routine surveillance, officials said.

A boarding team from Rotterdam was approaching a suspect dhow near the coast when they came under fire from ashore and from the dhow itself. When Rotterdam returned fire in accordance with rules of engagement, officials said, the dhow ignited and crew members were seen leaping into the water. One dhow crew member was killed in this action, and 25 people were subsequently rescued from the water by Rotterdam crew members, officials said.

Commodore Ben Bekkering of the Dutch navy, commander of the NATO Task Force, said that the Rotterdam and her boats remained under sustained fire from the shore throughout the incident, even while attempting to rescue the crew of the stricken dhow. One of Rotterdam's rigid inflatable boats was damaged, he said.

Those rescued were transferred to the NATO flagship, where those who required it were given prompt medical attention. No Rotterdam crew members were injured.

"We know that pirates are increasingly using larger dhows as mother ships," Bekkering said. "Therefore, we routinely inspect them. In this instance, the pirates openly choose confrontation. This does not happen often, and it indicates that we are, indeed, impeding their operations and in doing so, pushing them to take more extreme options."

Bekkering praised the "calm professionalism" of the Rotterdam crew and said this incident, together with Rotterdam's successful Oct. 11 interdiction of seven pirates, made two things very clear.

"Firstly, it is obvious that the scourge of piracy has not gone away, and we need to maintain our vigilance," he said. "Secondly, the risks to the pirates themselves are becoming much greater, and while we regret any loss of life, we will deal with any threat we encounter in a firm, robust, but always proportionate, manner."

2012 AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE MONTH BEGINS NOVEMBER 1, 2012

111123-N-PD773-057 SAN DIEGO (Nov. 23, 2011) The Native American cultural dance group, Soaring Eagles, performs traditional dances and educates members of Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific and the Navy Public Affairs Support Element West about their heritage. The event was part of the Navy-wide recognition of Native American History Month. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Cassandra Thompson/Released)

FROM: U.S. NAVY
2012 American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month Observance Begins Nov. 1
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will join the nation in celebrating American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, which will be observed Nov. 1 through Nov. 30.

The 2012 national theme, Serving Our People, Serving Our Nations: Native Visions for Future Generations encourages the nation to reflect and celebrate the cultures, histories and traditions of the indigenous peoples of North America, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii.

Today, more than 14,000 Sailors and 1,200 civilians of Native American and Alaska Native heritage serve in the Navy. According to the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs 565 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Natives reside in the United States, composed of nearly 4.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, or 1.5 percent of the nation's population.

"American Indians have served in our military ranks from the birth of our country, and they continue to lend their numerous skills, abilities, and gifts to help make our Navy better," said Cmdr. Angela Katson, director of the Navy Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Most widely remembered for their critical role as World War II Navajo Code Talkers, American Indians have served in key roles through every major U.S. military engagement both on land and at sea. Native American seamen served on continental and state vessels during the War of Independence, and even during the Civil War, as many as 20,000 Native Americans contributed to both Union and Confederate forces as auxiliary troops.

Despite being ineligible for the draft in 1917, as many as 15,000 American Indians enlisted to fight overseas during World War I. American Indians took part in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, and more than 44,000 American Indians fought in World War II, including 1,910 Sailors and several dozen WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Over 41,500 American Indians, of which more than 90 percent of them were volunteers, fought in the Vietnam War; between 10,000 and 15,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives fought in the Korean War and during the Cold War.

Recognized annually, Native American Heritage Month first began with the establishment of American Indian Day by the governor of New York in May of 1916. Several additional states enacted celebrations during the fourth Friday in September, but the celebration did not gain official national recognition until President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 as "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations under different names, including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month," have been issued each year since 1994.

Mature games, immature driving

Mature games, immature driving

U.S. GOVERNMENT RELIEF FOR HAITI

Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook.
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARMENT

Fast Facts on the U.S. Government's Work in Haiti: FundingFact Sheet
Office of the Haiti Special Coordinator
October 22, 2012

Following the tragic January 12, 2010, earthquake, the U.S. government (USG) has committed over $3.6 billion toward relief, recovery, and reconstruction, of which $2.3 billion has been disbursed as of June 30, 2012.
Relief Assistance:
The USG committed $1.3 billion in humanitarian relief assistance (rapid, life-saving emergency assistance). This support includes funding provided to fight the October 2010 cholera outbreak. USG relief assistance supported the deployment of search-and-rescue teams, provided emergency food assistance and safe drinking water, installed latrines and water systems, provided emergency shelter, re-established medical supply chains, restocked medical supply inventories, and helped to treat and prevent cholera.
Reconstruction and Development Assistance:
The USG has also committed $2.3 billion in reconstruction and development assistance to support recovery and long-term reconstruction activities in key development pillars identified in the five-year USG Haiti strategy. The USG implemented recovery activities in order to bridge the gap from emergency assistance to reconstruction, including rubble removal and shelter solution activities; construction of semi-permanent classrooms to allow students to return to school; support and technical assistance for the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission; and funding for Haitian debt relief. Reconstruction activities require in-depth exchanges with new partners and Government of Haiti (GOH) officials to design and implement projects toward a more stable and economically viable Haiti. Reconstruction assistance supports new post-earthquake initiatives, as well as projects that began prior to the earthquake, and continues to support Haiti’s economic recovery. To promote sustainable, long-term development, the USG has initiated construction of permanent houses in Haiti’s north and near Port-au-Prince, reconstructed the Ennery Bridge, initiated energy activities for the new Caracol Industrial Park, encouraged public-private partnerships to raise revenues for farmers, pioneered mobile banking, supported food security activities to increase crop yields, provided a basic health package to beneficiaries, increased physical access for disabled students and teachers, and supported first- and second- round presidential elections.
How the USG Provides Assistance

The majority of USG funds in the first year following the earthquake were used to respond quickly to emergencies and humanitarian crises. Funding to respond to crises worldwide is pre-contracted or provided to traditional partners to respond quickly to save lives.

Since the earthquake, the USG, through USAID, has worked directly or through sub-awards with over 400 Haitian non-governmental organizations and firms, and hundreds of local vendors. Moving forward, the USG is increasing local contracting as reconstruction programs continue to be designed and awarded. The USG will work specifically to build the capacity of Haitian organizations to receive direct funding for implementing USG projects and will provide technical assistance directly to the GOH, local governments, and Haiti’s Parliament to build government capacity.

The USG is also funding new and innovative projects and encouraging Haitian entrepreneurship through USAID’s new Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) program and a new Leveraging Effective Application of Direct (LEAD) Investments Program which facilitates investments. USAID’s DIV program offers funding to new projects that have potential to address Haiti’s significant challenges and substantively improve development outcomes. The DIV Haiti initiative will invest in innovations tailored to the Haitian context, measure their impact, and scale up those that are successful. The LEAD program will partner with Haitian businesses and U.S.-based investors to increase the development impact of remittances.

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY
120627-N-RU628-198 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 27, 2012) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as a C-2A Greyhound from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 prepares to launch. Nimitz is currently underway conducting carrier qualifications in preparation for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012, the world's largest international maritime exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob Milner/Released)


120701-N-FB292-131 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (July 1, 2012) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Jolly Rogers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) performs during an air demonstration for a group of distinguished visitors. Dwight D. Eisenhower is on deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Robert Fluegel/Released)

PRESIDENT OF COSTA RICAN COMPANY SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR HALF-BILLION DOLLAR FRAUD SCHEME

Photo Credit:  Wikimedia.
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
President of Costa Rican Company Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Half-Billion Dollar Fraud Scheme with Thousands of Victims Worldwide

WASHINGTON – The president of a Costa Rican company that sold reinsurance bonds to life settlement companies was sentenced today in Richmond, Va., to 60 years in prison for carrying out a half-billion-dollar fraud scheme that affected more than 3,500 victims throughout the United States and abroad, announced U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil H. MacBride and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Minor Vargas Calvo, 61, a citizen and resident of Costa Rica, is the majority owner of Provident Capital Indemnity (PCI) Ltd., an insurance and reinsurance company registered in the Commonwealth of Dominica and doing business in Costa Rica. He was convicted on April 30, 2012, of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering.

"Mr. Vargas masterminded a criminal reinsurance company that fraudulently claimed to guarantee almost half a billion dollars of life settlement investments sold to thousands of investors worldwide," said U.S. Attorney MacBride. "Many of these investors lost their life savings because of the worthless guarantees PCI made. Mr. Vargas mistakenly believed that he could avoid punishment for the countless lives he destroyed because he operated his scheme from a non-extradition country. But, this prosecution demonstrates our resolve and ability to pursue justice on behalf of U.S. victims regardless of where the fraudsters may be hiding."

"Mr. Vargas’s reinsurance company was a house of cards, built on a foundation of deception and lies," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. "He reaped millions in profit from his scheme to sell nearly $500 million worth of guarantee bonds to more than 3,500 victims, and then spent his spoils on his soccer team and himself. Today’s sentence reflects the determination of our agents and prosecutors to bring sham artists like Mr. Vargas to justice."

According to court records and evidence at trial, PCI sold financial guarantee bonds to companies selling life settlements, or securities backed by life settlements, to investors. These bonds were marketed to PCI’s clients as a way to alleviate the risk of insured beneficiaries living beyond their life expectancy. PCI’s clients, in turn, typically explained to their investors that the financial guarantee bonds ensured that the investors would receive their expected return on investment irrespective of whether the insured on the underlying life settlement lived beyond his or her life expectancy.

Evidence at trial showed that Vargas and PCI’s purported independent auditor for PCI, Jorge Castillo, 57, of New Jersey, used lies and omissions to mislead PCI’s clients and investors regarding PCI’s ability to pay claims when due on the financial guarantee bonds that PCI issued. Vargas caused Castillo to prepare audited financial statements that falsely claimed that PCI had entered into reinsurance contracts with major reinsurance companies. These false claims, which were supported by a letter from Castillo stating that he conducted an audit of PCI’s financial records, were used to assure PCI’s clients that the reinsurance companies were backstopping the majority of the risk that PCI had insured through its financial guarantee bonds. The fraudulent financial statements PCI distributed also showed significant assets and relatively small liabilities.

From 2004 through 2010, PCI sold at least $485 million of bonds to life settlement investment companies located in various countries, including the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada and elsewhere. PCI’s clients, in turn, sold investment offerings backed by PCI’s bonds to thousands of investors around the world. Purchasers of PCI’s bonds were required to pay up-front payments of six to 11 percent of the underlying settlement as "premium" payments to PCI before the company would issue the bonds.

Evidence at trial showed that Vargas spent more than $23 million of his ill-gotten gains on his professional soccer teams in Costa Rica, his unrelated companies, his family and himself. Due, in part, to these expenditures, when it came time to make good on PCI’s promises to pay bond holders, Vargas resorted to yet more lies to justify PCI’s inability to do so.

Castillo, who was a PCI employee prior to becoming PCI’s "outside auditor," pleaded guilty on Nov. 21, 2011, to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Castillo is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 30, 2012. In addition, PCI pleaded guilty on April 18, 2012, to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud. PCI was sentenced on Sept. 6, 2012, to one year of probation.

This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and FBI, with assistance from the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the Texas State Securities Board and the New Jersey Bureau of Securities. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. Dry and Jessica Aber Brumberg of the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Chief Albert B. Stieglitz Jr. of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) conducted a parallel investigation and in January 2011 filed a parallel civil enforcement action against PCI, Vargas and Castillo. The department thanks the SEC for its assistance in this matter.

The investigation has been coordinated by the Virginia Financial and Securities Fraud Task Force, an unprecedented partnership between criminal investigators and civil regulators to investigate and prosecute complex financial fraud cases in the nation and in Virginia specifically. The task force is an investigative arm of the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, an interagency national task force.

President Obama established the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants.

FORMER POLICE GOES TO PRISON FOR ATTACKING RESTRAINED PRISONER

FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Monday, October 22, 2012
Former Georgia Police Chief Sentenced for Assaulting Restrained Inmate
Former chief of the Omega, Ga., Police Department, Walter Young, 54, was sentenced today for physically abusing a man in his custody, the Justice Department announced.

U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson sentenced Young to 24 months in prison for violating the civil rights of a pretrial detainee while acting in his capacity as the chief of police.

According to evidence presented at trial, on March 24, 2011, the former police chief assaulted the detainee, Alfonso Moreno, by repeatedly slapping and punching him in the head and face while he was fully restrained in a restraint chair. Young struck Mr. Moreno a total of eight times, breaking Moreno’s nose. Young’s excessive use of force was captured by the jail’s video surveillance system. A federal jury convicted Young on Aug. 1, 2012.

"There was no excuse for this use of force on a restrained individual and excessive force by those sworn to uphold the law will not be tolerated," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute law enforcement officers who violate the constitutional rights of others."

"We trust our law enforcement officers to protect and serve the people of their community," said Michael J. Moore, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. When we discover violations of that trust, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will use all of our resources to see that those officers who broke the law are made to account for their actions."

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the support of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES NATIONAL DAY

A view of the jungle on St. Vincent, taken from the beach. The rocks in the foreground are the remains of lava flows from a 1979 eruption of La Soufriere volcano.

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Day Message

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
October 23, 2012


Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as you celebrate 33 years of independence this October 27. The United States and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have a long and close friendship based on shared values and ties of kinship.

Our shared support for democracy, rule of law, and universal human rights remain as strong as ever. We continue to work together to ensure our region's security and economic stability and our citizens’ health and prosperity through such programs as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. As you gather with friends and family across your "Land of the Blessed" to celebrate this special day, we wish you all a peaceful Independence Day and a successful year ahead.



Locator Credit:  U.S. CIA World Factbook.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on Saint Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the United Kingdom for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979.

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY
Sailors and Marines assigned to the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 depart the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) for liberty during the ships final scheduled port visit before its upcoming decommissioning. Enterprise is deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. The U.S. Navy is constantly deployed to preserve peace, protect commerce, and deter aggression through forward presence. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman (Released) 121019-N-FI736-007

Stores are transferred from the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), right, to the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) during a replenishment at sea. Jason Dunham is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. The U.S. Navy is constantly deployed to preserve peace, protect commerce, and deter aggression through forward presence. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven B. King (Released) 121013-N-XQ375-240

GOING AFTER A DOWNED BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER IN AFGHANISTAN

Tech. Sgt. Peter Feliciano Jr., 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron Air Transportation joint inspector, conducts an inspection of a downed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Forward Operating Base Chakhcharan. Feliciano and the JI team prepared the Black Hawk to ensure all hazardous material and cargo were properly secured so it could be loaded and transported in a C-17 Globemaster III and flown out for repairs. (U.S Air Force photo)

FROM: U.S.  AIR FORCE
Airmen deploy in support of downed Black Hawk

by Senior Airman Bryan Swink
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

10/22/2012 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Two joint inspectors from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron were tasked with an invaluable mission in - to forward deploy to a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan and help with the inspection and movement of a downed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

Tech. Sgt. Peter Feliciano Jr. and Staff Sgt. Micah Hallman, 8th EAMS air transportation joint inspectors, are part of the joint inspection team that rallied up with UH-60 Army counterparts at FOB Chakhcharan Sept. 17. Chakhcharan is a town and district in central Afghanistan, which serves as the capital of Gwhor Province. Chakhcharan is a NATO-controlled FOB that is operated by the Lithuanian Army.

"This FOB is located in a valley surrounded by two villages," said Feliciano. "We knew there was an element of risk involved because this location was no stranger to enemy sniper fire."

After the arrival, the JI team assessed the damaged UH-60. The Black Hawk experienced a hard nose landing, smashing the nose cone and bottom of the cockpit rendering the brakes inoperable.

"The ideal situation would have been to have the aircraft recovered and airlifted out by a (CH-47) Chinook helicopter," said Feliciano, deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "But because of the weight of the Black Hawk and the elevation we were currently at, this wouldn't be possible."

The team's next option was to prepare the Black Hawk to ensure all hazardous material and cargo were properly secured to allow it to be loaded in a C-17 Globemaster III to be transported to an airfield and flown out for repairs.

"Even though some structural damage was sustained in the crash, the Black Hawk's struts were mechanically sound, which is important for raising or lowering the helicopter to meet airframe height requirements," said Hallman, deployed from Pope Air Field, N.C.

The JI team assessed the overall status of the UH-60 and deemed it airworthy to be transported on the C-17. The Blackhawk was then prepped and readied for onward movement. The team's quick and efficient work got them in and out of the FOB in a day and a half.

Even though the successful mission was over and they were on their way back to their squadron, a tenant unit to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the excitement didn't end for Hallman.

His brother, Army Staff Sgt. Nathan Hallman, is assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers at Kandahar Air Field where Micah traveled through. The two hadn't seen each other in almost a year. They were able to connect and spent a day hanging out and playing pool before Micah returned to the 8th EAMS.

Daily Press Briefing - October 24, 2012

Daily Press Briefing - October 24, 2012

MOUNT SAINT HELENS

FROM: NASA

Mount Saint Helens
Mount Saint Helens exemplifies how Earth's topographic form can change greatly even within our lifetimes. The mountain is one of several prominent volcanoes of the Cascade Range that stretches from British Columbia, Canada, southward through Washington, Oregon and into northern California. Mount Adams (left background) and Mount Hood (right background) are also seen in this view, which was created entirely from elevation data produced by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission.

Prior to 1980, Mount Saint Helens had a shape roughly similar to other Cascade peaks, a tall, bold, irregular conic form that rose to 9,677 feet (2,950 meters). However, the explosive eruption of May 18, 1980, caused the upper 1,300 feet (400 meters) of the mountain to collapse, slide and spread northward, covering much of the adjacent terrain (lower left), leaving a crater atop the greatly shortened mountain. Subsequent eruptions built a volcanic dome within the crater, and the high rainfall of this area lead to substantial erosion of the poorly consolidated landslide material.

Eruptions at Mount Saint Helens subsided in 1986, but renewed volcanic activity here and at other Cascade volcanoes is inevitable. Predicting such eruptions still presents challenges, but migration of magma within these volcanoes often produces distinctive seismic activity and minor but measurable topographic changes that can give warning of a potential eruption.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/NGA

Remarks at Swearing-in Ceremony for U.S. Ambassador to Poland Steve Mull

Remarks at Swearing-in Ceremony for U.S. Ambassador to Poland Steve Mull

USS COLE BOMBING SUSPECT COMPLAINS TO JUDGE OF ABUSE

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Cole Suspect Tells Judge of Alleged Guard Abuse

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
FORT MEADE, Md., Oct. 24, 2012 - Alleging threats and aggression from military prison guards, the suspect in the bombing of the USS Cole told a military tribunal judge today such actions were why he did not attend court yesterday at the U.S. naval station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In the second day of his motions hearing, Abd al Rahim Hussayn Muhammad al-Nashiri told the judge, Army Col. James L. Pohl, that today was the first time in his 10-year incarceration that he was able to speak to someone about the allegations.

"It's very important you hear this. [I] might have threats on me if I leave my cell," Nashiri told the judge through a translator. "In my prison [the guards], say, 'We are taking security measures,' and create new rules, but it has nothing to do with security. That is impossible," he said. "I have a right to tell the judge about it."

Nashiri also told the judge, "If you are [in a line with other prisoners and] you move 1 meter, the guards will chain your hands, legs and belly."

Nashiri said he had a "bad back" and the belly chains hurt him when he has to wear them to court, and the vehicle he was transported in was uncomfortable, and made him ill.

He asked the judge to intervene and tell the guards to "stop [the] aggression."

"I want the world to know I was sentenced to death because I [won't come to] court in chains," he said.

Pohl compelled Nashiri yesterday to appear at today's hearing, so the judge could advise him of his rights to be present or waive attendance at his hearings.

Nashiri was in the courtroom all day for the proceedings.

An alleged al-Qaida member, Nashiri was allegedly under the supervision of Osama bin Laden at the time of the Cole explosion, U.S. officials said.

The Cole was docked for a fuel stop in Aden, Yemen, when a small watercraft approached the ship's port side and exploded. The explosion killed 17 sailors, and 40 more were injured.

Nashiri also is accused with an attempted attack on the USS The Sullivans in January 2000 and an attack on the French oil tanker Limburg in October 2002.

Nashiri is charged with perfidy, or treachery; murder in violation of the law of war; attempted murder in violation of the law of war; terrorism; conspiracy; intentionally causing serious bodily injury; attacking civilian objects and hazarding a vessel.

If convicted, Nashiri could face the death penalty.

Pohl did not rule on any of the motions argued today, after hurricane warnings closed up the Navy station.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON'S AND BRAZILIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PATRIOTA'S REMARKS AFTER THEIR MEETING

Brazilia At Night.  Credit:  NASA/CIA World Factbook

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks With Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota After Their MeetingRemarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
October 24, 2012

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, hello, everyone. And once again, it is a great delight for me to welcome a colleague and friend here to the State Department. The Foreign Minister and I have had an excellent working relationship. Earlier this year, I traveled to Brazil for the third meeting of the U.S.-Brazil Global Partnership Dialogue as well as the Rio+20 Conference, and I commend the Brazilian Government for its excellent stewardship of the Rio+20 Conference. And today, the Foreign Minister is here for the fourth meeting of the Global Partnership Dialogue.

It is our assessment that this dialogue has strengthened and broadened our relationship and helped us make progress in many areas of shared concern by bringing both our governments and our people closer together. We have not only worked bilaterally but regionally and globally. For example, we have signed Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation in third countries, including in development and food security. We’re working to support greater agricultural development in Honduras.

We are strong supporters of the Brazilian plan, the Scientific Mobility Program, one of President Rousseff’s signature initiatives to send top Brazilian students in science and math to universities abroad. We are similarly focused on implementing President Obama’s initiative, the 100,000 Strong in the Americas, and have welcomed thousands of Brazilian students to the United States and are eager to welcome more. And because social inclusion is critical to both of our societies, we are working together to ensure that we promote social inclusion as part of the missions of our foreign relations as well as, of course, domestically.

We are also working very – in great cooperation in Haiti, and I thank the Minister for the excellent leadership that Brazil has provided for MINUSTAH and so much else that Brazil has done for Haiti.

So there’s a lot that we have covered, and our teams have gone in-depth into. And Antonio, it’s a great pleasure for me to have you here.

FOREIGN MINISTER PATRIOTA: Thank you so much. Let me say how pleased I am to be in Washington for this fourth edition of our Global Partnership Dialogue. We’ve had frequent high-level contacts between Brazil and the United States over the past two years. We were very happy to welcome President Obama last year to Brasilia, and President Dilma was delighted to come to the White House this year. We had two visits by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Brazil: one in the context of the Global Partnership Dialogue and also the Open Government Partnership that we have been working on together; then for Rio+20. And of course, we appreciated greatly the U.S. participation and Secretary Clinton’s statement at the Conference on Sustainable Development.

This is my second time in Washington. We are not only having frequent high-level contacts, but I think the quality of the dialogue has also been improving and more in-depth discussions on issues such as possibilities for cooperation in Africa. This time around, we concentrated on the Middle East and the Far East, and I know that the two Under Secretaries who came with me, they found this extremely useful. So we would like to pursue and institutionalize, as you said, Hillary, this mechanism so that we continue deriving the greatest possible benefit from these discussions.

On the bilateral front, President Dilma, of course, is extremely interested in enhancing our relationship with the United States on science, technology, and innovation. We’re looking forward to two events on innovation in 2013 that come out of this agenda and that will bring in the private sector as well as government officials. We’re very pleased with the advances that we’ve identified in our aviation partnership. There are new initiatives on energy, on sports. If you look at the joint communiqué that we are putting out, it actually is very eloquent on a number of fronts and shows that from April to October there have been many advances. So this is the spirit in which we would like to continue moving forward.

Of course, we’re extremely grateful for the U.S. in their readiness to receive an increasing number of Brazilian students in the sciences. Already 2,400 are studying under the Science Without Borders program. We’d like to take that number to 48,000, and I think we can get there. We can reach this goal.

Let me just mention that on another front, there have been discussions on visas and how to facilitate travel between the two countries. This is a discussion that has started in a new spirit, also under instructions from our leaders, President Obama and President Rousseff, and we are confident that they will continue advancing over the coming years.

Thank you for mentioning Haiti. I think it’s a good example of how Brazil and the United States can work today. And today, we discussed some new ideas for looking at energy in Haiti, food security, trade, business. I am confident that we will also continue cooperating very effectively.

And finally, I think it was very useful for me to have a discussion on the Middle East. We’re, of course, concerned with lack of progress on the peace process between Israel and Palestine. I’ve just come back from the region extremely concerned with the situation in Syria. But I think it’s extremely important that with these discussions we’re having with the United States and a number of – a growing number of countries, among which the Permanent Members of the Security Council, our partners in IBSA, India and South Africa, that we can mobilize international diplomatic strength to resume the peace process and to find a negotiated solution for Syria.

Thank you.

MS. NULAND: We’ll take two today. We’ll start with CNN. Elise Labott, please.

QUESTION: Two per each two people. (Laughter.) Mr. Foreign Minister, it’s nice to see you again. I’m sure you’re following our political campaign with great fanfare, I just want to ask you: We had a debate the other night on foreign policy, and the hemisphere and the continent wasn’t even brought up once. And I’m just wondering, given the robust partnership with Brazil – Brazil’s a rising power – and the cooperation with the region and a lot of other dynamic, growing countries, whether that’s symptomatic of some – of a problem in America that you think this – the American people don’t – aren’t interested in or don’t understand how important this cooperation is.

Secretary Clinton, on Syria, I was wondering if you have any thoughts on the ceasefire, whether you think the government or the rebels will adhere to this. What are you advising the rebels? And whether you think the current Lebanese Government is able to protect the Lebanese sovereignty from getting involved in this Syrian crisis.

And just beg my indulgence, one more – (laughter) – just beg my indulgence. I just want to ask you very quickly about these emails that have surfaced from the State Department on the night of the Benghazi attack. Given the fact that there was some information that an extremist group with links to al-Qaida affiliates was – could have been involved, why wasn’t this more heavily weighed in your assessment in the days after. Thank you. (Laughter.) Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: I may forget one or two of the questions.

FOREIGN MINISTER PATRIOTA: Well, briefly on the debate, of course, well, as the two largest democracies in the Americas, we are firm believers in pluralism, and elections are always an interesting moment for us to identify that. (Laughter.) But yes, it’s true that Latin America was not present, to my knowledge, and Brazil was not mentioned, but I think that the debate concentrated really on problem issues and concerns. And today, Brazil, South America in particular, is more of a region of the world that offers solutions than problems. So we interpret that in this positive light.

At the same time, I think it’s very important to note that the contacts have been frequent, at high-level, the quality of the dialogue between Brazil and the United States is improving continuously, the agenda’s broadening, as Secretary Clinton was saying. So we are confident that whoever wins, and it’s up to the American people to choose, the relationship will continue to thrive, and we will have at our disposal a number of dialogues and mechanisms to continue to enhance this relationship.

SECRETARY CLINTON: That was such a good answer. We don’t need any more. (Laughter.) That was brilliant. That’s right, it is about problems, and I can’t say enough to support the Minister’s positive description of our relationship and really what’s happened in our hemisphere, which has been remarkable.

Regarding Syria, let me begin by expressing thanks to Brazil for their support of the Syrian people. This is an important call by Brazil, which has consistently said the government must stop the ongoing violence and has provided much needed humanitarian support. And, in fact, I think it’s right to say that Brazil is home to one of the largest Syrian diasporas anywhere in the world. So they know better than many what is at stake.

Now we’re looking forward to hearing the details of Special Envoy Brahimi’s report to the UN Security Council today. We have been in close touch with him and his team. We support his call for a ceasefire for the Eid al-Adha holiday so that Syrians could celebrate in peace. We’d like to see the violence come to an end, there’s no doubt about this, and we’d like to see a political transition take hold and begin. We’ve been calling for that for more than a year. We worked very hard in Geneva, as you know, some months ago to come up with a framework for ending the violence and beginning a political transition. And we would like to see the Security Council adopt such a framework, but to include some consequences for all parties in the event that there is not a ceasefire respected or a political transition begun.

Now we are supporting and increasingly, actually, that support for the Syrian opposition through nonlethal assistance and training, including working directly with local councils inside Syria so that they can learn what they need to do to serve their people in areas that they have taken over from the regime. And we are also working extremely hard and closely with a number of likeminded countries to help support a leadership council to come out of meetings beginning in Doha in a few weeks so that we can have a leadership structure that endorses inclusion, democratic process, peaceful political transition, and reassure all Syrians, particularly those who are in minority groups, that there is a path forward if everyone supports it. And that’s of particular concern to us, and I discussed it with Antonio. And we want to make it possible for there to be a credible interlocutor representing the opposition and prevent extremists from hijacking a brave revolution that is meant to fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people.

Now, you’re right to raise Lebanon because it was a terrible blow to the Lebanese people one more time to see a high-level assassination carried out by a brutal bombing that devastated a neighborhood in Beirut and killed others and injured many more. I spoke with the Prime Minister over the weekend to express our condolences. We were asked for support to provide FBI investigative services, and we will – and are doing so. The Lebanese armed forces has actually performed admirably in restoring order, in going after anyone who is attempting to commit violence or disrupt that order, and urging all parties to remain calm. We don’t want to see a vacuum of legitimate political authority that could then be taken advantage of by the Syrians or by others that could create even greater instability and violence. So we call on all parties in Lebanon to support the process that President Suleiman is leading to choose a responsible, effective government that can address the threats that Syria faces and hold accountable those responsible for last week’s bombing.

So we’re not going to prejudge the outcome of what the Syrians themselves are attempting to do. This must be a Lebanese process. But the Lebanese people deserve so much better. They deserve to live in peace and they deserve to have a government that reflects their aspirations, not acts as proxies and agents for outside forces.

Now finally, on Benghazi, look, I’ve said it and I’ll say it one more time. No one wants to find out what happened more than I do. We are holding ourselves accountable to the American people, because not only they, but our brave diplomats and development experts serving in dangerous places around the world, deserve no less. The independent Accountability Review Board is already hard at work looking at everything – not cherry-picking one story here or one document there – but looking at everything, which I highly recommend as the appropriate approach to something as complex as an attack like this.

Posting something on Facebook is not in and of itself evidence, and I think it just underscores how fluid the reporting was at the time and continued for some time to be. What I keep in mind is that four brave Americans were killed, and we will find out what happened, we will take whatever measures are necessary to fix anything that needs to be fixed, and we will bring those to justice who committed these murders. And I think that that is what we have said, that is what we are doing, and I’m very confident that we will achieve those goals.

MS. NULAND: Last one today, Luis Fernandez (inaudible) from Globo TV, please.

QUESTION: Minister Patriota, Madam Secretary, I would follow the example of my colleague.

SECRETARY CLINTON: (Laughter.) Don’t pick up bad habits, please.

QUESTION: Minister, if I – if you don’t mind, I would ask the question in English and be so – if you could give the answer in Portuguese. This is, as one would assume, the very last time that the two of you meet at these particular posts that you are holding. Are you – is – are you less than happy with the fact that Brazil and the United States do not have a trade agreement? I would like to know as well, when will Americans be able to get into Brazil without a visa and Brazilians get in to the United States without a visa?

Madam Secretary, once Brazil and Turkey brokered a solution to the problem of Iran, and that was an initiative that was met with less than enthusiasm. If Brazil were to broker a solution for the problem in Syria, since there is this partnership established with Turkey and, as you pointed out, Brazil has many Lebanese and Syrians in Brazil, how would the United States Government react to that?

FOREIGN MINISTER PATRIOTA: (In Portuguese.)

I essentially said that the absence of a free trade agreement does not prevent trade between Brazil and the United States from thriving. In fact, the figures have been better than those for countries with which the U.S. does have free trade agreements. The visa situation is being discussed in a constructive way, and even in the absence of an agreement on foregoing visas, the days that are taken for the processing have diminished considerably at U.S. consulates and Brazilian consulates. There are new consulates that the United States has opened in Brazil to help processing, and Brazil has 10 consulates in the United States.

And on Syria, I just mentioned our support for the communiqué of the Geneva Action Group, which we believes continues to provide a good platform for progress through peaceful, non-militarized means.

SECRETARY CLINTON: He’s an all-purpose Foreign Minister. (Laughter.) I’m very grateful to you.

And on your question, we would, of course, welcome Brazilian participation in any effort to bring about the ceasefire, to implement it, to help with the political transition. The Minister and I discussed the ways in which both the United States and Brazil, as large pluralistic democracies, stand as examples for what we hope could come someday in Syria.

So the Minister mentioned the communiqué that came out of Geneva as a result of our meeting there several months ago. I’m in close touch with Special Envoy Brahimi. And we are looking for a way to support his work, and this kind of framework will need the strong support of Brazil, which has a very important voice in trying to resolve this ongoing tragic situation.

Thank you all very much.

Joint Press Conference with Secretary Panetta and Defense Minister Kim in the Pentagon Briefing Room

Joint Press Conference with Secretary Panetta and Defense Minister Kim in the Pentagon Briefing Room

WILL IRAQ BE AN ALLY OF THE UNITED STATES?

Iraq Location Map.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Too Early to Tell Whether Iraq Effort Created Ally, General Says

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2012 - It's still too early to tell whether the U.S. effort in Iraq has created an American ally, the commander of U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army said here yesterday.

Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, who served many tours in Iraq, told the Defense Writers Group that it took years for a democratic government to emerge in West Germany following World War II, and he expects many of the same difficulties happening with Iraq.

"I don't know what's going to happen in Iraq," the general said. "I'm hopeful for increasing positive signs."

The Iraqi government still is fighting a complex insurgency in a very tough environment, the general noted. "My friends in Iraq ... are all very hopeful," he said, "but they also understand the challenges they are encountering."

The most encouraging step to date in Iraq is the potential for the rule of law to develop, Hertling said.

"[Iraqi] security forces are competent, but still feeling their way," he said. "Their politicians are increasingly becoming effective in understanding the representative process, but it certainly can't be compared to our government, or even our government 10 years after the Revolutionary War."

Iraq will continue to have struggles in three main areas, the general said: security forces, rule of law and the primacy of political control. "They are still struggling, and it pains me to watch it," he added.

How Iraq does in the future is something that will haunt U.S. veterans of the Iraq war, the general said. "There was a lot of blood and sweat and tears and hard work put into that country by American soldiers," he said. He noted that as U.S. troops leave bases in Germany they have been in since 1945, many Germans have come to thank them for what they and their predecessors did to save the country.

The current generation worked hard in Iraq, and is not feeling particularly appreciated, Hertling said. "That's unfortunate," he added. "It's something that all of our veterans from Iraq, and eventually our veterans from Afghanistan, will struggle with. They worked hard, they fought hard, and they did what they were trying to do to establish workable solutions in those two countries."

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ANSWERS QUESTION REGARDING FBI ROLE IN LEBANON BOMBING INVESTIGATION

Map Of Lebanon.  Credit:  CIA World Fact
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Lebanon - October 19 Bombings
Taken Question
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 23, 2012 

QUESTION: How did the request for investigation assistance come through? Did the U.S. offer and Lebanon accept or vice versa? Did the FBI participate in the Hariri investigation?

ANSWER: The FBI will provide technical assistance to the investigation into the attack that killed Brigadier General Al-Hassan and 7 others. The decision to dispatch the FBI team was taken following discussions between the Government of Lebanon and the U.S. Government. The FBI provided technical assistance to the investigation into the 2005 attack that killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

U.S. AIR FORCE HISTORY

 

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Maui Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance achieved intial operating capability on 1 Oct 1982. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force Space Command.

AFSPC Milestone: Maui's GEODSS system achieved Initial Operating Capability
10/22/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- Air Force Space Command is celebrating its 30th Anniversary! Here is a significant milestone from the command's history ...

Maui's Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) achieved Initial Operating Capability on 1 Oct 1982. The current primary mission of the detachment is to detect, track and identify all tasked space objects within its area of coverage. The unit usually provides data on deep space objects in the orbits from 3,000 to 22,000 miles, although it has a limited near earth detection capability. Satellite information is provided to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB, California. Additionally, GEODSS provides Space Object Identification (SOI) to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.

World Polio Day

World Polio Day

PORTRAIT OF A MACHINE GUNNER SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Spc. Patrick Serna, a 23-year-old native of Corcoran, Calif., is on his first deployment to Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Sword

Face of Defense: Son Inspires Machine Gunner's Service
By Army Sgt. Michael Sword
Combined Joint Task Force 1 Afghanistan

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2012 - Army Spc. Patrick Serna left his hometown of Corcoran, Calif., for only one reason: his son, Mason.

"I knew that if I could join, I could pay bills, go to college and I'll be able to support him in the long run," said Serna, a machine gunner for B Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

When Serna, 23, walked into the recruiter's office, he already was leaning toward a job in combat arms.

"I had that mindset that 'I need to go to the Army, be crazy and fight the war,' but, there were no infantry spots open," he said. "So I picked this [specialty] because they shoot cannons and it sounds fun."

As a cannon crewmember, Serna originally learned to be part of a team in charge of firing the battalion's large artillery pieces. But here, B Battery is in the role of a maneuver unit, and Serna finds himself patrolling the mountains with the nearly 30-pound M240B machine gun in hand.

"I'll do what I have to for all our guys to get back," he said.

No matter what he's doing, Serna said, he continues to enjoy it.

"I want to excel as much as I can in the Army and get what I can get out of it," he said. "My recruiter told me, 'If you're going to be combat arms, make sure you go to college,' so I'm going to do as much college as I can."

Growing up, Serna moved up and down the West Coast, so he's no stranger to being in a new location. But being so far from home, and especially his son, makes life in Afghanistan a little more difficult.

"It sucks being away from him now, but in the long run, it will be better for us," he said.

When he returns to Bamberg, Germany, the home of B Battery, Serna plans to re-enlist. He said he hopes to end up somewhere closer to home, but even if not, he plans on continuing his military career as a paratrooper.

"Probably my favorite thing about the Army is doing things you can't just do back home," he said. "You can't jump out of planes anywhere else for free."

What the label says

What the label says

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR DAN TANGHERLINI'S REMARKS REGARDING NEW NOAA CENTER

FROM: U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
 
Tangherlini Says New NOAA Center Represents Government’s Commitment to Sustainable Practices
Remarks by
Dan Tangherlini
U.S. General Services Administration
Opening of the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction
University of Maryland, College Park
October 15, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of everyone who has worked on this project at GSA, it is a pleasure to be here today. We all know how important it is to know the weather when you walk out the door in the morning, but I don’t think that I realized just how important it is to understand the effects of weather until I worked for the DC Department of Transportation.

In that kind of an environment, an accurate forecast is about more than whether or not you need an umbrella. It’s about deciding whether or not 40,000 children can get to school, some of whom rely on those schools not just for learning, but for food as well. It’s about understanding if it’s safe to send hundreds of thousands of commuters out on our roads and public transit systems.

No matter where you work, whether it is in government or in business, good data is the foundation of good decision making. And understanding the weather and the full range of its potential impact is essential information to individuals who manage some of our most important services.

This brand new, almost 270,000 square foot center will enable NOAA to provide exactly that kind of data. By consolidating 3 NOAA offices and bringing more than 800 meteorologists, scientists, data managers and other NOAA employees together in this state of the art facility, they will be able to provide the entire nation with short range and long range weather, climate, and hydrological forecasts.

At GSA, our mission is to provide federal agencies the support they need to fulfill their responsibilities to the American people at the maximum possible value. This facility gives NOAA the resources they need to do their jobs to the best of their ability. And with sustainable features such as "green roofs" bio-retention areas, recycled construction materials, highly energy efficient windows and motion based lighting systems, and a storm water cistern to collect water for irrigation, it provides value to both this agency and the taxpayers. We can all be proud of this "green crown jewel" of the M-Square Research and Technology Park. It represents this government’s commitment to sustainable practices by making the most efficient and effective use possible of natural as well as fiscal resources, which is why it is under consideration by the EPA as an "Energy Star" building.

This project would not have been possible without the dedicated work of some men and women here at GSA and I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to recognize their contributions. I want to thank Jim Dunn, the project manager; Calvin Myint, the Director of the Triangle Service Center; Martha Gates; the former Director of the Triangle Service Center, who is now retired, but handled a large amount of the work that went into this project; Mark Stadsklev; the project contracting officer; and everyone else from GSA who worked so hard to make this project a reality.

This is a great day for GSA, NOAA, and the University of Maryland. To Dr. Lubchenco and everyone at NOAA, and to Dr. Loh and everyone at the University of Maryland, congratulations on this new facility. I know you’ll put it to good use.

SBA-BACKED LOANS REACHED $923 MILLION IN FY2012

Photo: Cargo Ship. Credit: Wikimedia.

FROM: U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

– SBA-backed loans to exporters continued to grow in FY2012, reaching more than $923 million, which supported $1.7 billion in small business exports.

"Giving small businesses the tools they need to export their goods and services and create jobs is an important part of our core mission," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "Exporting is creating opportunities for small businesses to create good-paying jobs and provide economic benefits to local communities nationwide."

SBA has recently revamped its International Trade Loan which has seen an upsurge of 106 percent in loans guaranteed and 207 percent in dollar volume. The loan allows small manufacturers to expand their facilities or buy equipment to manufacture products sold internationally, either directly or indirectly through an Export Trading Company or an Export Management Company.

SBA is promoting this "indirect export" model of using an export intermediary, along with other export-related services, training and counseling, through a series of export conferences and matchmaking events hosted by the SBA that began in 2010. As part of that series, the SBA, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and the National Small Business Association today jointly sponsored an Export Matchmaker Trade Fair – Missouri Edition. More than 150 business representatives from 16 states and four countries registered to participate, with half of the attendees from the St. Louis metropolitan area.

The event today featured workshops on international trade topics that will help small business owners learn how to export, expand their operations and create jobs. A matchmaking trade show helped small business manufacturers match up with Export Management Companies and Export Trading Companies specializing in exporting U.S. goods and services.

Since 2009, SBA has guaranteed 6,100 loans to small business exporters for over $3.1 billion and supported more than $6 billion in exports.

Internet Address:


http://www.sba.gov/news

　

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. NAVY
An F/A-18 Hornet flies by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower(CVN 69) while conducting an air power demonstration. Dwight D. Eisenhower is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. America's Sailors are Warfighters, a fast and flexible force deployed worldwide. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Darien G. Kenney (Released) 121019-N-NU634-131

Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Beaty, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), conducts aerial refueling with an Air Force KC-10A Extender during combat operations. Dwight D. Eisenhower is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. America's Sailors are Warfighters, a fast and flexible force deployed worldwide. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Greg Linderman (Released) 121011-N-DO750-001

SOYUZ ROCKET TRAVELS TO THE LAUNCH PAD IN KAZAKHSTAN

 

FROM: NASA

Rocket Rollout

The Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad by train, on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 23. The rocket will send Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of ROSCOSMOS on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

Image Credit-NASA-Bill Ingalls

U.S. DEPARMENT OF DEFENSE ON FORCE STRUCTURE CHANGES

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Army, DOD Must Adjust to Budget, Force Structure Changes

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2012 - The Army will continue to customize its mission objectives based on budget and force structure changes, a senior defense official said here yesterday during the 2012 Association of the U.S. Army's annual conference.

Todd Harvey, director of force development for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, said a defense strategy drafted in January to meet severe spending cuts over the next decade reflected DOD's analysis of the preceding decade.

"We saw a transformation of a number of operations and activities that we had been engaged in over the past 10 years, [leading] us to believe we could begin shifting our focus to broader vistas," he said.

In addition to drawing down operations in Iraq, DOD steadily fostered the Afghan security lead transition as the fracturing of al-Qaida's central control and leadership of terrorist operations persisted, Harvey said.

Although the potential to examine future challenges emerged, Harvey said, the partial list of what was to come was "daunting."

"The variety, complexity and types of challenges we expected to face were remaining at least constant, and in some cases, even increasing," he said.

Harvey cited upheavals in North Africa and the Middle East and the "volatile" standoff with Iran, in which economic sanctions created an increasingly unpredictable situation, as examples. He also explained that a "shrouded leadership transition" in North Korea created its own dynamic of potential unpredictability, while al-Qaida local franchises mushroomed throughout the world.

Harvey also noted China's increasing devotion to economic and military resources as the nation continued determining how it will interact among its closest neighbors and with the United States.

This changing geopolitical landscape and the rise of asymmetric capabilities such as weapons of mass destruction and cyber issues are not entirely new, but their concurrence has potential to create particularly volatile situations for the United States, he said. Meanwhile, he added, Middle Eastern and North African upheavals continue to provide opportunities for local radicals to establish a foothold.

"As government-controlled stockpiles of sensitive technologies and capabilities began to decline, those systems become available to radicals and other disruptive forces," Harvey said.
With such potentially pendulous swings and a high degree of unpredictability, the Army and the Defense Department must adjust their strategies to best prime for future missions, Harvey added.

But what to cut isn't always cut and dried, officials discovered in determining how to absorb the spending cuts, Harvey said. "There really wasn't anything that we had been doing that we felt secure enough to risk at adequate levels ... to throw something overboard," he explained. Even in the realm of humanitarian assistance, he added, a senior leader might struggle with the decision to cut such a mission, opting instead to preserve the option to react to earthquakes, floods and other disasters.

Harvey noted that Pentagon officials have discovered no "free lunch" in functional missions or regional engagement.

"The force needs to be agile, versatile and ready to perform a range of missions," he said.

These demands pose unique challenges for each of the services, Harvey added, particularly the Army, in light of force structure constraints.

"The challenges are as broad as they've ever been," he said, adding that the Army will continue to seek the right balance among investments in force structure, readiness and modernization.

"We're trying to stretch a shrinking force across as least as much mission as we've had to date," he said.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR OCTOBER 23, 2012

Photo:  Afghanistan.  Credit:  U.S. Army

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Fighter
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban fighter in Afghanistan's Kunduz province today, military officials reported.

The arrested insurgent fighter is suspected of organizing and executing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kunduz province.

During the operation, the security force also detained two other suspected insurgents.

In other operations today:
-- A combined force detained a number of insurgents during a search for a Taliban facilitator in Helmand province. The facilitator coordinates and assists in improvised explosive device attacks in central Helmand province.

-- In Kandahar province, a combined force detained a number of insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader responsible for conducting IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kandahar province.

In operations yesterday:
-- Afghan special police, enabled by coalition forces, arrested several suspected insurgents while executing an Afghan search warrant in Balkh province. After searching the immediate area the combined force found and seized several weapons and IED-making materials.

-- Combined forces in Wardak province killed Taliban leader Ghulam Ali, a Taliban leader directly responsible for coordinating attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, facilitating the transfer of weapons throughout Wardak province, and developing Taliban network attack plans with other Taliban leaders.

-- Afghan special police, enabled by coalition forces, killed two enemy fighters and seized weapons, ammunition and narcotics in Uruzgan province.

-- Combined forces killed two insurgents in Logar province conducting a mortar attack against Forward Operating Base Shank.

-- A combined force in Paktia province killed Haqqani network leader Niaz Mohammad, who was responsible for planning and participating in ambush attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the area.

In an Oct. 21 operation, Taliban leader Qasim was killed in Kandahar province. He was responsible for the acquisition and distribution of weapons and ammunition for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces based in the area. An Oct. 20 coalition operation killed a senior Taliban leader and a number of associated insurgents in Uruzgan province.

　

　

　


　

A WELL TRAINED SPACECRAFT

DVIDS - Video - AUSA Speech - Gen. Ray Odierno

DVIDS - Video - AUSA Speech - Gen. Ray Odierno