NIOSH [National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health] revises advice to protect responders from airborne pathogens
"The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently revised its recommendations about personal equipment for protecting first responders from airborne pathogens in potential bioterrorism situations. The 'Recommendations for the selection and use of respirators and protective clothing for protection against biological agents' were updated to reflect changes in equipment ratings and standards since the previous version was issued in 2001, said John Decker, associate director for emergency preparedness at NIOSH. The document was published online last week." (CIDRAP; 07Apr09; Robert Roos) http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/bt/bioprep/news/apr0709niosh.html
PharmAthene: game changing contract ahead
"We expect PharmAthene (PIP) and Emergent Biosolutions (EBS) to sign nearly identical sized $500M+ U.S. government contracts to provide 25 million doses of anthrax vaccine each any day now. […] The strategic national stockpile target is to have 75 million doses of anthrax vaccine and the award of two 25 million contracts will push the inventory to the 75M range. The government wants to have two suppliers to ensure safety of supply in case one of the suppliers is not able to deliver the next generation anthrax vaccine." (Seeking Alpha; 07Apr09) http://seekingalpha.com/article/129820-pharmathene-game-changing-contract-ahead
Earmark to help Utah in identifying health hazards
"Who said government earmarks are just wasteful spending for local pet projects? A Salt Lake City-based biotechnology company has completed construction on a new $8.5 million, 41,000 square-foot facility charged with developing applications to detect biological warfare and other potentially harmful infectious health hazards, thanks in part to a government earmark." (Deseret News; 06Apr09; Jasen Lee) http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705295613/Earmark-to-help-Utah-company.html
Drill tests [Maricopa] county's emergency response [AZ]
"Sandy Reynoldson of Sun City Grand knows what to expect should a public health emergency arise. She participated in a mass-[medication] dispensing exercise Sunday in Sun City Grand. The drill was sponsored by the Maricopa County Public Health's Office of Preparedness and Response. […] [T]he exercise was to determine how easily a mass-dispensing of medication would be handled, such as in the event of bioterrorism, should the county need to reach each of its 4 million residents." (Daily News-Sun; 06Apr09; Joy Slagowski)
http://www.yourwestvalley.com/articles/reynoldson_5735___article.html/emergency_health.html
NC's Iredell County conducts mock shooting and chemical weapon incident
"Iredell County Students from Mooresville High School's ROTC program played the roles of victims and hostages as more than 150 police, fire, rescue, medical and emergency management workers conducted a mock shooting and chemical weapon incident at the school on Tuesday. The exercise was the town's first such joint training involving 10 agencies, said Mike Cook, manager of the N.C. Emergency Management Office's western branch. 'The reality is, the more we can train and prepare for (worst-case scenarios), the better we can respond when a disaster strikes,' Cook said." (Charlotte Observer; 08Apr09; Joe Marusak) http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/650776.html
World War One gas horror of rescue workers as they try to help poison pellet man
"[British] emergency workers were caught up in a World War I gas alert after treating a man who had taken poison pellets. Six [...] staff needed hospital treatment after they had been contaminated with deadly phosgene. The gas was escaping from the man they were trying to save [...] [when] water he had taken converted the rabbit poison he'd swallowed into phosgene, which was used as a chemical weapon in WWI. The man, aged 24, died shortly after convulsing in the ambulance. Last night, an emergency services source told the Record: 'The man died a terrible death, it was like a horror movie. He started to convulse wildly in the ambulance and toxic gas was coming out of his mouth and from his body.'" (Daily Record; 08Apr09; Kevan Christie) http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/04/08/world-war-one-gas-horror-of-rescue-workers-as-they-try-to-help-poison-pellet-man-86908-21262445/
U.S. regulator approves rapid test for bird flu
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday it had approved a fast test for H5N1 bird flu that can show in less than an hour if people are infected. The test, made by Sunnyvale, California-based Arbor Vita Corporation, should greatly speed up diagnosis and treatment of people infected with avian influenza, the FDA said. Most current tests take hours. 'This test is an important tool to help quickly identify emerging influenza A/H5N1 infections and reduce exposure to large populations,' said Dr. Daniel Schultz, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health." (Reuters; 07Apr09)
http://www.reuters.com/article/americasRegulatoryNews/idUSN0749228120090407
Nuclear test-ban treaty chief [Tibor Toth]: U.S. must ratify pact
"Senate opponents of the nuclear test-ban treaty face 'a new ballgame' 10 years after they rejected the global pact, the treaty's chief said Tuesday. If the U.S. and other key nations fail again to ratify the pact, the world will become a place with 'more fissile material in more facilities with more people to handle it, representing a risk of (nuclear) terrorism,' said Tibor Toth, executive secretary of the treaty's preparatory commission. 'Probably what you will have to do is revisit the benefits of the treaty from a wider perspective, from a post-2001 viewpoint,' Toth told The Associated Press." (Associated Press; 07Apr09; Charles J. Hanley) http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jy52j09fgZafDUFu5GuyPhvrcAfAD97DS5580
U.S.-New Zealand arrangement for cooperation on nonproliferation assistance
"Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully signed on April 7, 2009, an arrangement for cooperation on nonproliferation assistance. This arrangement supports collaborative work between the United States and New Zealand to secure nuclear and radioactive materials that could be used in a nuclear or radiological weapon and to detect and deter illicit trafficking in these materials by improving monitoring capabilities at priority border crossings, airports, and seaports." (ISRIA; 07Apr09) http://www.isria.info/en/7_April_2009_90.htm
Fast and sensitive way to detect ricin
"Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University [NY] have developed a simple, accurate, and highly sensitive test to detect and quantify ricin, an extremely potent toxin with potential use as a bioterrorism agent. […] The ricin assay described in the journal article was developed in the laboratory of Vern Schramm, Ph.D., professor and Ruth Merns Chair of Biochemistry at Einstein and corresponding author. The assay detects small amounts of ricin more accurately and faster than ever before.
[…] Dr. Schramm believes the assay's most immediate application is for discovering drugs that could serve as antidotes for ricin poisoning." (Science Daily; 08Apr09)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090408104538.htm
Engineers can change the world [by preventing CBRN use]
"Engineers have an important place in American culture, but getting that message across to students is more of a challenge today than ever before. The nation and world need well-trained engineers […], said Chuck Vest, president of the National Academy of Engineering and president emeritus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, during the March 2009 National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges Summit in Durham, N.C. […] The challenges themselves range from making solar energy economical, […] [to] preventing chemical and biological warfare and nuclear terror [sic]." (In Tech; 07Apr09; Source: ISA)
http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?Section=Workforce_Development&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=75381
Planning, preparation needed to deal with disasters
"Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University (KEMU) Prof Dr Zafar Ullah Khan has said wars, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, disease outbreaks, famine, radiological incidents and chemical spill[s] […] are emergencies that invariably impact heavily on public health, adding all out efforts should be made to minimise their effects. Prof Zafar said this while addressing the 3rd National Conference on 'World Health Day' held under the auspices of Pakistan Medical Society, in collaboration with King Edward Medical University, Directorate General of Health, Punjab and World Health Organization, with a theme 'Save life: make hospitals safe in emergencies' held here at Mayo Hospital auditorium." (Nation; 08Apr09) http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Lahore/08-Apr-2009/Planning-preparation-needed-to-deal-with-disasters-Speakers
IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] planning largest-ever drill to prepare Israel for war
"The Home Front Command is preparing to hold the largest exercise ever in Israeli history, scheduled to take place in about two months, in hopes of priming the populace and raising awareness of the possibility of war breaking out. […] Speaking with Haaretz, Col. Hilik Sofer, who is in charge of the Department for Population at the Home Front Command, said that 'in wartime there will be insufficient […] rescue and chemical and biological warfare units. Even if we call up the reserves of the Home Front Command, we will have to rely on the population itself.'" (Haaretz; 07Apr09; Anshel Pfeffer) http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1077035.html
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Stephen F. Dearmon, 21, of Crossville, Tenn., died April 3 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The incident is under investigation.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 2nd Marine Logistics Group public affairs office at (910) 451-3538 or (910) 478-7759.
Lance Cpl. Stephen F. Dearmon, 21, of Crossville, Tenn., died April 3 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The incident is under investigation.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 2nd Marine Logistics Group public affairs office at (910) 451-3538 or (910) 478-7759.
U.S. Outreach to Islamic World Will Pay Dividends, Gates Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 8, 2009 - A comprehensive American outreach effort to the Islamic world will pay dividends, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said yesterday. Gates, in an interview on the PBS "News Hour with Jim Lehrer," acknowledged the U.S. government's attempts to connect with Muslims while communicating its concern over violent extremism has been insufficient so far.
"I gave a speech last year in which I made the comment that how can it be that the nation that discovered public relations is being out-communicated by a guy in a cave?" he said. "The reality is I think we probably have not done as well as we should have in terms of reaching out to Muslims and making clear that what we're concerned about our violent extremists."
The defense secretary's comments come on the heels of visits by President Barack Obama to the majority-Muslim countries of Iraq and Turkey.
"This isn't a war against Islam, and I think that the president's communicating this message," Gates said. "I think the challenge for the rest of the government is to figure out how to do that on a more comprehensive and continuing basis."
He added that such outreach efforts fall under the auspices of the State Department.
Discussing Obama's surprise visit yesterday to Iraq, Gates said he thought the president was carrying a key message.
"I think his message to the Iraqis is almost certainly 'Keep on doing what you're doing, keep on resolving problems politically, keep on working at reconciliation. We are going to keep our side of the bargain in terms of the [status of forces] agreement, in terms of drawdowns of troops, and you have to step up to your responsibilities now, too,'" Gates said.
said the secretary added that he hopes the president's visit will prove successful in encouraging the Iraqi leadership in Baghdad to continue working together. He noted that violence overall in Iraq is at some of the lowest levels since 2003, despite al-Qaida attacks such as a car-bombing that reportedly occurred in a Shiite section of the Iraqi capital yesterday.
"The view of our commanders is that while there are some of these spectacular attacks, overall the level of violence continues to be quite low compared with particularly 2007 and the early part of 2008 -- in fact, at levels not seen since 2003," he said.
The defense secretary characterized such attacks as "a last gasp" by extremists to try to reverse gains made in Iraq. He added that such measures have proven unsuccessful in reversing progress there. "In fact, I think it's quite impressive how resilient people have been in Baghdad and Iraq in general," he said.
Gates added that Obama delivered another message to a particular demographic group in Iraq.
"I think his message to our troops is one of appreciation and gratitude for their dedication and their service," he said. "I'm confident that he will come home impressed by the caliber of our men and women in uniform out there."
American Forces Press Service
April 8, 2009 - A comprehensive American outreach effort to the Islamic world will pay dividends, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said yesterday. Gates, in an interview on the PBS "News Hour with Jim Lehrer," acknowledged the U.S. government's attempts to connect with Muslims while communicating its concern over violent extremism has been insufficient so far.
"I gave a speech last year in which I made the comment that how can it be that the nation that discovered public relations is being out-communicated by a guy in a cave?" he said. "The reality is I think we probably have not done as well as we should have in terms of reaching out to Muslims and making clear that what we're concerned about our violent extremists."
The defense secretary's comments come on the heels of visits by President Barack Obama to the majority-Muslim countries of Iraq and Turkey.
"This isn't a war against Islam, and I think that the president's communicating this message," Gates said. "I think the challenge for the rest of the government is to figure out how to do that on a more comprehensive and continuing basis."
He added that such outreach efforts fall under the auspices of the State Department.
Discussing Obama's surprise visit yesterday to Iraq, Gates said he thought the president was carrying a key message.
"I think his message to the Iraqis is almost certainly 'Keep on doing what you're doing, keep on resolving problems politically, keep on working at reconciliation. We are going to keep our side of the bargain in terms of the [status of forces] agreement, in terms of drawdowns of troops, and you have to step up to your responsibilities now, too,'" Gates said.
said the secretary added that he hopes the president's visit will prove successful in encouraging the Iraqi leadership in Baghdad to continue working together. He noted that violence overall in Iraq is at some of the lowest levels since 2003, despite al-Qaida attacks such as a car-bombing that reportedly occurred in a Shiite section of the Iraqi capital yesterday.
"The view of our commanders is that while there are some of these spectacular attacks, overall the level of violence continues to be quite low compared with particularly 2007 and the early part of 2008 -- in fact, at levels not seen since 2003," he said.
The defense secretary characterized such attacks as "a last gasp" by extremists to try to reverse gains made in Iraq. He added that such measures have proven unsuccessful in reversing progress there. "In fact, I think it's quite impressive how resilient people have been in Baghdad and Iraq in general," he said.
Gates added that Obama delivered another message to a particular demographic group in Iraq.
"I think his message to our troops is one of appreciation and gratitude for their dedication and their service," he said. "I'm confident that he will come home impressed by the caliber of our men and women in uniform out there."
Road Work Begins With Great Expectations in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley
By Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
Special to American Forces Press Service
Afghanistan, April 8, 2009 - More than 5,000 residents of Afghanistan's Panjshir province gathered March 30 to celebrate the groundbreaking for a road some say will make the area the best in the country for travel. The $28 million project, funded by the provincial reconstruction team, will cover more than 43 miles of rough terrain through the Panjshir Valley up to Badakshan province. The road will be nearly five inches thick and almost 30 feet wide, and will be able to support heavy equipment carriers and traffic.
"I think you will see that over the next several years, Panjshir will become the best place in Afghanistan to visit because of this road," Air Force Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton, Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, said at the ceremony in the Safied Shahir village of the province's Khenj district. Stratton said he believes road development will lead to private investment in the area.
Panjshir Gov. Haji Bahlol praised the PRT for the amount of work done, as well as the resulting improvements the road will make to the quality of life for people living in the area.
"In the future, the road is going to enable the private investor to come here because we have such great security. Investment will create more jobs, and residents now going to Kabul to work will be able to stay in their valley and still have a job," Bahlol said.
"When I first came here, I promised you I would build a road through here, and I have done it," the governor said.
Five community leaders spoke of the good the road will bring to Khenj District.
"Giving of your land will be good for future commerce," said Ahulaw Jillani, a local leader who also thanked the contractors for the good job they are doing for the people of Khenj.
(Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens serves in the Task Force Warrior public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Afghanistan, April 8, 2009 - More than 5,000 residents of Afghanistan's Panjshir province gathered March 30 to celebrate the groundbreaking for a road some say will make the area the best in the country for travel. The $28 million project, funded by the provincial reconstruction team, will cover more than 43 miles of rough terrain through the Panjshir Valley up to Badakshan province. The road will be nearly five inches thick and almost 30 feet wide, and will be able to support heavy equipment carriers and traffic.
"I think you will see that over the next several years, Panjshir will become the best place in Afghanistan to visit because of this road," Air Force Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton, Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, said at the ceremony in the Safied Shahir village of the province's Khenj district. Stratton said he believes road development will lead to private investment in the area.
Panjshir Gov. Haji Bahlol praised the PRT for the amount of work done, as well as the resulting improvements the road will make to the quality of life for people living in the area.
"In the future, the road is going to enable the private investor to come here because we have such great security. Investment will create more jobs, and residents now going to Kabul to work will be able to stay in their valley and still have a job," Bahlol said.
"When I first came here, I promised you I would build a road through here, and I have done it," the governor said.
Five community leaders spoke of the good the road will bring to Khenj District.
"Giving of your land will be good for future commerce," said Ahulaw Jillani, a local leader who also thanked the contractors for the good job they are doing for the people of Khenj.
(Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens serves in the Task Force Warrior public affairs office.)
Earth Movers Remove Remnants of War in Baghdad Neighborhood
By Army 1st Lt. Marvin NelsonSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 8, 2009 - Things are back in full swing these days on the outskirts of Salmak Pak in the southeastern part of the Iraqi capital. One month after soldiers from the earth-moving platoon of Company A, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade, and security elements from the 1st Armored Division's 2-6th Infantry and the 6th Iraqi Army Division worked together to complete an eight-day mission, the streets are free of old fighting positions and the concrete barriers that dotted the landscape.
"The work that was conducted out here a month ago has definitely improved the living conditions for everyone in this area," Army Capt. Jeremy North, the 2-6th Infantry Task Force engineer, said. "The local Iraqi people can once again easily access the local businesses and resources, and coalition forces now have increased mobility, enhancing their ability to quickly respond to threats in the area. I believe the Iraqis are excited about having their town look like a town again."
The engineers removed barriers and bastions used to shield against blasts or small-arms fire. Along with the usual equipment of loaders and 20-ton dump trucks, the engineers also deployed two cranes to move concrete walls, bunkers, and jersey barriers for possible future use elsewhere. The soldiers removed almost 200 jersey barriers, 40 other concrete wall sections and two bunkers. U.S. engineers used two cranes and a five-yard loader to place the walls on tractors and trailers.
"The mission was an all-around endeavor by both Iraqi and U.S. soldiers," Army Staff Sgt. Lawrence R.J. Willeford, noncommissioned officer in charge of the earth-moving platoon, said. "Together, we moved and removed hundreds of walls and barriers to open up parking lots to businesses and access to the elementary school."
U.S. and Iraqi troops worked overnight until dawn to remove concertina wire and countless tons of materials. Willeford said he hoped their efforts demonstrate a return to normalcy for local Iraqis.
The work accomplished along the route was an important step for both coalition and Iraqi forces in signifying that conditions in Iraq have steadily improved, officials said. With the overall violence in Baghdad down nearly 70 percent, fighting positions set along the route were no longer necessary. With the majority of the walls and barriers removed, traffic along the route has improved, helping the area to prosper.. The route-sanitation mission not only improved traffic flow along the route, but also made it difficult for insurgents to plant roadside bombs.
Checkpoints that were not removed along the route were reduced in size, but improved in total protection stature. The engineers also removed barriers from schools and businesses to make them more accessible.
(Army 1st Lt. Marvin Nelson serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade.)
Mullen, Holbrooke Work to Build Trust in Pakistan
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
April 8, 2009 - Building trust between the United States and Pakistan tops the agenda as the two countries and Afghanistan move forward, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said following meetings in Pakistan's capital city yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and Richard Holbrooke, President Barack Obama's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad. The three spoke at a news conference following their meeting.
"This commitment is a long-term commitment that I hope will generate a surplus of trust, as that is absolutely vital," Mullen said. U.S. and Pakistani interests overlap significantly, and American commitment to finding solutions to mutual problems will continue, he said.
"The purpose of these engagements is to understand each other's expectations and to listen to the people and government of Pakistan," the admiral said. "This is about the people of Pakistan and the people of the United States and we will continue these constructive engagements."
Qureshi characterized the talks as frank and candid, focusing on the way forward.
"As you know the new strategy has been announced," Qureshi said. "The concepts have been put in front of you. Now we reach the stage of implementation and we had discussions in that regard."
Holbrook pointed out that Pakistan and the United States face a common strategic threat, common enemy, common challenge, and a common task.
"We have had a long and complicated history between the two countries. We cannot put the past behind, for we must learn from it and move forward," Holbrook said.
The leaders agreed to hold trilateral meetings between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States in Washington beginning May 6, the foreign minister announced.
The men discussed U.S. President Barack Obama's expression of solidarity with the Pakistani people, U.S. support for democracy in the nation, the 10-fold increase in economic assistance to Pakistan, and U.S. offers to help train Pakistani security forces in counterinsurgency tactics.
But there are certain red flags in the relationship, and Qureshi waved them.
Qureshi said the U.S. leaders "have announced it very categorically and clearly that they respect Pakistan's point of view" that no foreign boots would be tolerated on the nation's soil.
Drones are another red flag issue. "Let me be very frank: there is a gap between us and them and I want to bridge that gap," Qureshi said.
"The terms of engagement are very clear as far as Pakistan and I am concerned," he said. "We will engage with mutual trust and mutual respect in view and that is the bottom line."
The foreign minister said his primary concern is the violent extremism that threatens Pakistan.
"My people, my cities, my country is under threat, and we have to get our act together to face the menace, and we will," he said. "We are grateful for help and we are grateful to the friends of Pakistan who are helping Pakistan."
American Forces Press Service
April 8, 2009 - Building trust between the United States and Pakistan tops the agenda as the two countries and Afghanistan move forward, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said following meetings in Pakistan's capital city yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and Richard Holbrooke, President Barack Obama's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad. The three spoke at a news conference following their meeting.
"This commitment is a long-term commitment that I hope will generate a surplus of trust, as that is absolutely vital," Mullen said. U.S. and Pakistani interests overlap significantly, and American commitment to finding solutions to mutual problems will continue, he said.
"The purpose of these engagements is to understand each other's expectations and to listen to the people and government of Pakistan," the admiral said. "This is about the people of Pakistan and the people of the United States and we will continue these constructive engagements."
Qureshi characterized the talks as frank and candid, focusing on the way forward.
"As you know the new strategy has been announced," Qureshi said. "The concepts have been put in front of you. Now we reach the stage of implementation and we had discussions in that regard."
Holbrook pointed out that Pakistan and the United States face a common strategic threat, common enemy, common challenge, and a common task.
"We have had a long and complicated history between the two countries. We cannot put the past behind, for we must learn from it and move forward," Holbrook said.
The leaders agreed to hold trilateral meetings between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States in Washington beginning May 6, the foreign minister announced.
The men discussed U.S. President Barack Obama's expression of solidarity with the Pakistani people, U.S. support for democracy in the nation, the 10-fold increase in economic assistance to Pakistan, and U.S. offers to help train Pakistani security forces in counterinsurgency tactics.
But there are certain red flags in the relationship, and Qureshi waved them.
Qureshi said the U.S. leaders "have announced it very categorically and clearly that they respect Pakistan's point of view" that no foreign boots would be tolerated on the nation's soil.
Drones are another red flag issue. "Let me be very frank: there is a gap between us and them and I want to bridge that gap," Qureshi said.
"The terms of engagement are very clear as far as Pakistan and I am concerned," he said. "We will engage with mutual trust and mutual respect in view and that is the bottom line."
The foreign minister said his primary concern is the violent extremism that threatens Pakistan.
"My people, my cities, my country is under threat, and we have to get our act together to face the menace, and we will," he said. "We are grateful for help and we are grateful to the friends of Pakistan who are helping Pakistan."
U.S. Airmen Keep Troops, Cargo Moving Through Kuwait
By Fred W. Baker IIIAmerican Forces Press Service
April 8, 2009 - The war may be fought in the sands of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan, but for most troops and cargo heading into theater, it starts on a small air strip just outside of Kuwait City, Kuwait. At the small base that supports the Theater Gateway – the military group in Kuwait charged with getting troops and goods in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan -- about 85 airmen from the Air Force's 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron work around the clock supporting the warfighter from behind the lines.
"If I'm not doing my job, I'm doing a disservice to the Air Force, and I'm not getting cargo and personnel out to the fight. It's huge," said Air Force 1st Lt. Lydia Chebino, the aerial port commander. "Mission success is getting their stuff to them as quickly as possible."
Chebino and her crew work day and night, seven days a weeks shipping out anything that will fit on a plane, she said. The large mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles known as MRAPs roll regularly into the C-17s. Helicopter replacement blades and military working dogs also make the list, along with tons of other cargo and thousands of troops.
The logistics readiness officer from Texas joined the Air Force looking for a challenge and wanting to travel. Now she finds herself deployed to Kuwait and in charge of operations as the largest supplier of troops and cargo of any air portal in the region.
"It's phenomenal. I don't think we take the time to stop and think 'We moved 2,000 passengers today,'" Chebino said. "It's pretty amazing to see what my flight does."
Chebino's airmen don't control the flights or the incoming cargo and personnel. They oversee the movement of cargo and troops that come in and fly out on the military aircraft.
Every month, the crew moves 60,000 passengers in and out of the base, about 6,000 tons of cargo and supports 1,500 sorties of aircraft, mainly C-130 Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster IIIs, she said.
Massive databases track the numbers of troops and the types and destinations of cargo. All of the data is scanned into a tracking system, similar to a grocery store scanning system, and it can be accessed by units around the world. Nothing sits on the line longer than 72 hours, Chebino said.
"We've gotten really smart with our in-transit visibility," she said.
Crewmembers, self-nicknamed the "Port Dogs," work 12-hour shifts, splitting the day so each gets its share of the blistering summer heat. Besides the heat, the job comes with other inherent dangers. Moving tons of cargo with heavy equipment can be a dangerous mix for poorly placed arms and fingers. But, Chebino said, the crew has completed more than 2,000 missions in the past three months without a safety incident.
Although her airmen are not on the frontline of the fight, Chebino said they understand the overall impact their mission has on the war efforts, and are intensely proud of the crew's job.
"They just know the mission and they work it and they do a damn good job," she said. "We never close our doors -- holidays, birthdays, you name it -- and we're pushing through."
Biden Welcomes 18th Airborne Corps Home From Iraq
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
April 8, 2009 - Vice President Joe Biden welcomed home the 18th Airborne Corps headquarters today during a ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., after the soldiers spent nearly 15 months deployed in Iraq. Biden was joined by his wife, Jill, and Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg commander.
The vice president spoke before thousands of soldiers and family members at the main post parade field, thanking them for their sacrifice and service. The 18th Airborne Corps' efforts in Iraq have given the Iraqis the opportunity to continue progress on their own accord, he said.
"I am absolutely confident that the Iraqis are in a much better place to take responsibility for their own security," Biden said. "You set a country on a course that may affect the shape of the history of that region for generations to come."
Austin and his soldiers assumed command of Multinational Corps Iraq in February 2008, a time when the future of Iraq wasn't looking as promising as it does today.
"Fifteen months ago, our country called you to serve in Iraq," Biden said. "You arrived in a country that was on the brink of a civil war, ... a country that experienced widespread sectarian violence, while insurgents targeted our troops on a daily basis.
"You went in the midst of what was an uncertain future for Iraq," he continued.
Biden lauded the corps' oversight of combat operations in Iraq, noting the steady and continuous decline in violence over their tenure. Extremists operating in northern and southern Iraq were dealt "a serious blow," while coalition and Iraqi forces also had great success in significantly reducing the flow of weapons and foreign fighters crossing Iraq's western border with Iran, he said.
Biden also noted that the period surrounding the January provincial elections in Iraq saw only 11 attacks across the country, while the previous elections in 2005 recorded more than 300 terrorist attacks.
"You sent a message to the entire world that things weren't moving backwards, but they were moving forward in Iraq," he said. "You gave the Iraqis a chance, a fighting chance, to reclaim their country and establish a stable government for the first time – a government chosen by their own people."
A lot of changes occurred in Iraq during the past 15 months, but a lot of changes took place at home with the families too, Biden said. Soldiers miss their children's first steps, birthdays and their loved ones' anniversaries, as well as the everyday routine of being with their families.
Biden credited the families for their strong convictions to stand by and support their soldiers when many Americans will never understand the extent of the sacrifices made on the home front, he said.
"So many good, decent Americans don't have any idea of the depth of the sacrifices your families make," he said. He thanked the families and soldiers again on behalf of all Americans, telling them, "America owes you."
Progress in Iraq has come at great cost, Biden said. He noted that more than 4,200 American lives have been lost in Iraq, and thousands more have suffered disabling injuries. Millions of innocent Iraqis are estimated to have been injured orkilled since March 2003, he added.
"Those sacrifices have been real," Biden said. "The sacrifices you've made have been real. They've stabilized Iraq, secured our interests and put us in a position to begin in an orderly fashion to draw down forces and hand over responsibility to the Iraqis."
Biden echoed comments President Barack Obama made to troops during a surprise stop in Iraq yesterday, calling for now as the time for Iraqis to take responsibility of their country. Obama has made it clear the White House is willing "to do everything possible to meet the needs that are required for the mission [in Iraq] and to support you on your return home," Biden said.
"But the work is on the Iraqis' watch now," he added. "You have given the Iraqis the opportunity, for the first time in any of their memories, to live in peace. But it's up to them to make the political reconciliations necessary so they can keep it."
However, the job of America's military isn't done. Too many terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks are still "alive and well" in the mountain and tribal regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Biden said. The president will continue to call on the armed services to combat extremists in those countries, he added.
"Our mission is to disrupt, defeat and dismantle al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said, quoting Obama. "That effort is still under way. There's more work to be done. We're going to be asking more of those of you who wear the uniform."
About 200 soldiers from 18th Airborne Corps headquarters flew into Pope Air Force Base, N.C., on April 4. Austin and 40 more soldiers flew in the following day after officially relinquishing command of Multinational Corps Iraq to 1st Corps from Fort Lewis, Wash.
The 18th Airborne Corps was the operational headquarters in charge of the Iraq military theater from February 2005 to January 2006, and then again from February 2007 until the April 4 turnover. The corps was responsible for nearly 160,000 coalition troops within three Army divisions, a Marine expeditionary force, three coalition divisions and numerous separate brigades.
American Forces Press Service
April 8, 2009 - Vice President Joe Biden welcomed home the 18th Airborne Corps headquarters today during a ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., after the soldiers spent nearly 15 months deployed in Iraq. Biden was joined by his wife, Jill, and Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg commander.
The vice president spoke before thousands of soldiers and family members at the main post parade field, thanking them for their sacrifice and service. The 18th Airborne Corps' efforts in Iraq have given the Iraqis the opportunity to continue progress on their own accord, he said.
"I am absolutely confident that the Iraqis are in a much better place to take responsibility for their own security," Biden said. "You set a country on a course that may affect the shape of the history of that region for generations to come."
Austin and his soldiers assumed command of Multinational Corps Iraq in February 2008, a time when the future of Iraq wasn't looking as promising as it does today.
"Fifteen months ago, our country called you to serve in Iraq," Biden said. "You arrived in a country that was on the brink of a civil war, ... a country that experienced widespread sectarian violence, while insurgents targeted our troops on a daily basis.
"You went in the midst of what was an uncertain future for Iraq," he continued.
Biden lauded the corps' oversight of combat operations in Iraq, noting the steady and continuous decline in violence over their tenure. Extremists operating in northern and southern Iraq were dealt "a serious blow," while coalition and Iraqi forces also had great success in significantly reducing the flow of weapons and foreign fighters crossing Iraq's western border with Iran, he said.
Biden also noted that the period surrounding the January provincial elections in Iraq saw only 11 attacks across the country, while the previous elections in 2005 recorded more than 300 terrorist attacks.
"You sent a message to the entire world that things weren't moving backwards, but they were moving forward in Iraq," he said. "You gave the Iraqis a chance, a fighting chance, to reclaim their country and establish a stable government for the first time – a government chosen by their own people."
A lot of changes occurred in Iraq during the past 15 months, but a lot of changes took place at home with the families too, Biden said. Soldiers miss their children's first steps, birthdays and their loved ones' anniversaries, as well as the everyday routine of being with their families.
Biden credited the families for their strong convictions to stand by and support their soldiers when many Americans will never understand the extent of the sacrifices made on the home front, he said.
"So many good, decent Americans don't have any idea of the depth of the sacrifices your families make," he said. He thanked the families and soldiers again on behalf of all Americans, telling them, "America owes you."
Progress in Iraq has come at great cost, Biden said. He noted that more than 4,200 American lives have been lost in Iraq, and thousands more have suffered disabling injuries. Millions of innocent Iraqis are estimated to have been injured orkilled since March 2003, he added.
"Those sacrifices have been real," Biden said. "The sacrifices you've made have been real. They've stabilized Iraq, secured our interests and put us in a position to begin in an orderly fashion to draw down forces and hand over responsibility to the Iraqis."
Biden echoed comments President Barack Obama made to troops during a surprise stop in Iraq yesterday, calling for now as the time for Iraqis to take responsibility of their country. Obama has made it clear the White House is willing "to do everything possible to meet the needs that are required for the mission [in Iraq] and to support you on your return home," Biden said.
"But the work is on the Iraqis' watch now," he added. "You have given the Iraqis the opportunity, for the first time in any of their memories, to live in peace. But it's up to them to make the political reconciliations necessary so they can keep it."
However, the job of America's military isn't done. Too many terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks are still "alive and well" in the mountain and tribal regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Biden said. The president will continue to call on the armed services to combat extremists in those countries, he added.
"Our mission is to disrupt, defeat and dismantle al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said, quoting Obama. "That effort is still under way. There's more work to be done. We're going to be asking more of those of you who wear the uniform."
About 200 soldiers from 18th Airborne Corps headquarters flew into Pope Air Force Base, N.C., on April 4. Austin and 40 more soldiers flew in the following day after officially relinquishing command of Multinational Corps Iraq to 1st Corps from Fort Lewis, Wash.
The 18th Airborne Corps was the operational headquarters in charge of the Iraq military theater from February 2005 to January 2006, and then again from February 2007 until the April 4 turnover. The corps was responsible for nearly 160,000 coalition troops within three Army divisions, a Marine expeditionary force, three coalition divisions and numerous separate brigades.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Adam M. Kuligowski, 21, of Arlington, Va., died Apr. 6 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at (270) 798-9966, or go to www.campbell.army.mil/eh/eaglehonors.htm .
Spc. Adam M. Kuligowski, 21, of Arlington, Va., died Apr. 6 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at (270) 798-9966, or go to www.campbell.army.mil/eh/eaglehonors.htm .
Obama Praises Troops During Surprise Visit to Iraq
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - In a surprise visit to Iraq today, President Barack Obama declared to troops in Baghdad that now is the time for Iraqis "to take responsibility for their country." Obama's stop to visit some 1,500 troops, government civilians and contractors at Camp Victory's Al Faw Palace in Baghdad was his first to Iraq as president.
Obama promptly thanked the troops for their service and personal sacrifice "under enormous strain ... through controversy and difficulty and politics."
"You have performed brilliantly in every mission that has been given to you. You've kept your eyes focused on just doing your job," Obama said. "You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country."
The next 18 months will be critical for the Iraqis to make political accommodations and resolve their constitutional differences, he said.
The United States is committed to Iraq's success, and will continue to work with Iraq's security forces and government to ensure Iraq remains stable. The U.S. military still remains an important aspect to Iraq's stability, and Obama said he hopes Iraq will continue to be a "good neighbor and a good ally."
"We can't do it for them," he said. "But what we can do is make sure that we are a stalwart partner; that we are working alongside them."
Obama also stressed that although the spotlight has shifted to Afghanistan, it's important not to lose focus in Iraq. He said military efforts in Iraq "have to be even more focused."
"Obviously we've spent a lot of time trying to get Afghanistan right," he said. "But I think it's important for us to remember that there's still a lot of work to be done here."
In closing, the president assured the audience that "we have not forgotten what you have already done; we are grateful for what you will do; and as long as I'm in the White House, you're going to get the support you need and the thanks that you deserve from a grateful nation."
In a press availability prior to speaking to the troops, Obama told reporters that the upcoming national elections may resurface unresolved political and religious issues.
"It's very important for [the United States] to use all of our influence to encourage parties to resolve these issues in ways that are equitable and fair," he said.
Following his visit with Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and his troops, Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talibani.
American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - In a surprise visit to Iraq today, President Barack Obama declared to troops in Baghdad that now is the time for Iraqis "to take responsibility for their country." Obama's stop to visit some 1,500 troops, government civilians and contractors at Camp Victory's Al Faw Palace in Baghdad was his first to Iraq as president.
Obama promptly thanked the troops for their service and personal sacrifice "under enormous strain ... through controversy and difficulty and politics."
"You have performed brilliantly in every mission that has been given to you. You've kept your eyes focused on just doing your job," Obama said. "You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country."
The next 18 months will be critical for the Iraqis to make political accommodations and resolve their constitutional differences, he said.
The United States is committed to Iraq's success, and will continue to work with Iraq's security forces and government to ensure Iraq remains stable. The U.S. military still remains an important aspect to Iraq's stability, and Obama said he hopes Iraq will continue to be a "good neighbor and a good ally."
"We can't do it for them," he said. "But what we can do is make sure that we are a stalwart partner; that we are working alongside them."
Obama also stressed that although the spotlight has shifted to Afghanistan, it's important not to lose focus in Iraq. He said military efforts in Iraq "have to be even more focused."
"Obviously we've spent a lot of time trying to get Afghanistan right," he said. "But I think it's important for us to remember that there's still a lot of work to be done here."
In closing, the president assured the audience that "we have not forgotten what you have already done; we are grateful for what you will do; and as long as I'm in the White House, you're going to get the support you need and the thanks that you deserve from a grateful nation."
In a press availability prior to speaking to the troops, Obama told reporters that the upcoming national elections may resurface unresolved political and religious issues.
"It's very important for [the United States] to use all of our influence to encourage parties to resolve these issues in ways that are equitable and fair," he said.
Following his visit with Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and his troops, Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talibani.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Israel Candelaria Mejias, 28, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, died April 5 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when a mine detonated near him during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment in Task Force 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Grafenwoehr, Germany.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the U.S. Army, Europe, public affairs office at 011-49-6221-57-5816/8694.
Spc. Israel Candelaria Mejias, 28, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, died April 5 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when a mine detonated near him during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment in Task Force 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Grafenwoehr, Germany.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the U.S. Army, Europe, public affairs office at 011-49-6221-57-5816/8694.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Daniel J. Beard, 24, of Buffalo, N.Y., died April 3 in Al Diwaniyah, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 147th Postal Company, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Wiesbaden, Germany.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the 21st Theater Sustainment Command public affairs office at 011-49-631-413-8184
Sgt. Daniel J. Beard, 24, of Buffalo, N.Y., died April 3 in Al Diwaniyah, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 147th Postal Company, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Wiesbaden, Germany.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the 21st Theater Sustainment Command public affairs office at 011-49-631-413-8184
Face of Defense: Soldier's No-frills Workout Primes Him for Afghanistan Mission
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - Bathed in the light of a bright, winter moon, just outside of a small village in Afghanistan's Wardak province, Army Spc. David Helton sits on the edge of a black metal bench. It is spattered with red mud, and duct tape holds most of the padded seat in place. The display on his iPod glows and rock music blares through the ear buds.
The squat, 200-pound infantry soldier reaches to the dirt at his feet and picks up a dusty, heavy metal plate and slides it onto the end of the barbell balanced on the bench. The temperature is near freezing, but Helton sports only a tight-fitting Army issued T-shirt, his chest and arms bulging as he works through his nightly weightlifting routine.
In stark contrast to the large, well-equipped gyms that have sprung up in tents and temporary buildings at the more developed forward operating bases in Afghanistan, Helton's muddy, patched-up bench serves as the sole gym equipment at Combat Outpost Apache, occupied by a platoon of soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment.
The bench is flanked by a high mud wall topped with concertina wire, and a freshly built ammunition bunker. A handful of barbell weights and dumbbells are scattered about. It is a no-frills workout, and nearly every day, despite the long missions, Helton keeps his appointment with the bench.
"The impact of our work on a day-to-day basis is pretty big, but I workout because I'm an infantryman. You've got to be strong," Helton said. "You've got to be able to carry out the mission. You've got to be able to pick up a guy and throw him over your shoulder and carry him out of the fight."
COP Apache is housed in an abandoned former district agricultural building. The troops landed, literally, in the valley about a month ago. In the bitter-cold, early morning hours, the infantry soldiers launched with full combat packs from hovering helicopters into waist-deep snow and trudged through a five-mile trek to what is now their outpost.
It was a mission that put his personal fitness to the test, Helton said.
"It put a hurtin' on me," the Ohio-born farm boy said. "But I just kept trucking."
It was tough farm work that made him strong at a young age, Helton said. But he started lifting weights when he was 13 to get stronger for sports. He liked football, wrestling and baseball.
In high school, Helton dropped all other sports to focus on football. Like most young players, there were dreams of moving on to play for college and beyond, but Helton played for a big school, and there was even bigger competition.
So, after high school his focus shifted to marrying his high school sweetheart.
To start a family, Helton figured needed a good-paying job. The big bonuses and benefits of the military lured him and Helton did something he said he had never intended, and signed up for the Army.
Initially, Helton signed on for aviation support, but later reconsidered. His grandfather had served in World War II as a cavalry scout, and somehow, Helton said, his choice in a support role seemed less than "hooah."
Now, with less than four years in, Helton is on his second deployment to Afghanistan as an infantryman.
"I love it. I wouldn't change it. There's only one job in the Army," Helton boasts. "There are different ways to be a soldier, but really only one true way, and I'm doing it."
Helton's first deployment to Afghanistan almost ended his life, or at least his Army career. In June 2006, after a late-night patrol, Helton returned to Forward Operating Base Tillman, in the eastern Paktia province. Beat after the long patrol, Helton hit the bed for a good night's sleep.
He woke up in a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
During the night, the building in which his platoon was sleeping collapsed on them. Too many sandbags were placed on the roof for protection from mortars causing it to cave in. Several were injured. Metal beams crushed Helton's leg and chest. He suffered a collapsed lung and a brain injury. His heart stopped twice, Helton said.
"I thank God I'm still here. I feel really good now," Helton said.
For several months, back in the United States, Helton was forced to lay off his workout and let his body recover. Now, he is back to working out, and back in Afghanistan. He is still working toward his one-time bench-press best of 385 pounds. He is at about 315 pounds now, but to Helton that is disappointing.
"I barely got 300 pounds up," he said of a recent workout.
Helton has big lifting plans. Eventually he would like to be the size of professional body builders, he said.
But for now, it is a struggle to fit a workout into his infantry schedule. Sleep is at a premium here, and it is typically intermittent. A pro-lifting diet is also hard to maintain here, although he stocked up on supplements before the deployment.
"We're always so busy," he said. "It's really easy to get back over here and get out of shape, because you get beat down quite a bit working all the time. You've just got to keep it up."
Helton said his daily workouts help manage his stress level. Lifting helps him relax.
"It seems like it just puts me in a different place," Helton said.
But, despite is eventual goals, Helton said his main purpose now is to get stronger for his infantry mission. While his extra bulk has admittedly slowed his physical fitness test two-mile run-time, the extra muscle allows him to better shoulder the hundreds of rounds of ammunition and weapons and gear he carries daily.
"For this type of mission ... it's really good to be strong," Helton said. "It's good being a pack mule over here. You can hump more weight. You can keep going."
And when he thinks about skipping a workout, it is Helton's dedication to his mission that sends him back to the worn bench sitting in the dirt under the stars.
"If you don't keep it up, what are you going to do when you really need that extra strength?" Helton said.
American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - Bathed in the light of a bright, winter moon, just outside of a small village in Afghanistan's Wardak province, Army Spc. David Helton sits on the edge of a black metal bench. It is spattered with red mud, and duct tape holds most of the padded seat in place. The display on his iPod glows and rock music blares through the ear buds.
The squat, 200-pound infantry soldier reaches to the dirt at his feet and picks up a dusty, heavy metal plate and slides it onto the end of the barbell balanced on the bench. The temperature is near freezing, but Helton sports only a tight-fitting Army issued T-shirt, his chest and arms bulging as he works through his nightly weightlifting routine.
In stark contrast to the large, well-equipped gyms that have sprung up in tents and temporary buildings at the more developed forward operating bases in Afghanistan, Helton's muddy, patched-up bench serves as the sole gym equipment at Combat Outpost Apache, occupied by a platoon of soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment.
The bench is flanked by a high mud wall topped with concertina wire, and a freshly built ammunition bunker. A handful of barbell weights and dumbbells are scattered about. It is a no-frills workout, and nearly every day, despite the long missions, Helton keeps his appointment with the bench.
"The impact of our work on a day-to-day basis is pretty big, but I workout because I'm an infantryman. You've got to be strong," Helton said. "You've got to be able to carry out the mission. You've got to be able to pick up a guy and throw him over your shoulder and carry him out of the fight."
COP Apache is housed in an abandoned former district agricultural building. The troops landed, literally, in the valley about a month ago. In the bitter-cold, early morning hours, the infantry soldiers launched with full combat packs from hovering helicopters into waist-deep snow and trudged through a five-mile trek to what is now their outpost.
It was a mission that put his personal fitness to the test, Helton said.
"It put a hurtin' on me," the Ohio-born farm boy said. "But I just kept trucking."
It was tough farm work that made him strong at a young age, Helton said. But he started lifting weights when he was 13 to get stronger for sports. He liked football, wrestling and baseball.
In high school, Helton dropped all other sports to focus on football. Like most young players, there were dreams of moving on to play for college and beyond, but Helton played for a big school, and there was even bigger competition.
So, after high school his focus shifted to marrying his high school sweetheart.
To start a family, Helton figured needed a good-paying job. The big bonuses and benefits of the military lured him and Helton did something he said he had never intended, and signed up for the Army.
Initially, Helton signed on for aviation support, but later reconsidered. His grandfather had served in World War II as a cavalry scout, and somehow, Helton said, his choice in a support role seemed less than "hooah."
Now, with less than four years in, Helton is on his second deployment to Afghanistan as an infantryman.
"I love it. I wouldn't change it. There's only one job in the Army," Helton boasts. "There are different ways to be a soldier, but really only one true way, and I'm doing it."
Helton's first deployment to Afghanistan almost ended his life, or at least his Army career. In June 2006, after a late-night patrol, Helton returned to Forward Operating Base Tillman, in the eastern Paktia province. Beat after the long patrol, Helton hit the bed for a good night's sleep.
He woke up in a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
During the night, the building in which his platoon was sleeping collapsed on them. Too many sandbags were placed on the roof for protection from mortars causing it to cave in. Several were injured. Metal beams crushed Helton's leg and chest. He suffered a collapsed lung and a brain injury. His heart stopped twice, Helton said.
"I thank God I'm still here. I feel really good now," Helton said.
For several months, back in the United States, Helton was forced to lay off his workout and let his body recover. Now, he is back to working out, and back in Afghanistan. He is still working toward his one-time bench-press best of 385 pounds. He is at about 315 pounds now, but to Helton that is disappointing.
"I barely got 300 pounds up," he said of a recent workout.
Helton has big lifting plans. Eventually he would like to be the size of professional body builders, he said.
But for now, it is a struggle to fit a workout into his infantry schedule. Sleep is at a premium here, and it is typically intermittent. A pro-lifting diet is also hard to maintain here, although he stocked up on supplements before the deployment.
"We're always so busy," he said. "It's really easy to get back over here and get out of shape, because you get beat down quite a bit working all the time. You've just got to keep it up."
Helton said his daily workouts help manage his stress level. Lifting helps him relax.
"It seems like it just puts me in a different place," Helton said.
But, despite is eventual goals, Helton said his main purpose now is to get stronger for his infantry mission. While his extra bulk has admittedly slowed his physical fitness test two-mile run-time, the extra muscle allows him to better shoulder the hundreds of rounds of ammunition and weapons and gear he carries daily.
"For this type of mission ... it's really good to be strong," Helton said. "It's good being a pack mule over here. You can hump more weight. You can keep going."
And when he thinks about skipping a workout, it is Helton's dedication to his mission that sends him back to the worn bench sitting in the dirt under the stars.
"If you don't keep it up, what are you going to do when you really need that extra strength?" Helton said.
Task Force Soldiers Build Relationships in Central Afghanistan
By Army 1st Lt. Christopher Stachura
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - Soldiers from Task Force Catamount recently met with village elders to address concerns, build relationships and inform residents about ongoing operations in central Afghanistan's Wardak province. The province's Nerkh district comprises several remote areas that are known safe havens for Taliban. During a recent mission, soldiers from Blackhawk Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, noted the importance of building relationships with villagers in remote areas.
"In the past, Taliban have found sanctuary in remote areas of Wardak province," Army Capt. James McCune, Blackhawk Company commander, said. "The summer fighting season is approaching and we have undertaken a proactive approach to combat the arrival of insurgents.
"We are developing relationships with local leaders throughout Nerkh and Mayden Shahr, letting them know we are here to bring peace and substantive economic improvements. The insurgent campaign of intimidation will be challenged at every turn."
Some villages confirmed a Taliban presence in their area, but were unwilling to elaborate out of fear of reprisals. Village elders stressed to the team that if they had access to jobs, the Taliban would lose local support.
Task Force Catamount is slated to spend several million dollars in Wardak province on an array of projects designed to improve the local economy. The projects include highway construction, bridge repair, construction of clinics and schools, well repair, irrigation construction, and solar panels for electricity.
"The arrival of Catamount soldiers marks a new beginning for all people in Wardak province," Army Sgt. Maj. Patrick T. Corcoran, TF Catamount, said. "The security has improved and economic development is ongoing. We are highly trained and well-resourced to accomplish this type of mission."
Last month, 3rd Platoon soldiers travelled to the secluded village of Qal eh-ye Jalal Boji to speak with villagers and hear their concerns. Village elders asked for assistance irrigating their crops, fixing their water pump, and finding a way to provide water for the village during the summer months when the well dries up.
In western Mayden Shahr district, 1st Platoon, Blackhawk Company, conducted patrols in the villages of Busraq, Mullakaka and Torkhill. Unlike more secluded areas where villagers approach with caution, the villagers of Busraq warmly welcomed the soldiers.
"We are extremely pleased to have you visit our village," Busraq village elder Momad Jan said. "It is the first time since American forces have been in Afghanistan that anyone has taken the time to stop and talk with us about our problems."
With relationships established in remote areas, the company plans to continue joint operations with Afghan national security forces, ensuring the newly formed relationships with villagers continue.
"We are encouraged by your presence and look forward to your help," Anaitullah, a village elder of Torkhill, said.
(Army 1st Lt. Christopher Stachura serves with 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment. Army 1st Lt. Eric Thomsett contributed to this article.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - Soldiers from Task Force Catamount recently met with village elders to address concerns, build relationships and inform residents about ongoing operations in central Afghanistan's Wardak province. The province's Nerkh district comprises several remote areas that are known safe havens for Taliban. During a recent mission, soldiers from Blackhawk Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, noted the importance of building relationships with villagers in remote areas.
"In the past, Taliban have found sanctuary in remote areas of Wardak province," Army Capt. James McCune, Blackhawk Company commander, said. "The summer fighting season is approaching and we have undertaken a proactive approach to combat the arrival of insurgents.
"We are developing relationships with local leaders throughout Nerkh and Mayden Shahr, letting them know we are here to bring peace and substantive economic improvements. The insurgent campaign of intimidation will be challenged at every turn."
Some villages confirmed a Taliban presence in their area, but were unwilling to elaborate out of fear of reprisals. Village elders stressed to the team that if they had access to jobs, the Taliban would lose local support.
Task Force Catamount is slated to spend several million dollars in Wardak province on an array of projects designed to improve the local economy. The projects include highway construction, bridge repair, construction of clinics and schools, well repair, irrigation construction, and solar panels for electricity.
"The arrival of Catamount soldiers marks a new beginning for all people in Wardak province," Army Sgt. Maj. Patrick T. Corcoran, TF Catamount, said. "The security has improved and economic development is ongoing. We are highly trained and well-resourced to accomplish this type of mission."
Last month, 3rd Platoon soldiers travelled to the secluded village of Qal eh-ye Jalal Boji to speak with villagers and hear their concerns. Village elders asked for assistance irrigating their crops, fixing their water pump, and finding a way to provide water for the village during the summer months when the well dries up.
In western Mayden Shahr district, 1st Platoon, Blackhawk Company, conducted patrols in the villages of Busraq, Mullakaka and Torkhill. Unlike more secluded areas where villagers approach with caution, the villagers of Busraq warmly welcomed the soldiers.
"We are extremely pleased to have you visit our village," Busraq village elder Momad Jan said. "It is the first time since American forces have been in Afghanistan that anyone has taken the time to stop and talk with us about our problems."
With relationships established in remote areas, the company plans to continue joint operations with Afghan national security forces, ensuring the newly formed relationships with villagers continue.
"We are encouraged by your presence and look forward to your help," Anaitullah, a village elder of Torkhill, said.
(Army 1st Lt. Christopher Stachura serves with 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment. Army 1st Lt. Eric Thomsett contributed to this article.)
Iraqis Provide New Line of Security at Joint Base Balad
By Air Force Staff Sgt. John GordinierSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - Another layer of outer perimeter security, provided by Iraqis, was added here April 1 to help protect servicemembers. The new initiative is staffed by more than 100 Iraqis from the surrounding area.
"This is a tremendous boost to the 'Iraqi First' program," Air Force Lt. Col. Raymond Reyes, commander of the Regional Contracting Center here, said. "It provides economic opportunities in the Diyala and Salahuddin provinces while providing our coalition forces the added force-protection measures we need."
The Iraqi First program is designed to encourage Iraqi economic expansion, entrepreneurship and individual development.
The contractor exceeded the 80-percent requirement and employed 100-percent Iraqis, Reyes noted. The initiative also includes women.
The initiative, which includes certification training, improves perimeter and checkpoint security from vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and insurgents, Air Force Maj. Scott Selchert, plans and programs chief for the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group, said.
"We are attempting to give some ownership of security back to the people who live in the local area because they have a vested interest in [Joint Base Balad]," Selchert said.
"In my opinion, the Iraqis are highly motivated to work and succeed," he continued. "There were 114 jobs offered in the contract, and more than 300 applied."
As it boosts the local economy and the base's security, this multifaceted approach is expected to significantly reduce the risk of IED attacks against the base here.
"I am very proud of this job because I am able to provide security to my people while cooperating with U.S. forces," Arafat, one of the Iraqi security supervisors, said through an interpreter. "I was trained on how to search vehicles and personnel, then I trained my team."
Many of the Iraqis are former Iraqi soldiers and, on the first day, they marched in formation to work, Selchert said. Part of the requirement for the job was a uniform, and some had to spend as much as a month's pay to buy it.
"I have no doubt in my mind that they are mission ready, mission capable and ready to go right now," Selchert said. "Absolutely, this is a step forward."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. John Gordinier serves with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs office.)
Obama Praises Troops for Performing 'Brilliantly' in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - In an unannounced visit here today, President Barack Obama praised servicemembers and government employees for their professionalism and sacrifice. "You have performed brilliantly in every mission that has been given to you," Obama told about 1,500 U.S. servicemembers, government civilians and contractors at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, the headquarters of Multinational Corps Iraq.
The president thanked the assembled servicemembers for their steadfast focus on the task at hand. "Through controversy and difficulty and politics, you kept your eyes focused on just doing your job."
Obama acknowledged that work remains to be done in Iraq, but told the servicemembers that through their service, they have been critical in ensuring that Iraq no longer remains a haven for terrorists.
"You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That is an extraordinary achievement, and for that you have the thanks of the American people," he said.
In closing, the president assured the audience that "we have not forgotten what you have already done; we are grateful for what you will do; and as long as I'm in the White House, you're going to get the support you need and the thanks that you deserve from a grateful nation."
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
April 7, 2009 - In an unannounced visit here today, President Barack Obama praised servicemembers and government employees for their professionalism and sacrifice. "You have performed brilliantly in every mission that has been given to you," Obama told about 1,500 U.S. servicemembers, government civilians and contractors at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, the headquarters of Multinational Corps Iraq.
The president thanked the assembled servicemembers for their steadfast focus on the task at hand. "Through controversy and difficulty and politics, you kept your eyes focused on just doing your job."
Obama acknowledged that work remains to be done in Iraq, but told the servicemembers that through their service, they have been critical in ensuring that Iraq no longer remains a haven for terrorists.
"You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That is an extraordinary achievement, and for that you have the thanks of the American people," he said.
In closing, the president assured the audience that "we have not forgotten what you have already done; we are grateful for what you will do; and as long as I'm in the White House, you're going to get the support you need and the thanks that you deserve from a grateful nation."
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Iraqi Flight Surgeons Step Onto World Stage
American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2009 - After years of sanctions and forced isolation, two Iraqi air force officers have stepped onto the world stage and presented their study at a NATO conference in Germany. Iraqi air force flight surgeons Maj. Abdulrazzaq and 1st Lt. Hazem presented their findings on a fatal Iraqi Mi-17 helicopter crash last month to the annual NATO Flight Surgeons' Conference at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Two Iraqi pilots were killed in March 2008 while flying into a sandstorm. The Iraqi flight surgeons presented two lessons learned from the incident. The first was a need to accelerate instrument training and the second was to increase the practice of emergency procedures.
Air Force Col. (Dr.) William W. Dodson III, the surgeon for Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq's Coalition Air Force Training Team and the Iraqi air force's medical services advisor and director of training, escorted the doctors to the conference.
"The five-day conference marked an historic first for the Iraqi air force," Dodson said. "To present on the world stage to other flight surgeons from 26 countries, Abdulrazzaq and Hazem represented their country well."
Prior to the conference, the Iraqi flight surgeons attended partnering sessions where they learned from their counterparts during real-time workplace operations.
"It's been an honor ... working with Drs. Abdulrazzaq and Hazem, they are true professionals," Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert C. Kane, commander for the MNSTC-I Coalition Air Force Training Team, said. "They received a resounding ovation from the other conference attendees as the only presenters in the history of the conference from the Middle East.
"This initiative will result in a more capable Iraqi air force and it is a vital step toward ensuring Iraq's self-sufficiency during the critical transition from coalition- to Iraqi-led operations in support of the security agreement between Iraq and the United States," he said.
(From a Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq news release.)
April 7, 2009 - After years of sanctions and forced isolation, two Iraqi air force officers have stepped onto the world stage and presented their study at a NATO conference in Germany. Iraqi air force flight surgeons Maj. Abdulrazzaq and 1st Lt. Hazem presented their findings on a fatal Iraqi Mi-17 helicopter crash last month to the annual NATO Flight Surgeons' Conference at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Two Iraqi pilots were killed in March 2008 while flying into a sandstorm. The Iraqi flight surgeons presented two lessons learned from the incident. The first was a need to accelerate instrument training and the second was to increase the practice of emergency procedures.
Air Force Col. (Dr.) William W. Dodson III, the surgeon for Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq's Coalition Air Force Training Team and the Iraqi air force's medical services advisor and director of training, escorted the doctors to the conference.
"The five-day conference marked an historic first for the Iraqi air force," Dodson said. "To present on the world stage to other flight surgeons from 26 countries, Abdulrazzaq and Hazem represented their country well."
Prior to the conference, the Iraqi flight surgeons attended partnering sessions where they learned from their counterparts during real-time workplace operations.
"It's been an honor ... working with Drs. Abdulrazzaq and Hazem, they are true professionals," Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert C. Kane, commander for the MNSTC-I Coalition Air Force Training Team, said. "They received a resounding ovation from the other conference attendees as the only presenters in the history of the conference from the Middle East.
"This initiative will result in a more capable Iraqi air force and it is a vital step toward ensuring Iraq's self-sufficiency during the critical transition from coalition- to Iraqi-led operations in support of the security agreement between Iraq and the United States," he said.
(From a Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq news release.)
Monday, April 06, 2009
Face of Defense: Soldier Leads Platoon Down Dangerous Roads in Iraq
By Scott FlennerSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 6, 2009 - Hours on a route clearance mission can lead to many inside jokes. For soldiers of the 688th Engineer Company's 2nd Platoon, their platoon leader provided the ammunition. The holder of three types of martial arts black belts, Army 1st Lt. Richard Warehime is fondly referred to as "happy feet" by his soldiers. And while the soldiers joke, they also are quick to explain why their "LT" is one of the best.
For the past year, Warehime has successfully led his platoon, which is attached to the 890th Engineer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade, down some of the most dangerous routes in Baghdad, clearing them of explosives that threaten the safety of everyone in Iraq.
"Every day, I wake up and consider myself very fortunate to work with the group of people that I do," Warehime, a Texarkana, Texas, native, said. "What I enjoy most is the platoon, just being around the guys."
Along with his daily platoon leader tasks of mission planning, intelligence gathering and overall command and control of his soldiers, Warehime leads his soldiers from the front by performing every duty, driving every vehicle and completing every task involved in a route clearance mission.
"I wanted to learn more about the vehicles and what jobs the other soldiers do so I started driving and [troop commanding] different vehicles," Warehime said. "[The knowledge] is very beneficial ... I would not ask my soldiers to do a job that I would not do myself."
Of his favorite vehicle, he said, "The buffalo is nice because it is a lot more powerful to smash stuff, but I really like the husky. It is a lot more versatile vehicle, the most survivable vehicle and it can tow anything. It is probably my favorite because it is so useful."
Warehime has gained the respect and confidence of his soldiers and command over the past year.
"He is an extraordinary, incredible officer with a ton of talent who brought the best out of his soldiers," Army Capt. Marc Anderson, commander for the 688th Engineer Company, said. "I have been impressed with him from the time we started. Throughout the deployment, he continually encouraged soldiers to bring ideas and concepts forward, and that is what makes him a great leader."
(Scott Flenner works for the 225th Engineer Brigade.)
Reconciliation Offers Fresh Start in Iraq
By Army Sgt. Angie JohnstonSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 6, 2009 - The Iraqi army, aided by U.S. soldiers, helped more than 30 people here in Salahuddin province, north of Baghdad, on March 30 to clear their names of criminal charges against them. Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division's Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team assisted in what is known here as reconciliation. The process guarantees a wanted man will not be arrested unless he is guilty of murder. Under the program, sheiks and other local leaders convinced residents who have warrants out for their arrest to come here to reconcile their differences with the Iraqi government.
"This reconciliation is a great opportunity for those people who are wanted, but innocent. Some are wanted for real crimes, but some of these men never did anything wrong," said Sheik Sami Husayn Abdulla al-Bayati, the tribal leader for the town of Muftul.
Abdulla al-Bayati brought several members of his tribe here to reconcile. Prior to the event, he widely publicized the reconciliation by distributing flyers and passing the word to everyone he knows.
"My people are very happy and enthusiastic about this," he said. "They wanted to come here. All they have to do is give their name and have a photo taken and their name will be cleared."
U.S. soldiers assisted the Iraqi army with security and ran equipment to take biometric and fingerprint scans. They also scanned Iraqi identification cards and entered them into a database that the Iraqi army will keep for future use.
Army Spc. Charles Wagner entered identification documents alongside Iraqi soldiers.
"This just provides extra clarification of who they are and adds documentation to say they've come in and reconciled," Wagner said. "I can see that these guys are just trying to get on with their lives. What happened in the past, happened in the past."
Army Pfc. Rodney Hewitt and his Iraqi army counterparts administered retinal scans and took the fingerprints of each person who came through the reconciliation stations.
Once collected, the information was passed on to Iraqi security forces and the men were released to their tribal leaders. Sheik Shokr Murshed Toama al-Bayati, who leads the people of the al-Thahab village, said he has attended five reconciliation events in the past.
"We wish for this whole area to become peaceful again," the sheik said. "We don't want even one person left as 'wanted.' Then everyone can have a peaceful life in Iraq."
Toama al-Bayati was accompanied by a handful of wanted men from al-Thahab. Each of them reconciled with the Iraqi government and was released.
"This is like turning a new page for them; we've folded the old one over," he said. "We've overcome 90 to 95 percent of our problems already. This makes things even better in Salahuddin."
Some attendees of the reconciliation event were wanted for
lesser crimes, such as theft. Others insisted they were falsely accused of crimes they never committed.
"It's all about tribal and family troubles," Muthana Ahmed said. "I sat in jail for six months because no proof was required. All it took to send me to jail was someone saying I did something wrong."
The Army is working with the Iraqi government in Salahuddin to develop better forensics techniques and to teach their counterparts that physical evidence is an important part of gaining convictions in court. Tim Lorenzen, a law enforcement professional who works with the STB, has arranged for local police to attend specialized forensic training at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit.
During the training, Iraqi police will learn the importance of crime-scene photography, fingerprinting and accurate witness statements, as well as having the opportunity to train one-on-one with Lorenzen.
"People came to me to ask about this reconciliation," said Sheik Salih Jassem Mohammad from Dibbaj. "I brought a lot of people. They were all comfortable because they see that coalition forces are working with the Iraqi army. Everyone knows [the Iraqi army] can be trusted now."
(Army Sgt. Angie Johnston serves with the 25th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team public affairs office.)
Team Fosters Self-Sufficiency in Afghanistan
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Zachary WilsonSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 6, 2009 - For more than eight years, the Afghan government has been building the country from the ground up, using millions of dollars in aid from foreign governments and private groups. In northern Afghanistan's Panjshir province, however, progress is not measured merely in dollar signs and projects completed, the members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team are using these capabilities to move residents toward self-sufficiency.
Air Force Lt. Col. Mark Stratton, the PRT commander, divides his organization's mission into three areas, each reliant on the other, to accomplish this: developing roads to allow access to isolated villages, ensuring the work within the Panjshir Valley is a "home-grown effort," and creating conditions that make investment in the area sustainable.
"The people here want and need development," Stratton said. "We really work with the local provincial government to help build these opportunities that will lead to private re-investment. One way we're doing this is by paving the road to Badakshan and planning for the 'rib roads,' which will connect the people to the rich natural resource supply" in the province.
The team also is working to increase production and efficiency in what the Panjshir people know and do best -- agriculture.
Most of the province is dependent on agriculture, so the PRT works heavily in that area with the Panjshir government as well as representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Army Corps of Engineers.
"We work within the local government to teach self-sufficiency, as we are not going to be here forever," Army Lt. Col. Steve Lancaster, chief of the Panjshir PRT's civil affairs section, said.
A part of that effort is the team's work with a local nonprofit group, the Massoud Foundation, to donate $25,000 in small loans to the people of the Panjshir Valley. If granted, a family receives a $500 loan with zero interest.
"This will allow a person to buy a cow, start a business, whatever they want to do to take care of their families," Lancaster said.
The program is managed with the Panjshir Valley's Massoud Group, which has an office in every Afghan province.
"This is all about putting money in the hands of the people," said Sadiqi, director of the Panjshir Valley Massoud Foundation. "It's really a small investment that people can use to start their own businesses -- there is no set payment plan, but after six months, they should be able to bring back the $500. We don't charge them interest, and we'll loan the money back out to the next applicant."
Other projects include the development of chicken-raising programs, which allow women to receive 12 chickens to produce eggs that they can sell to their neighbors. Lancaster also is working with local officials and his U.S. Agriculture Department counterpart to develop crop projects that use dynamic growing techniques such as row cropping and drip irrigation. These techniques improve the survivability and validity of various fruit trees and wheat fields, which can then be transplanted around the province to provide more crops, and thus, more income.
"The governor's main focus for this year was agriculture," Lancaster said. "We are hoping that we will be able to teach them to grow enough crops to not only sell to neighboring countries for money, but also be able to keep some of what they grow for their own uses."
For Army Sgt. Michael Kelly, who serves on Lancaster's civil affairs team and is deployed from Riverside, Calif., the opportunity to take part in these unique projects has been a valuable experience.
"It is very fulfilling to me to help people in their time of need and during emergencies," said Kelly, who also serves as a humanitarian aid requisition, distribution and storage NCO. "Agriculture is a priority of what we do here, and it's been an extremely unique experience working here when you look at some of the other things I have done in the Army."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Zachary Wilson serves with U.S. Air Forces Central public affairs.)
1st Corps Soldiers Relieve Fort Bragg Troops
By Army Sgt Lindsey BradfordSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 6, 2009 - Army Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. took the reins from Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III as the Multinational Corps Iraq commanding general in a transfer of authority ceremony April 4 at Camp Victory's Al Faw Palace here. Jacoby serves as the commander of 1st Corps, based at Fort Lewis, Wash., and Austin as the commander of 18th Airborne Corps, based at Fort Bragg, N.C.
The day not only marked a new command at the palace, it also etched a new chapter in 1st Corps' lineage; 1st Corps headquarters has not deployed to an active combat zone in more than 50 years, since serving in the Korean War in 1953.
Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Multinational Force Iraq commander and a former MNC-I commander, spoke highly of the progress Austin has made in the past 14 months, during which he commanded about 169,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines at the Corps' peak strength.
"I handed the colors to Austin [in 2008], and there was no one better suited to lead the Corps," Odierno said. "They proved that every day."
Odierno said Austin and Task Force Dragon tackled great
responsibilities upon arriving in Iraq. Combat brigades involved in the "surge" strategy were beginning to redeploy, and Austin had to review current operations and adapt quickly to changes on the ground. Austin knew the challenges that were ahead of him, and he met them head on, Odierno said.
Before discussing accomplishments and the successes of the 18th Airborne Corps in Iraq, Austin asked all in attendance to take a moment to remember Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, the first Medal of Honor recipient in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who was killed in action six years ago to the day.
Austin noted that the 18th Airborne Corps was able to seize opportunities to better the country for the people of Iraq, as well as the Iraqi government and security forces.
After thanking all who served during his command, Austin said the coalition's close working relationship with Iraqi security forces would continue to flourish under Jacoby's command.
"There's still much more left to do... I am confident that [Iraq] will continue to see progress," he said.
Austin then motioned for Jacoby to take his place at the stand as the new commander of MNC-I.
"It's a great day for 1st Corps," Jacoby said. "We are here to honor the extraordinary accomplishments of the 18th Airborne Corps and mark the start of the relationship between 1st Corps and the people of Iraq."
Jacoby accepted command of MNC-I and promised his
predecessor that no other corps is more suitable for the job. He said 1st Corps soldiers, now a part of Task Force Courage, trained for months before getting their boots on ground, ensuring they would be able to provide top-notch support to coalition forces and Iraqi security forces.
"Our time is now," he emphasized, "to deliver with success and honor."
(Army Sgt Lindsey Bradford serves with Multinational Corps Iraq public affairs).
Iraqi Security Forces Improve Amid 'Astounding' Security Gains
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 6, 2009 - The improved security and reduced violence in Iraq today is far different than the situation that existed there just a few years ago, a senior U.S. officer posted in Iraq said today. "This is my fourth deployment in Iraq, and I can tell you that the improvements that I have seen –- that I've personally seen -- have been astounding," Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Juan G. Ayala, commanding general of 2nd Marine Logistics Group, told reporters during a satellite-carried Pentagon news conference.
Ayala participated in the news conference from his unit's base at Camp al Taqaddum in western Iraq's Anbar province. His forward-deployed logistics unit of 4,000 sailors and Marines arrived in Iraq in mid-January. The logistics group's stateside home is Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The successful Iraq provincial elections witnessed in January, Ayala said, exemplify the "significant strides that have been made here in al Anbar province."
Yet, "things were different" during the 2005 Iraqi provincial elections, Ayala said. Voter turnout for that election was low, he recalled, and more than 300 attacks occurred on election day.
Fast-forward to today, Ayala said, and "you have the people of Iraq peacefully taking part in elections."
The mostly violence-free Iraqi elections in January were "a testament to Iraq, to the U.S. and the world, that the sacrifices of the Iraqi security forces and the coalition forces over the past six years have really made a difference," Ayala said.
In early 2006, Ayala said, he began one of his four Iraq tours of duty as a military advisor to officers and soldiers of the 1st Iraqi Army Division.
At that time, he recalled, the 1st Iraqi Division lacked the soldiers, adequate training and sufficient equipment required to fight the insurgency.
However, he said, the 1st and 7th Iraqi Army Divisions posted in Anbar province today display "a newfound confidence within the ranks" and unit cohesion.
In fact, Ayala said, the 1st Iraqi Army Division recently deployed a quick-reaction force to conduct anti-insurgent operations in Basra in southern Iraq.
"This was something unheard of a few years ago," Ayala said.
And, in early 2007, the streets and roads of Ramadi and Fallujah in western Iraq were "gauntlets of violence," he said, upon which coalition forces couldn't travel without the threat of insurgent attack.
"Today, we traverse these same roads and it is an entirely different scene," Ayala said. "There is a sense of normalcy amongst the people, commerce has picked up and more importantly, there's a constant presence of Iraqi security forces -- mainly police -- in the cities and in the streets."
The increased security and stability experienced in that area, he added, also has prompted an increase in tourism.
Yet, "the increased stability in the security situation is relatively new, and it still needs time to mature," Ayala said. Meanwhile, he said, the Iraqi security forces in the area can now focus on improving their capabilities.
Meanwhile, Ayala said his unit continues to provide logistics support to U.S. and coalition forces, while providing mentoring to Iraqi units within the region.
"Every embedded advisor team, whether they're advising the police or the [Iraqi] army, has a logistics expert within that team," Ayala explained. Those advisors, he added, mentor Iraqi police and soldiers on issues involving supply, maintenance, transportation, engineering, medical, bomb-disposal and other specialties.
"The Iraqi security forces are very competent now, operationally," Ayala said. "Where they really need support now is logistics. And, we're doing that now."
Iraqi soldiers also are honing their field first-aid skills, Ayala said, through basic combat lifesaving training provided by his advisors.
The 1st Iraqi Army Division stood up internal motor transport regiments in 2006, Ayala said, so that it could move its troops and distribute equipment and other supplies.
Those Iraqi army transportation units still have U.S. advisors, but they are maturing and are "getting better" every day, Ayala said.
Meanwhile, Ayala said, the Iraqis are now self-sufficient with regard to supplying their security forces with petroleum-based products such as gasoline and diesel fuel.
"Their Ministry of Oil, through their government, has allotted fuel for the Iraqi army and the Iraqi security forces," Ayala said.
By and large, the Iraqi security forces "are in the lead," said Ayala, noting they're now planning and conducting their own operations.
After focusing on counter-insurgency operations over the past two or three years, he said, the Iraqi security forces have demonstrated battlefield competence and are ready to improve their logistical skills.
"They're saying, 'Ok, what do we have to do now to self-sustain?'" Ayala said. "And, they're doing it with our mentoring and our assistance and our advising."
Asked by a reporter if further drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq might affect Marine forces under his command, Ayala replied that that decision is up to senior U.S. civilian and military leaders.
"Unit levels and unit strengths are determined by our national leadership," Ayala said. "I'm sure some units are going to be diverted.
"But, right now," he continued, "we still have a very vital mission, a very important mission here in Iraq, and the units that we have are the right units, the right number of units to complete the mission that we still have here."
Meanwhile, Ayala said, Iraq continues to enjoy improved security and reduced levels of violence.
"I think we're on track," he said.
American Forces Press Service
April 6, 2009 - The improved security and reduced violence in Iraq today is far different than the situation that existed there just a few years ago, a senior U.S. officer posted in Iraq said today. "This is my fourth deployment in Iraq, and I can tell you that the improvements that I have seen –- that I've personally seen -- have been astounding," Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Juan G. Ayala, commanding general of 2nd Marine Logistics Group, told reporters during a satellite-carried Pentagon news conference.
Ayala participated in the news conference from his unit's base at Camp al Taqaddum in western Iraq's Anbar province. His forward-deployed logistics unit of 4,000 sailors and Marines arrived in Iraq in mid-January. The logistics group's stateside home is Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The successful Iraq provincial elections witnessed in January, Ayala said, exemplify the "significant strides that have been made here in al Anbar province."
Yet, "things were different" during the 2005 Iraqi provincial elections, Ayala said. Voter turnout for that election was low, he recalled, and more than 300 attacks occurred on election day.
Fast-forward to today, Ayala said, and "you have the people of Iraq peacefully taking part in elections."
The mostly violence-free Iraqi elections in January were "a testament to Iraq, to the U.S. and the world, that the sacrifices of the Iraqi security forces and the coalition forces over the past six years have really made a difference," Ayala said.
In early 2006, Ayala said, he began one of his four Iraq tours of duty as a military advisor to officers and soldiers of the 1st Iraqi Army Division.
At that time, he recalled, the 1st Iraqi Division lacked the soldiers, adequate training and sufficient equipment required to fight the insurgency.
However, he said, the 1st and 7th Iraqi Army Divisions posted in Anbar province today display "a newfound confidence within the ranks" and unit cohesion.
In fact, Ayala said, the 1st Iraqi Army Division recently deployed a quick-reaction force to conduct anti-insurgent operations in Basra in southern Iraq.
"This was something unheard of a few years ago," Ayala said.
And, in early 2007, the streets and roads of Ramadi and Fallujah in western Iraq were "gauntlets of violence," he said, upon which coalition forces couldn't travel without the threat of insurgent attack.
"Today, we traverse these same roads and it is an entirely different scene," Ayala said. "There is a sense of normalcy amongst the people, commerce has picked up and more importantly, there's a constant presence of Iraqi security forces -- mainly police -- in the cities and in the streets."
The increased security and stability experienced in that area, he added, also has prompted an increase in tourism.
Yet, "the increased stability in the security situation is relatively new, and it still needs time to mature," Ayala said. Meanwhile, he said, the Iraqi security forces in the area can now focus on improving their capabilities.
Meanwhile, Ayala said his unit continues to provide logistics support to U.S. and coalition forces, while providing mentoring to Iraqi units within the region.
"Every embedded advisor team, whether they're advising the police or the [Iraqi] army, has a logistics expert within that team," Ayala explained. Those advisors, he added, mentor Iraqi police and soldiers on issues involving supply, maintenance, transportation, engineering, medical, bomb-disposal and other specialties.
"The Iraqi security forces are very competent now, operationally," Ayala said. "Where they really need support now is logistics. And, we're doing that now."
Iraqi soldiers also are honing their field first-aid skills, Ayala said, through basic combat lifesaving training provided by his advisors.
The 1st Iraqi Army Division stood up internal motor transport regiments in 2006, Ayala said, so that it could move its troops and distribute equipment and other supplies.
Those Iraqi army transportation units still have U.S. advisors, but they are maturing and are "getting better" every day, Ayala said.
Meanwhile, Ayala said, the Iraqis are now self-sufficient with regard to supplying their security forces with petroleum-based products such as gasoline and diesel fuel.
"Their Ministry of Oil, through their government, has allotted fuel for the Iraqi army and the Iraqi security forces," Ayala said.
By and large, the Iraqi security forces "are in the lead," said Ayala, noting they're now planning and conducting their own operations.
After focusing on counter-insurgency operations over the past two or three years, he said, the Iraqi security forces have demonstrated battlefield competence and are ready to improve their logistical skills.
"They're saying, 'Ok, what do we have to do now to self-sustain?'" Ayala said. "And, they're doing it with our mentoring and our assistance and our advising."
Asked by a reporter if further drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq might affect Marine forces under his command, Ayala replied that that decision is up to senior U.S. civilian and military leaders.
"Unit levels and unit strengths are determined by our national leadership," Ayala said. "I'm sure some units are going to be diverted.
"But, right now," he continued, "we still have a very vital mission, a very important mission here in Iraq, and the units that we have are the right units, the right number of units to complete the mission that we still have here."
Meanwhile, Ayala said, Iraq continues to enjoy improved security and reduced levels of violence.
"I think we're on track," he said.
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- April 6, 2009
CDC [Center for Disease Control and Prevention] promotes partnerships in emergency response
"On March 18, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) three business cooperative agreement grantees, the National Business Coalition on Health, the National Business Group on Health, and the National Safety Council visited the agency to present information on their partnerships and how they help to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce injury. […] Each year, the public faces potential health threats, from pandemic influenza, to hurricanes, to bioterrorism. […] The National Center for Health Marketing's (NCHM) Division of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances (DPSA) collaborated with one of CDC's business cooperative agreement grantees, the National Safety Council (NSC), to create the Emergency Alert Network (EAN). […] EAN has the capacity to reach more than 17,000 businesses with CDC-cleared information in the event of a public health emergency. Collectively, these businesses have the potential to reach 8 million employees and their dependents." (Relief Web; 03Apr09; Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/CJAL-7QRNNU?OpenDocument
State budget unlikely to gouge county programs [NY]
"When it comes to the state budget's effect on Tompkins' County [NY] government, there was some good news and there was some bad news. The good news is $1.6 million in expected state cuts was mostly restored. The bad news is anywhere between $500,000 and $750,000 in state funding won't be in the county budget, sales tax receipts are slumping and there's some speculation that a second deficit-reduction plan could come out of Albany later this year that would further cut funding to municipalities. […] Bioterrorism preparedness funding lost $112,000. The cut in bioterrorism aid, which won't expire until August this year, will mean the county will need to prioritize what aspects of emergency preparedness to [be] ready for." (Ithaca Journal; 03Apr09; Tim Ashmore)
http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090403/NEWS01/904030378/1126
Malaysia to test ability to contain influenza pandemic
"The health ministry, with support from World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila, is conducting a joint rapid containment exercise in Kuala Lumpur for two days, beginning Monday [06Apr09]. Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the exercise, 'Panstop III 2009' […is designed] to implement measures related to rapid containment, including decision-making, coordination, communication, social and economic disruptions, [and] risk assessment for rapid containment […]." (Bernama; 06Apr09) http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=402240
Producers encouraged to provide input on action to prevent swine disease
"The Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon [Canada] is encouraging swine producers to consider their priorities as the pork industry plans action to step up the defense again swine disease. Last week Ottawa unveiled a two year 40 million dollar initiative that will include creating national standards for biosecurity best management, research related to porcine circovirus associated diseases and other emerging diseases and establishing long-term risk management strategies. A national conference is also being planned for July to outline strategy." (Farmscape; 06Apr09; Dr. John Harding)
http://www.farmscape.com/f2ShowScript.aspx?i=23069&q=Producers+Encouraged+to+Provide+Input+on+Action+to+Prevent+Swine+Disease+
Ebola scientists eager to be vaccinated, hope vaccine use spurs production
"The emergency use of a Canadian-made Ebola vaccine may have breathed new life into stymied efforts to get experimental vaccines for Ebola and similarly deadly viruses made, scientists say. They are hoping to strike while the iron is hot, using heightened awareness of the risk these dangerous viruses pose to press for production of emergency stocks of vaccine and potentially even expensive human clinical trials. The Ebola vaccine, made at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, was given to an unnamed German researcher last month after she accidentally pricked herself with the needle of a syringe containing Ebola virus. The woman, who did not develop symptoms of the disease, was given the all-clear by her doctors late last week." (Canadian Press; 05Apr09) http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hKg4zZnVByct63iq22KfEOfFSFag
NZ [New Zealand]'s biosecurity science praised
"New Zealand is a world leader in biosecurity science and management and some of the systems developed in the country could be used as models for the European Union, a Lincoln University academic says. 'As countries in the European Union struggle to deal with an ever-increasing stream of invasive plant and animal species, they could do well to look to New Zealand for biosecurity advice,' the university's Bio-Protection Research Centre Professor Philip Hulme, says. Hulme's paper, 'Will threat of biological invasions unite the European Union?' appears in the publication Science this week." (TVNZ; 03Apr09)
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nzs-biosecurity-science-praised-2615126
Biotechnology boom raises security fears
"As rapid advances in biotechnology make it easier to develop and produce deadly organisms, experts are calling for better industry oversight to stop that progress benefiting criminals and terrorists. […] In 2002 it took five years to develop the genomic sequence of a polio virus. Three years later it took a week for a team the same size to do the same on a virus of similar length. Such rapid progress has left policymakers wondering how to ensure security in a disparate, thinly regulated industry - a concern that surfaced at a weekend conference in Morocco where experts considered the threat of pandemics and major biological incidents in the Middle East and North Africa." (Reuters; 06Apr09; Tom Pfeiffer)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNewsMolt/idUKTRE5352PE20090406
28 April 2009 deadline for India to destroy declared chemical weapons stockpiles
"The Indian Government is obliged to destroy its declared chemical weapons stockpiles on 28 Apr, as agreed under the 11th Annual Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) of 8 Dec 2006. According to the latest media reports, nearly 90 per cent of the country's chemical weapons stock [have] been destroyed. India signed the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty in 1993. It was ratified in 1995. Under the treaty, Libya has until 31 Dec 2010 to destroy its chemical weapons, Russia until 29 Apr 2012, and the United States until 29 Apr 2012." (News Ahead; 05Apr09; Mohan Balaji) http://www.newsahead.com/preview/2009/04/28/india-28-april-2009-deadline-for-india-to-destroy-chemical-weapons-stockpiles/index.php
Better prepared for emergency [British Columbia, Canada]
"Delta's first responders now have more tools at their disposal in the event of an emergency involving hazardous materials. [...] The [emergency response] agencies were able to purchase the [new] equipment through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP), a federal government cost-sharing initiative aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities across the country. 'Delta is susceptible to various natural emergencies such as floods, storms and earthquakes, but there are also man-made dangers such as chemical spills, [...] and terrorists that could affect us,' said firefighter Michel Lattendresse [...] Through JEPP, the Delta fire department was able to purchase a decontamination tent, something it would not have been able to afford without the government assistance, said Paul Scholfield, acting captain of the department's hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team." (Delta Optimist; 04Apr09; Jessica Kerr)
http://www2.canada.com/deltaoptimist/news/story.html?id=acc64937-00f5-46c6-8cb3-15d00da8e237
Community safety is everyone's business [TN]
"Behind the scenes, the first responder community has been involved in added training and planning for all hazards. The Madison County Sheriff's Department, Madison County Fire Department, EMS personnel, Madison County Health Department and Jackson Police and Fire departments all have participated in the ongoing preparedness. Local neighborhood and church groups have come together to form Community Emergency Response Teams. […] Two major training sessions for approximately 110 law enforcement and fire personnel in preparation for the possible emergencies are normally overlooked: Rural Railcar Incident training (eight hours) for hazardous materials, sponsored by the local EMA and Jackson Fire Department, plus a weeklong Radiological Response Training sponsored by the Jackson Police Department." (Jackson Sun; 05Apr09; Marty Clements)
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20090405/OPINION/904050307
Text of [speech by] President Obama in Prague
"'Finally, we must ensure that terrorists never acquire a nuclear weapon. […] Today, I am announcing a new international effort to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years. We will set new standards, expand our cooperation with Russia, and pursue new partnerships to lock down these sensitive materials.[…] Because this threat will be lasting, we should come together to turn efforts such as the Proliferation Security Initiative and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism into durable international institutions. And we should start by having a Global Summit on Nuclear Security that the United States will host within the next year.'" (Associated Press; 05Apr09) http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gkyWk2MK7xeDw2b1jPhFS6KsvPegD97CGUG00
Dallas-Fort Worth [TX] 'modern survivalists' are ready for layoffs - or war
"Theirs is a different breed of survivalist, far from the right-wing militants or religious extremists who hole up in bunkers, live off the land and wait for the apocalypse. Preppers are regular people with regular jobs who decided […] that they can't rely on someone else to help them if something goes awry […] What exactly preppers are preparing for isn't specific. It could be a layoff, tornado, global pandemic or nuclear war.
[…] Walton McCarthy, owner and principal engineer of Radius Engineering International, builds underground disaster shelters that protect against nuclear, chemical and biological warfare, among other things. He said his business has tripled since July […]." (Star-Telegram; 05Apr09; Melody McDonald)
http://www.star-telegram.com/texas/story/1299768.html
Issued by the heads of state and government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council
"We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Strasbourg and Kehl to celebrate the 60th anniversary of NATO. […] Our nations will continue to contribute to the full implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCR), in particular UNSCR 1373, as well as of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. […] We will intensify our efforts to deny terrorists access to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery as underscored in UNSCR 1540. […] We also remain committed to strengthening information and intelligence sharing on terrorism, particularly in support of NATO missions and operations."
(Defence Professionals; 05Apr09)
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/6589/
What does N. Korea's missile test mean for Asia?
"Has North Korea changed the security outlook in Asia? […] Greg Thielmann of the Arms Control Association said the [recent North Korean] rocketry advance 'pales in comparison with the threat posed by the retention and expansion of North Korean abilities to produce fissile material for those warheads.' […] North Korea retains significant artillery, short-range missiles and chemical and biological weapons stocks that have been viewed as a greater threat to its close neighbors than the intercontinental ballistic missiles." (Reuters; 05Apr09)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE53424920090405
Deputies: anthrax [sic] hoax meant to be April fool's prank
"To Jerron Mario Moffitt, authorities say, it was an April Fool's prank: randomly placing envelopes containing a white powder on dozens of vehicles in a [FL] hospital parking lot and in mailboxes in his own neighborhood and beyond. […] Moffitt, 20, said he even put an envelope in his own mailbox to fool his father, an arrest report states. […] Moffitt was being held today on 79 counts of possession of a hoax weapon of mass destruction, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office said. Each charge carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years. His bail was set at $790,000 on those charges." (Tampa Bay Online; 05Apr09; Gary Pinnell) http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/04/041344/anthrax-hoax-meant-be-april-fools-prank/
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
"On March 18, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) three business cooperative agreement grantees, the National Business Coalition on Health, the National Business Group on Health, and the National Safety Council visited the agency to present information on their partnerships and how they help to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce injury. […] Each year, the public faces potential health threats, from pandemic influenza, to hurricanes, to bioterrorism. […] The National Center for Health Marketing's (NCHM) Division of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances (DPSA) collaborated with one of CDC's business cooperative agreement grantees, the National Safety Council (NSC), to create the Emergency Alert Network (EAN). […] EAN has the capacity to reach more than 17,000 businesses with CDC-cleared information in the event of a public health emergency. Collectively, these businesses have the potential to reach 8 million employees and their dependents." (Relief Web; 03Apr09; Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/CJAL-7QRNNU?OpenDocument
State budget unlikely to gouge county programs [NY]
"When it comes to the state budget's effect on Tompkins' County [NY] government, there was some good news and there was some bad news. The good news is $1.6 million in expected state cuts was mostly restored. The bad news is anywhere between $500,000 and $750,000 in state funding won't be in the county budget, sales tax receipts are slumping and there's some speculation that a second deficit-reduction plan could come out of Albany later this year that would further cut funding to municipalities. […] Bioterrorism preparedness funding lost $112,000. The cut in bioterrorism aid, which won't expire until August this year, will mean the county will need to prioritize what aspects of emergency preparedness to [be] ready for." (Ithaca Journal; 03Apr09; Tim Ashmore)
http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090403/NEWS01/904030378/1126
Malaysia to test ability to contain influenza pandemic
"The health ministry, with support from World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila, is conducting a joint rapid containment exercise in Kuala Lumpur for two days, beginning Monday [06Apr09]. Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the exercise, 'Panstop III 2009' […is designed] to implement measures related to rapid containment, including decision-making, coordination, communication, social and economic disruptions, [and] risk assessment for rapid containment […]." (Bernama; 06Apr09) http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=402240
Producers encouraged to provide input on action to prevent swine disease
"The Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon [Canada] is encouraging swine producers to consider their priorities as the pork industry plans action to step up the defense again swine disease. Last week Ottawa unveiled a two year 40 million dollar initiative that will include creating national standards for biosecurity best management, research related to porcine circovirus associated diseases and other emerging diseases and establishing long-term risk management strategies. A national conference is also being planned for July to outline strategy." (Farmscape; 06Apr09; Dr. John Harding)
http://www.farmscape.com/f2ShowScript.aspx?i=23069&q=Producers+Encouraged+to+Provide+Input+on+Action+to+Prevent+Swine+Disease+
Ebola scientists eager to be vaccinated, hope vaccine use spurs production
"The emergency use of a Canadian-made Ebola vaccine may have breathed new life into stymied efforts to get experimental vaccines for Ebola and similarly deadly viruses made, scientists say. They are hoping to strike while the iron is hot, using heightened awareness of the risk these dangerous viruses pose to press for production of emergency stocks of vaccine and potentially even expensive human clinical trials. The Ebola vaccine, made at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, was given to an unnamed German researcher last month after she accidentally pricked herself with the needle of a syringe containing Ebola virus. The woman, who did not develop symptoms of the disease, was given the all-clear by her doctors late last week." (Canadian Press; 05Apr09) http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hKg4zZnVByct63iq22KfEOfFSFag
NZ [New Zealand]'s biosecurity science praised
"New Zealand is a world leader in biosecurity science and management and some of the systems developed in the country could be used as models for the European Union, a Lincoln University academic says. 'As countries in the European Union struggle to deal with an ever-increasing stream of invasive plant and animal species, they could do well to look to New Zealand for biosecurity advice,' the university's Bio-Protection Research Centre Professor Philip Hulme, says. Hulme's paper, 'Will threat of biological invasions unite the European Union?' appears in the publication Science this week." (TVNZ; 03Apr09)
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nzs-biosecurity-science-praised-2615126
Biotechnology boom raises security fears
"As rapid advances in biotechnology make it easier to develop and produce deadly organisms, experts are calling for better industry oversight to stop that progress benefiting criminals and terrorists. […] In 2002 it took five years to develop the genomic sequence of a polio virus. Three years later it took a week for a team the same size to do the same on a virus of similar length. Such rapid progress has left policymakers wondering how to ensure security in a disparate, thinly regulated industry - a concern that surfaced at a weekend conference in Morocco where experts considered the threat of pandemics and major biological incidents in the Middle East and North Africa." (Reuters; 06Apr09; Tom Pfeiffer)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNewsMolt/idUKTRE5352PE20090406
28 April 2009 deadline for India to destroy declared chemical weapons stockpiles
"The Indian Government is obliged to destroy its declared chemical weapons stockpiles on 28 Apr, as agreed under the 11th Annual Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) of 8 Dec 2006. According to the latest media reports, nearly 90 per cent of the country's chemical weapons stock [have] been destroyed. India signed the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty in 1993. It was ratified in 1995. Under the treaty, Libya has until 31 Dec 2010 to destroy its chemical weapons, Russia until 29 Apr 2012, and the United States until 29 Apr 2012." (News Ahead; 05Apr09; Mohan Balaji) http://www.newsahead.com/preview/2009/04/28/india-28-april-2009-deadline-for-india-to-destroy-chemical-weapons-stockpiles/index.php
Better prepared for emergency [British Columbia, Canada]
"Delta's first responders now have more tools at their disposal in the event of an emergency involving hazardous materials. [...] The [emergency response] agencies were able to purchase the [new] equipment through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP), a federal government cost-sharing initiative aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities across the country. 'Delta is susceptible to various natural emergencies such as floods, storms and earthquakes, but there are also man-made dangers such as chemical spills, [...] and terrorists that could affect us,' said firefighter Michel Lattendresse [...] Through JEPP, the Delta fire department was able to purchase a decontamination tent, something it would not have been able to afford without the government assistance, said Paul Scholfield, acting captain of the department's hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team." (Delta Optimist; 04Apr09; Jessica Kerr)
http://www2.canada.com/deltaoptimist/news/story.html?id=acc64937-00f5-46c6-8cb3-15d00da8e237
Community safety is everyone's business [TN]
"Behind the scenes, the first responder community has been involved in added training and planning for all hazards. The Madison County Sheriff's Department, Madison County Fire Department, EMS personnel, Madison County Health Department and Jackson Police and Fire departments all have participated in the ongoing preparedness. Local neighborhood and church groups have come together to form Community Emergency Response Teams. […] Two major training sessions for approximately 110 law enforcement and fire personnel in preparation for the possible emergencies are normally overlooked: Rural Railcar Incident training (eight hours) for hazardous materials, sponsored by the local EMA and Jackson Fire Department, plus a weeklong Radiological Response Training sponsored by the Jackson Police Department." (Jackson Sun; 05Apr09; Marty Clements)
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20090405/OPINION/904050307
Text of [speech by] President Obama in Prague
"'Finally, we must ensure that terrorists never acquire a nuclear weapon. […] Today, I am announcing a new international effort to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years. We will set new standards, expand our cooperation with Russia, and pursue new partnerships to lock down these sensitive materials.[…] Because this threat will be lasting, we should come together to turn efforts such as the Proliferation Security Initiative and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism into durable international institutions. And we should start by having a Global Summit on Nuclear Security that the United States will host within the next year.'" (Associated Press; 05Apr09) http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gkyWk2MK7xeDw2b1jPhFS6KsvPegD97CGUG00
Dallas-Fort Worth [TX] 'modern survivalists' are ready for layoffs - or war
"Theirs is a different breed of survivalist, far from the right-wing militants or religious extremists who hole up in bunkers, live off the land and wait for the apocalypse. Preppers are regular people with regular jobs who decided […] that they can't rely on someone else to help them if something goes awry […] What exactly preppers are preparing for isn't specific. It could be a layoff, tornado, global pandemic or nuclear war.
[…] Walton McCarthy, owner and principal engineer of Radius Engineering International, builds underground disaster shelters that protect against nuclear, chemical and biological warfare, among other things. He said his business has tripled since July […]." (Star-Telegram; 05Apr09; Melody McDonald)
http://www.star-telegram.com/texas/story/1299768.html
Issued by the heads of state and government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council
"We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Strasbourg and Kehl to celebrate the 60th anniversary of NATO. […] Our nations will continue to contribute to the full implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCR), in particular UNSCR 1373, as well as of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. […] We will intensify our efforts to deny terrorists access to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery as underscored in UNSCR 1540. […] We also remain committed to strengthening information and intelligence sharing on terrorism, particularly in support of NATO missions and operations."
(Defence Professionals; 05Apr09)
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/6589/
What does N. Korea's missile test mean for Asia?
"Has North Korea changed the security outlook in Asia? […] Greg Thielmann of the Arms Control Association said the [recent North Korean] rocketry advance 'pales in comparison with the threat posed by the retention and expansion of North Korean abilities to produce fissile material for those warheads.' […] North Korea retains significant artillery, short-range missiles and chemical and biological weapons stocks that have been viewed as a greater threat to its close neighbors than the intercontinental ballistic missiles." (Reuters; 05Apr09)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE53424920090405
Deputies: anthrax [sic] hoax meant to be April fool's prank
"To Jerron Mario Moffitt, authorities say, it was an April Fool's prank: randomly placing envelopes containing a white powder on dozens of vehicles in a [FL] hospital parking lot and in mailboxes in his own neighborhood and beyond. […] Moffitt, 20, said he even put an envelope in his own mailbox to fool his father, an arrest report states. […] Moffitt was being held today on 79 counts of possession of a hoax weapon of mass destruction, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office said. Each charge carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years. His bail was set at $790,000 on those charges." (Tampa Bay Online; 05Apr09; Gary Pinnell) http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/04/041344/anthrax-hoax-meant-be-april-fools-prank/
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
Forces Kill 52, Capture 17 in Afghanistan Fighting
American Forces Press Service
April 6, 2009 - Coalition and Afghan forces have killed at least 52 insurgents and captured 17 others in four days of fighting in Afghanistan, military officials reported. The firefights mostly have occurred in Afghanistan's southern Helmand and Zabol provinces, where military officials say the Taliban is increasing its presence.
Afghan and coalition forces have killed at least 37 insurgents in Helmand since April 3, and 14 insurgents were killed in Zabol on April 4. Combined forces also killed one insurgent and captured eight others in the southern province of Kandahar on April 3. Bombing cells, illegal drug operations and foreign fighter trafficking have been disrupted.
In eastern Afghanistan, the combined forces captured a Taliban commander and three others in Khowst province on April 3, and detained four militants in Lowgar province on April 4.
A breakdown of operations since April 3 follows:
-- Afghan soldiers, assisted by coalition troops, killed two armed militants today in Helmand province's northern village of Tarin Kowt. The combined force was on patrol in an area known for heavy militant presence when they were attacked with a barrage of small-arms fire.
The Afghan-led force called for close-air support and engaged the enemy fighting position with small-arms and mortar fire, killing two militants.
-- In eastern Afghanistan today, Afghan commandos, assisted by coalition forces, captured a militant suspected of planting a homemade bomb along a road in the Gardez district of Paktia province.
The combined force was departing a meeting with local leaders when they saw a suspicious man running from a motorcycle overturned in the road. The commandos pursued the man on foot and detained him. Upon searching him, they uncovered a battery pack and a remote control, most commonly used by militants for detonating explosives from a distance.
The forces discovered homemade bomb buried in the road and safely destroyed it in place. The militant was taken into custody.
-- Afghan and coalition forces killed 14 armed militants in the Qalat district of Zabol province April 4. The Afghan-led force was patrolling the area known for having a militant presence, when they were attacked by numerous armed militants with heavy small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire.
The combined force moved forward, closing in on the enemies' position as Afghan soldiers recovered insurgent weapons. Inside a cave complex, they discovered a cache of bomb-making materials and several explosives, which they destroyed.
As the force pushed forward, a firefight ensued when militants re-engaged the patrol from four motorcycles and various fighting positions with small-arms and RPG fire. After positively identifying the armed militants and assuring there were no non-combatants in the area, the combined unit returned fire with small-arms and close air support, killing 14 militants.
-- Afghan soldiers, assisted by coalition forces, killed 15 militants and discovered a large bomb-making facility, drug lab and weapons cache during ongoing operations to disrupt militant activities in the Kajaki district of Helmand province Saturday.
The combined forces were conducting an early morning search of known insurgent compounds used for weapons and bomb-making materials trafficking, and as a safe-haven for insurgent fighters moving between Helmand and Oruzgan provinces.
During a search of one compound, the forces discovered a drug lab containing 5,000 pounds of poppy seeds used to produce opium, 10 bags of opium, scales and other drug paraphernalia.
A further search of the compound uncovered various weapons and ammunition, including one heavy machine gun with ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenades, body armor, mortar rounds, several containers of homemade explosives, and several bags of ammonium nitrate commonly used to make explosive.
A second compound nearby also housed a bomb-making facility containing ready-to-use suicide vests, a large amount of bomb-making materials and components. The facility, located near a mosque, appeared to have been strategically placed in order to deter detection and destruction. The building had extensive booby traps, and the combined forces were unable to retrieve the explosives from the building safely. After ensuring that no civilians were in the area and taking every precaution to minimize damage to surrounding buildings, the combined force destroyed the materials with a controlled detonation.
The combined forces received machine-gun, small-arms and RPG fire during the operation. They returned small-arms fire and, with air support, killed 15 militants.
-- One militant was killed and eight suspects were detained April 4 in Kandahar province during a joint operation to bring down a Taliban cell directly linked to the March explosions that killed four Canadian troops.
In Kandahar's Arghandab district, Afghan and coalition forces raided a compound housing Taliban members. Immediately upon their arrival, the assault force encountered an armed militant who engaged them. The assault force returned fire, killing the man.
Afghan forces called out for all women and children to peacefully exit multiple buildings. With women and children moved to safety, forces questioned eight men suspected to be involved in bomb-making in Kandahar. All eight were detained.
When forces searched the compound, they found multiple weapons, munitions and bomb-making materials, all of which were destroyed.
Eleven women and 27 children were protected.
-- Afghan troops, assisted by coalition forces, killed 20 insurgents during one of a series of continuing operations in the Kajaki district of Helmand province April 3.
The combined forces were conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in known Taliban stronghold when they were ambushed by numerous armed insurgents with mortar and small-arms fire.
The combined forces pursued the enemy in their fighting positions, returned fire and called in close-air support. They destroyed six enemy fighting positions and killed 20 insurgents.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained four suspected insurgents during an April 4 operation in the Baraki Barak district of eastern Afghanistan's Lowgar province to disable the Haqqani terrorist network there.
A combined force raided a compound to remove a local Haqqani tactical commander responsible for direct-fire ambushes, kidnappings and explosives operations. When the force arrived at the targeted compound, Afghan forces called for non-combatants to peacefully exit the buildings, with all occupants following the force's directives. Without incident, four suspected militants were detained.
-- Afghan army commandos, assisted by coalition forces, captured a Taliban commander and three other insurgents April 3 in an early-morning raid of a compound in the Lagharah Valley of Khowst province.
The captured mid-level commander is believed responsible for facilitating suicide bombings and emplacing roadside bombs in the area. He is known to have aided in direct ambushes and bomb attacks on Afghan National Police and coalition forces. The compound has been used in the past to launch attacks against the people of Afghanistan, including the ordered burning of a school in Seekuun Village.
Three other militants believed to associate with and aid the Taliban commander also were detained.
No Afghan or coalition military or non-combatant civilians were reported wounded in any of the operations.
(From U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)
April 6, 2009 - Coalition and Afghan forces have killed at least 52 insurgents and captured 17 others in four days of fighting in Afghanistan, military officials reported. The firefights mostly have occurred in Afghanistan's southern Helmand and Zabol provinces, where military officials say the Taliban is increasing its presence.
Afghan and coalition forces have killed at least 37 insurgents in Helmand since April 3, and 14 insurgents were killed in Zabol on April 4. Combined forces also killed one insurgent and captured eight others in the southern province of Kandahar on April 3. Bombing cells, illegal drug operations and foreign fighter trafficking have been disrupted.
In eastern Afghanistan, the combined forces captured a Taliban commander and three others in Khowst province on April 3, and detained four militants in Lowgar province on April 4.
A breakdown of operations since April 3 follows:
-- Afghan soldiers, assisted by coalition troops, killed two armed militants today in Helmand province's northern village of Tarin Kowt. The combined force was on patrol in an area known for heavy militant presence when they were attacked with a barrage of small-arms fire.
The Afghan-led force called for close-air support and engaged the enemy fighting position with small-arms and mortar fire, killing two militants.
-- In eastern Afghanistan today, Afghan commandos, assisted by coalition forces, captured a militant suspected of planting a homemade bomb along a road in the Gardez district of Paktia province.
The combined force was departing a meeting with local leaders when they saw a suspicious man running from a motorcycle overturned in the road. The commandos pursued the man on foot and detained him. Upon searching him, they uncovered a battery pack and a remote control, most commonly used by militants for detonating explosives from a distance.
The forces discovered homemade bomb buried in the road and safely destroyed it in place. The militant was taken into custody.
-- Afghan and coalition forces killed 14 armed militants in the Qalat district of Zabol province April 4. The Afghan-led force was patrolling the area known for having a militant presence, when they were attacked by numerous armed militants with heavy small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire.
The combined force moved forward, closing in on the enemies' position as Afghan soldiers recovered insurgent weapons. Inside a cave complex, they discovered a cache of bomb-making materials and several explosives, which they destroyed.
As the force pushed forward, a firefight ensued when militants re-engaged the patrol from four motorcycles and various fighting positions with small-arms and RPG fire. After positively identifying the armed militants and assuring there were no non-combatants in the area, the combined unit returned fire with small-arms and close air support, killing 14 militants.
-- Afghan soldiers, assisted by coalition forces, killed 15 militants and discovered a large bomb-making facility, drug lab and weapons cache during ongoing operations to disrupt militant activities in the Kajaki district of Helmand province Saturday.
The combined forces were conducting an early morning search of known insurgent compounds used for weapons and bomb-making materials trafficking, and as a safe-haven for insurgent fighters moving between Helmand and Oruzgan provinces.
During a search of one compound, the forces discovered a drug lab containing 5,000 pounds of poppy seeds used to produce opium, 10 bags of opium, scales and other drug paraphernalia.
A further search of the compound uncovered various weapons and ammunition, including one heavy machine gun with ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenades, body armor, mortar rounds, several containers of homemade explosives, and several bags of ammonium nitrate commonly used to make explosive.
A second compound nearby also housed a bomb-making facility containing ready-to-use suicide vests, a large amount of bomb-making materials and components. The facility, located near a mosque, appeared to have been strategically placed in order to deter detection and destruction. The building had extensive booby traps, and the combined forces were unable to retrieve the explosives from the building safely. After ensuring that no civilians were in the area and taking every precaution to minimize damage to surrounding buildings, the combined force destroyed the materials with a controlled detonation.
The combined forces received machine-gun, small-arms and RPG fire during the operation. They returned small-arms fire and, with air support, killed 15 militants.
-- One militant was killed and eight suspects were detained April 4 in Kandahar province during a joint operation to bring down a Taliban cell directly linked to the March explosions that killed four Canadian troops.
In Kandahar's Arghandab district, Afghan and coalition forces raided a compound housing Taliban members. Immediately upon their arrival, the assault force encountered an armed militant who engaged them. The assault force returned fire, killing the man.
Afghan forces called out for all women and children to peacefully exit multiple buildings. With women and children moved to safety, forces questioned eight men suspected to be involved in bomb-making in Kandahar. All eight were detained.
When forces searched the compound, they found multiple weapons, munitions and bomb-making materials, all of which were destroyed.
Eleven women and 27 children were protected.
-- Afghan troops, assisted by coalition forces, killed 20 insurgents during one of a series of continuing operations in the Kajaki district of Helmand province April 3.
The combined forces were conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in known Taliban stronghold when they were ambushed by numerous armed insurgents with mortar and small-arms fire.
The combined forces pursued the enemy in their fighting positions, returned fire and called in close-air support. They destroyed six enemy fighting positions and killed 20 insurgents.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained four suspected insurgents during an April 4 operation in the Baraki Barak district of eastern Afghanistan's Lowgar province to disable the Haqqani terrorist network there.
A combined force raided a compound to remove a local Haqqani tactical commander responsible for direct-fire ambushes, kidnappings and explosives operations. When the force arrived at the targeted compound, Afghan forces called for non-combatants to peacefully exit the buildings, with all occupants following the force's directives. Without incident, four suspected militants were detained.
-- Afghan army commandos, assisted by coalition forces, captured a Taliban commander and three other insurgents April 3 in an early-morning raid of a compound in the Lagharah Valley of Khowst province.
The captured mid-level commander is believed responsible for facilitating suicide bombings and emplacing roadside bombs in the area. He is known to have aided in direct ambushes and bomb attacks on Afghan National Police and coalition forces. The compound has been used in the past to launch attacks against the people of Afghanistan, including the ordered burning of a school in Seekuun Village.
Three other militants believed to associate with and aid the Taliban commander also were detained.
No Afghan or coalition military or non-combatant civilians were reported wounded in any of the operations.
(From U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Air Force Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Phillip A Myers, 30, of Hopewell Va, died April 4 near Helmand province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
For further information related to this release, please contact the RAF Lakenheath UK Public Affairs office at 44-1638-52-2151.
Staff Sgt. Phillip A Myers, 30, of Hopewell Va, died April 4 near Helmand province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
For further information related to this release, please contact the RAF Lakenheath UK Public Affairs office at 44-1638-52-2151.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
NATO Pledge to Afghan Mission a 'Strong Down Payment,' Obama Said
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2009 - President Barack Obama today said a pledge by NATO allies to contribute some 5,000 more personnel to Afghanistan represents "a strong down payment" on the mission and in NATO's future. Obama said the two-day summit that wraps up in Strasbourg, Germany, today was not intended to produce such promises from member countries.
"This was not a pledging conference, and yet we already received the kinds of commitments that historically you don't see at a conference like this," he said at a news conference. "What was pledged here today was significant."
NATO allies have offered to finance and provide more security -- including 3,000 more personnel -- for the Afghan election in August, to send 300 additional military trainers and mentors, and 70 NATO embedded training teams to help grow the Afghan national army. Other pledges include $500 million for civilian assistance and $100 million in support of the Afghan army, he said.
"We'll need more resources and a sustained effort to achieve our ultimate goals," he said. "But these commitments of troops trainers and civilians represent a strong down payment on the future of our mission in Afghanistan and on the future of NATO."
Obama characterized these promises as reflecting NATO allies' broad support of a new strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan that the Obama Administration unveiled last week.
"I think it's an indication that this alliance is committed to achieving the focused goals that we've set out in Afghanistan, I think that you're not going to see a division between allies in terms of how we approach the situation," he said.
The president briefed NATO representatives on the new strategy today ahead of the news conference. Reversing Taliban gains and securing the population, helping to build a self-reliant Afghan security force, and providing a secure environment in which Afghan governance and development programs can take root and grow are some of the strategy's top priorities.
Carrying out the mission in Afghanistan are roughly 32,000 NATO forces in Afghanistan, complemented by about 38,000 American troops with the deployment of additional forces to begin in late spring.
"What we anticipate is not only that we will see additional resources brought to bear on the strategy, but that also we will have established a baseline of honesty and clarity about our purpose so that it will be much more difficult for each of us in NATO to try to avoid or shirk the serious responsibilities that are involved in accomplishing our mission," he said.
Obama characterized the summit meeting as very productive. He pledged support for the unanimously elected Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the next secretary general of NATO, and welcomed new allies Albania and Croatia, and praised France's renewed integration into the alliance.
Speaking on NATO's 60th anniversary, Obama recounted some of the alliance's past successes, but warned against resting on its laurels.
"While we celebrate NATO's achievements, we can't rest upon them; the 21st century has ushered in a new era of global threats," he said. "To meet these dangers, the alliance must renew and reform itself once more."
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2009 - President Barack Obama today said a pledge by NATO allies to contribute some 5,000 more personnel to Afghanistan represents "a strong down payment" on the mission and in NATO's future. Obama said the two-day summit that wraps up in Strasbourg, Germany, today was not intended to produce such promises from member countries.
"This was not a pledging conference, and yet we already received the kinds of commitments that historically you don't see at a conference like this," he said at a news conference. "What was pledged here today was significant."
NATO allies have offered to finance and provide more security -- including 3,000 more personnel -- for the Afghan election in August, to send 300 additional military trainers and mentors, and 70 NATO embedded training teams to help grow the Afghan national army. Other pledges include $500 million for civilian assistance and $100 million in support of the Afghan army, he said.
"We'll need more resources and a sustained effort to achieve our ultimate goals," he said. "But these commitments of troops trainers and civilians represent a strong down payment on the future of our mission in Afghanistan and on the future of NATO."
Obama characterized these promises as reflecting NATO allies' broad support of a new strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan that the Obama Administration unveiled last week.
"I think it's an indication that this alliance is committed to achieving the focused goals that we've set out in Afghanistan, I think that you're not going to see a division between allies in terms of how we approach the situation," he said.
The president briefed NATO representatives on the new strategy today ahead of the news conference. Reversing Taliban gains and securing the population, helping to build a self-reliant Afghan security force, and providing a secure environment in which Afghan governance and development programs can take root and grow are some of the strategy's top priorities.
Carrying out the mission in Afghanistan are roughly 32,000 NATO forces in Afghanistan, complemented by about 38,000 American troops with the deployment of additional forces to begin in late spring.
"What we anticipate is not only that we will see additional resources brought to bear on the strategy, but that also we will have established a baseline of honesty and clarity about our purpose so that it will be much more difficult for each of us in NATO to try to avoid or shirk the serious responsibilities that are involved in accomplishing our mission," he said.
Obama characterized the summit meeting as very productive. He pledged support for the unanimously elected Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the next secretary general of NATO, and welcomed new allies Albania and Croatia, and praised France's renewed integration into the alliance.
Speaking on NATO's 60th anniversary, Obama recounted some of the alliance's past successes, but warned against resting on its laurels.
"While we celebrate NATO's achievements, we can't rest upon them; the 21st century has ushered in a new era of global threats," he said. "To meet these dangers, the alliance must renew and reform itself once more."
Friday, April 03, 2009
Coalition Air Weapons Team Strikes Roadside Bombers in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2009 - A Multinational Division Baghdad air weapons team engaged four armed men who were spotted planting a roadside bomb north of Taji, Iraq, last night, military officials reported. The attack left one of the would-be bombers dead and wounded two others.
The men, believed to be members of the "Sons of Iraq" civilian security group, were seen emplacing an object in the road, near a critical road junction, with lookouts posted several meters away. The largely rural area north of Baghdad has been the scene of several attacks in the past few months, officials said.
A quick-reaction force from 56th Striker Brigade Combat Team moved to the scene after the strike and found one of the men dead. Two others were found wounded in a nearby empty house, and four assault rifles were recovered. The fourth man was not found.
Coalition soldiers provided first aid to the wounded men and medical evacuation under guard for further treatment at a coalition forces medical facility. They turned the body of the man killed over to local authorities for identification.
Initial investigation revealed that at least one of the men had served in the Sons of Iraq program, officials said.
"Hostile acts will be engaged," Army Maj. Gen. Daniel Bolger, Multinational Division Baghdad commander, said. "While we value our Sons of Iraq brothers, these men had broken faith with their fellow Sons of Iraq, the Iraqi people and us."
The two wounded men will be taken into custody, pending investigation by Iraqi police, officials said.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
April 3, 2009 - A Multinational Division Baghdad air weapons team engaged four armed men who were spotted planting a roadside bomb north of Taji, Iraq, last night, military officials reported. The attack left one of the would-be bombers dead and wounded two others.
The men, believed to be members of the "Sons of Iraq" civilian security group, were seen emplacing an object in the road, near a critical road junction, with lookouts posted several meters away. The largely rural area north of Baghdad has been the scene of several attacks in the past few months, officials said.
A quick-reaction force from 56th Striker Brigade Combat Team moved to the scene after the strike and found one of the men dead. Two others were found wounded in a nearby empty house, and four assault rifles were recovered. The fourth man was not found.
Coalition soldiers provided first aid to the wounded men and medical evacuation under guard for further treatment at a coalition forces medical facility. They turned the body of the man killed over to local authorities for identification.
Initial investigation revealed that at least one of the men had served in the Sons of Iraq program, officials said.
"Hostile acts will be engaged," Army Maj. Gen. Daniel Bolger, Multinational Division Baghdad commander, said. "While we value our Sons of Iraq brothers, these men had broken faith with their fellow Sons of Iraq, the Iraqi people and us."
The two wounded men will be taken into custody, pending investigation by Iraqi police, officials said.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Five Enemy Fighters
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2009 - Afghan and coalition forces killed five enemy fighters in operations yesterday and overnight in Afghanistan's Helmand province, military officials reported.
The overnight operation in the province's Nad Ali district, targeted a mid-level Taliban Commander responsible for attacks against Afghan civilians and coalition forces, including a suicide-bomber attack on the Musa Qala Bazaar and an attack on coalition forces that killed 12 Afghan civilians in Musa Qala, both in December.
Upon arriving at the targeted compound, assault forces killed two guards who attempted to engage them. Afghan forces called out for all noncombatants to leave the compound, and two armed militants who didn't comply were killed during the assault on the building they occupied. Forces removed AK-47 assault rifles, shotguns and chest racks from the compound, preventing militants from using them against civilians or Afghan and coalition Forces.
Five men, 10 women and 21 children were protected during the operation, with no collateral damage reported to the compound, officials said.
In northern Helmand yesterday, a combined force on a combat reconnaissance patrol was attacked by insurgents with small-arms, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire. The combined forces closed in on enemy fighting positions and returned fire, killing one attacker.
In a separate incident, a coalition forces convoy vehicle struck a roadside bomb, damaging an ambulance carrying medical personnel and supplies on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to villages in Helmand's Kajaki district. No injuries were reported.
April 3, 2009 - Afghan and coalition forces killed five enemy fighters in operations yesterday and overnight in Afghanistan's Helmand province, military officials reported.
The overnight operation in the province's Nad Ali district, targeted a mid-level Taliban Commander responsible for attacks against Afghan civilians and coalition forces, including a suicide-bomber attack on the Musa Qala Bazaar and an attack on coalition forces that killed 12 Afghan civilians in Musa Qala, both in December.
Upon arriving at the targeted compound, assault forces killed two guards who attempted to engage them. Afghan forces called out for all noncombatants to leave the compound, and two armed militants who didn't comply were killed during the assault on the building they occupied. Forces removed AK-47 assault rifles, shotguns and chest racks from the compound, preventing militants from using them against civilians or Afghan and coalition Forces.
Five men, 10 women and 21 children were protected during the operation, with no collateral damage reported to the compound, officials said.
In northern Helmand yesterday, a combined force on a combat reconnaissance patrol was attacked by insurgents with small-arms, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire. The combined forces closed in on enemy fighting positions and returned fire, killing one attacker.
In a separate incident, a coalition forces convoy vehicle struck a roadside bomb, damaging an ambulance carrying medical personnel and supplies on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to villages in Helmand's Kajaki district. No injuries were reported.
Afghanistan, Alliance's Future Role Command NATO's Focus at Summit
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2009 - NATO has pressing issues concerning Afghanistan and the alliance's future role amid celebrations of its 60th anniversary, President Barack Obama said today. Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to reporters in Baden-Baden, Germany, today – the first day of the annual NATO summit meeting of 28 member countries that takes place in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany, through tomorrow, and a day before NATO's 60th birthday.
"As we celebrate this important landmark for NATO, we are reminded that not only do we have immediate joint efforts in Afghanistan that have to be bolstered and have to become more effective, but we also have to have a strategic framework for how NATO moves forward," Obama said.
The president called NATO the most successful alliance in modern history – so effective, in fact, that it never had to fight during the decades-long Cold War. The kind of imagination that enabled that kind of success should be replicated in NATO's mission in Afghanistan and in other aspects of the alliance, he said.
"That kind of vision that was implemented, and that kind of imagination, has to be adapted to the 21st-century challenges that we face -- not just Afghanistan," he said. Leaders must determine the roles NATO and the U.S.-European Union partnership will play in that effort, he added.
Obama called the Afghanistan mission "as complex of a problem as we're going to see," partly because the problem deals both with Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Obama administration last week unveiled a new Afghan-Pakistan strategy that emphasizes the use of both military and civilian tools.
"We've put forward a new comprehensive review of how we think we should approach this that recognizes that military alone cannot solve these problems, that we have to have a significant military force, but that it has to be combined with a diplomatic effort and a development effort that can stabilize the region," he said.
The president added that the focus must center on the "true problem" in Afghanistan and Pakistan -- violent extremists who can project attacks against the United States and Europe, but also worldwide.
"I think that the strategy we've put forward can and will be successful," he said. "But we've got to be disciplined, we've got to be coordinated, and we've got to execute."
In shaping a future arrangement for the alliance, Obama told reporters he has no "grand designs." Instead, he said, he intends to use the summit to listen, share ideas and contribute to joint decisions.
"If NATO becomes everything, then it's nothing," he said. "So obviously, we're going to have to define and clarify its roles [and] responsibilities, for the 21st century."
At the outset of the news conference, Obama remarked on the U.S.-German relationship, thanking Merkel for her leadership and friendship, and praising Germany as an extraordinary ally.
Merkel said the new approach to the mission in Afghanistan aligns with Germany's view.
"What is indeed gratifying to note is that the new approach of the new administration of the United States as regards Afghanistan is very much in step with what Germany is envisaging," she said. "This sort of networked security, as we call it, or an integrated security, where you have a civilian component of rebuilding, training, and, last but not least, obviously also the capacity of the Afghans to really defend themselves.
"That is, after all, what we're after with our mission to Afghanistan," she added.
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2009 - NATO has pressing issues concerning Afghanistan and the alliance's future role amid celebrations of its 60th anniversary, President Barack Obama said today. Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to reporters in Baden-Baden, Germany, today – the first day of the annual NATO summit meeting of 28 member countries that takes place in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany, through tomorrow, and a day before NATO's 60th birthday.
"As we celebrate this important landmark for NATO, we are reminded that not only do we have immediate joint efforts in Afghanistan that have to be bolstered and have to become more effective, but we also have to have a strategic framework for how NATO moves forward," Obama said.
The president called NATO the most successful alliance in modern history – so effective, in fact, that it never had to fight during the decades-long Cold War. The kind of imagination that enabled that kind of success should be replicated in NATO's mission in Afghanistan and in other aspects of the alliance, he said.
"That kind of vision that was implemented, and that kind of imagination, has to be adapted to the 21st-century challenges that we face -- not just Afghanistan," he said. Leaders must determine the roles NATO and the U.S.-European Union partnership will play in that effort, he added.
Obama called the Afghanistan mission "as complex of a problem as we're going to see," partly because the problem deals both with Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Obama administration last week unveiled a new Afghan-Pakistan strategy that emphasizes the use of both military and civilian tools.
"We've put forward a new comprehensive review of how we think we should approach this that recognizes that military alone cannot solve these problems, that we have to have a significant military force, but that it has to be combined with a diplomatic effort and a development effort that can stabilize the region," he said.
The president added that the focus must center on the "true problem" in Afghanistan and Pakistan -- violent extremists who can project attacks against the United States and Europe, but also worldwide.
"I think that the strategy we've put forward can and will be successful," he said. "But we've got to be disciplined, we've got to be coordinated, and we've got to execute."
In shaping a future arrangement for the alliance, Obama told reporters he has no "grand designs." Instead, he said, he intends to use the summit to listen, share ideas and contribute to joint decisions.
"If NATO becomes everything, then it's nothing," he said. "So obviously, we're going to have to define and clarify its roles [and] responsibilities, for the 21st century."
At the outset of the news conference, Obama remarked on the U.S.-German relationship, thanking Merkel for her leadership and friendship, and praising Germany as an extraordinary ally.
Merkel said the new approach to the mission in Afghanistan aligns with Germany's view.
"What is indeed gratifying to note is that the new approach of the new administration of the United States as regards Afghanistan is very much in step with what Germany is envisaging," she said. "This sort of networked security, as we call it, or an integrated security, where you have a civilian component of rebuilding, training, and, last but not least, obviously also the capacity of the Afghans to really defend themselves.
"That is, after all, what we're after with our mission to Afghanistan," she added.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Devin C. Poche, 25, of Jacksonville, N.C., died Mar. 31 at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the 25th Infantry Division Garrison public affairs office at 808-656-3159 or Loran.Doane@us.army.mil .
Sgt. Devin C. Poche, 25, of Jacksonville, N.C., died Mar. 31 at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the 25th Infantry Division Garrison public affairs office at 808-656-3159 or Loran.Doane@us.army.mil .
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