Posted on 08/19/2006 4:05:35 PM PDT by Gucho
By Jim Garamone - American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2006 – The United States walks away from Africa at its own peril, the U.S. general in charge of military operations there said in an interview here yesterday.
Marine Gen. James L. Jones, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command, said Africa is a reality that cannot be denied. The continent is potentially an economic giant, and the United States must engage on the continent.
With the exceptions of Egypt, Sudan, Kenya and the nations of the Horn of Africa, the entire continent is in U.S. European Command’s area of responsibility.
Officials at U.S. European Command spend between 65 to 70 percent of their time on African issues, Jones said. “We have been at work with new friends and allies in the war on terrorism,” he said.
Overall, the engagement strategy has been going well in North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, the general said. “Obviously (we’re) very concerned about what is going on in the Gulf of Guinea, and we are setting up our operations so we can have presence with a purpose in the region,” he said. “We must help Africans help themselves.”
The region is beset with difficulties, Jones said. Piracy and oil blackmail are concerns in the Gulf of Guinea. Tribalism threatens other nations in Sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS is epidemic in many African nations, and illiteracy is a curse across all nations there.
Africa is also has a fault line between Islam and other religions.
Engagement on the continent takes many forms. “As we speak, we have a ship, the USNS Apache, in Freetown, Liberia, to clear the port,” Jones said. “There are a lot of sunken ships in the port, and it’s a key to their economy.”
In other nations, the command is helping where it can with small focus Special Forces training missions. The command sponsors medical and veterinary visits and staff exercises with militaries of the region. “Consistent engagement in Africa is key to containing or preventing future conflicts,” Jones said.
Africa is replete with struggling democracies. “If you really look at what is happening in Africa, there are more countries moving towards democracy than moving away,” Jones said. “But the battle is on as to which way they will go.”
The United States and its allies must help bring economic change in Africa to bring hope to millions of people. If not, those people could be “sucked up in the recruiting of the Islamic jihadists,” Jones said
Extremists prey on people with no hope. “It’s not difficult for a jihadist with money to get someone to join them,” Jones said. “The good news is we can still affect which way Africa goes.”
Joint Task Force Horn of Africa is a great success story and something that could be emulated in other areas of the continent, Jones said. He suggested that a similar group working along the west coast of the continent could help bring stability to the region. “We could help considerably with presence and with helping these struggling countries that don’t know what’s going on inside their own borders,” Jones said.
Establishing such a group could also send a message to U.S. companies “that investing in many parts of Africa is a good idea,” the general said.
The United States has the opportunity to do the right thing in Africa, Jones said. “It’s an exciting part of the world,” he said. “We cannot walk away from Africa for a whole lot of reasons, including moral reasons. It’s an area where we can highlight all of the good things that the United States stands for.”
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U.S. Central Command’s top enlisted leader praised Afghanistan for its progress in rebuilding and developing its armed forces over the past five years.
Chief Master Sgt. Curtis L. Brownhill, Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Central Command, speaks to members of the 209th Corps of the Afghan National Army on Aug. 6, 2006, during his visit to Afghanistan. (Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Spc. Carina M. Garcia)
By U.S. Army Spc. Carina M. Garcia
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2006 — The U.S. Central Command’s top enlisted leader visited Afghanistan from Aug. 5 to 8 and praised the country for its progress in rebuilding and reconstructing, and developing its armed forces over the past five years.
Just a month away from the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Curtis L. Brownhill toured bases in Afghanistan and talked to deployed troops while here.
Brownhill is a principal advisor to Gen. John Abizaid, CENTCOM commander, on all matters concerning joint and combined integration, utilization and sustainment for more than 230,000 U.S. and Coalition forces serving in 27 countries.
“I’ve been coming in and out of Afghanistan for nearly the last five years,” said Brownhill. “I can remember, how we as a coalition, had to go in and oust the Taliban and get al-Qaeda on the run. If you just look at the general condition of Afghanistan, I see more and more openness on the streets. I also see prosperity and vendors, shops and merchants.”
Nearly five years ago, he said, Afghanistan was unstable with Taliban as the ruling form of government that gave free reign to al Qaeda. Though Coalition troops still find themselves in skirmishes with Taliban and other extremists, the majority of service members are involved in rebuilding reconstruction efforts.
“I am seeing more greenery and agriculture right now at this time of year that I have ever in the five years that I’ve come to the country,” Brownhill said. “That means that projects like wells, irrigation and infrastructure are effective.”
During his trip, Brownhill emphasized the importance of building up the Afghan National Army. The ANA works in tandem with U.S. and NATO forces to help plan and execute operations.
“For an army that is really only four years old, and fighting an enemy at the same time, those are indications that progress really is being made and that the contribution of many countries has helped Afghanistan get to this point,” Brownhill said.
Brownhill spent two days of his travels with Sgt. Maj. Roshan Safi, the first sergeant major of the ANA. Brownhill said he saw firsthand how villagers accepted Roshan as a representative of the changes that have taken place the past five years.
“I watched carefully as the sergeant major of the army in his full uniform was walking down the street and there was a gathering wherever he went,” said Brownhill. “People of all ages wanted to talk to him and shake his hand. That’s an indication of respect by those people for the ANA.”
Brownhill said when you spend time with somebody like Sgt. Maj. Roshan who fought in the mountains, who fought for a piece of land, who fought the Taliban face-to-face right there and then, to see the progress through his eyes is an incredible experience.
Iraqi men perform push-ups for the physical fitness part of their screening during a recruiting event for the Iraqi police at Camp Blue Diamond in Ramadi, Iraq, Aug. 12, 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Afghanistan celebrates independence from Britain
Aug 19, 2006
A presidential security officer stands guard during the Afghan Independence Day from Britain in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006. The war-weary people of Afghanistan celebrated the 87th anniversary of their country's independence from Britain amid tight security on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
By Capt. Tamilyn Becker - 412th Test Wing
Aug 18, 2006
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — The CV-22 Osprey, an aircraft unlike any other, is now in the midst of a test unlike any other.
In the Developmental Test and Evaluation phase, CV-22 testing has primarily been conducted by Bell-Boeing. However, when the Naval Air Systems Command requested an Electronic Warfare Integrated Assessment test, the 412th Test Wing Electronic Warfare Group was tasked with this mission, making it the first government-run Electronic Warfare test of the CV-22.
Unlike its Marine Corps counterpart, the CV-22 is equipped with a suite of integrated radio frequency countermeasures radar warning receiver and jammer system, an ALE-47 countermeasures dispensing system and a directional infrared countermeasure system.
This configuration will enable the CV-22 to safely penetrate and escape enemy territory allowing it to perform its missions of Special Forces insertion and combat search and rescue. While each of these components has been tested independently, EWIA looks to evaluate the cumulative effect of these systems along with tactics, techniques and procedures. The overall test objective is to demonstrate the susceptibility of the CV-22 weapon system in a simulated threat environment.
This highly accelerated test is being conducted entirely in the month of August. There will be 12 to15 hours of flight testing performed at two different test ranges. Back-to-back, day-after-day missions will be needed in order to hit all required test points. The aircrew will use a combination of maneuvers, chaff expendables, radar warning receiver threat cueing, onboard electronic countermeasures and low altitude terrain clutter in an attempt to escape a simulated threat engagement.
“This is an exciting opportunity that pulls several aspects of test together for a limited platform-level susceptibility demonstration,” said Photi Christofas, 412th Test Wing electronic warfare engineer.
EWIA represents a true teaming effort across the entire spectrum of the Air Force. The Air Force Flight Test Center is providing the technical expertise and test planning through the 412th TW. The aircraft themselves, and the bulk of aircraft maintenance, are deployed from the 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M., and Air Education Training Command, Randolph AFB, Texas. The 18th Flight Test Squadron here, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5 here are providing maintenance, support and operation of the instrumentation suite.
Logistical challenges and inter-command differences have been significant obstacles, but the diverse team has overcome these hurdles and is ready to test, according to those working on the combined test.
August is a critical month for the CV-22 and its test team. Everyone involved in CV-22 testing is anticipating the results of this EWIA test.
“We’ve put a lot of hard work in to get ready for this test,” said Roger Packhamm, 412th Test Wing electronic warfare engineer analyst. “Now that preparation for the test is over, the real fun begins — actually testing the aircraft.”
By Multi-National Corps – Iraq, Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
Aug 18, 2006
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – More than 950 new Iraqi recruits will begin a 10-week Basic Police Officer training course August 21, 2006.
The new recruits are the result of one of Multi-National Forces - West most successful recruiting efforts this year.
The monthly drive focuses on identifying, screening and signing up local Iraqi national men from communities in and around the Euphrates River Valley. Many of the new recruits will receive their training at the Baghdad Police College while others will attend the Jordanian International Police College.
Upon completion of training, the recruits will return to their communities where they will serve as some of the more than 7,000 Iraqi police officers trained under the new Iraqi government.
According to Multi-National Forces - West Police Advisor, Maj. Robert Chiaruttini, the success of recent recruiting drives is due in part to improvements that the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and Al Anbar officials have made to the system used to pay Iraqi police.
“Getting these guys paid on time had been an ongoing issue in the past,” Chiaruttini said. “I would not say the system is perfect now, but it’s definitely improving and I think you can see the results of that in our recruiting numbers.”
By Lance Cpl. Dane M. Horst - MCAS Beaufort
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC (Aug. 18, 2006) -- The Moonlighters of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332 have been named the 2006 Marine Corps Aviation Association Fighter/Attack Squadron of the Year out of all 17 F/A-18 Hornet Squadrons in the Corps for their noteworthy performance from May 1, 2005 to April 30.
This is the third time that the Moonlighters have received the Robert M. Hanson Award for setting the standard for Fleet Marine Force fighter attack squadrons in training and combat.
“It’s fulfilling (for) VMFA(AW)-332 to be awarded this by the organization for our accomplishment,” said Lt. Col. David Wilbur, the Marine Aircraft Group 31 executive officer and former Moonlighter commanding officer. “This is recognition for all of the Marines of the squadron individual sacrifices and for the success we had as a team.”
The award was established in 1969 in memory of Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Robert M. Hanson, a former Marine Fighter Squadron 215 pilot. Hanson was killed during World War II after shooting down 25 enemy aircraft.
“What makes this award even more special is the competition from which the Moonlighters were selected, other Marine fighter squadrons, which are the best fighter squadrons in the world,” said Lt. Col. Samuel Kirby, the current commanding officer of the Moonlighters.
The Moonlighters list of achievements is beyond compare, and includes becoming the first Marine tactical jet squadron ever to surpass 100,000 mishap-free flight hours in 2005. While deployed to Camp Al Asad, Iraq, from July 2005 to January they continued to build upon this record.
“The Moonlighters distinguished themselves in combat through supporting the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and coalition operations by engaging enemy combatants,” said Col. Gary Graham, the Aviation Manpower Support branch head at Headquarters Marine Corps.
An MCAA official agreed.
“Flying more than 100,000 mishap-free hours is an incredible accomplishment taking into consideration their operation tempo,” said James Casey, the MCAA deputy executive director.
This is the 18th time a MAG-31 squadron has earned the Hanson Award since it was established in 1968.
“MAG-31 and the Air Station afforded us the resources and opportunities to train and prepare for that deployment, which in the end made us successful in supporting the Marines as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Wilbur said.
VMFA(AW)-242 based at MCAS Miramar, Calif., was last year’s Hanson Award recipient.
The award will be presented to the Moonlighters during the MCAA Reunion/Symposium Oct. 25-29 in Tyson’s Corner, Va.
“The three main reasons the Moonlighters were chosen for this award is because the right Marines came together in a specific period of time, they were given the right opportunities to succeed, and the right guy was selected to write it up,” Wilbur said.
A-10 promotes Air Force marathon
Mike Harden, an aircraft service technician with the 88th Mission Support Group, Logistics Readiness Division, Maintenance Section, directs pilot Lt. Col. Chris Bigelow into a parking space on the flight line Tuesday, Aug. 15. The A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” was one of two aircraft from the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass., that flew to Wright-Patterson AFB to promote the 2006 U. S. Air Force Marathon. The close air support aircraft is featured on the logo for this year’s marathon. (Air Force photo by Spencer P. Lane)
Aug 19, 2006
The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI has appealed for the release of a priest kidnapped at gunpoint in Baghdad earlier this week, the Vatican said Saturday.
In the telegram, sent by the Vatican's Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, the pontiff said he was "deeply saddened" by the abduction of the Rev. Hanna Saad Sirop on Tuesday. The pope also made a "heartfelt appeal to the abductors to release the young priest at once, so that he can return to the service of God, the Christian community and his countrymen."
The telegram was sent to Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel Delly. It gave the name of the priest as Saad Syrop Hanna, differing slightly from the name first published Friday by the Vatican-affiliated Asia News agency.
Bishops from all of Baghdad's Christian churches have sent a letter to the Iraqi government asking them to help secure the release of the 34-year-old priest.
The priest, who is director of the Theology Department at Babel College, was abducted Tuesday as he left Mass celebrating the Assumption holiday.
The Italian missionary news agency MISNA reported that a large ransom was asked for the release of the priest, but did not say how much.
In his message, Benedict said he would pray for an end to "this dreadful scourge" of kidnappings in Iraq and urged Catholics there "to work together with all religious believers and people of good will toward a future of harmonious and respectful coexistence for the beloved nation of Iraq."
Christians make up just 3 percent of Iraq's 26 million people. The major Christian groups include Chaldean-Assyrians and Armenians, with small numbers of Roman Catholics.
By Scott Schonauer - Stars and Stripes European edition
Sunday, August 20, 2006
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — The only German troops still guarding U.S. military bases plan to return sentry duties to U.S. security forces by the end of September.
The German army will officially leave its posts at Ramstein Air Base and Sembach Annex during a ceremony at Ramstein on Sept. 27, said Capt. Chrystal Smith, an Air Force spokeswoman.
The two installations, both in the Kaiserslautern area, are the last U.S. bases to say farewell to the German troops.
The Bundeswehr began guarding U.S. military bases in the country at the request of the U.S. government in early 2003, just before U.S. forces invaded Iraq. It was supposed to hand over guard duty more than 18 months ago — according to the initial agreement — but agreed to extend at some U.S. installations.
The 435th Security Forces Squadron, manned by both civilian and active-duty personnel, will guard Ramstein’s gates. But it will have to do so without getting additional people.
Air Force Capt. Jason Livingston, the squadron’s assistant operations officer, said the squadron would have to be “creative” in how it distributes its forces so it can effectively guard the gates in addition to fulfilling its law enforcement responsibilities. Some security forces personnel will be shifted from other areas to perform gate guard duty.
“What we’re planning on doing is to provide the same entry control services as [Bundeswehr troops] do now,” Livingston said.
The U.S. government asked for German troops to guard the bases to free up American security forces, which have had to deal with both frequent deployments and additional force protection measures since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
At one point, as many as 4,000 German troops stood guard at 50 U.S. installation in Germany. Last December, the German military returned gate duty to U.S. forces at four bases, leaving troops at Ramstein, Sembach and the George C. Marshall Center in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and completing the bulk of its guard durites.
A Navy protection force that had provided security at the Marshall Center turned over its security mission last month.
President's Saturday Radio Address
August 19, 2006
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning.
This week I met with my national security, counterterrorism, and economic teams. We've set clear goals: We will defeat the terrorists and expand freedom across the world, we'll protect the American homeland and work tirelessly to prevent attacks on our country, and we will continue to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of America and build a more prosperous future for all our citizens.
On Monday, I visited the Pentagon and the State Department, where we discussed the war on terror, including the recent conflict in Lebanon, a conflict which began with an unprovoked attack by Hezbollah on Israel. Thanks to the leadership of Secretary Rice and Ambassador Bolton at the United Nations, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution that will help bring an end to the violence and create a foundation for a sustainable peace.
The resolution calls for a robust international force to deploy to the southern part of Lebanon. This force will help Lebanon's legitimate armed forces restore the sovereignty of its democratic government over all Lebanese territory and stop Hezbollah from acting as a state within a state. The resolution will help make it possible for civilians in both Lebanon and Israel to return home in safety and begin rebuilding their lives without fear of renewed violence and terror.
The United State s is now working with our international partners to turn the words of this resolution into action. The conflict in Lebanon is part of a broader struggle between freedom and terror that is unfolding across the region. Terrorists and their sponsors recognize that the Middle East is at a pivotal moment in its history. Freedom has brought hope to millions, and it's helped foster the development of young democracies from Baghdad to Beirut.
Yet these young democracies are still fragile, and the forces of terror are seeking to stop liberty's advance and steer newly free nations to the path of radicalism. The terrorists fear the rise of democracy because they know what it means for the future of their hateful ideology.
It is no coincidence that two nations that are building free societies in the heart of the Middle East, Lebanon and Iraq, are also the scenes of the most violent terrorist activity. We will defeat the terrorists by strengthening young democracies across the broader Middle East.
The way forward will be difficult, and it will require sacrifice and resolve. But America's security depends on liberty's advance in this troubled region, and we can be confident of the outcome because we know the unstoppable power of freedom.
On Tuesday, I went to the National Counterterrorism Center, where I was briefed by the fine professionals who work day and night to protect our Nation from terrorist attacks. Their efforts are vital, as we saw with the recent terrorist plot to destroy airliners headed for America.
I thanked the men and women of the intelligence community for all they did to help the British government uncover and disrupt this vicious plot. This attempted attack is a reminder to us all: The terrorists remain determined to destroy innocent life on a massive scale, and we must be equally determined to stop them.
On Friday, I met with my economic advisors at Camp David, where we discussed our efforts to keep our economy growing and creating jobs. Our economy has created more than 5.5 million new jobs since August of 2003, more jobs than Japan and the 25 nations of the European Union combined. The unemployment rate is 4.8 percent. The productivity of America's workers is rising, and our economy grew at a strong annual rate of 4 percent during the first half of 2006.
To keep this momentum going, we're pursuing a strategy to sustain our economic growth and keep our economy competitive for decades to come. We will keep taxes low, restrain federal spending, open new markets for American products, invest in new energy technologies, and help American workers develop the skills they need to compete for high wage jobs.
American workers also need affordable, high quality health care, and more transparency in our health care system can help. Next week, I will travel to Minnesota to discuss ways to ensure patients have access to more information about their health care. When patients know the facts about the price and quality of their health care options, they can make decisions that are right for them.
With all these steps, we're working to improve the health, security and prosperity of the American people. Our Nation does not fear the future because we are determined to shape the future. We will build a more peaceful world and leave behind a stronger and better America for our children and grandchildren.
Thank you for listening.
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