Pace Visits Chinese Air Base, Checks Out Su-27 Fighter-Bomber

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

March 24, 2007 – In a move toward openness, Chinese military officials let the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff examine their top-of-the-line combat aircraft and allowed him to speak with pilots and ground personnel here. Marine Gen. Peter Pace and his party toured Anshan Air Base, home of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force's 1st Air Division, and he examined a Chinese-built Su-27 fighter-bomber. The base was part of a visit to the Shenyang Military Region.

The 1st Air Division has three flying regiments and has Su-27s, F-8s and F-7Es. The Su-27 is the top of the food chain for the PLA Air Force, and Pace was the first American to get such a close look at the aircraft, senior Chinese officials said.

NATO pilots know the aircraft by the code name Flanker, and former Soviet Union engineers designed it to counter the American F-15 Eagle. The Su-27 was engineered to be an air superiority fighter and the Chinese still use it in that role, but they also can use it as a precision ground-attack aircraft. The Russians licensed the Chinese to build the plane in China.

The Su-27 does have some drawbacks. Some of the avionic packages are Russian, and the "warranty isn't the best," said a U.S. military official speaking on background. There is no air-to-air refueling capability for the Su-27, and that limits the Flanker to a range of about 1,500 kilometers.

Pace, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman, and Air Force Brig. Gen. Ralph Jodice, the defense attache at the American embassy in Beijing, climbed into the cockpit of the aircraft. In addition, Chinese pilots flew four aircraft around the airfield to give the chairman and his party a small look at what the aircraft can do in the air.

While he said examining the aircraft was good, Pace said he was even more interested in the PLA Air Force personnel. The chairman spoke to pilots and enlisted men about their service, the qualities of their aircraft and their training and experience of the personnel. He said they were highly motivated and impressed him with their professionalism.

Chinese officials said all their pilots are college graduates and that 96 percent of them are capable of handling complex air operations. The officials said pilots average 120 hours of flying time per year with most of their training centered on tactical considerations. Roughly 35 percent of pilot training is at night. They said they had about 130 pilots for the 100 aircraft in the unit.

In comparison, U.S. Air Force pilots average about 250 flying hours per year and there are roughly 120 pilots per 100 aircraft.

Pace thanked the Chinese personnel for their work. He said their efforts are helping to bring China and the United States closer together. Pace told the airmen that the United States and China have many common national interests and that it is in Asia's and the world's interest for the two countries to cooperate.

During the visit, the base commander pinned a set of Chinese pilot wings on Pace's uniform. Pace told the commander, and all the pilots he met, that, "while I did not earn the wings, I will wear them as a compliment to your professionalism."

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Chairman Observes Chinese Land Combat Exercise

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

March 24, 2007 – Artillery and mortar fire poured in on one impact area, while attack helicopters launched strikes that absolutely pulverized another. Tanks and armored personnel carriers raced down tank trails, firing main guns and disgorging soldiers who immediately went on the attack with small arms. All this - and more - went on under the watchful eyes of Gen. Peter Pace. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a Marine for 40 years, Pace has participated in countless exercises like this one.

But this one was different for the chairman. The troops, tanks, aircraft and armored vehicles were Chinese. Pace observed the exercise at the Dalian Training Area here at the invitation of the leaders of the People's Liberation Army.

Pace came here to increase understanding and military-to-military cooperation between the United States and China. He met with senior Chinese defense and foreign affairs leaders in Beijing March 22 and 23. After the meetings, he flew to Shenyang, China and was hosted by soldiers of the Military Region. Today, he visited airmen of the 1st Air Division at Anshan Air Base and then flew in a PLA Air Force Boeing 737-300 here to observe the exercise conducted by soldiers of the 39th Army Corps.

Fog on the peninsula jutting out into the Yellow Sea almost cancelled the trip. But it cleared enough to continue. Pace and his staff ate lunch with the leaders of the unit and then climbed a steep hill to observe the exercise. A Chinese senior colonel described what would take place through an interpreter.

And then the crack of artillery began.

The Chinese military ran the exercise without mistake or mishap, even though banks of fog sometimes obscured the terrain. Pace watched as state-of-the-art T-99 tanks rumbled into view and he could hear the squeal of the tracks as they went over the roadwheels.

Chinese soldiers ran out of BMPs - armored personnel carriers - to open lanes through simulated minefields. Some vehicles were "hit" and large clouds of red smoke billowed from them. The follow on forces drove on to the battlefield in older T-80 tanks.

The sights, the noise, the smells, the orders pouring over the radio net were familiar to seasoned U.S. military professionals observing the exercise. Even the feeling as the overpressure of an explosion a mile away reaches the observation point seemed normal. One difference was that in the United States, the friendly forces are called the "blue forces." In China, the friendly forces are called "red forces."

Following the exercise, Pace spoke with PLA leaders and then met with the soldiers who put on the demonstration. Pace thanked the soldiers for the extra work they had to put in to make the demonstration so successful. He told them he was honored to be with them, and said the free and truthful exchange of ideas by military professionals can make the world a safer place.

After a group photo, Pace and Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey shook hands with each of the soldiers involved.

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Medal of Honor Heroes Set the Standard, England Says

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

March 22, 2007 – Medal of Honor recipients are heroes, despite their many humble objections to the label, and are important to the fabric of our society, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England told those gathered yesterday to celebrate the official naming of March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day. Medal of Honor recipients and their families, politicians, senior military members and others packed the historic caucus room in the Russell Senate Office Building to honor those wearing the nation's highest military award for bravery.

Congress this month designated March 25 each year as National Medal of Honor Day. The day is significant as the day the first Medal of Honor was presented in 1863.

At last night's ceremony, England highlighted the importance of the honor and its recipients to the nation and its military.

"Heroes are important. They are important to our military. But they are also important to every citizen and to every person in the world who enjoys and yearns for freedom and liberty," England said.

"Heroes set standards for the rest of us to aspire to. And by their example they encourage others to excel," he said.

England also recognized at the ceremony the two most recent recipients of the award, Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham and Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, both recognized posthumously for bravery in the war in Iraq.

"They are an example of this generation of Americans who volunteer to serve and who serve today in sacrifice for all of us," England said. "In performing these acts, the recipients have demonstrated resolve, commitment, determination, will and raw courage to prevail. Those qualities are the underpinning of our nation."

England read a letter from President Bush to the group. In the letter, Bush said the country owes Medal of Honor recipients a debt for their service and, for many, the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

"Our country is in debt to these great warriors and that debt is one that we can never fully pay," Bush wrote. "The courage and leadership of the men and women who are honored on this day represent the highest ideals in military service and each of them has set a fine example of what it means to be a fine American."

Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. and Medal of Honor recipient Gary L. Littrell took the podium following the evening's longest ovation for a speaker.

Littrell said that during the past two years he has visited troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said that such visits help him appreciate the freedom we have in America.

"When we get complacent -- which I do quite often, and I forget the freedom that we have -- all you have to do is visit a third-world country, and how quickly will you appreciate what the young men and women in uniform are doing for the freedoms that we have today," he said.

Littrell said that during his visits he likes to ask the servicemembers if they know why they are serving and fighting.

"I get a stern look," he said.

"They look at me and they say, 'Sergeant Major, I am here because I am fighting this global war on terrorism on their land and in their country to keep them from bringing it back to ours,'" Littrell said.

Littrell said he views National Medal of Honor Day as a call to action for its living recipients to help perpetuate the purpose of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

"I do not view 25 March for the years to come as a day to honor 'we' the Medal of Honor recipients," he said. "I view the 25th of March as a day that we the Medal of Honor recipients can give back to our youth."

Littrell said he plans to spend the day each year speaking to groups such as the Boy or Girl Scouts, or at schools.

"Let's educate our youth. Let's give to our kids -- the future leaders of this great nation," Littrell said.

Littrell is the current president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Littrell was a sergeant first class in Vietnam in 1970 when his actions earned him the Medal of Honor.

Since 1863, 3,444 servicemembers have received the nation's highest military honor for courage under fire.

There are 112 recipients living today.

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Pace Calls for Closer Military Ties Between China, U.S.

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – Military-to-military contacts will help China and the United States avoid misunderstandings and help build greater stability and prosperity in Asia, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said here today. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke during a news conference at the American embassy. He arrived in China yesterday and went into a full plate of meetings with Chinese military and foreign ministry officials.

Pace said military transparency is key to helping Chinese and American military leaders build understanding. "The biggest fear I have for the future (of U.S.-Chinese relations) is miscalculation and misunderstanding based on misinformation," he said during the news conference.

The American and Chinese military leaders also spoke about establishing a hotline between Beijing and the Pentagon. This would be another tool to help avoid miscalculations, Pace said.

The chairman said he came to listen to Chinese military leaders and work with them "to find better ways to provide for the security and prosperity of 1.3 billion Chinese and 300 million Americans."

"Basically, what I am looking for it to find ways that the military in China and the military in U.S. can foster understanding between our militaries in a way that will help foster understanding between our countries," Pace said. "(This will allow) us to become partners for the future."

He said the meetings were candid and cordial, with a good, open dialogue. He said his Chinese counterpart, Army Gen. Liang Guanglie, made a number of suggestions for military-to-military measures that could help build trust and confidence between the two nations.

The chairman said he enthusiastically supports Liang's proposals and will work with Chinese officials to speed their implementation. One is an exchange program for young officers and military academy cadets and midshipmen. Another proposal will expand search-and-rescue exercises between the nations. A third looks toward cooperating in humanitarian operations.

Chinese officials brought up the subject of Taiwan in each of the meetings with the chairman. The Chinese fear that Taiwan will seek independence. "It's clearly a fundamental issue for the Chinese government, and we should respect the fundamental nature of that issue," Pace said.

President Bush has succinctly expressed American policy in regard to Taiwan, and the chairman reaffirmed that policy for the Chinese leaders. "As a nation, we support a One China policy, the Three Communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act and a peaceful resolution to the issue," he said. "President Bush has also said he does not support Taiwan's independence."

The United States is determined to find "the proper, peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue," Pace said.

Pace called on Chinese leaders to foster transparency. He used the Chinese anti-satellite test as an example for the need. He said the test surprised the international community and caused confusion.

"It wasn't clear what their intent (with the test) was," the chairman said. "When the intent isn't clear, and when there are surprises and you confuse people, you raise suspicions. I think that is one area where we can work harder between the two militaries to make sure ... we tell each other what we're doing, why we're doing it, how we're doing it (and) what our intents are, so that it is clear."

The chairman said that when he assesses any nation militarily, he looks at the country's capacity and intent.

"Clearly, both China and the United States have enormous military capacity," he said. "But equally clearly, neither country has the intent to go to war with the other country. So absent intent, I don't find threat."

The danger is a miscalculation on either side, he said. He said China and the United States need to focus on fostering information flows that allow individuals, institutions and countries to understand each other better. Individuals and nations need to understand what motivates others.

Understanding why a country puts a policy in place is just as important as what that policy is, he noted. "Over time, you build up trust and confidence that allows, then, for more transparency," Pace said.

All nations will continue to have military secrets, and not every program is explained in a military budget. "Even best friends keep something from each other," he said. "This is not about being completely open about everything."

The Chinese military budget for 2007 will grow 17 percent, and that has caused critics to questions Chinese motives. "It is not only about how (many) resources are being put into the budget, but what is that money buying, and what is the intent of that capability," Pace said. "The more we are able to share the more comfortable we will all be."

Pace said there were no tensions in his talks with Chinese leaders. "I have been welcomed as a friend and I have been treated as a friend, to include speaking very openly and candidly, as you would to a friend, about things you agree on and things that are obstacles," he said. "Then we talked about how, as military men, we can help our countries work our way through those obstacles."

Pace's next stop is Shenyang, east of Beijing, where he will view Chinese air and ground capabilities.

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Keating Recaps Tenure at NORTHCOM, NORAD

By Petty Officer 1st Class Joaquin Juatai, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – The outgoing commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command reflected on his tenure at a news conference here yesterday. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, who will take command of U.S. Pacific Command, noted that NORTHCOM was created to bolster homeland defense in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

"I think NORTHCOM represents a significant improvement in our nation's ability to defend itself," Keating said. "We are better prepared today by far to defend our homeland because of the existence of Northern Command."

During Keating's two-and-a-half-year tenure as commander of NORAD and NORTHCOM, many improvements and upgrades to the way both commands perform their missions were enacted, including realignment to the Cheyenne Mountain Directorate, the traditional command center of NORAD.

"It is beneficial to improved combat efficiency and effectiveness," Keating said. "It will provide increased combat effectiveness for NORAD and USNORTHCOM."

Keating praised the personnel assigned to NORAD and NORTHCOM, stating that the United States and Canada have provided both commands with the "quality personnel and first-rate equipment" required to fulfill their respective missions.

"I am confident that we have the systems in place that will continue to deter those who would seek to attack us," Keating said. "I think the fact that there hasn't been an attack for five and a half years now is not accidental."

NORAD is a binational U.S. and Canadian command charged with aerospace and maritime warning for North America. NORTHCOM is responsible for homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities.

Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart will accept command from Keating in a ceremony here today.

(Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Joaquin Juatai is assigned to NORAD and NORTHCOM Public Affairs.)

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DoD Investigates Hacking of Troops' Personal Computers

By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – Defense Department officials have launched an investigation into recent computer hackings of servicemembers' home computers that compromised personal information and led to the redirection of funds from their military pay accounts. Over the past eight months, nearly two dozen Defense Finance and Accounting Service "myPay" participants have had their accounts accessed by unauthorized personnel, officials said. The myPay program allows DFAS users to manage pay information, leave and earnings statements and W-2s online.

The compromise likely came from personal information being stolen from home computers via spyware and keystroke-logging viruses, DFAS officials said.

A hacker redirected one servicemember's pay to a credit card vendor by changing account information the day before pay day, Tom LaRock, DFAS spokesman, said. However, he added, DFAS quickly worked with his bank to have funds returned to his account within two days.

When suspicious activity is detected under the current system used by DFAS, LaRock explained, financial institutions are immediately notified so reversals can be made to servicemember's accounts. DFAS plans to launch a new program soon that will increase the ability to detect unauthorized changes prior to processing by pay systems. This will make the system for myPay's 3.7 million users even more responsive, LaRock said.

"This won't completely stop compromises," he said, "but it will help alert us more quickly so appropriate actions can be taken."

Key-logging software often is installed on systems when an individual simply views e-mails or clicks links that look and seem like reputable sites. Hackers then are able to detect passwords and other personal information, DFAS officials said.

The organization is reminding customers that they have a responsibility to take measures to protect their personal information from scams and identity theft.

DFAS warns that a variety of methods can be used to attack home computers, including phishing, malicious software and outside takeovers via bad software configurations. Users are encouraged to install and continually update anti-virus and firewall software.

DFAS offers tips for security and protection to its users on its Web site, https://mypay.dfas.mil/PersonalData.htm.

The Defense Department also offers free downloads of antivirus and firewall software programs to servicemembers and civilians under terms of the DoD enterprise antivirus license with supporting companies.

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Marine Receives Distinguished Flying Cross at Buckingham Palace

By Gunnery Sgt. Donald E. Preston, USMC
Special to American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – A U.S. Marine appeared before Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace March 21 to receive the United Kingdom's Distinguished Flying Cross for saving lives and in recognition for his bravery during combat operations in Iraq. Marine Maj. William D. Chesarek Jr., is the first U.S. servicemember to be so honored since World War II.

Assigned as an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force's 847th Naval Air Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, England, the U.S. Marine flew the RAF's Lynx Mk7 helicopter -- the aircraft he used to dodge insurgent's bullets and rocket-propelled grenades.

Through flight school training at Pensacola, Fla., and Corpus Christi, Texas, he mastered the Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter -- a two-seater armed with Hellfire, Sidewinder and Sidearm missiles.

When he joined the RAF squadron in 2005, he traded in the Super Cobra for the Lynx.

"It's a very agile aircraft," said Chesareck, whose call sign is "Punchy." "Its maneuverability is significantly enhanced, compared to a Cobra. It's like comparing a Mustang to a Porsche. They're both great, but different." Flying the evening of June 10, 2006, Chesarek was providing radio communication relay for British ground troops conducting a company-sized search operation near Amarah, Iraq. Listening to radio transmissions, he overheard that a vehicle involved in the operation had became disabled and a crowd of insurgents was firing small arms and rocket-propelled grenades at the company.

According to his award citation, "Chesarek elected to fly low over the area in an attempt to distract the crowd and if possible, to engage the insurgents." Because the crowd was so close to the ground troops, instead of engaging his machine gun, he "opted instead to provide bold, harassing, very low level flight over the area in an attempt to disperse the crowd."

However, radio traffic from the ground told Chesarek he was now the target and was drawing small-arms fire, and that a rocket-propelled grenade had just passed the rear of his aircraft.

This was not his first time in combat. He and his wife, Christine, a U.S. Navy nurse, had served simultaneously in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the initial stages. But now in a different aircraft, with a different purpose, things were different. Last month, Chesarek's RAF commander and his crew had been shot down flying in the same type of aircraft.

"I had been in a couple of situations with troops in contact before," the 32-year-old Chesarek said. "I had a good idea of the kind of potential danger involved, but now I was listening to the individual commander on the ground. Someone was injured; what can we do?"

Using his view from above, Chesarek applied his training as an airborne forward air controller to coordinate, designate and control fixed-wing assets in conducting close air support, resulting in the dispersing the insurgents.

Chesarek made the unconventional move - what's considered an "implied mission" in military parlance -- to conduct a medical evacuation with the Lynx to help a British soldier with a life-threatening head injury. As the only aircraft available to assist, he landed the Lynx near the company in distress as his door gunner and another crew member jumped out.

"My door gunner jumped out and picked up the injured soldier and put him in the helicopter," Chesarek said. "My other crew member had to stay, or we would have been overweight to fly."

Now, nine months later, Chesarek's name echoed throughout the ballroom of Buckingham Palace as he was called before the queen to be recognized and credited for "having a pivotal role in ensuring the rapid evacuation of (a) badly injured soldier and the safe extraction of the Company."

Wearing his ceremonial uniform, Chesarek stood before the queen and hundreds in attendance, including his parents, his wife and their 2-year-old son, William. After Chesarek bowed, the custom when in front of the queen, the British monarch placed her kingdom's level-three award for gallantry in the air while on active operation against the enemy on his chest.

Chesarek reflected on his lost comrades and brothers in arms.

"I am greatly honored and would like to accept this prestigious award for 847 NAS in memory of Lt. Cmdr. Darren Chapman (Royal Navy), Capt. David Dobson (Army Air Corps), and Marine Paul Collins (Royal Marines), who were killed in action over Basrah in May 2006," Chesarek said. "The awarded actions were only possible due to the combined effort of my combat crew; Lt. David Williams (Royal Navy) and Lance Cpl. Max Carter (Royal Marines). My greatest sense of achievement that day is in knowing the ground troops all made it home."

(Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Donald E. Preston is assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe.)

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Circus Honors Wounded Servicemembers

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – About than 60 wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., spent last night clowning around at Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus's Military Appreciation Night. Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is a corporate team member of America Supports You, the Defense Department program that highlights the ways Americans and the corporate sector are supporting the nation's military.

Army Cpl. John Callahan, a patient from Walter Reed, said he hadn't been to the circus since he was 11. "I love coming out when I get a chance. I think it's good for the morale, too."

Marine Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bryant, also a Walter Reed patient, agreed the night was about having fun, but he said the fact that the servicemembers were the guests of honor made the night even better.

"We're just glad that people recognize our service most of all," he said. "We're just glad to be here, just glad to have fun. (We want to) thank everybody for supporting us."

America Supports You home-front group Our Military Kids also attended the circus to inform circus-goers about its program. The group provides grants and scholarships to children of deployed and severely injured Reserve and National Guard military personnel to continue sports, fine arts and tutoring activities. Three of their families also were able to attend, Linda Davidson, executive director of Our Military Children, said.

"We're supporting the children of severely injured and deployed Reserve and National Guard (servicemembers), and I think when we think of circuses we think of children and we think of families," Davidson said. "We felt it was a great opportunity to showcase the Our Military Kids program."

Before the festivities officially began, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Sattler, director for strategic plans and policy for the Joint Staff, joked with the clowns and greeted the wounded warriors and their families. He called the circus's gesture of free tickets to the performance "a great tribute" to the servicemembers.

"I think it's great that Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey is honoring them tonight," Sattler said. "It makes the families feel good, (and) I think the rest of us who are here, it gives us kind of a warm touch in your heart to realize this kind of generosity exists."

The general's backstage experience wouldn't have been complete without photos with Army Sgt. Tom Davis and his family and, of course, Karen the elephant. Karen showed her patriotic appreciation by sporting an elephant-sized America Supports You dog tag.

Kenneth Feld, chairman and chief executive officer of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, said supporting the troops is a part of the circus's culture now.

"Every performance, ... before the show starts, we talk about our relationship with America Supports You," he said. "The response it generates - the applause, the support - we see that as we play in over 135 cities across America every year."

As the evening's performance began, Feld, on behalf of the circus, expressed pride in being a part of the Defense Department's program. "This is a very special night," he said. "We're excited that this is the second year of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey's partnership with the Department of Defense America Supports You program."

Then Sattler, as the guest ringmaster, took the spotlight.

"On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to thank you and Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus for sponsoring some of our wounded warriors here at the circus," he said. "What we have with us tonight are some of the soldiers and Marines, sailors and airmen who went forward and stood on the wall and looked evil in the eye and said, 'Not on my watch!'"

After a round of applause for the servicemembers in attendance, it was all about fun for the general.

"This is the one time in my life where I get to say, 'Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth! Ooo-Rah!'" Sattler said to open the show.

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U.S. Increases Africa Security with Proactive Stance, General Says

By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – A proactive stance in Africa will help to enhance stability and deter terrorist activity in the future, the deputy commander of U.S. European Command said here yesterday. By harnessing security, humanitarian, and diplomatic elements, Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward said, EUCOM is working with international partners to enhance the continent's commerce, education and overall success.

"The United States is using a focused approach in what we do to help them stabilize, socially and politically," he said, "so we can have a situation that doesn't foster bad things, but a situation that causes the people there to be satisfied and provide them with a horizon of hope for the future."

Ward, who recently attended the Trans-Sahara Partnership Chiefs of Defense Conference, said Africa's leaders are grateful for outside assistance in helping to improve the economy and establish solid governance of the continent, but that the United States can't do it alone.

"If we were independent, we wouldn't be as effective," he said. "The key is reaching out to other international partners to ensure collective results and aiming for the best objective."

The Defense Department has helped meet these objectives by training and equipping peacekeepers for the State Department's Global Peace Operations Initiative. Through the Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program, U.S. servicemembers provide training, equipment and logistical capability to meet United Nations peace operations standards.

Ward said U.S. troops are, in essence, being diplomats as they work side by side with Africans to drill wells, build schools and provide other humanitarian assistance.

"The functions of Navy Seabees and Army engineers help increase the capability of these nations by providing an example and also following up on it," Ward said. "The services our men and women are providing are critical."

DoD also is playing an increasingly proactive role through Operation Enduring Freedom Trans-Sahara while working with the State Department in a counterterrorism partnership. This groundbreaking program seeks to leverage the capabilities of those U.S. government agencies involved in building security on the Africa continent, with an emphasis on counterterrorism in North Africa.

By implementing reforms, the partnership hopes to help nations become more self-reliant in security and more stable in governance.

U.S. special operations forces are helping to train partners on how to conduct these operations. "We are watching it evolve in a positive way," Ward said. "It does matter, and it is making a difference."

EUCOM's Maritime Domain Awareness program helps to protect natural resources and achieve long-term security and stability in the Gulf of Guinea. The focus of this initiative is to prevent the region's political, economic, and social issues from becoming regional stability problems requiring international involvement.

This is increasingly important, Ward said. The military can serve as a structure to work together in more effective ways to create stability.

The general said the United States has a great opportunity in Africa today to make a small investment, economically and socially, that will provide stability and will preclude spending major resources down the road.

"The ones doing that work are the nation's young servicemembers," he said. "They are doing it day in and day out, and are doing a great job. They know they are helping bring stability and peace to these nations."

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Group Works on Behalf of Military Families

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – Since it began in 1969 as the Military Wives Association, the National Military Family Association, with headquarters here, has been a voice for military families. The National Military Family Association is a member of America Support You, a Defense Department program highlighting the ways Americans are supporting the nation's servicemembers.

Serving all seven branches of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves, the organization initially worked to create financial security for the survivors of servicemembers and retirees. Those efforts resulted in the Survivor Benefit Plan. By 1984, however, the association had expanded.

"NMFA realized that as it grew as a professional organization, those who benefited from the work were military families, and not just military wives," Michelle Joyner, communications director for the organization, said. "As the association grows and military life changes, we understand that military families also include family members ... who aren't necessarily uniformed services ID card holders.

"All family members support the servicemember and are affected by the challenges of military life," she added.

Over the years, the association has continued to educate military families about their rights, while fighting for better quality of life for those same families, Joyner said. Some of its many accomplishments include improvements in the areas of health benefits, dependent education, retiree and survivor benefits as well as spouse employment.

With representatives in military communities worldwide, there's a direct link between the families the association serves and the central office.

The association also administers the Joanne Holbrook Patton Spouse Scholarship through its Military Spouse Scholarship Program. Ranging from $500 to $1,000, the scholarships may be used for tuition, fees and school room and board. Full details about the scholarship program are available on the association's Web site, www.nmfa.org.

Despite its workload, the National Military Family Association's paid staff is small. But the organization has a solid corps of 200 volunteers who are committed and passionate about the work they do, Joyner said. Whether paid or volunteer, most working with NMFA are military family members who have a unique understanding of the issues and can speak from experience.

"Our volunteers lead the association as board members around the world, and support military families through the events of our lives such as deployments, reunions, moves, births and deaths," she said.

Her organization's membership in America Supports You has made its job easier by providing the means to connect those in need with those who can help, Joyner said.

"(America Supports You) has allowed NMFA to reach out to the American public with information about resources such as our summer camps for military children and scholarships for military spouses," she said. "(It has enabled) many more families to benefit from these incredible programs."

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Burn Patients Tour Center for Intrepid

By Nelia Schrum
Special to American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – When Army Sgt. Antonio Autrey was burned in Iraq by a blast that destroyed his Bradley fighting vehicle almost a year ago, all the former high school football receiver wanted to do was to be able to hold a football again. Now, after almost a year in recovery at the Burn Center here, the 4th Infantry Division soldier has set his sights on bench pressing, with a goal of lifting 345 pounds - something he regularly accomplished with ease before an insurgent's blast.

Touring the Center for the Intrepid here March 16 with fellow burn patients, Autrey, 26, said he hoped the new facility would help him get back in shape.

Burn patients, who receive both physical therapy and occupational therapy in the Burn Center, took an orientation tour of the Center for the Intrepid with an eye on how the rehabilitation center could help each of them once their therapists referred them for the next level of occupational and physical therapy.

To help the Center for the Intrepid with the increased patient load of Burn Center patients on their way to recovery, the Institute of Surgical Research is adding 25 staff members to work with the burn patients, including physical therapists, occupational therapist, physical therapy assistants and social workers.

Army Capt. Charles Quick, chief of occupational therapy at the Burn Center, arranged for the burn patients to have an in-depth look at the Center for the Intrepid.

"We want to give them the opportunity to restore function in all of their activities of daily living," Quick said. "This will give them opportunities to get back to the things they know and love."

He said each burn patient is evaluated weekly, and when therapists at the Burn Center identify a wounded warrior able to take on more advanced therapy, that patient would begin a course of treatment at the Center for the Intrepid. Each referred patient will be evaluated by Army Lt. Col. Jennifer Menetrez, medical director for the center, who will develop a rigorous individualized therapy plan.

Dr. Rebecca Hooper, Center for the Intrepid program manager, said the staff of the Brooke Army Medical Center's Amputee Care Center has worked with many patients who have lost limbs as a result of burn injury prior to the opening of the center.

At the Center for the Intrepid, burn patients who may not necessarily be amputees, but have functional loss in their extremities, also will be able to benefit from a variety of therapies that are provided in the new, larger space at the rehabilitation center that features new, world-class equipment.

Hooper said the Center for the Intrepid is not a gymnasium or a workout facility; it is a rehabilitation facility.

"Patients do not simply come in and work out, but are appointed for care using the BAMC outpatient appointment system," Hooper said. "All patients treated at the CFI have individually tailored treatment plans designed to help them meet their specific goals."

Many of the burn patients are looking forward to meeting their individualized goals and incorporating additional activities that will help with strengthening and endurance.

And for Army Spc. Richie Dominguez, a military policeman who suffered burns in August after an attack by a suicide truck bomber, the Center for the Intrepid's Fire Arms Training System will help him get back a critical skill.

"No other rehabilitation center in the country provides firearms training and certification," Dominguez said. "As a sSoldier and police officer, that is an important skill for me."

(Nelia Schrum is assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs.)

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Commission: Changes Needed to Ensure Long-Term Guard Readiness

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – The National Guard has problems that affect its readiness, particularly at home, but fixing them requires a sweeping, intergovernmental effort, the chairman of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves told Congress today. Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arnold Punaro told the House Armed Services Committee many of the problems facing the Guard boil down to the fact that it changed from a strategic to an operational force, but without the benefit of other changes needed for it to succeed.

The Guard and Reserve operated as a strategic reserve during the Cold War, intentionally kept at low manning and equipment levels because they were considered a back-up force, he said. That's dramatically different from today, he noted, when the Guard and Reserve are operational reserves, actively deploying and supporting the war on terror.

"That is a fundamental change in the nature of how the Guard and Reserve is being used," Punaro told the committee. "However, (the Department of Defense) has not changed any of the fundamentals - underlying laws, policies, rules, regulations, procedures, processes, funding priorities, personnel management systems - to make it an operational reserve."

Without those changes, he said, the operational reserve can't sustain itself for the long haul, and its capabilities will continue to deteriorate.

Punaro cited other changes needed for the Guard and Reserve to operate effectively, particularly in their ability to respond to domestic crises.

One big problem, he said, is that the agencies that would operate together in a major domestic catastrophe don't work closely enough together to prepare for one.

"These are longstanding problems that require fundamental reforms to a number of our institutions of government," Punaro said. "This is not about one individual, the chief of the (National) Guard Bureau, not about one institution, the National Guard. This is about empowering the National Guard and giving them greater authority and clout as an integrated team."

State governors also need more authority, because they would serve as commanders in chief of most domestic incidents, particularly during the first 72 hours, he said.

Empowering the National Guard and state governors would enable them to be more effective members of a team that includes DoD, U.S. Northern Command and the Department of Homeland Security, Punaro said.

"All these agencies and institutions of government must take greater responsibility for building a coherent and competent interagency process of planning, coordinating and funding for the homeland mission," he said.

Punaro's commission originally was to report on the proposed "National Guard Empowerment Act" that aimed to increase the authority of National Guard leaders. Instead, the commission broadened its report -- Strengthening America's Defenses in the New Security Environment -- to include DoD, NORTHCOM, DHS and state governors.
The broadened report will help solve problems the reserves now face, Punaro said.

The commission's final report, due to Congress in January, will provide a more comprehensive look at reserve-component mobilization, pay, employer and family support issues.

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Navy Names New Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Jason Dunham

The Department of Navy announced today that the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer will be named the USS Jason Dunham, honoring Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, the first Marine awarded the Medal of Honor for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, made the announcement in Dunham's hometown of Scio, N.Y.

"Jason Dunham, the friendly, kind-hearted, gifted athlete who followed his star in the United States Marine Corps, went on to become one of the most courageous, heroic and admired Marines this great country has ever known," said Winter. "His name will be forever associated with DDG 109. May those who serve in her always be inspired by the heroic deeds of Jason Dunham, and may all of us strive to be worthy of his sacrifice."
Dunham was born in Scio, Nov. 10, 1981, sharing the same birthday as the U.S. Marine Corps. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2000 and completed recruit training 13 weeks later at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C.

Following his first duty assignment with Marine Corps Security Forces, Kings Bay, Ga., Dunham transferred to the infantry and was later assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, based in Twentynine Palms, Calif. Before deploying to Iraq in spring 2004, Dunham was selected to lead a rifle squad, a position that ultimately placed him on the front line in the war against the Iraqi insurgency.

On April 14, 2004, Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in Karabilah, Iraq, when his battalion commander's convoy was ambushed. When Dunham's squad approached to provide fire support, an Iraqi insurgent leapt out of a vehicle and attacked Dunham.

As Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground, he noticed that the enemy fighter had a grenade in his hand. He immediately alerted his fellow Marines, and when the enemy dropped the live grenade, Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, covered the grenade, and threw himself on top to smother the blast. In an ultimate selfless act of courage, in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of two fellow Marines.

In November 2006 at the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia, President George W. Bush announced that the Medal of Honor would be awarded posthumously to Dunham.

During his speech, President Bush said, "As long as we have Marines like Corpoal Dunham, America will never fear for her liberty." President Bush presented Dunham's family with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 11, 2007.

In the spirit of this Marine, the USS Jason Dunham will continue protecting America's liberty by providing a multi-mission maritime platform to lead the Navy into the future.
Utilizing a gas turbine propulsion system, the ship can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups. The ship's combat systems center on the Aegis combat system and the SPY-Ld (V) multifunction phased array radar.

With the combination of Aegis, the vertical launching system, an advanced anti-submarine warfare system, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles, the Arleigh Burke-class continues the revolution at sea.

For more information on Arleigh Burke class destroyers, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4 .

For more information about the naming of DDG 109, contact the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342.

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Renuart Assumes Command of NORTHCOM, NORAD

By Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2007 – Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr. became the 20th commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and the third commander of U.S. Northern Command in a ceremony here today. Defending the homeland and providing defense support of civil authorities are top priorities for NORAD and NORTHCOM, the new commander said.

"We're engaged in a long struggle against violent extremists that seek to exploit any seams in our armor," Renuart said. "Our job ... is to mend those seams, to strengthen the shield."

Renuart assumed command from Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, who is scheduled to assume command of U.S. Pacific Command on March 26 in Hawaii.

NORAD and NORTHCOM "have quietly and professionally conducted a mission that, by its nature, cannot fail," Renuart said. "It also has to be something that is invisible and transparent to our nation."

Renuart credited the close partnership of the United States and Canada with making NORAD effective.

"We consider our shared and peaceful border a perfect metaphor for the relationship of two distinct, yet joined, partners," he said, adding that NORAD and NORTHCOM share an "ever-progressive" and "continually evolving" relationship with Mexico.

"The collaboration ... with both these nations really does reinforce the security of our homeland," Renuart said.

Before presiding over the NORAD change of command, Canadian Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Rick Hillier awarded Keating the Canadian Meritorious Service Cross.

"No two sovereign nations in the world, except for Canada and the United States, have such a unique command structure," Hillier said. NORAD's and NORTHCOM's partnership with and assistance in standing up Canada Command "has enhanced the security of both our countries," he added.

During Keating's tenure, NORAD and NORTHCOM began the process of integrating into a single command center "to serve two nations better," Hillier said. "We fully support that, ... and our shoulder is behind anything that gives us efficacy and efficiency whilst continuing to give us a powerful and positive effect."

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates awarded Keating the Defense Distinguished Service Medal before presiding over the NORTHCOM change of command.

"NORTHCOM has come a long way in just a few years," Gates said. Fewer than 15 years ago, he said, the command didn't even exist and "few people were thinking seriously about the types of threats we face today."

Keating took charge of the commands two and a half years ago. "I thought I had a reasonable idea what it would be like at NORAD and at USNORTHCOM," Keating said. "I missed the mark by a wide margin. The complexity of the mission, the challenge for each and every one of the men and women who come to work here every day is massive."

NORAD is a binational command that includes both American and Canadian forces and is charged with aerospace and maritime warning for North America. NORTHCOM is responsible for homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities.

"This is a sacred mission," Renuart said, "and it's one that ... (my wife) Jill and I look forward to continuing to carry."

(Army Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen is assigned to NORTHCOM and NORAD Public Affairs.)

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Retirement Home Chief: Resident Care 'First, Foremost' Concern

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

March 22, 2007 – Resident care is the paramount concern at the Armed Forces Retirement Home here, and allegations of poor conditions "are without merit," the facility's chief operating officer said in a statement released yesterday. Tim Cox responded to the Government Accountability Office's request that the Defense Department investigate allegations against the historic home in the heart of the nation's capital that has housed four U.S. presidents, including Abraham Lincoln.

"Because nothing is more important than the safety and health of our heroes, we take these allegations very seriously," Cox said.

Cox noted that the GAO has not conducted its own investigation into what he called "inflammatory allegations" made by unidentified critics, despite the fact that GAO inspectors recently visited the campus twice on an unrelated inquiry required by Congress.

He acknowledged that the home has experienced incidents consistent with a nursing home environment. Half its residents are over the age 80, and many are frail and suffer from chronic health conditions, he said.

The GAO said patients may be at risk due to health-care problems ranging from serious pressure sores to one case involving maggots in the wound of a resident.

Cox noted that one particularly troublesome incident, involving maggots in the leg wound of an 87-year-old resident, occurred in August.

"Our medical staff discovered it and immediately took remedial action," Cox noted. He said the fact that the resident had refused medical treatment was no excuse for the incident, and that eight health-care workers were fired after an investigation showed they had failed to meet the home's standards of care.

The home is getting a close evaluation. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. William Winkenwerder sent a team of doctors on an unscheduled visit to the campus yesterday to assess conditions for themselves, Cox noted. In addition, legislative staffers are expected to visit the facility to see firsthand the care and security its staff provides. "We welcome these visits," Cox said.

More than 1,100 enlisted military veterans live at the home, which Cox said offers all the amenities of a retirement community. That's in addition to an extensive health care system, ranging from a wellness clinic for those who live independently to assisted living to long-term and hospice care.

"We are proud of our home for heroes, and put resident safety, health and security first and foremost," Cox said.

Congress consolidated the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home here with the U.S. Naval Home in Gulfport, Miss., in 1991, creating the Armed Forces Retirement Home as an independent establishment in the executive branch of the Federal government. Ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, the Gulfport campus closed in 2005. Nearly 400 residents of the Gulfport facility were relocated to the Washington campus.

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Chinese Leaders Welcome Pace to Beijing

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

March 22, 2007 – Chinese leaders today warmly welcomed Marine Gen. Peter Pace here as he began a visit intended to expand military-to-military contacts between the United States and the world's most populous nation. "Our military, economic and political ties are important to peace in Asia and the world," Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. "This visit is very important to the militaries of both nations. I truly believe the future is very bright for U.S.-Chinese cooperation."

Pace was beaming as his walked down the steps of his C-40B aircraft upon arrival. It is the chairman's first visit to China after many years of military service in Asia.

Chinese military leaders honored Pace with a troop review at the Defense Ministry's Bayi Building, near Tiananmen Square. His counterpart, People's Liberation Army Gen. Liang Guanglie, hosted the event and held the first meeting with the chairman. Vice Chairman of the Chinese Military Commission Gen. Cao Gangchuan held the second meeting with Pace. Finally the chairman called on Gen. Guo Boxiong, roughly the equivalent to the national security advisor, who visited Pace last year in Washington.

Pace said the meetings were candid and friendly and added that it's easy to speak with other military professionals.

The general said he stressed that cooperation between the United States and China will help bring "peace, stability and prosperity" to both countries.

Pace discussed a full range of concerns with the Chinese military leaders. The Chinese want more military-to-military contacts at the most senior levels of DoD, he said, but they also want military contacts at junior-officer levels. The exchange of young officers for professional military education is "a way for our young officers to get to know each other and understand one another," he said. "This will produce benefits for 20, 25, 30 years in the future."

Pace also discussed more maritime search-and-rescue operations with the Chinese leaders.

Pace said the Chinese brought up the situation between China and Taiwan. The chairman said he told the Chinese leaders that U.S. actions in this respect are dominated by the "'One China Policy,' the 'Three Communiques' (between the United States and China), the Taiwan Relations Act and a sincere desire to see reunification done in a peaceful manner."

Discussions included talk of the Chinese defense budget, which recently jumped almost 18 percent to about $44 billion per year. Critics in the United States see this as a sign of an aggressive China seeking hegemony first in Asia and then elsewhere in the world. Pace said he told the Chinese that he sees China building defense capacity, but that the country doesn't appear to have the intent to use the forces to attack other nations.

The chairman said the Chinese explained they are modernizing their military and trying to develop a more professional force. This requires money and, they told him, much of the increase is attributable to pay raises and personnel costs for Chinese soldiers.

Pace said he told the Chinese that no one questions the need for China to modernize its military, but that making the process more transparent would help all countries in the region and world.

Pace will continue his visit to China tomorrow

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Bush: Peace in Middle East Necessary for U.S. Security

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service

March 22, 2007 – Peace in the Middle East is hard work, but it's necessary for U.S. security and for the development of the region, President Bush said here today. "We have a remarkable country, and we have people from different walks of life, different levels of experience, make the decision to serve America by helping a young democracy survive," Bush said after meeting with Iraq provincial reconstruction team leaders at the White House. "They understand what I understand, and that is, success in Iraq is important for the security of the United States."

Bush met with team members from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the military. PRTs are joint civilian-military units that support local leaders and empower provincial authorities by working closely with the communities on reconstruction and other activities.

Bush thanked the team members for the sacrifices they make, and called on Congress to fully fund their efforts, along with the rest of the military. "I believe it's important for our commanders on the ground to have the flexibility necessary to make decisions to succeed," he said. "We don't want you to go into Iraq and then have unnecessary strings placed upon the money so you can't do your job."

Bush also said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is headed to the Middle East to continue work with the Palestinians, Israelis and Arabs in seeking a solution in the region.

"This will be hard work," Bush said. "It's not easy to get all parties headed in the right direction. But it's necessary work for this country, and it's necessary for our secretary of state, with my strong approval, to be moving the process forward. And that's what she'll be doing."

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Military Working Dogs Keeping Troops Safe

By Spc. Chris McCann, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

March 22, 2007 – The terrorist is quiet during the search, letting Army Sgt. Harold Corey pat him down all along one side. But when Corey gets to his right hip, the terrorist shoves at him. It's less than a second before Wandor's huge mouthful of teeth is clamped around the terrorist's arm and Corey is out of danger, telling the dog "away!" to make him release the man's arm. It's just a simulation and a chance for Wandor to play; "the terrorist" -- actually 1st Lt. Timothy Owens, the executive officer for Company A, 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) -- is just trying out the "bite suit" used by dog trainers.

But even playing, Wandor, a Belgian Malinois, can take down a grown man in seconds, running at 30 miles per hour and exerting 1,400 pounds per square inch of bite pressure.

"It was really cool," said Owens, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas. "It was surprising how the dog looks so lean, but one twist, and he took me down. They're a great asset for enforcement and detection."

Corey, a native of Newport News, Va., has been working with dogs for three years with the 529th Military Police Company, based out of Heidelberg, Germany.

"I enjoy it," Corey said of the March 19 practice session, which was attended by several 210th BSB soldiers. "It's never not exciting to watch a dog take someone down."

The 2nd BCT, based here, has several attached handlers with dogs that accompany brigade missions every day.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Hart, a native of Syracuse, N.Y., and the BCT's provost marshal, explained that most of the dogs that work with the brigade are trained to seek explosives. But they are also adept at "combat tracking." While a human usually requires hearing two shots to pinpoint the direction of origin, dogs can point to the origin after only one shot, a skill that is critical when a sniper is shooting. Once the dog finds the shooter's hiding place, he can track the person and even pick him out of a lineup.

There are also patrol narcotics dogs, used during health-and-welfare inspections of troops, and dogs trained to seek bodies, Hart said.

The dogs are well-trained and well-kept, Hart explained. "They have veterinary coverage twenty-four seven," he said. "And there's medical evacuation coverage, as well, just like there is for humans. They're out there risking their lives too; it's only fair."

The handlers know basic first aid and life-support skills for the dogs, and a veterinarian is at the helipad waiting if a dog comes in injured.

So far, Hart said, the handlers haven't needed to medically evacuate a dog. One was killed in the line of duty while searching a house; an air-conditioning unit he jumped onto had an exposed high-powered wire on it. Other than that, he explained, they have had only minor injuries, such as cut paws.

And while the handlers haven't "let slip the dogs of war" -- as in Mark Antony's famous speech in William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" --, the animals have provided very tangible benefits for the brigade, sniffing out explosives and weaponry.

"They're a force multiplier," Corey said. "They can do the searching of five or six soldiers and do with their nose what a soldier has to do by prodding and digging. They make the job easier. Also, they're a visual deterrent; the local nationals are scared of them, so they're more cooperative."

Corey said that Wandor has found several weapons while helping on cordon-and-search missions. "He finds weapons in houses even before the homeowners turn them over to us," Corey said.

Instead of having to move everything in a house, he just sniffs around, and when he finds something, he sits. Then we just have to move one thing to get to the weapons."

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Bragg, a native of Denver, Colo., who is assigned to a San Diego-based deployable canine unit, is also attached to the 2nd BCT.

While Bragg has been working with dogs for several years, the one assigned to him now -- "Don," a German shepherd -- is fresh from school at Lackland Air Force Base, near San Antonio.

"He's a 'green' dog," Bragg explained. "His detection skills are much better than his aggression. He's got a great nose on him. But he's young, only 3, and he's still in the puppy stage."

Don showed his prowess at finding pieces of detonation cord hidden in the 210th BSB's supply yard, hunkering down as he caught a whiff of explosive and then sitting as soon as he found the source.

All of the hard training works, Corey explained, because the dogs think of the job as a game.

"A dog is like a 5-year-old child," he said. "To get a kid to do something, you make it fun."

The object of the game for Wandor -- as it is for almost every other military working dog -- is a beehive-shaped rubber toy called a "Kong." If he finds explosives, he gets to play. Corey explained that the dogs are trained to understand that finding the object of their search might take awhile, but if a mission is fruitless for too long, he's prepared with a piece of detonation cord.

"I'll hand it to someone else and ask them to hide it for me," Corey said. Wandor can then find the cord and win some quality time playing with his Kong before moving on and continuing the quest.

"I always carry training aids to refresh his interest," Corey said.

Athough it may be like a game for the dog, the perspective is different on the other side of those sharp teeth.

After being bitten through the padded bite suit, Army Chief Warrant Officer Julio Hall, a native of Grafton, N.H., and a supply systems technician with the 210th BSB, said he had more respect for the dogs' power and for the capabilities they provide against terrorists.

"The dog took me down right away," he said. "The dog itself is pretty intimidating. If I was an insurgent, I'd be petrified."

(Army Spc. Chris McCann is assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division.)

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Mile-Long Yellow Ribbon Bound for Baghdad

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

March 22, 2007 – A mile's worth of yellow ribbon bearing the signatures of 10,000 young Americans is finally bound for Baghdad. The project has been a two-year endeavor for Matthew Cook, a California high school senior, who began with 75-foot bolts of yellow ribbon before they were sewn into a mile-long expression of gratitude. He said he started this project as a way for the youth of America to honor servicemembers who defend freedom.

"The Mile-Long Yellow Ribbon symbolizes going the extra mile, something our servicemembers do for us every day," Cook said. "The 10,000 signatures show that young Americans have a message and that is, 'We support our troops!"

This project has encouraged thought and dialogue that reinforces to young people just how precious their freedom is, he added.

"Young people need to understand that the corollary of freedom is individual responsibility," Cook said. "If our soldiers are willing to lose their lives to protect our freedom, we must be willing to live up to it."

The finished product weighs in at 460 pounds and is awaiting transport to its intended recipients: servicemembers in Iraq. That trip will begin in the near future, thanks to the Utah Army National Guard's Chief Warrant Officer 5 Paul Holton, founder of Operation Give.

Operation Give is a nonprofit organization that supports children in war-torn and natural-disaster-affected areas of the world. It's also a member of the Defense Department's America Supports You program that highlights the ways Americans and the corporate sector are supporting the nation's servicemembers.

Cook contacted Holton, also known as "Chief Wiggles," in hopes of finding help in shipping the massive show of patriotism overseas. Holton's already got the logistics worked out and is just waiting to receive the crate at his Utah warehouse.

"We're going to throw it on a container and send it (by ocean freighter)," Holton said. "It's going to Baghdad, and we've got the military kind of spun up on this so that they can ... make some type of presentation to as many (servicemembers) as possible."

Holton has served in Iraq already and knows what the ribbon will mean to the men and women who receive it. "It makes a big difference," he said. "It's just a boost if we can give them ... anything that shows we care about them and are thinking about them."

The ribbon and its 10,000 signatures will do that, Holton said. It is, however, also the ribbon's fate to end up closer to its original state -- smaller pieces, and lots of them.

"They can all cut off a piece of it, if they'd like (and) take a piece with them," Holton said. "That was the intent: ... for each (servicemember) to have a piece of it with him."

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Marine Units Extended on Okinawa

American Forces Press Service

March 22, 2007 – About 1,200 Marines who deployed to Okinawa in January to serve as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit will remain on the Japanese island about five months longer than originally planned, Marine Corps officials said today. Instead of returning home in August, the Marines will remain in Okinawa until January to most effectively support both the plus-up of forces in Iraq and the other combatant commanders' requirements in the global war on terrorism, officials said.

The units affected are:

-- 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; Battery E, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment; Platoon, Company A, 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion; and a detachment of Marine Light Attack Squadron 267, all from Camp Pendleton, Calif.;

-- 2nd Platoon, Company C, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, from Twentynine Palms, Calif.;

-- Marine Attack Squadron 214, from Yuma, Ariz.; and

-- A detachment from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, from Miramar, Calif.

The 31st MEU is a composite force composed of units home-stationed in Okinawa and units home-based in the United States. The MEU Headquarters, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 and Combat Logistics Battalion 31 are home-stationed in Okinawa.

Elements of the 31st MEU are conducting training in the Pacific region.

Speaking in Tokyo yesterday, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that while less-than-ideal deployment and rotation timetables are sometimes necessary, the military will be able to meet any challenges it faces.

"There is no question that we would prevail against an adversary," he said. "But we would probably not be able to do it as quickly and as efficiently as our own plans call for."

Pace said people often confuse what the military would like to do with what it can do if called upon. He used Army deployments as an example. He said the Army would like to have one-year deployments followed by two years at home stations. Instead, the U.S. Army has one-year deployments with one year at home stations. "That type of rotation is not what we would like to do, but it is sustainable," he said.

The normal Marine rotation schedule is seven months of deployment followed by seven months at home stations.

(Compiled from U.S. Marine Corps and American Forces Press Service reports.)

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