|
|
you are here We Are National Voice/Pine Level News Gazette Home of
To stay informed, subscribe to our
RSS feeds, book mark us, or even better,
Subscribe to Missing Children RSS Feed Subscribe to Desktop - The Editorial Page RSS Feed Subscribe to Religion RSS feed Rss Business Feed
webmasterb@nationalvoicesite.com Plan, Prepare - The Recipe for Hurricane Season Survival
By Mary Anne Tubman, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors, civilians and families are closely watching the development of Hurricane Earl Aug. 31 as the storm may become a threat to the East Coast. Earl, which began to move away from the Virgin Islands Aug. 30 as a Category 4 hurricane, is the third hurricane in 2010 in the Atlantic Ocean. Every year, hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Hurricane Bonnie was the second named storm of the 2010 hurricane season to threaten the Gulf Coast region. Hurricane Alex was the first tropical cyclone, dumping heavy rains and causing flooding in the Corpus Christi area. The 2010 hurricane season has been projected to be an active storm season. In this decade alone, virtually every installation in the Southeast has been impacted by tropical cyclones. The 2008 season produced Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike, and called for the evacuations of Naval Air Station Key West and Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. Communities in Louisiana and Mississippi are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The time to plan is now. There are many keys to survival before, during and after a storm. The following provides information and resources to guide you and your families on how to weather the storm: - Operation Prepare: http://cnic.navy.mil/CNIC_HQ_Site/WhatWeDo/EmergencyManagement/OperationPreparedness/index.htm This comprehensive Web site developed by Commander, Naval Installations Command (CNIC), covers every aspect of hurricane preparation, including creation of a personal emergency plan, assembling a supply kit, caring for family members with special needs, mustering and recovery. Operation Prepare also offers simple, ready-to-use fact sheets, checklists and forms for other natural and man-made disasters and how to prepare for them. There are chief of naval operations mandated items for all Department of the Navy (DoN) personnel: - Enrollment in the Defense Travel System (DTS) Web site: See your command/department DTS representative to enroll today at www.defensetravel.osd.mil. - Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS): The NFAAS is used to account for all DoN personnel and their family members during and after a natural disaster. Developed following the 2005 hurricane season, NFAAS was used for Hurricane Ike in September 2008 following the evacuation of NAS Key West personnel and families to the Orlando safe haven. Be sure your NFAAS data is current before an emergency arrives. All family members should be familiar with NFAAS in the event you are separated. To review and update NFAAS, visit https://navyfamily.navy.mil. - Total Workforce Management System (TWMS): All DoN and civilian personnel must regularly update their TWMS information. This is where family information is pulled from to draft evacuation orders for Navy and civilian personnel and their family members. Login to https://twms.nmci.navy.mil/selfservice/. In the left-hand column, click on "Personal/Recall Information." - Emergency Phone Numbers: Develop a list of emergency phone numbers that include command, quarterdeck and hurricane hotline information. - Emergency Checklist: Utilize local hurricane preparedness information. Learn community evacuation routes. Become familiar with workplace, school and daycare center emergency plans. - Hurricane Kits: Gather the supplies you'll need if your family is confined at home. There are specific items you should stock: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing, bedding, tools, emergency supplies and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container such as a large covered trash can, a camping backpack or a duffle bag. For more information on hurricane kits, go to https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnrse/AboutCNIC/HurricaneSeason2010/HurricaneKit/index.htm. Visit your installation for important hurricane information. Obtain a copy of the hurricane editions or inserts from your installation newspapers. Stay tuned to local news and weather stations for the latest information. Maintain close contact with your chain of command and be prepared to execute evacuation orders if called to do so. The best advice is to stay alert, be prepared and have a plan. Early preparation will ensure you and your family make it through the storm. For more news from Commander Navy Region Southeast visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrse/. Gates: War in Iraq Over, U.S. Transitioning to Iraqi Forces By Jim Garamone RAMADI, Iraq, Sept. 1, 2010 – The war in Iraq is over and the United States is entering the final phase of the U.S. engagement in Iraq, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. U.S. combat operations have ceased, the secretary said. American forces are still participating in some counterinsurgency operations with the Iraqis, and they are training and advising and assisting Iraqi forces, but the United States is not at war in Iraq. Gates said a lot has changed in Iraq since he took office in December 2006. Then Iraq was in desperate straits. Ethnic violence – encouraged by al-Qaida in Iraq – threatened to tear the country apart. Sunni and Shia Arabs were at each other’s throats and both groups distrusted the Kurds. Insurgents were planting roadside bombs and driving car bombs into Iraqi and coalition forces. In those dark days came the decision to surge 30,000 more American troops into the country to take and hold areas until Iraqi security forces could take their place. It worked, but American servicemembers paid a terrible price. Since the invasion in 2003, a total of 4,427 American servicemembers have died in Iraq. Some 34,268 have been wounded. Hundreds of thousands have served in Iraq – often repeatedly. Reporters asked Gates if that sacrifice was worth it. “If Iraq ends up a democratic country that is a constructive participant in international life … then I think looking back the potential for it being the core of significant change in this region as a democratic state is hard to underestimate,” he said. “Our men and women in uniform believe we have accomplished something that makes the sacrifice and the bloodshed not to have been in vain. Our men and women have accomplished something really quite extraordinary.” The secretary is optimistic about the future of the country. He said that “politics has broken out here,” with opposing sides talking about forming a government rather than shooting at each other. “The efforts of al-Qaida to reignite ethnic violence that we saw in 2006 and 2007 have not been successful,” he said. “I’m optimistic that these guys will form a coalition government and continue to make progress. This is going to be a work in progress for a long time. This is a new thing in the several thousand year history of Iraq, and it’s a pretty new thing in this region of the world.” Gates gave two examples of the changes he has seen just since arriving in Iraq this morning. The first is how empty it was at al Asad Air Base, where he landed. At one time, the base housed 22,000 Marines and soldiers. The other example was reflected in the questions from the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team. Gates visited the soldiers here and held a question and answer session with them. The soldiers of the advise and assist brigade “did not ask questions about security or issues relating to Iraq so much as they were about their own situations and plans going forward,” Gates said. There will continue to be tough times in Iraq for the 50,000 American troops that remain to advise and assist Iraqi security forces. He told the soldiers, for example, that he would not favor stopping the special pays they receive for their service here. Afghan, Coalition Troops Kill, Capture Hundreds of Insurgents Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2010 – Afghan and coalition forces killed or captured hundreds of Taliban and Haqqani extremists during the past month, military officials said. In August, the security forces detained more than 500 insurgents and killed 160 more. Among the captured or killed were 23 Haqqani network chiefs and 53 Taliban leaders. These leadership figures include shadow governors, commanders, subcommanders and weapons facilitators. Clear rules of engagement and extreme measures were taken to avoid civilian casualties, resulting in 85 percent of the 186 operations conducted without shots fired. "August was an extremely successful month for Afghan and coalition forces in which several high-level Haqqani and Taliban leaders were captured," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, the director of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command’s Combined Joint Operations Center. "These operations have degraded the insurgents' capabilities to execute complex attacks against the Afghan population, and helped facilitate further security force operations to degrade insurgent criminal activities in Afghanistan." For example, this week Afghan and coalition forces captured and killed several Haqqani network commanders following attempted attacks on Forward Operating Base Salerno and Chapman. Immediately following the attacks, coalition forces conducted a precision air strike on a vehicle occupied by three Haqqani fighters as they were fleeing the area. Mudasir, a Haqqani facilitator of suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices, was killed along with two additional insurgents. Mudasir, who was also known as Qari Ishaq, had direct ties to Haqqani network senior leadership based in Pakistan and was a teacher at a madrassa known to facilitate suicide bombers. "We will continue to kill or capture these insurgent groups who are constantly terrorizing the peaceful people of Afghanistan," Torres said. "These combined operations establish the security needed to make feasible ANSF training, local populace protection and improving governance throughout the country." In other news: -- An Afghan-coalition force detained several insurgents in Ghazni province. While conducting a routine mission in the local area, Afghan and coalition forces came under mortar attack from local insurgent forces. The combined force quickly located the mortar location at a nearby compound. When Afghan and coalition forces entered the compound, several males ran away. They were subsequently caught, detained and tested for explosive residue. The tests came back positive, and the attackers were detained in the custody of the Afghan national police. "Acts of violence against Afghan and coalition forces will not be tolerated," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, director of the International Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center. "We will continue to seek out and detain the enemies of Afghanistan who wish to inflict harm on Afghan people, as well as Afghan and coalition forces." -- Afghan and coalition security forces assessed that one of the insurgents detained in Kunduz province Aug. 31 was planning to carry out a suicide attack. During their search the security force discovered an intact improvised explosive device wired inside a suitcase. -- The International Security Assistance Force confirmed that an Aug. 30 coalition force precision air strike in Kandahar province killed Zulmai, a Taliban commander responsible for directing improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces. The commander also coordinated the movement of supplies and fighters throughout the province. Intelligence tracked three Taliban insurgents to an open, unpopulated field of Zharay district. After ensuring no civilians were present, coalition aircraft engaged the insurgents, killing Zulmai and another insurgent, and wounding the other. Initial operating reporting states there were no civilian casualties. In Aug. 31 news: -- A motorcycle-borne IED detonated in Kandahar, killing Kandahar's hajj and pilgrimage chief and his body guard. Six Afghan civilians were also wounded in the explosion. "Our thoughts are with their family during this difficult time," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, director of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center. "Criminals continue to attack Afghan civilians and government officials showing a total disregard for human life and the peaceful people of this country." -- Coalition forces captured two suspected insurgents and located and seized a weapons cache in the Malajat district of Kandahar province. During joint clearing operations south of Kandahar City, Afghan police, along with soldiers of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division discovered a weapons cache and bomb-making materials. The operation recovered weapons, several hundred rounds of ammunition and IED components. Two suspected insurgents were detained. The weapons and bomb-making materials were confiscated by Afghan security forces. "The rapid response of vigilant ANSF and ISAF forces helped remove criminals off the streets of Kandahar and disrupted future insurgent operations," said Maj. Earl Brown, spokesman for the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. -- An Afghan-coalition security force detained several insurgents in Helmand province while in pursuit of a Taliban shadow governor in Musa Qal'ah district. Four insurgents were killed. -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained two insurgents in Ghazni province, including a Taliban subcommander linked to coordinating attacks which threaten the security and safety of the local population. Acting on intelligence tips, the security force targeted a compound in the village of Pajak in Deh Yak district to search for the commander. Afghan soldiers used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then secured the area. After initial questioning, the assault force identified and detained the commander and another insurgent for further questioning. The security force found multiple weapons at the scene. The security force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children during the search. -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained several insurgents in Nangarhar province while in pursuit of the Taliban shadow governor for Rodat district who is linked to foreign fighters and suicide bombers. The security force targeted a compound southeast of the village of Sarachah in Behsud district to search the area. Afghan soldiers used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then secured the area. After initial questioning, the assault force detained the insurgents. -- An Afghan-coalition security force detained several insurgents in Khost province, including a Haqqani network facilitator linked to coordinating the movement of weapons and IED-making materials. The security force targeted a series of compounds northeast of the village of Badi Kheyl in Khost district to search for the facilitator. After initial questioning, the assault force detained the facilitator along with two of his associates for further questioning. "The pressure will continue against the Haqqani network leadership," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, the director of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center. "As a result of these operations, Haqqani's leadership in Khost and Paktiya provinces is severely disrupted, allowing the time and space for the Afghan government to spread its influence to better support the Afghan people.” The security force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children during the search. -- An Afghan-coalition force conducting a medical evacuation mission were forced to fire on two Afghan civilians who displayed hostile intent to the combined force in the area of Marjah in Helmand province. The combined force had established a cordon to await the arrival of a medical evacuation helicopter when the two Afghan civilians approached the cordon. The combined force used established procedures to warn the individuals to stop and exit the area. The individuals ignored the warnings and continued to advance toward the cordon. The combined force determined that the individuals displayed hostile intent, and in accordance with established procedures, the force fired on the individuals. One Afghan civilian was killed and the other wounded. The combined force evacuated the wounded civilian to a nearby coalition medical facility where he received medical treatment. The incident is under review. -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained several insurgents in Logar province while in pursuit of a Taliban commander who leads 40 fighters in attacks against Afghan officials and coalition forces operating in Logar. The commander also is linked to a recent IED attack that killed four US soldiers. "We will continue to target those responsible for the IED attacks that are killing Afghan civilians, as well as Afghan and coalition forces," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, the director of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center. "This dangerous commander was directly involved in yesterday's attack and we'll do everything in our power to bring him to justice." The security force targeted a compound in the village of Yusof Kheyl in Baraki Barak district to search the area. Afghan soldiers used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then secured the area. After initial questioning on the scene, the assault force detained three insurgents for further questioning. The security force also found a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher with a round and multiple automatic weapons with ammunition. The security force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children during the search. -- Coalition forces came under heavy small-arms fire in the Musa Qal'ah district of Helmand province. The force identified the insurgent firing position and called for precision artillery fire and close-air support. Two precision artillery rounds were fired at the enemy position and a coalition aircraft employed a laser-guided munition and strafing to defeat the insurgent attack. The coalition force observed all munitions striking the targeted location. Following the incident, the force conducted a battle-damage assessment and found the bodies of one insurgent and two female Afghan civilians. Two other Afghan civilians were injured in the incident. A joint Afghan and ISAF team will travel to Helmand to make an assessment of what occurred. Odierno Earns Praise for Getting Results in Iraq By Jim Garamone CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, Sept. 1, 2010 – Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno put it very simply today, as he finished his address at the change of command ceremony for U.S. Forces Iraq. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Marine Gen. Gen. James N. Mattis, commander, U.S. Central Command, salute during the presentation of colors at the change-of-command ceremony for U.S. Forces Iraq in Baghdad, Sept. 1, 2010. U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III relieved U.S. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley “Lion 6 – Out,” Odierno said, meaning that the commander had finished using his call sign and was heading for his new assignment at U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. The ceremony was held here at the al Faw Palace – an ornate edifice built near the Baghdad airport by Saddam Hussein to commemorate the victory over Iran in 1988. Odierno handed the reins of the command to Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III. Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey and Iraqi security leaders attended the ceremony. U.S. Marine Corps. Gen. James Mattis, U.S. Central Command Chief, presided as Odierno passed the command flag to Austin. The change in command coincided with a change in mission for USFI. “The United States has ended its combat mission in Iraq,” Biden said before the ceremony. “Iraqi troops are taking lead responsibility for their country’s security.” The United States kept its promise to draw down troops and end Operation Iraqi Freedom and put in place Operation New Dawn, the vice president said. It means that the 50,000 U.S. troops now in Iraq are involved solely in training and mentoring Iraqi units. There is a residual counterinsurgency mission, but even that is Iraqi-led. The mission here, though, remains important to the United States and to the region, Gates said. Gates took the opportunity to focus on the troops still in Iraq that will serve in an advise and assist role for Iraqi security forces. “Even as the weight of our military efforts and public attention has shifted to Afghanistan, you should know your work here going forward is critical to the future of this part of the world, and to the national security of our country,” the secretary said. “You have my gratitude and respect for your service and sacrifice, and for the service and sacrifice of your families.” Gates praised Odierno for his leadership in Iraq. During Odierno’s tenure, the command shifted from Multinational Forces Iraq to U.S. Forces Iraq. Odierno shifted American forces out of the cities and sculpted the advise and assist mission that all six U.S. brigades in country now have. And he did all this while redeploying 74,000 servicemembers back to the United States. Odierno received his new job after only a seven-month break after serving as the corps commander in Baghdad. “He leaves as one of the few U.S. Army generals in history to command a division, corps and entire theater in the same conflict,” Gates said. “After commanding the 4th Infantry Division in the area around Saddam Hussein’s hometown during the first year of the campaign, General Odierno would later take charge of the Multinational Corps during the darkest days of the war.” The general crafted the tactics American forces and their allies used to fight a counterinsurgency campaign. “As any student of military history knows, any strategy is only as effective as its execution, and without Ray’s ability to turn plans into results on the ground, we would be facing a far grimmer situation outside these walls today,” Gates said. Odierno returned to command all forces in Iraq. His mission was to build on the hard-fought gains of the surge, keep the proverbial boot on the neck of al-Qaida in Iraq and expand the capacity and capabilities of Iraq’s army and police. “The dedication of General Odierno, the sacrifices of the troops under his command, and the efforts of our interagency and Iraqi partners made it possible to be where we are today – with a dramatically reduced troop presence and a new mission,” the secretary said. Gates said the command is fortunate to get Austin as the new commander. The general most recently served as the director of the Joint Staff. Before that he was the corps commander in Iraq and served with the 3rd Infantry Division in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. “Lloyd Austin – like Ray Odierno – has always led by example, asking nothing of his troops that he would not do himself,” Gates said. “He has the unique distinction of being awarded the Silver Star for valour as a general officer, leading from the front during the 3rd Infantry Division’s march to Baghdad more than seven years ago. “I know he will use his extraordinary talents and experience to build on the success that has been achieved in Iraq, success bought with the blood and sweat of all who have served here,” the secretary continued. Odierno reflected on Iraqi and American accomplishments in the country. “This period in Iraq’s history will probably be remembered for sacrifice, resiliency and change,” he said. “But I will remember it as a time when the Iraqi people stood up against tyranny, terrorism, extremism and decided to determine their own destiny as a people and as a democratic state.” The Iraqis, Odierno said, had the help of an incredibly dedicated group of American military personnel and civilians. “I never lost faith in the adaptability, courage and mental toughness of our servicemembers and civilians to get the job done,” he said. “If there is one lesson I’ve taken from our involvement here it is the sheer magnitude of what we are capable of when we trusted ourselves and focused on our commitment and worked side-by-side, arm-in-arm with our Iraqi partners.” Odierno urged Iraqi politicians to move quickly to form a representative government based on the results of the March 7 elections. “A peaceful transition of power following the peaceful and credible elections,” he said, “is the strongest possible response to al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations.” The Iraqi people have sent a message to their leaders, Odierno said. “I urge all the political blocs to respond by forming a government that is representative of (the peoples’) will,” the general said. “It is time for Iraq to move forward.” Austin pledged to continue cooperation with the Iraqi security forces, even as the functions of his command transfer to civilian control. Operation New Dawn is an enduring commitment to a new relationship with the Iraqi people, he said. “It will require a comprehensive and coherent approach by all U.S. government entities, international organizations and the Iraqi government,” Austin said. “The result of that teamwork will be a stable, secure and self-reliant Iraq that benefits the entire region.” The region will benefit from a stable Iraq, Austin said, noting that Iraq can be a democratic cornerstone of progress in a troubled area. He thanked servicemembers, their civilian compatriots and the Iraqi government for forging new, peaceful relationships with its neighbors. “Although challenges remain, we will face these challenges together,” Austin said. “Iraq still faces a hostile enemy that is determined to end her progress, and Iraq’s enemies will continue to try to pursue their objectives. “But make no mistake: our military forces here and those of the Iraqi nation remain committed to insuring that our friends in Iraq will succeed,” he continued. “And we will demonstrate our commitment through a continued partnership, and we will help the Iraqis develop their capability to provide for their own national defense by advising and assisting, training and equipping the security forces.”
|
|
|
National Voice Gazette
www.nationalvoicesite.com
Remember the Troops
Support the Mission
