US Military Officials Promise Smooth Leadership Transition With Next Administration

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2008 -- The Defense Department is doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transition as the next presidential administration takes control of the military in January, officials assured civilian business, academic and local government leaders.

The November election will usher in the United States’ first change of administration during wartime in 40 years, Deputy Defense Secretary told participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference during the group’s orientation visit yesterday.

The business of defending the country and its interests transcends politics, England told the leaders, who visited the Pentagon before setting out for a week-long trip through the U.S. European Command area of operations.

“This is serious biz that we are about; it is not political,” he said. “We have one mission -- protecting and defending the nation -- and that is what everybody does.”

The Defense Department has been working for the past year to ensure the political transition goes smoothly so no “hiccups” divert focus from that mission, England said. “We have been focused on it,” he said. “We are determined to make this as smooth as we can.”

The Joint Staff’s director of operations agreed. “We owe that to our troops, and we owe that to the American people, particularly now, with a war going on,” Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton said.

Toward that end, transition task forces throughout the department are preparing continuity plans for the new administration, Robert T. Hastings Jr., principal assistant deputy secretary of defense for public affairs, told the group.

“We have gone as far as preparing a budget to hand to the next leadership of this department,” he said. Whether to submit that budget, alter it, or come up with a new one altogether will be up to the new leaders.

“But when they come through the door, the homework is done and they will have available to them all resources they need to make decisions [about their] … first budget,” Hastings said. “We are pretty proud of the fact that the political leadership of this department will leave it in as good shape as we found it.”

Earlier this year, England told department managers their leadership will be critical in ensuring a smooth transition during the administration change. “Regardless of what administration comes in, there [will be] a disruptive period,” he said, with the exodus of current leaders and influx of new ones.

But England said, the department is committed to minimizing any disruption, particularly in light of two ongoing wars and other operations around the world.

“I don’t want to hand any bowls of spaghetti over to the next administration,” he said at a May conference.

Hastings reiterated that message this week to the JCOC participants. “We haven’t had to change the civilian leadership of this department during wartime since Vietnam, and we are approaching that with all seriousness,” he said. “Those troops in the field deserve leadership back here that is not disrupted. And we will continue to provide them that support.”

The first U.S. defense secretary, James V. Forrestal, created the JCOC in 1948 to introduce civilian "movers and shakers" with little or no military exposure to the workings of the armed forces. Nearly six decades later, it remains the Defense Department's premier civic leader program.

(Story by Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service.)

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Combat Camera Video: Khazakhstan EOD Detonates Helo

Khazakhstan EOD Detonates HeloB-roll of Khazahkstan EOD detonating a helicopter. Scenes include Khazahkstan forces unloading boxes out of vehicles, Khazahkstan forces loading explosives into a helicopter and the helicopter being blown up. (Produced by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Caskey. Length: 3:04)

(Submitting Unit: Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq.)

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USS Boxer Scores "Direct Hit" with New Missile Guidance System

In this 2008 file photo, the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) prepares to dock into her homeport of San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michelle Rhonehouse.)

Focus on Defense:

USS BOXER (LHD 4), At Sea, Sept. 20, 2008 -- USS Boxer (LHD 4) returned from an underway period Sept. 19, during which the crew conducted training and tested a new shipboard missile guidance system.

The four-day underway allowed Boxer's crew to test the ship's upgrades since completing a short in-port maintenance period last month.

Among other modifications, Boxer was fitted with a prototype electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera integrated into the missile director system to acquire and engage targets. The system is the first of its kind in the Navy and was used during the underway to successfully fire three RIM-7 NATO Sea Sparrow missiles.

"With this system we will be able to further expand our lethality around the ship and monitor what is going on at a longer range and prevent those threats from approaching Boxer," said Chief Fire Control Technician (SW/AW) Daniel Casebolt.

The EO/IR system is not only a unique enhanced capability for Boxer, but the Sea Sparrow firing evolution was the first for the ship since 1998.

"The evolution went smooth," said Capt. Mark Cedrun, commanding officer. "I couldn't be more pleased with everyone's performance. Our fire controlmen spearheaded this operation, and their hard work really yielded solid, on-target results."

The target was a remotely controlled rigid-hull inflatable boat used to simulate a hostile boat approaching Boxer.

"The EO/IR camera is an upgrade to the low-level light TV that we currently have on board, and its ability to see farther out has given us upgraded capability," said Casebolt. "We're able to see up to 11 nautical miles out at surface contacts to visually identify them and determine intent to prepare us for going to the gulf and prevent any hostile attacks against small-boat attacks."

The camera system can be manually controlled from inside the ship's combat information center with the option of simultaneously viewing standard, infrared and low-level video feeds. All three missiles hit directly on target and the detonations were cheered by crewmembers gathered to watch the evolution.

"The shoot went excellent," added Casebolt. "We fired three missiles, all skin-to-skin shots, against a seven-foot-long RHIB with a very small cross section so it shows the capability of the system against a small threat. We engaged and were able to destroy the target at 4 nautical miles away."

The training and evolutions conducted on this underway are another step in maintaining Boxer's combat readiness in preparation for future operations. Boxer is next scheduled to begin a pre-deployment training series for deployment early next year.

(Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jon Rasmussen.)

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Combat Camera: Operation Northern Exposure Sends Message to Extremists in Iraq

The site of a recent explosion of an improvised explosive device near the canal being searched as part of Operation Northern Exposure in Umm al Abid, Iraq, Sept. 5, 2008. (Photographer: Pfc. Michael Schuch, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs.)

Spc. David Walls, of Detroit, Mich., calls a command to his military working dog as she searches the area for weapons and explosives during Operation Northern Exposure in Umm al Abid Sept. 5, 2008. (Photographer: Pfc. Michael Schuch, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs.)

An Iraqi national police Shurta responds to a question from his commander while providing security for the men searching the canal during Operation Northern Exposure in Umm al Abid Sept. 5, 2008. (Photographer: Pfc. Michael Schuch, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs.)

Spc. Eiburcio Bazante, of Madera, Calif., uses a metal detector to search through a canal as Spc. Paul Paiva, of Pittsburgh, Pa., provides security for him during Operation Northern Exposure in Umm al Abid Sept. 5, 2008. (Photographer: Pfc. Michael Schuch, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs.)

Staff Sgt. Dehan Aquino, of New York City, provides overhead security from atop a berm surrounding the canal during Operation Northern Exposure in Umm al Abid Sept.5, 2008. (Photographer: Pfc. Michael Schuch, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs.)

Dispatches from the Front:

COMBAT OUTPOST CASHE SOUTH, Iraq, Sept. 20, 2008 -- Coalition Soldiers conducted an extensive search through a major canal in Umm al Abid as part of Operation Northern Exposure Sept. 5, 2008.

Soldiers from Companies A and B, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment initiated the search because the area was used numerous times before for emplacing improvised explosive devices aimed at Iraqi security and coalition forces.

Operation Northern Exposure is in response to extremist activity in the Diyala province and is meant to disrupt support and freedom of maneuver for al Qaida in Iraq and other extremists groups attempting to operate in the area.

After a short link-up with members of the Iraqi national police at Patrol Base Jaguar, the combined element moved 600 meters north to the site of the canal, which spanned four- and-a-half kilometers.

The men split into several groups to quickly scour the canal and surrounding area looking for any disturbances to the land, possible hidden weapons caches or IEDs.

Two soldiers and two Iraqi national police Shurtas entered the heavily overgrown canal with a metal detector as several other soldiers provided overhead security.

Simultaneously, a large group of soldiers and Shurta combed through the brush-covered desert floor.

The men searching the land surrounding the canal discovered numerous perfectly-shaped fighting positions dug into the ground, positioned with a clear view of the road traveling through the area. They determined they had not been used in some time based on the growth of vegetation inside the positions.

The tail section of a rocket was also discovered by a Shurta and was immediately secured by a soldier for disposal by the unit’s explosives ordnance disposal team.

After the first section of canal was searched, Lt. Col. Rich Morales, commander of Task Force 1-35 Armd. Regt, ordered for the overgrown vegetation inside the canal to be burned in order to destroy the weeds used to camouflage weapons and munitions.

“Burning it [the vegetation] sends the message you’re here,” said Morales, a native of El Paso, Texas. “Someone may be watching us now as we operate, or they may not, but if you burn it, they know you were here.”

(Story by Pfc. Michael Schuch, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Public Affairs Office.)

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US Marines Discover Beauty in Himalayas With Help From Nepal Army

NAGARKOT, Nepal-Nagarkot, Nepal. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco.)

NAGARKOT, Nepal-Nagarkot, Nepal. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco.)

NAGARKOT, Nepal-Nagarkot, Nepal. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco.)

Focus on Defense:

NAGARKOT, Nepal, Sept. 19, 2008 -- The occasion presented itself during a day off from the subject matter expert exchange between the Nepal Army and U.S. Marine Corps.

Three military police Marines from the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Provost Marshal’s Office and Criminal Investigative Division, three Marines and the deputy director of the III Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Corps Bases Japan Consolidated

Public Affairs Office and four Nepal Army officers visited Nagarkot Mountain, home of the Nepal Army’s infantry school.

With a vast mountain range sprawling with deep ravines, timbered forests and near-alpine meadows, Nagarkot is a perfect setting for Nepal’s only infantry school, said Capt. Anil K.C., the adjutant officer of Military Police Battalion Bhadrakali, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Nagarkot Mountain is 7,400 feet above sea level and, while exploring it, the officers and Marines found a great opportunity to bond in a more personal way.

“Trips like this help strengthen relations between countries and make friends,” said K.C. “Sharing experiences is good for us.

“It’s not just about what you can take away from it as service members, but what you can take away from it as people. Sharing methods and tactics is a great way to improve each other’s military. However, to be able to share in experiences and each other’s culture can open minds and help us seek self-improvement,” K.C. said.

While making the four-hour trek up the mountain, the Marines were introduced to Nepal’s simpler, more traditional culture instead of the urban hustle and bustle of its capital city of Kathmandu. The trekkers’ path guided them within feet of the local residents’ brick dwellings for an up-close look at everyday life. Elderly women, well into

their 80s, wearing traditionally colored robes guided 1,500-pound buffalo through the countryside.

Rows of Nepali maize could be seen for miles, growing on near-vertical slopes that would render modern harvesting equipment ineffective. As the air became thinner, the Marines’ guides treated them to a roadside snack of seasoned cucumbers the size of watermelons.

Upon reaching their destination, an observation tower high atop Nagarkot Mountain, the

Marines had a ceremonious Tika dot placed on their foreheads and were given a Hindu blessing.

Before the Marines’ descent, they were able to view numerous mountain ranges from the balcony of a traditional Himalayan lodge as the day’s cloud cover exposed dozens of mountain peaks in the distance, several of which were more than 20,000 feet in elevation.

“Trips like these give us an opportunity to strengthen relations,” K.C. said.

(Story by Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco, III Marine Expeditionary Force.)

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USS Nassau Delivers critical Aid to Galveston

Seaman Gregory Newland directs a utility landing craft from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau onto the beach near the port of Galveston, Texas to begin disaster relief efforts Sept. 18. The Nassau is anchored off Galveston to provide disaster response and aid to civil authorities as directed in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Seaman Newland is assigned to Beachmaster Unit Two. ((U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III.)

Seaman Apprentice Vincent Jones deploys on a utility landing craft from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau under way to the beaches of Galveston, Texas to begin disaster relief efforts Sept. 18. The Nassau is anchored off Galveston to provide disaster response and aid to civil authorities as directed in the wake of Hurricane Ike. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III.)

A high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle or Humvee exits from an utility landing craft Sept. 18 on the beach near Galveston, Texas. The Humvee was from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau anchored off Galveston to provide disaster response and aid to civil authorities as directed in the wake of Hurricane Ike. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III.)

A members of Beachmaster Unit Two directs utility landing crafts from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau Sept. 18 on the beach near Galveston, Texas to begin disaster relief efforts . The Nassau is anchored off Galveston to provide disaster response and aid to civil authorities as directed in the wake of Hurricane Ike. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III.)

Hurricane Watch:

GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas, Sept. 19, 2008 -- Military heavy equipment and teams began arriving onshore here Sept. 18 as part of a tremendous assistance effort for an area devastated by Hurricane Ike.

Teams from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau began the process of bringing supplies, equipment and people ashore to help with cleanup efforts.

A Navy construction battalion, who are experts in rebuilding roads or bridges, is part of the relief effort.

"We're working with the state of Texas and the mayor of Galveston (in Texas) in providing them the services that they need here," said Navy Capt. James Boorujy, the USS Nassau commanding officer. "They're in charge and we're supporting them any way we can.

The Naval officer in charge of the relief operation is Navy Capt. Bob Lineberry, the Amphibious Squadron 6 commander. As commander of the squadron, Captain Lineberry also holds the title of commodore, given to officers who command a squadron of ships.

"We're here to support the Mayor for as quick of recovery as possible," Captain Lineberry said. "Our people are trained with the machinery to remove debris in a variety of environments. Fallen trees, broken machinery, our guys are trained for these types of missions and we'll do them where the mayor desires us to be."

Officials from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, as the Joint Forces Maritime component commander to U.S. Northern Command, directed the ship to provide maritime disaster response at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency assisting first responders on scene and citizens affected by Hurricane Ike.

From the USS Nassau, members of the Assault Craft Unit departed for an eight-mile journey to Galveston's beach. The unit, using four landing craft utility boats, transported heavy equipment from ship to shore, including Humvees, backhoes, front-end loaders and other heavy machinery, equipment and Sailors for the emergency debris removal efforts.

"We're responsible for the movement of vehicles, cargo and personnel from ship to shore," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Reggie Sherrod, one of four craftmasters running the LCUs. "I can carry 200 tons, composed of equipment and force personnel."

More than 1,000 Sailors and Marines are coming ashore to assist in recovery efforts. The four LCUs arrived at the beach, conducted a beach landing, bringing equipment and specialty teams such as a beachmaster unit and three disaster relief teams ashore Sept. 18, while the masses of Sailors are being brought ashore on the LCUs Sept. 19 to assist in the enormous task of getting the city back on its feet.

Once shoreside, the beachmasters play an important role in getting forces onto land.

"Our role is to setup a command center, control the traffic of personnel and cargo from ship to shore," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Hernandez, assigned to Beach Master Unit 2. "Once ashore, it will be put to use for whatever Galveston needs. We coordinate with members of city who tell us where the need it."

Once equipment arrives on shore, it is checked and put into action.

"We'll make full use of the vehicle we have," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Levon Poel, a disaster relief team member with Amphibious Construction Battalion 2, who is responsible for all equipment being brought ashore. "We have a bulldozer, we can help with grading the beach, clearing any debris they have, whatever they need."

Sailors coming ashore will also be assisting with points of distribution for supplies.

The USS Nassau made a 2,000-mile journey to Galveston, arriving off coast in the evening of Sept. 16.

"We were actually underway heading here before the hurricane hit", Captain Boorujy said.

"Almost immediately upon arrival, there was extensive coordination and integration with lead government agencies in order to make to beach (Sept. 18)," Captain Lineberry said.

The ship deployed for the same mission following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"It's a good feeling knowing we're coming out here to help our country," Petty Officer Hernandez said. This is one of the things we're ready for. We came to serve our country no matter where -- here, Iraq, Afghanistan, stateside. Wherever we're needed, we'll go."

(Story by Capt. Nicholas J. Sabula, Air Force News Agency.)

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Troops in Iraq Kill Bomb-Attack Suspect

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2008 -- Coalition forces today killed a terrorist insurgent suspected of leading al-Qaida in Iraq bomb attacks throughout the Tigris River Valley, according to military reports.

The wanted man was among seven killed in operations in the Tikrit area, military officials said.

Intelligence reports led coalition forces to a building in Dawr, a town northwest of Baghdad, where they found the suspect and others. The targeted suspect allegedly worked for the al-Qaida in Iraq leader of Diyala, who was detained by coalition forces on Sept. 2. He is believed to be the improvised explosive device mastermind in the Muqdadiyah area, where more than 25 IED incidents have caused 38 casualties since Aug. 1, officials said.

Forces surrounded the building and called for its occupants to surrender. Despite nearly an hour of multiple calls and warnings that the force would engage them, the individuals refused to come out, officials said. An armed man appeared in the doorway, and coalition forces, perceiving hostile intent, engaged him. Later, he was determined to be the suspected terrorist, officials said.

During the operation supporting aircraft engaged and killed three additional terrorism suspects. Three women also were killed, and an Iraqi child was rescued from the rubble by coalition forces and was taken to a nearby base, where he is receiving medical treatment. Coalition officials said the air strike was conducted in accordance with applicable rules.

Surveillance teams observed two other people running from the building and taking shelter in a neighboring mosque. Coalition forces called for support from Iraqi forces, who aided by entering the mosque and apprehending one suspect, officials said.

"Sadly, this incident again shows that the [al-Qaida in Iraq] terrorists repeatedly risk the lives of innocent women and children to further their evil work," Army Col. Jerry O'Hara, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said.

Also in Iraq today:

• In Mosul, troops captured a suspected terrorist associated with an alleged financier who is believed to facilitate the movement of foreign terrorists into Iraq to conduct attacks against civilians and security forces. One additional suspect was detained as well.

• Near Samarra, north of Baghdad, a suspected terrorist with ties to regional al-Qaida leadership was captured, along with an additional suspect.

• Coalition forces operating in Baghdad’s Khadamiyah neighborhood captured three wanted men and one additional suspect who are believed to conspire with a longtime terrorist leader.

• Six suspects were detained in connection with an IED attack against an Iraqi National Police patrol in northern Baghdad. A national policeman was killed in the attack earlier in the day, and two were wounded.

Also this week, Iraqi and coalition forces seized weapons caches in and around Baghdad, mostly based on citizens’ tips, officials said. The munitions included an Iranian-manufactured 85 mm PG7 rocket, a Russian-manufactured 85 mm PG7 rocket, a 122 mm Russian rocket, 150 rounds of 14.5 mm ammunition, a heavy-machine-gun barrel, rocket propellant, 60 and 81 mm mortar rounds and tubes, rocket-propelled grenades and launchers, bombs designed to pierce armor-hulled vehicles, blasting caps and Molotov cocktails.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)

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Taliban Commander, 5 Others Detained in Combined Operation

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, Sept. 19, 2008 -- Afghan national security forces and coalition forces captured six militants, one them a Taliban commander, in Surobi District, Kabul province Sept. 18, 2008.

The operation deliberately targeted the Taliban commander and his associates. Elements of the Afghan national army's Commando force and coalition forces, conducted a raid on the known commander's safe house.

Friendly forces received small-arms fire as they searched the compound. After positively identifying the militants responsible, the forces returned fire, killing two.

Two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, three AK-47s and one machine gun were recovered.

No ANSF, coalition forces or civilian casualties were reported.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)

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US Coast Guard Seizes $196 Million Worth of Cocaine in 2nd Sub Bust this Week

15,000 lbs. of cocaine sit on the Forecastle of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, September 17, 2008. Boarding teams from the Midgett seized a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel carrying 15,000 lbs. of cocaine, and apprehended its four crewmembers near Guatemala. (U.S. Coast Guard photo.)

Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett load bales of cocaine onto the deck of the cutter September 17, 2008. Boarding teams from the Midgett seized a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel carrying 15,000 lbs. of cocaine, and apprehended its four crewmembers near Guatemala. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Second Class Prentice Danner.)

A self-propelled, semi-submersible craft was seized Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. The craft was seized by Coast Guard during a joint operation with the USS McInerney in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The vessel can also travel from Ecuador to San Diego, Calif., without having to stop for replenishment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo.)

A self-propelled, semi-submersible craft was seized Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. The craft was seized by Coast Guard during a joint operation with the USS McInerney in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The vessel can also travel from Ecuador to San Diego, Calif., without having to stop for replenishment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo.)

A self-propelled, semi-submersible craft was seized Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. The craft was seized by Coast Guard during a joint operation with the USS McInerney in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The vessel can also travel from Ecuador to San Diego, Calif., without having to stop for replenishment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo.)

Video -- Boarding teams from the Midgett seized a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel carrying 15,000 lbs. of cocaine, and apprehended its four crewmembers near Guatemala.

Video -- Boarding teams from the Midgett seized a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel carrying 15,000 lbs. of cocaine, and apprehended its four crewmembers near Guatemala.

Video -- Boarding teams from the Midgett seized a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel carrying 15,000 lbs. of cocaine, and apprehended it’s four crewmembers near Guatemala.

NOTE: News readers click here to view the video.

On the Home Front:

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2008 -- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett and a U.S. Navy maritime patrol aircraft teamed up to interdict a stateless, self-propelled, semi-submersible vessel Wednesday with seven tons of cocaine aboard approximately 400 miles south of the Mexico-Guatemala border.

The 60-foot, self-propelled, semi-submersible (SPSS) craft was detected by a U.S. Navy aircraft. The aircraft vectored Midgett to the location of the SPSS whereupon the Coast Guard quickly commenced a boarding of the stateless SPSS. The Coast Guard boarding team located 295 bales of cocaine, valued at more than $196 million, in a huge forward compartment. The SPSS became unstable and began to sink during the transfer of the bales of cocaine from the SPSS to Midgett. The condition of the vessel made it unsafe to tow and Midgett's crew sank the vessel as a hazard to navigation.

Wednesday's interdiction follows a daring nighttime boarding and seizure of another SPSS on Saturday in which the Coast Guard boarding team, embarked aboard the USS McInerney, surprised an SPSS with four suspected smugglers using the cover of darkness to take positive control of the SPSS. The smugglers attempted to throw the boarding team into the sea by reversing the SPSS engines suddenly, and attempted to scuttle the vessel, but the boarding team compelled the smugglers to comply with orders to close the scuttling valves. Seven tons of cocaine were seized from the SPSS and the USS McInerney took the SPSS in tow.

"I'm proud to tell you that over the past five days, Pacific Area Coast Guard units, with the help of our U.S. Navy and interagency partners, seized more than 14 tons of cocaine with a street value of more than $383 million from two self-propelled, semi-submersible vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean," said Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. "The interoperability between Coast Guard and Navy assets has never bee more effective. Our Department of Defense and interagency partners are a critical force multiplier making such interdictions possible."

(Story from a U.S. Coast Guard news release.)

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Video: US Navy, Coast Guard Seize Semi-Submersible Boat, 7 Tons of Cocaine
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Head of Joint Chiefs: Narcotics Trade Fuels Afghanistan Insurgency

News in Balance:

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 19, 2008 -- The poppy trade that fuels terrorists and insurgents in Afghanistan is a problem that must be addressed but doesn’t have a military solution, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here last night.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Pacific Council on International Policy, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said the narcotics trade serves as the baseline for Afghanistan’s economy.

Farmers in a country that ranks among the poorest in the world, Mullen said, have little choice but to cultivate poppy to sell to insurgents, who turn profits from opium trade on the black market despite Afghan drug laws and national drug controls.

“[Narcotics trade] is the engine that’s running Afghanistan’s insurgency,” the admiral said. “And the extent of that is killing its people.”

Part of the solution has to be to replace the poppy crop with another means of revenue immediately, Mullen said. Otherwise, farmers most likely will continue to work for terrorists to support their families. He said the issue is not within the responsibility or capacity of the military, but rather is a matter for the entire group of nations working there to figure out.

“We just can’t keep looking the other way,” he added.

Another problem, the chairman said, is that as al-Qaida loosens its footprint in Iraq, officials have noticed more foreign fighters moving into Afghanistan from safe havens across the country’s border with Pakistan.

“Al-Qaida in Iraq is on the run,” Mullen said, and U.S. officials are concerned about new groups of foreign fighters infiltrating from Pakistan’s border regions.

Security improvements in Iraq are allowing the United States to commit more troops to Afghanistan, Mullen told the group. An additional Army brigade combat team and two Marine battalions have been added to the rotation in Afghanistan, an increase of more than 5,000 troops.

Militarily, the Afghan army has become a credible force, Mullen said, and a good connection has developed between Afghan and American troops. But the Afghan police have a long way to go and need some improvements, he acknowledged. Still, he said, better security in the country is in the foreseeable future, and the Afghan government is taking steps in the right direction.

(Story by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service.)

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US Marine to Receive Navy Cross Posthumously

Marine Sgt. Raphael Peralta. (Photo by Marine Corps News.)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Sept 19, 2008 -- The Navy Cross will be awarded to Sgt. Raphael Peralta posthumously for valor during combat operations conducted November 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq, the Secretary of the Navy announced Sept. 17.

Peralta, 25, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, with Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, assigned to 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, was shot while clearing his seventh house on the morning of Nov. 15, 2004, during Operation Al Fajr, an assault to eliminate an insurgent stronghold within the city.

According to a I MEF press release, during search and attack operations Nov. 15, 2004, while clearing houses, Peralta was caught in a crossfire between Marines and insurgents, leaving him mortally wounded.

“After the initial exchange of gunfire, the insurgents broke contact, throwing a fragmentation grenade as they fled the building,” the press release said. "Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away."

The medal will be presented to the Peralta family at a later date. Only 23 Marines and sailors have been awarded the Navy Cross since Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom began.

Born April 7, 1979, in Mexico City, Peralta was the oldest of four siblings. The son of Raphael and Rosa Peralta, he immigrated to the United States and joined the Marine Corps in April 2000 after receiving his green card and later became an American citizen.

Peralta is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. A funeral was held for him Nov. 23, 2004, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Cpl. T. J. Kaemmerer, a combat correspondent who fought alongside Peralta, wrote about the day Peralta died:

“Mortally wounded, he jumped into the already cleared, adjoining room, giving the rest of us a clear line of fire through the doorway to the rear of the house. I saw four Marines firing from the adjoining room when a yellow, foreign-made, oval-shaped grenade bounced into the room, rolling to a stop close to Peralta’s nearly lifeless body ... in his last fleeting moments of consciousness (he) reached out and pulled the grenade into his body.”

Kaemmerer also retold the advice Cpl. Richard A. Mason, an infantryman with Headquarters Platoon, told him shortly after Peralta's death: "You’re still here; don’t forget that. Tell your kids, your grandkids, what Sgt. Peralta did for you and the other Marines today."

(Story by Lance Cpl. Bryan G. Carfrey, Headquarters Marine Corps.)

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Iraqi Government to Take Control of 'Sons of Iraq'

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGHDAD, Sept. 19, 2008 -- Multinational Division Baghdad calls them “Sons of Iraq.” Their countrymen call them the “Volunteers.” Both are fitting namesakes for the 28,000 Baghdad residents who formed citizen militias last year, in coordination with the Iraqi security forces and Multinational Division Baghdad, to protect their communities against al-Qaida in Iraq and other violent extremists.

“They risked their lives and fought a common enemy,” said Army Col. Richard Welch, reconciliation and engagements team chief for Multinational Division Baghdad, who has been involved with the Sons of Iraq program since its earliest days and has watched it grow and change.

The latest change is a direct result of the program’s success. Security gains, achieved in part by Sons of Iraq contributions, have reduced the need for the program, and the Iraqi government will take control of it Oct. 1.

In concert with the increasing size and capacity of the Iraqi security forces, the coalition forces “surge,” and the willingness of Baghdad citizens to provide tips on enemy weapons stockpiles and extremist activities, the Sons of Iraq have been paramount to a 90-percent reduction in violence across Baghdad since the high point in August 2007, said Army Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, deputy commander of Multinational Division Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division. The key to successfully transitioning the program into Iraqi government control will be to maintain these security gains, the general said.

“The [Iraqi government] is committed to making this work and get it right the first time,” Swan said. He acknowledged some angst generated during the program’s transition, but also reaffirmed Multinational Division Baghdad support for the government as it takes the reins of the program.

Under the new initiative, the Iraqi government will assume the payroll for the Sons of Iraq. To ensure a seamless transfer, officials are undertaking deliberate but paced efforts, beginning with payroll registration at joint security stations throughout Baghdad.

Army Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, commander of the 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Battalion, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, attached to the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Multinational Division Baghdad, presided over registration efforts at Joint Security Station Washash in the West Mansour district. Scores of Sons of Iraq waited patiently for their turn to register, and Sons of Iraq leaders carefully registered participants five at a time.

Registration acts as a verification process to ensure proper payroll payments after the transfer to Iraqi government control, Willoughby explained. Multinational Division Baghdad will assist the government with payroll operations as the transition goes forward, he said. The smooth operations at Washash were a positive harbinger for the future, he added.

Willoughby also noted that while the transfer will take place Oct. 1, the transition of Sons of Iraq into other duties and employment will be more phased. They still will be on patrol under the supervision of the Iraqi army. “This won’t be anything new for them,” he said. “The IA has always supervised them in our area.”

Swan said he is optimistic that the registration process will succeed. To date, 15,000 of the 28,000 Baghdad Sons of Iraq have registered during the past five days. Registration is set to conclude Sept. 25, and all Sons of Iraq who want to register with the government will be given the opportunity, he said.

The transfer opens the door for Sons of Iraq members to apply their hard-won skills to alternate forms of employment, including military or police service. About 20 percent of them will be absorbed into the Iraqi army or the national police.

Beyond that, Iraqi government and Multinational Baghdad officials are working together to develop several paths for the transition from security operations to other training and employment, Swan said, as positions and job-training within local community service centers and power stations will be available.

(Story by Army Maj. Lorraine Januzelli, Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)

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US, Czechleslovakia Sign Ballistic Missile Defense Treaties

News in Balance:

LONDON, Sept. 19, 2008 --The United States and the Czech Republic signed agreements today that will allow the United States to build a limited ballistic missile defense system to protect Europe from missiles fired from Iran or other rogue nations.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Czech Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanova signed the status of forces agreement that will allow basing of U.S. forces in the Czech Republic and a declaration on strategic defense cooperation between the two nations.

Gates is here for a NATO defense ministers meeting.

The Czech Republic will host a U.S.-built radar that will protect most of Europe from a limited ballistic missile attack. The radar – along with missiles based in Poland – will be able to shoot down a small number of missiles launched by rogue states.

“[The two agreements] will finalize the framework for stationing U.S. personnel in the Czech Republic in connection with the missile defense radar site,” Gates said. “This is a culmination of a process that will draw our nations closer and will help protect Europe from limited missile attacks.”

Gates praised the Czech Republic for taking the lead against future Euro-Atlantic threats and thanked the minister and her people for their support. He specifically thanked the Czech people for their sacrifices in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The agreement … will be a significant contribution to the security of own country, to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region and … also a significant contribution to the Atlantic Alliance,” Parkanova said through a translator. “It may seem that we have taken a lot of time to sign the two documents, … but this is indicative and proof of one fact: that the negotiations were tough, but fair, and that both parties can carry through their collective requirements.”

The radar site will be built in the Brdy Military Training Area. A study U.S. experts will conduct in November will give a better idea when the facility will be finished. Under the agreement, no more than 250 American personnel can be based at the facility.

Gates spoke about the NATO meeting after the signing.

“This meeting was about transformation of the alliance,” Gates said. “I think there was general agreement that the kinds of measures that we discussed and the actions the ministers have mandated are aimed at improving NATO’s capabilities across the board. If we are able to follow through on the initiatives that we have discussed, NATO’s ability to meet all its commitments will be significantly enhanced.”

Gates also said the ministers discussed funding for doubling the size of the Afghan National Army. “There was discussion of the expansion of the Afghan National Army and the added costs that will be involved,” he said. “On the margins of the conference, I let a number of my colleagues know that we would be in touch in terms of sharing the cost.”

Improving the capabilities of the Afghan army is NATO’s long-term exit strategy from Afghanistan.

“Good governance, civic development are equally important [in Afghanistan], but turning security responsibilities to the Afghans themselves at some future date is really the goal we all have in mind,” Gates said. “We need to be prepared the share the cost to make that happen.”

(Story by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service.)

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